Terms of trade improves to 35-year high

New Zealand's terms of trade, a measure of how much is exported per import, has improved to its best level in 35 years. The merchandise terms of trade rose 0.6% in the December 2010 quarter to reach a 35-year high, Statistics New Zealand said today. Export prices rose, while import prices fell. The rise means that 0.6% more imported goods could be funded by a fixed quantity of exported goods than in the September 2010 quarter. "The latest rise in the terms of trade - the fifth in a row - means that the purchasing power of exports is higher than at any time since the March 1974 quarter," Statistics NZ's prices manager Chris Pike said.
NZPA

Earthquake - 148 dead, more names released

The confirmed number of victims from the Christchurch earthquake has risen from 147 to 148. Police have also released the names of two more victims. They are 40-year-old Owen Wright of Lyttelton, and 38-year-old Natasha Hadfield of Kaiapoi. Expert teams are continuing to work out of Christchurch Hospital and the Burnham Military Camp to identify those lost in the earthquake. Chief Coroner Judge Neil MacLean says in almost all cases, visual identification isn't possible. Methods like fingerprinting, DNA and dental records are being employed.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd

Stormy weather expected for Nelson campers

By LAWRENCE HAKIWAI - NewstalkZB
Campers in the Buller and Nelson regions may need to head to higher ground tomorrow night or on Wednesday morning. Stormy weather will likely set in tomorrow evening with MetService warning heavy rain could see rivers rise quite rapidly, with surface flooding and slips possible. Nelson City Council, which owns several campgrounds, has recently allowed Cantabrians to stay at non-powered sites for free and at powered sites at discounted rates, with at least one of the campgrounds now fully booked.

Earthquake - Counsellors prepare for rash of stress-related cases

Cases of quake-related stress will worsen in coming weeks, warns Canterbury Charity Hospital Trust chairman Philip Bagshaw. The charity hospital is offering counselling using 21 volunteer counsellors and clinical psychologists, one of whom has travelled from Australia. Mr Bagshaw says people react to traumatic events such the earthquake in a variety of ways, including depression, anger, withdrawal and lethargy. Mr Bagshaw says people who feel they need counselling should contact their family doctor first for a referral. He says that if they cannot get in contact with their GP, they can call the hospital directly on 03 360 2266.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

China says it will give $700,000

China is giving hundreds of thousands of dollars to quake-ravaged Canterbury. A number of Chinese students were trapped in the Canterbury Television building in central Christchurch by last Tuesday's 6.3 quake. They and many others were attending an English-language school in the building when the quake struck. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy, Wang Xin, says the Chinese government will give about $650,000 for urgent humanitarian aid; the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries will give $20,000; and the Chinese Red Cross will give $65,000 to its New Zealand counterpart. Twenty thousand Chinese nationals are registered in Christchurch - 3500 of them students.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Student army on the move

Thousands of student volunteers are helping to clear silt-covered streets after last week's devastating earthquake. The Student Volunteer Army was formed after the September 4 earthquake, when hundreds of Canterbury University students helped residents to clean up the worst-affected suburbs. Group founder Sam Johnson said more than 3000 students had taken part in the latest volunteer effort since it began on Thursday. An administrative team of 100 people were helping to co-ordinate the work, with volunteers working through sections of the city "quite methodically" to ensure that work was completed as quickly as possible. Anybody wanting to volunteer, or who needs the group to help in their area, can register at sva.org.nz.
The Press

Christchurch Meals on Wheels to resume

Meals On Wheels will resume in Christchurch on Tuesday 1 March. Canterbury District Health Board says if those who normally receive the service have not had a call from the Meals on Wheels Office, they should phone 03 337 7797 to confirm they are at home and need meals.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Universities won't open before 14 March

Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce says universities in Canterbury have indicated they won't reopen for students before 14 March. He says both Canterbury and Lincoln universities intend to provide a full academic programme this year. Mr Joyce says the campuses are in reasonable condition and are connected to water and sewerage. He says the challenge the universities face is whether the city can support the large numbers of students. Mr Joyce says Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, which is located in the city centre, is working on alternative arrangements for students.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Christchurch earthquake: Faithful flock to church services

By Paul Harper and NZPA
Thousands of people in Christchurch as well as the rest of the country today paid their respects to those killed in Tuesday's devastating earthquake. Many church services in Christchurch were held in the open air because of the large number of churches damaged or destroyed in the 6.3 magnitude quake. "Quite a few churches around the city do not have clearance and people are nervous about being in an enclosed space anyway so we have decided to meet outside," the Reverend Alan Webster, who conducted the Christchurch South Library service, told NZPA. "This is an open space where people can relax together." Most of the cross-denomination congregation sat on deck chairs. Many brought their pet dogs and picnic rugs and scones and cups of tea were handed out as hymns are sung.

PM announces international appeal for Christchurch funds

Prime Minister John Key has announced the launch of a worldwide appeal to raise funds to help the people of Christchurch rebuild their lives after the 6.3 magnitude quake on Tuesday. The website to donate money is www.christchurchearthquakeappeal.govt.nz.
Mr Key says the funds will be used to help families experiencing hardship and for trauma and social services. He says some of the money may also be used to help rebuild iconic buildings such as Christchurch Cathedral. A similar appeal following the Victorian bushfires in Australia has raised $A392 million to date, including interest. The Prime Minister says the fund will be complementary to other established appeals such as those established by the Red Cross, Salvation Army and major trading banks.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Helen Clark tours devastated quake zone

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark has visited the devastated city of Christchurch and says it's as bad as anything she has seen. Clark, who now heads the United Nations development programme, told a media conference the damage in Christchurch is as bad as what she saw in quake-ravaged Haiti last year. Referring to the 1931 Hawke's Bay earthquake, Clark said: "This is Napier and Hastings plus." She said it is a devastating scene and it's a long road ahead. "This is a city where the life has been squeezed out of it." Clark has praise for the emergency workers, referring to the calm professionalism of the local and international emergency services. Clark is in New Zealand on private business but said she had to come down and show solidarity. "I've been overwhelmed with messages from people right through the UN system," Clark said. "People will do anything they can to help." But she said New Zealand has a strong Civil Defence system and with help from around the world New Zealand will cope without the aid of the United Nations.
Source: ONE News

Christchurch Art Gallery built to highest standard

CHARLIE GATES AND CHRISTOPHER MOORE
The Christchurch Art Gallery was specially designed to withstand large earthquakes. The building was unharmed in the Tuesday earthquake and has once again been transformed from a gallery into an Emergency Operations Centre for hundreds of workers from Civil Defence, police, fire services and other agencies. Holmes engineers yesterday undertook a four-hour inspection of the Canterbury Museum and the Robert McDougall Gallery. Both buildings were green stickered. Canterbury Museum director Anthony Wright said the museum building is structurally sound except for areas of loose stonework on the facade that were due to be removed yesterday. Wright said the museum was "in some disarray" but estimates that 95 per cent of the collections are fine. The museum and the Robert McDougall gallery will remain closed to the public and staff until further notice. The museum is thought to be one of the only 19th century Gothic Revival buildings in Christchurch to have escaped Tuesday's earthquake relatively unscathed.
The Press

London vigil for Christchurch earthquake victims

Kiwis in London will show their support for Christchurch this week with a special vigil at Westminster Cathedral. Around 1500 New Zealanders are expected to attend the March 2 vigil a 7pm, London time. New Zealand High Commissioner Derek Leask will read a message from Prime Minister John Key. There will be a waiata from Ngati Ranana, the London Maori Club and personal accounts and reflections will be read by former Christchurch city councillor, Paddy Austin. The High commission is also working on arrangements for a Christchurch Earthquake Memorial Service.
NZ HERALD STAFF

Breakthrough for bigger mums

By Abby Gillies
Fat-busting ultrasound machines are giving overweight mums-to-be the chance to see their unborn babies' faces for the first time. The technology at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital is a first for New Zealand and was developed to cope with a rise in the number of obese pregnant women. Middlemore has the busiest maternity ward in the country. The number of obese pregnant patients increased from 15 per cent in 2006 to 35 per cent last year. Several had body mass indexes higher than 50 - well above the recommended maximum of 25, said consultant obstetrician Yvonne Lake. Layers of fat made it hard to get a clear picture of an unborn baby, she said. The machines provided much clearer images, and could show them in 3D.

Christchurch - Most schools to remain closed

Schools in Christchurch city and many in surrounding areas will remain closed on Monday following the earthquake. The Ministry of Education had given schools and early childhood services in Waimakariri and Selwyn the all clear to reopen on Monday, depending on the state of buildings and availability of teachers. Denise Torrey of the Canterbury Primary Principal's Association says she's worried about staffing. She says teachers are among those who've left Christchurch, although teaching support has been offered from around the country.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

A car lies crushed by masonry that once was the spire of the Christchurch Anglican Cathedral.

source: NZPA

Churches are among the iconic buildings damaged in Tuesday's quake

 

Source: Bill Mallinson

Death toll now 145

By Bruce Russell - NewstalkZB
The official death toll in the Christchurch quake now stands at 145. More deaths have been confirmed this afternoon. More than 600 rescue workers are still toiling in rubble and ruined buildings. More than 200 people remain missing. Officials say more bodies are likely to be retrieved today.

Free LPG refills available

Contact has offered Christchurch residents free LPG refills for Christchurch residents. The Rockgas refills will be available at a number of service stations and outlets throughout the city. Contact's General Manager Retail, Ruth Bound said there are practical things that Contact can do, such as free gas, for whoever needs it, wherever they are.
You can fill a 9kg bottle for free at:
Challenge - 45 Halswell Road, Halswell
Challenge - corner Milton and Selwyn Street, Christchurch
Challenge Waimak - Main North Road, Kaiapoi
Caltex - Blenheim Road, Riccarton
Caltex - Lincoln Road, Addington
Caltex - 66 Riccarton Rd, Riccarton
Challenge - 11 Opawa Rd, Opawa
Butler Automart - 261 Stanmore Road, Richmond
Blighs Road Service Station - Corner Blighs and Idris Road, Papanui
Rockgas North Canterbury, Kaiapoi
Details also on www.contactenergy.co.nz
Source: ONE News

Volunteers flying hot meals to residents

Volunteers have started up a service taking hot meals by air to people in suburbs of Christchurch badly affected by the destructive earthquake on Tuesday. The Rangiora Earthquake Express is using two helicopters to get food to residents in the south east of Christchurch, including Bexley and Wainoni. One of the organisers, Fiona Parks, says the Express has spent about 21 hours flying over the past two days, transporting more than 50 loads of meals including 15,000 chicken nuggets. She says they urgently need more donations of cooking, and people can take donations of meals to the Rangiora racecourse.
Samoa contributes to quake recovery
The government of Samoa has donated $100,000 to help initial recovery efforts in Christchurch. Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said it was a small assistance on behalf of the Government and the people of Samoa. He said Samoa's prayers were with New Zealand.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Cricket - Australia cruise past Black Caps

New Zealand's World Cup campaign has suffered a setback after they were beaten convincingly by defending champions Australia in ther group A match in Nagpur today. It was the Black Caps' top order batting which again failed them and they required some lower order magic to reach their sub-par total of 206. Australia never looked in danger of losing, coasting to 207/3 in just 34 overs for a seven wicket win. Openers Shane Watson and Brad Haddin set the platform for Australia, combining for a 133 run opening stand from just 18 overs. Before the match both sides observed a minute's silence to acknowledge the lives lost in this week's earthquake in Christchurch. The Black caps will now travel to Ahmedabad for their next match against Zimbabwe on Friday.
Source: ONE News

No good news as 123 bodies now recovered

The number of bodies recovered from the Christchurch earthquake has now reached 123. Among the dead are some 20 different nationalities, and the number of missing remains around 226. No survivors of Tuesday's deadly 6.3 magnitude quake have been found since 2:30pm on Wednesday afternoon. Searches are on-going and are centred on the main CBD area including the two main sites at the CTV and PGC buildings as well as at the Cathedral.
Source: ONE News

Prince William, Kate sign quake condolence book

Prince William and his fiancée Kate Middleton have this morning paid their respects to those lost in the quake. The pair and William’s brother Prince Harry made their way to the New Zealand High Commission in London to sign a condolence book, after returning from an official visit to St Andrews in Scotland. Prince Charles signed the book during a visit to the high commission on Thursday.
3 News

Fiji military beats former politician unconscious: Amnesty

Amnesty International says it has grave fears for the safety of activists and government critics in Fiji. Amnesty says former politician Samasoni Tikonisau was earlier this week subject to a savage beating at the hands of the military. It says Mr Tikonisau was taken into army barracks on Monday and released three days later to be flown to Australia for treatment. It says Mr Tikonisau, also known as Sam Speight, was beaten until he lost consciousness. Amnesty says in the last week a government critic, several trade unionists and politicians have all been detained and beaten. There has been no comment from Fiji's military regime.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Vet team on way to help injured animals

A team of vets will soon be on its way to help animals injured in Tuesday's earthquake. Massey University's new veterinary emergency response team, which has been on standby since Tuesday, is set to travel to Christchurch on Sunday. Team leader Hayley Squance says there are no major animal emergencies there but the team expects to go door-to-door checking for animals that need help.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Babies among quake victims

Police on Thursday began releasing the names of some of those killed in the powerful earthquake in Christchurch. The names released included those of two babies.
Confirmed list
Andrew Christian Ross Craig, 46, of Christchurch
Jaime Robert McDowell Gilbert, 22, of Christchurch
Baxter Gowland, five months, of Christchurch
Jayden Harris, nine months, of Christchurch
Joseph Tehau Pohio, 40, of Christchurch
Jeff Pelesa Sanft, 32, of Christchurch
More names will be released as procedures for formal identification progress.
Aftershocks continued to rattle already frayed nerves in Christchurch, as the confirmed death toll from Tuesday's devastating earthquake climbed to 113.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Quake death toll continues to rise

The confirmed death toll from Tuesday's devastating earthquake in Christchurch rose again on Friday to 113. The police say only bodies were recovered overnight on Thursday from buildings that collapsed in the 6.3-magnitude quake that hit the city at 12.51pm on Tuesday. Civil Defence Minister John Carter said that, in all, 70 people had been rescued alive from collapsed buildings since the earthquake struck, but the last was on Wednesday afternoon. He says teams will now be searching areas such as alleyways where people may be under rubble of facades fallen from buildings. Specialist teams had searched about 90% of the central business district by Friday morning, the Fire Service said. Of those injured in the quake, 11 were intensive care, Mr Carter said. The field hospital sent from Australia was expected to be in operation by lunchtime on Friday.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Damaged liferaft found in Antarctic

Searchers looking for three crew members of a Norwegian yacht missing in freezing conditions in the Antarctic have this morning located an empty and damaged liferaft. The 4-6 person liferaft was found about 9am - 45 miles north of the 14m steel yacht Berserk's original distress beacon alert from the Ross Sea - by a helicopter from the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society ship Steve Irwin. A sea boat from the Steve Irwin was sent out to recover the liferaft and a serial number on the craft was being checked by Norwegian authorities to find out whether it came from the Berserk, Ross Henderson, from the Rescue Coordination Centre New Zealand (RCCNZ) said.
NZPA

Cathedral will be rebuilt - Parker

MICHAEL FIELD
Christchurch's iconic cathedral, which was badly damaged in the earthquake, will be rebuilt, Mayor Bob Parker says. He said the building was a stunning and symbolic building. "There is some discussion that that is a building we could rebuild brick by brick, stone by stone. We need to find some symbols like that." There will be a new and stronger city rising out of the ruins and it was realistic to start thinking about it, he said. "The scale of what has happened here means we will have to take some bold steps." He would not rule out the need to knock over whole blocks of the city and some of the character buildings they would have once fought for may have to go. "We have got to have a safe city going forward."

Foreign nationals confirmed killed in quake

Several foreign nationals are confirmed to have died in the earthquake and police are still trying to establish the number missing. Two British and two Irish people are confirmed to have died. Chinese media says 20 Chinese students are missing following the quake. China Central Television says the students were studying at the English language school in the collapsed Canterbury Television building. Ten Japanese students who were inside the building are also unaccounted for. The British Foreign Office has confirmed that two British people were killed. A spokesperson says their families have been told and the British government is providing consular support.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Christchurch quake scam masquerades as Red Cross

A second, more sophisticated email scam has emerged targeting people wanting to help victims of the Christchurch earthquake. The scam is designed to look like it is from the Red Cross, directing people to a fake website where they are asked for credit card details. "The scam website has the same look and feel as the genuine Red Cross website," the Ministry of Consumer Affairs said on its Scamwatch page. Signs the site was bogus included the misspelling of Christchurch and other words, the long web address which was not hosted on the Red Cross website, and the insecure payment page. More fake emails and websites are likely to surface in the wake of Tuesday's earthquake.
NZPA

Delivery of Census forms halted

Statistics New Zealand has stopped the delivery of Census forms to all of New Zealand because of the Christchurch earthquake. A spokesperson says 60% of forms have already been delivered for the Census, due to be conducted on Tuesday 8 March. They say the delivery of forms has been stopped until midday on Friday, while they assess how the quake will affect the census. Statistics New Zealand says an announcement will be made then about whether the Census will go ahead as planned.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Work continues to contact elderly and vunerable

Work and Income has phoned 10,234 elderly, disabled and vulnerable Cantabrians who may be alone and distressed following a powerful devastating earthquake on Tuesday. Staff are working their way through a list of 14,500 people and phoning clients because staff are unable to physically get around Christchurch. About 50 elderly people have been referred to welfare centres which are operating at Burnside High School, Cowles Stadium, Pioneer Stadium and Rangiora Baptist Church.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch earthquake: Army field hospital coming from Aust

A 75-bed army field hospital is due to arrive from Australia in Christchurch this afternoon to help with those injured during Tuesday's devastating 6.3 earthquake. The field hospital will be staffed by 25 Australian clinicians including six emergency department doctors and 13 nurses, the Canterbury District Health Board said. Since Tuesday's earthquake 164 people have been admitted to Christchurch Hospital with injuries as a direct result of the earthquake.
NZPA

Harawira leaves Maori Party

Hone Harawira has left the Maori Party and will act as an independent MP. The party's national council met on Wednesday morning to consider a complaint made against the MP for Te Tai Tokerau by the whip Te Ururoa Flavell. It follows weeks of dispute about a newspaper article Mr Harawira wrote criticising the Maori Party's relationship with the National Government and a recommendation from the the party's disputes and disciplinary committee on Tuesday that he be expelled from the party. A spokesperson says the party and Mr Harawira have agreed to part ways and focus on the issues confronting Maori. Mr Harawira says he will not contest any other Maori seat in the election in November and that the Maori Party will not stand a candidate against him in Te Tai Tokerau either. A Far North Maori leader says Mr Harawira could be in for a surprise when he seeks re-election as an independent MP. Ngati Hine chairman Waihoroi Shortland says people who have been turned off by the "debacle" of recent weeks may well use their electorate vote to register their displeasure with Mr Harawira.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Planes will fly to Vanuatu islands cut off by cyclone

There’s still been no contact with two islands in the southern part of Vanuatu, hit by Cyclone Atu two days ago. Disaster Management officials have not been able to establish communications with Futuna and Aniwa in the southern Tafea province. May Pascual from Vanuatu’s UNICEF Office says at a meeting yesterday at the Disaster Management Office, it was agreed that rapid assessment teams should go there by plane.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Two journalists arrested

Two Japanese journalists were arrested over night when they tried to break into Christchurch Hospital to interview earthquake victims, the Canterbury District Health Board says. The incident had been referred to police, a CDHB spokeswoman told NZPA today.
NZPA

Names of some quake victims to be released - PM

Prime Minister John Key says the names of some of those killed in the Christchurch earthquake will be released on Thursday (today, NZ time). Mr Key says he has discussed with Police Commissioner Howard Broad the release of information. He says names will only be released where a positive ID has been made and the next of kin have been informed. Mr Key says only a small number of number of names will be released on Thursday, as there are a number of families who are not comfortable at this point with any names being publicly released.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch earthquake: Rail links almost restored

Rail links to Christchurch have been largely restored for the resumption of supplies to the earthquake zone. KiwiRail said last night it had reopened its line between Dunedin and Christchurch, and it expected to complete repairs near Rangiora overnight for trains to start moving south from Picton early today. But the line to the Port of Lyttelton remains closed because of damage to a bridge at Heathcote.
Copyright 2011, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Christchurch earthquake - quick facts

BY THE NUMBERS
* 72 dead
* 300 reported missing
* 164 patients had been admitted as "seriously injured"
* 40 per cent of the city without power
* $16 billion JP Morgan damage estimate
* 1000 number of rescuers by this weekend
* 40 police cordons in the city
* 1464 NZDF personnel directly supporting the operation
* 431 people had gone through the Emergency Department
* 20 people are thought to remain in the pancaked PGC building
Copyright 2011, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Students volunteer again

The student who organised a massive clean up operation after last year's earthquake has reactivated his efforts. Sam Johnson says they're working closely with Civil Defence and are focusing in the early stages on helping people in low risk areas with non-life threatening situations. In just over 24 hours, 10 thousand people have joined a Facebook page to help. It's at www.facebook.com/StudentVolunteerArmy. Volunteers are being asked to arrive at the Canterbury University Students Association between 9am and 10am today on foot, by bike or if need be via carpool. Eleven buses are planned to ferry hundreds of students to dozens of sites across the city to roll up their sleeves and help out. Volunteers have been asked to bring any equipment they may have including shovels, wheelbarrows, gloves, raincoats, sun block and drink bottles.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd

Assessments begin today

By Edward SWIFT - NewstalkZB
The state of Christchurch residents houses and their welfare needs will begin to be assessed this morning. 'Operation Suburb' will send 40 teams of four, consisting of building officials, engineers and welfare officers into the suburbs. They'll conduct initial assessments of properties, and if major structural damage is suspected then engineers will conduct more in-depth assessments. Properties that are not safe to stay in its current condition will received a red placard. Welfare officers will also assess whether residents require assistance. Teams will head to Brighton, Dallington, Avonside, Wainoni, Avondale, Parklands, Queenspark, St Martins, Opawa and Lyttelton.

Christchurch families queue for supplies

MARTA STEEMAN
Hundreds of Christchurch families spent hours queuing for bread, water and petrol – with authorities warning there will not be enough water to meet demand in the coming days. Both major supermarket chains report many stores were closed. Staff and customers were injured when stock fell off shelves. Power cuts have ruined refrigerated food, closed bakeries and butcheries, perishable goods have been condemned and many shop workers stayed home to care for their families. Christchurch City Council said the water supply was not functioning on the eastern side of the city. "There is no drinking water and no fire pressure," it said in a statement. Drinking water was available from some primary schools and more tanks were on the way.

Rescue workers are seen at the collapsed CTV building

Source: Reuters

Little hope of finding survivors at CTV building

Police believe it is unlikely any earthquake survivors will be found in the collapsed Canterbury Television building. About 100 people are believed to be inside. Police on Wednesday confirmed the rescue operation is now over and they are preparing for the recovery phase. Police say an urban search and rescue team believes it would not be possible for people to survive in the fire-blackened ruins of the CTV building. Rescuers now need to need to concentrate their resources elsewhere in areas where survivors are more likely to be found. A number of Japanese students are believed to have been at an English-language school on the third floor.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Christchurch Earthquake: Important numbers

A list of the important numbers in regards to the situation in Christchurch including how to report missing persons and ways to donate
Red Cross: 0800 733 276 to report missing persons. The overseas number is +64 7 850 2199.
Accommodation: 0800 2825 5263 for people going to Auckland, needing accommodation or for Aucklanders with accommodation to offer.
National accommodation: 0800 435 700 for anyone who can offer accommodation for people displaced.
Emergency payments: 0800 779 997 the Government helpline for Civil Defence emergency payments
Salvation Army: 0800 530 000 for anyone wanting to donate to the Salvation Army Canterbury Earthquake Appeal or online at salvationarmy.org.nz.
Westpac has opened an account for donations: 09 0207 0617331 00
ASB has opened an account for donations: 12-3205 0146808 00
BNZ has opened an account for donations: 02-0500-0982004-000
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd

Christchurch recap 8:19pm

- two streets in Sumner are being evacuated by police after engineers found cracks in a nearby hillside.
- power is out at 50% of homes.
- police believe there are no survivors at the CTV building.
- a curfew is now operating in the Christchurch CBD from the four avenues inwards. Anyone caught there will be arrested.
- the 26 storey Hotel Grand Chancellor building is in grave danger of collapsing.
- schools and early childhood centres will remain closed until further notice.
- death toll stands at 75, with 300 missing.
Source: ONE News

Bottled water

Water update: 6.50pm Wednesday 23 February 2011
Posted on Wednesday, February 23, 2011 by canterburyearthquake
Issued by: Christchurch City Council
Bottled water will be distributed by 2100 (9.00pm) tonight at the following locations:

* Walter Park
* Cowles Stadium
* Linwood Service Centre
* Barrington Park
* The Warehouse Car park, Blenheim Rd
* Avondale Golf Course
* Northlands Mall
* Waltham Park
* QEII Park

Christchurch quake - day two

4pm: Forty-five Christchurch home-dialysis patients will be arriving in Auckland by flight this evening and provided with accommodation in the region and ongoing dialysis. Home dialysis is not possible in Canterbury at present because the water supply is spoiled.
Source: ONE News

New welfare centres to cope with demand

Christchurch's emergency management agency has established two new welfare centres in the city in the wake of a powerful earthquake on Tuesday. A new centre at Cowles Stadium in Aranui is open and one at Pioneer Stadium in Spreydon will be open by 6pm on Wednesday. The emergency welfare centre in Hagley Park is full and people are being encouraged to go elsewhere. Other centres have been set up at Addington Raceway and Burnside Highschool. Buses are being run on Wednesday afternoon to take people from the Hagley Park centre to Cowles and Pioneer stadiums. Work is also being done to prepare welfare centres in Lincoln township and Rangiora in the next few days.
Counselling services
Trauma Counselling Services are sending staff to Christchurch, while Victim Support is sending between 80 and 100 people from throughout New Zealand. The Government helpline has taken thousands of calls, most relating to locating loved-ones, offering donations or inquiring about accommodation options. People seeking counselling services can also ring 0800 LIFELINE or 0800 5433 5463
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Scam Alert

Christchurch earthquake: scam emails already surfacing.
Sadly, Scamwatch and NetSafe have already received reports of scammers using the Christchurch earthquake as an opportunity to prey on the good will of New Zealanders.
The emails, sent from "James McCoy" and claiming to be from "Donate4Charity NZ" use a legitimate UK-based charity organisation's name and website address.
The emails call for people to receive donated funds into their bank account from overseas for a 10% cut. This is a scam.
Please delete these emails straight away, do not reply.
The Charities Commission advises that its best to give to large, well-known charities and suggest if anyone ever has a doubt about donating to a charity, they can check it out on the Charities Register website.

The Christchurch Catholic Cathedral

 

Source:NZPA

How to donate to Christchurch quake appeals

ANZ/NATIONAL APPEAL
Donations can be made at ANZ branches or online to account number 01-1839-0188939-00.
They can also be made at National Bank branches or online to account number 06-0869-0548507-00.
ANZ said it would make a contribution of $1 million and would would match staff donations.
WESTPAC APPEAL
The Westpac Canterbury Care Fund now has $1 million available to provide practical assistance for those in need, working with the Salvation Army.
Donations can be made online to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal account number 03-0207-0617331-00, and through branches nationwide to the Salvation Army.
ASB APPEAL
ASB has also opened an account to receive donations: 12-3205-0146808-00
The bank yesterday donated $1 million towards the fund.
Donations can be made at ASB branches nationwide, or via online banking. Across the Tasman parent company, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, is also accepting donations for the Red Cross.
SALVATION ARMY
People can also donate to the The Salvation Army appeal by calling 0800 530000 or going to salvationarmy.org.nz
AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ASSOCIATION
Anyone wanting to make a donation should contact the association on 09 309 0789, or make a donation in person around the Student Union Building on the University of Auckland campus.
RED CROSS
The Red Cross said any offers of goods and services should be forwarded to the National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) in Wellington. The email address is operations@ncmc.govt.nz
Source: ONE News

Number for international callers now activated

A telephone number has been set up as a dedicated number to deal with those people concerned about the whereabouts of friends and family. Callers to the line will be asked to provide details of those missing including the location the person was thought to be at the time of the earthquake.
The Red Cross Person Enquiry Line is 0800 REDCROSS (0800 733 276) Red Cross will be able to tell you if they have registered with Civil Defence. (latest reports are that this number is in overload, additional numbers are being set up) People are encouraged to do this before reporting friends and relatives missing.
People enquiring from outside New Zealand should call +64 7 850 2199
© 2011 NZCity

Mother hit by debris dies with baby in arms

A mother died with her baby in her arms in Christchurch's Cashel St Mall in yesterday's earthquake. Passersby went to her assistance, but she was already dead. The helpers took the child away. It was not known how badly it was hurt when the pair were hit by falling debris. Tom Brittenden, was doing repair work to the already damaged Cafe Blur when the earthquake hit. He ran on to the street into an "unbelievable" scene. Mr Brittenden said it looked like the woman with the baby had run out of a store in panic and been hit by falling debris. "We tried to pull these big bricks off [them] .... She was gone." Some people helping took her baby away, he said. "They just put a blanket on [the woman] because she had already gone."
The Press

Drinking water

9.55am
"Drinking water should be available from various primary schools by 11am. Please bring your own containers to fill," says the Christchurch City Council via Twitter.
Available from these primary schools: Redcliffs, Phillipstown, Sth New Brighton, Shirley, Wainoni, Lyttelton Main.
NZ HERALD STAFF and agencies

Blood donors

10.10am
NZ Blood Services confirm they have sufficient blood stocks but say if you are not already a donor and would like to sign up to be contacted when they do need blood donations, call 0800 GIVE BLOOD (0800 448 325) or email donors.national@nzblood.co.nz

Christchurch Images

Christchurch quake - day two

9.40am: Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says assistance for Cantabrians is available now and welfare centres are operating at Hagley Park and Burnside High School. "More welfare centres will open as soon as buildings are declared safe to use.
The 0800 779997 helpline will operate 24 hours, providing information, advice and transferring calls through to other appropriate agencies.
"Financial assistance will also be made available to those who need it, we have the ability to provide Civil Defence emergency payments and other assistance is available," Bennett said.
Work and Income centres are open in Ashburton, Hornby and Rangiora today for emergencies only but people are advised not to travel through the city if they can avoid it and call the Helpline instead.
Source: ONE News

Rescue teams on the way from six countries

Specialist rescue teams from six countries are heading to Christchurch. Prime Minister John Key says a contingent of 72 has already arrived from Australia and another team is due later on Wednesday. Help is coming from Australia, the United States, Singapore, Japan, Taiwan and Britain. Altogether, the Australian Government is sending 148 search and rescue specialists.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Lyttelton 'like a battlefield'

Lyttelton's chief fire officer says the port town is like a battlefield. Mark Buckley told Radio New Zealand two people died on walking tracks hit by rockfalls when the 6.3 quake struck on Tuesday but there have been no deaths since. He says injuries have been minor and the fire service is now helping evacuate elderly people from their homes. But about 60% of the buildings in the main street and most of those still standing are damaged. Lyttelton was near the epicentre of the quake, 10 kilometres south-east of Christchurch city. The town has no power or water and the Lyttelton Tunnel is impassable.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

48 pulled alive overnight from smashed buildings

Forty-eight people were pulled alive overnight from earthquake-smashed Christchurch buildings - including a baby in the arms of its mother, who had been hit by rubble. Hoses from a crane are being used to try and extinguish a fire smouldering in the high-rise. The leader of Urban Search and Rescue, Paul Burns, says the immediate focus had been on that building, the CTV building on the corner of Madras and Cashel streets and the Press building in Cathedral Square. Mr Burns says that with the arrival of a second team from Australia on Wednesday morning there could be 400 specialist crew working in the city.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Christchurch Images

Source: Getty Images

Lyttelton

 

Damage in Lyttelton. Photo by Chris Rudge

Christchurch Images. Canterbury TV building

Lyttelton

 

Source: One News

Christchurch: Missing persons website

9.42pm: Police say they will soon be able to announce a number specifically for missing people. They will announce it on their website as soon as it is up and running. CLICK HERE FOR POLICE WEBSITE

Christchurch Images

Countries offer assistance to quake city

Many countries have offered their assistance in the wake of a strong earthquake which has devastated Christchurch. Deputy Prime Minister Mr English says the United States has offered specialst help and a decision on this will be made by Wednesday. Offers have also come in from Japan, the Eurpoean Union, Israel, Singapore and the United Nations. Australia's Emergency Management Authority will work with New Zealand agencies over the delivery of any assistance.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Emergency contact for Australians in Christchurch

Australian consular officials in Wellington are attempting to contact 350 Australians registered as being in Christchurch. At this stage there are no confirmed Australian deaths. Australians concerned about the wellbeing of friends and relatives (in Christchurch) have been urged to try to make contact with them directly.
A 24-hour consular emergency hotline, 1300 555 135, has also been set up.
© AAP

Christchurch Hospital open only to emergency cases

The public has been asked to keep the emergency department of Christchurch Hospital for emergencies only. The Ministry of Health says large numbers of patients are being triaged through the emergency department, many of them with serious injuries. Patients with non-life-threatening injuries are being assessed and treated at Christchurch Women's Hospital and the Outpatients Department, while St George's Hospital is setting up as a trauma centre for people needing emergency attention. The Ministry said Christchurch Hospital is operational, but along with other hospitals in the region is damaged. It said all people with non-serious injuries should contact their doctor or an after-hours centre. It also asked that people check on their neighbours. The Ministry said the hospital had asked for extra intensive care and neonatal intensive care nurses, as well as general medical, surgical and paediatric nurses.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Live updates: Christchurch quake

8.06pm: Reuters is reporting that 23 Japanese people are trapped at the Achievement Institute of Language on Peterborough Street in Christchurch. UPDATE: rescuers report receiving txts from the students. It is hoped they are all ok.
8.02pm: Civil Defence says welfare centres are now established in the following places: Burnside School, Papanui High School, Lyttelton Recreation Centre, Brooklands Community Centre, Akaroa Senior School.
7.59pm: Civil Defence says Addington Raceway is now shut.
8.18pm: All schools and early childhood services in Christchurch City are closed until further notice. Schools in Waimakariri and Selwyn Districts are also closed tomorrow to allow time to assess the situation.
8.16pm: The collapsed CTV building in Christchurch is now on fire. The building was one of the worst affected by today's earthquake. People are reported to still be trapped inside.
8.26pm: Australia has bolstered its help for the search and rescue efforts with a 73-strong search and rescue team now on its way from NSW to Christchurch.
8.34pm: More than 400 Australian doctors attending a prostate cancer conference in Christchurch will spend the night in a park after their hotel was damaged by an earthquake, according to AAP. A temporary crisis centre for Australians stranded in the city has been set up.
8.30pm: The Canterbury DHB is asking GPs who can open tomorrow to get in touch. Meantime, Southland DHB remains on standby with their incident management team monitoring the situation and able to assist.
9.07pm: All available fares on Air New Zealand domestic services from any point on the domestic network to/from Christchurch for booking and travel through until 8am Friday morning are available for $50 one way. In addition, Air New Zealand will operate a return Auckland-Christchurch service tomorrow utilising a Boeing 747-400, with seats available at the $50 fare. They can be booked via the Air New Zealand website and call centre. 9.05pm: From 3am tomorrow, 280 payphones in and around Christchurch will be have free calling for local, national and mobile calls.
Source: ONE News

Christchurch Images

Source: Reuters

Christchurch Images

 

Source: Seraphim Realm

Christchurch - Plunket urges parents to reassure anxious children

Plunket is anticipating a sharp increase in calls following today's massive earthquake in Christchurch. It says children will be feeling anxious and scared and it's important parents be patient and reassuring. It recommended people who needed urgent advice to call PlunketLine on 0800 933 922 and people concerned about an unwell baby could call HealthLine on 0800 611 116. The latest information on Plunket services will be updated on its website or at www.facebook.com/plunketnz. Plunket urged Canterbury people to conserve water if possible and follow the safety measures listed on the Environment Canterbury website.
NZPA

Christchurch - Hagley Park closed

Hagley Park evacuation centre is at capacity and is now closed. Anyone needing shelter and support should go to Addington Raceway or Burnside High School. Prime Minister John Key said there are 180 police on the ground and a further 200 on the way. 350 military were already in Christchurch and another 250 will arrive soon. About 70 army medical staff are being deployed to help with the rescue efforts. Major Angus Mace from the Burnham Military Camp says all of the base's doctors, clinicians, nurses and senior medics will be based at Christchurch central police headquarters.

Earthquake Latest

6.18pm: Prime Minister John Key speaking on ONE News said 65 people are confirmed dead.
Source: ONE News

Fatalities confirmed by Civil Defence

6.06pm 17 people are now confirmed dead by Civil Defence Director John Hamilton. Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker has told Newstalk ZB that at least 200 people are trapped and that he expects the death toll to be in the dozens.
Source: ONE News

Christchurch Images

Christchurch Images

Source: Getty Images

Christchurch Images

Source: Getty Images

Government helpline

The government helpline is 0800 779 997 for help and assistance. See also Person Finder at the top of this page.

Live updates: Christchurch quake

Search and rescue teams from the bay of Plenty/Waikato region have been dispatched to Christchurch.
4.10pm: The Forsyth Barr building on the corner of Armargh and Colombo streets is believed to have 150 people trapped inside it. It is a 13 story building and the fire service has managed to get about 30 people out according to Fire Station Officer Peter McCardle.
4.07pm: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has addressed parliament and said Australia would send "whatever is needed" to help in Christchurch. She said a search and rescue team is already en route.
3.53pm: Several South Island hospitals, including Dunedin and Timaru, are clearing patients to make room for those who have been affected by today's quake, Civil Defence Minister John Carter says.
Source: ONE News

Deaths, destruction in Christchurch quake

LATEST: A number of people are dead and scores trapped after a large quake struck Christchurch this afternoon. Police said two buses had been crushed by falling debris, while witnesses said screams could be heard coming from the Pyne Gould Business building where up to 150 people were feared trapped. Christchurch Cathedral, the heart of the city, has largely collapsed. Dean of Cathedral Peter Beck said they tried to get out who they could but it was now in the hands of emergency services. "It doesn't look good". He had "no idea" of how many people were inside. Bodies were seen being taken out of the damaged YHA hostel in the city. On the corner of Lichfield and High Streets, a block of shops had completely collapsed and rescue services believed four or five people are trapped in the rubble. One body had been pulled from the wreckage. People trapped in the CBD have put signs up at the windows saying 'HELP'. A bus on Colombo St was "completely trapped under bricks" and people were working to free passengers trapped in it. St John was mobilising resources from West Coast, Dunedin, Nelson and South Canterbury. The National Crisis Centre in Auckland had also been activated.
- Stuff

3.30pm Deaths confirmed

Police have confirmed fatalities at several locations in the city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings. Police say other reports include multiple building collapses, fires in buildings in the central city and persons reported trapped in buildings. A Fire Service spokesperson told Radio New Zealand numerous people are trapped in buildings. Many buildings have collapsed in Lyttelton. Chief fire officer Mark Barclay says 60% of the buildings in the main road, London Street, have fallen. Mr Barclay says the military is helping with the search and rescue operation, with the navy vessel HMS Canterbury in port and the army also helping. Port Lyttelton and the Lyttelton Tunnel are closed. Christchurch Airport is closed, and power is out to about 80% of Christchurch.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Triage centres

Triage centres have been established for people with injuries at: Latimer Square, Central City; Spotlight Mall, Sydenham; Sanitarium, Papanui. Police advise that people who have evacuated their homes or buildings should report to their nearest Civil Defence sector post - usually schools.

Christchurch 3.15pm

2.59pm: Civil Defence HQ in Wellington is on level 3 - its highest level for a domestic incident. They are struggling to reach staff in Christchurch.
2.58pm: NZTA confirms that all its staff, including those at the Lyttleton Tunnel, are safe.
2.54pm: All AM radio frequencies are out in Christchurch. Newstalk ZB is broadcasting on 91.3FM, 97.7FM and 106.5FM Christchurch.
2.53pm: New pictures show a great deal of liquefaction in the central city.
2.52pm: GNS says the quake may have struck on a different faultline to September's. More aftershocks are coming through every few minutes.
2.42pm: Australian Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd sends his solidarity to "our Kiwi friends". He has spoken with Foreign Minister Murray McCully and says there are fears in New Zealand about deaths and injuries.
2.38pm: Christchurch Hospital has not been completely evacuated, contrary to previous reports.
2.34pm: TVNZ has had unconfirmed reports of houses being flattened in Lyttleton, near Rapaki and Tamatea. One caller heard from scared family, saying there are boulders and other debris that have come down and taken out cars and houses.
Source: ONE News

Plea to stay off cellphones and keep lines free

Civil Defence Minister John Carter says landlines and cellphone contact is spasmodic following the 6.3-magnitude quake. Civil Defence is asking people stay off their cellphones to allow calls from injured or trapped people to be able to get through to emergency services. They also are asking that if people are injured or trapped to keep trying on 111. Vodafone is advising its customers to text but not telephone friends and family, as it grapples with power cuts and fallen cellphone towers. Spokesperson Michelle Baguley says eight of its cellphone towers have come down and a large number of sites running on back-up power.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Christchurch

Triage centres have been established for people with injuries at: Latimer Square, Central City; Spotlight Mall, Sydenham; Sanitarium, Papanui. Police advise that people who have evacuated their homes or buildings should report to their nearest Civil Defence sector post - usually schools.

Christchurch: Stay off roads, don't use cellphones

Civil Defence Minister John Carter says the situation is very serious. Landlines and cellphone contact is spasmodic. He says the emergency headquarters in the Beehive (Parliament) have been activated and Civil Defence head John Hamilton is on his way there. Telecom says it is working to determine which services have been affected by the quake, and getting them restored as soon as possible. Civil Defence is asking people stay off their cellphones to allow calls from injured or trapped people to be able to get through to emergency services. They also are asking that if people are injured or trapped to keep trying on 111.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Multiple fatalities reported to police

"Multiple fatalities have been reported at several locations in the central city, including two buses crushed by falling buildings," the police website said. Emergency services are attending. The central city is currently being evacuated as reports are received of widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure. Other reports include multiple building collapses, fires in buildings in the central city and people have been reported trapped in buildings. All available police staff are assisting with evacuations and emergency responses. The Defence force has also been called in to assist. The shock was at a depth of just 5km, centred 10km south-east of the city.
Source: ONE News

Christchurch latest: Cathedral damaged

Massive damage, injuries in Christchurch quake

Witnesses said there were buildings down all around Cathedral Square in the city, with the church destroyed. Witnesses said there would be "deaths" this time (NOTE: Nothing confirmed)and their were reports of people being trapped in buildings across the city. Christchurch resident Sean Scanlon said it was by far the biggest shake since the original September 4 quake. The power was out and phone lines jammed. Christchurch Hospital was being evacuated, a spokewoman for the hospital said.
Latest: The Fire Service has confirmed that there have been deaths.
- Stuff

Christchurch latest

Reports of injuries following Christchurch earthquake. National Civil Defence Controller David Coetzee says the damage is worse than from the 4 September quake. He says significant aftershocks should now be expected.
2.02pm: John Key tells Parliament details are sketchy but the people of Canterbury are going through a "truamatic and frightening" experience. An emergency cabinet meeting will be held at 3pm. Key will then fly to Christchurch if conditions allow.
2.00pm: Transit New Zealand has been unable to contact its staff in Christchurch and at the Lyttelton Tunnel, which is close to the epicentre.
1.58pm There is huge amounts of silt and liquefaction is bubbling up around people's legs. People are getting out of their cars and abandoning them.
CONFIRMED...Cathedral spire has completely toppled.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Huge earthquake hits Christchurch city centre

A huge 6.3 earthquake has hit Christchurch, causing widespread destruction in the city centre. Radio New Zealand listeners report whole houses ruined and contents devastated. Mayor Bob Parker has told Radio New Zealand it felt like a whole new earthquake, not just an aftershock of the 4 September 7.1 quake. "It was very, very strong," he says. He says he has had unconfirmed reports of serious injuries. Mr Parker advises people not to drive, given the state of the roads. People have thronged onto the streets of the city centre. There are fresh piles of rubble everywhere. Christchurch Airport has been closed and evacuated, and will remain closed until further notice. A church near the RNZ building in Durham St had collapsed. Concrete in Victoria Square had lifted at least a metre in some places and there are signs of liquefaction around the Avon River. The Ferrymead bridge is reported to be impassable because of rising water. There are unconfirmed reports the spire on Canterbury Cathedral has toppled.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

12:54 Breaking News Major earthquake in Christchurch - all phones and power reported out

A huge earthquake has hit Christchurch. Radio New Zealand's reporter says staff at the Christchurch newsroom had to cling to their desks during the shaking. Large filing cabinets were falling over. People made their way out of the building but when they got out they couldn't see for dust. A church next to the RNZ building in Durham St had collapsed. Concrete in Victoria Square had lifted at least a metre in some places.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Extensive welfare shake-up needed: report

MARTIN KAY
More than three quarters of all beneficiaries will be forced to seek work or face cuts to their payments under sweeping recommendations from the Government's Welfare Working Group. Sole parents, beneficiaries aged under 18 and those with drug and alcohol problems would be subject to the strictest controls if the plans are implemented in full, with harsh financial penalties for failure to comply. The group has proposed a single 'Jobseeker Support' benefit that would replace the dole, domestic purposes, sickness and other benefits and require all but the most seriously ill and disabled to look for work. The system would increase the proportion of beneficiaries presently subjected to work testing from 37 per cent to 77 per cent.

'Extreme risk' warning issued for Kiwis in Libya

The Libyan military's actions against its own people are "deeply disturbing and unacceptable", Foreign Minister Murray McCully says, and has called for the Libyan government to refrain from the excessive use of force. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has now elevated its travel advice to "extreme risk", meaning New Zealanders should not travel to Libya for any reason and New Zealanders in Libya should leave if it is safe to do so. "New Zealanders wanting to leave Libya are doing so via commercial flights, and currently this is the most straightforward option. We understand Tripoli airport is open but chaotic," Mr McCully said. There are currently 25 New Zealanders registered with MFAT as being in Libya.
NZ Herald staff

Girl chooses octopus as first meal

What would you want to eat first if you weren't able to digest any food for nine years? For Napier girl Matisse Reid she has picked the unlikely delicacy of octopus tentacles. The nine-year-old suffers from chronic intestinal pseudo obstruction and has been living with her family in Pittsburgh while waiting for a multi-organ transplant. She finally got a stomach, pancreas, and small and large bowel in a massive transplant operation in December, allowing her to tolerate food for the first time. On Matisse's website, her mother Jodee says her food of choice every night is octopus tentacles.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd

Aucklander knighted by Pope

The former owner of the 3 Guys supermarkets has been knighted by the Pope. Auckland businessman Albert Gubay founded the discount supermarket chain in Auckland in the 1970s. He has been given the honour by the Pope after arranging for most of his $1.6 million fortune to go to Catholic and other charities. The Britain-based 83-year-old is keeping a promise he made to God in his youth that he had give away most of his money if he became wealthy. He will be installed as a Knight Commander of the Order of St Gregory by the Archbishop of Westminster in London this week.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd

Avery to tackle malnutrition

Last year's New Zealander of the Year has a new challenge in his sights, fighting child malnutrition. Medicine Mondiale chief executive Sir Ray Avery is teaming up with the Government-funded Riddet Institute to tackle global malnutrition with a new infant formula. He says many children in the developing world can't absorb protein because the lining of their stomach has been damaged by diarrhoea. Sir Ray says children can't handle high-protein foods like meat. He said that children die in the process of trying to digest it. "What we've done is break down those big protein molecules into little tiny amino acids, which go straight across your gut." Ray Avery says the findings will also be used to make products like sports energy drinks and diet products for the first world.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd

Jeffrey Archer needs special waiver to visit

HANK SCHOUTEN - The Dominion Post
Disgraced former British politician Jeffrey Archer may be prevented from coming to New Zealand on his world book promotion tour because of his criminal record. The bestselling author's publisher was adamant that Lord Archer would be allowed to come, but the Immigration Service won't say whether it will let him in. He is scheduled to visit New Zealand next month and is being promoted as a keynote speaker at a Cure Kids charity dinner to be held in Wellington on March 16. The Immigration Act bars the entry of anyone who has been convicted and sentenced to more than 12 months in prison within the previous 10 years. Lord Archer was convicted and sentenced to four years' imprisonment in 2001 on charges of perjury and perverting the course of justice. A waiver can be granted, but the Immigration Service was unwilling to say whether that would happen.

Total farmer ownership of Fonterra rated 'the best'

New research into the co-operative structure of Fonterra has found that total farmer ownership provides the best return for the dairy industry. Nuffield scholar Desiree Reid, who is also a South Canterbury dairy farmer, has spent the past 15 months researching the co-operative structure and future growth of New Zealand's largest company. She has found that diluting farmer ownership is not in the interests of the dairy industry or the country. Ms Reid says her report also reinforces that a farmer-owned co-operative is the best model to capture value for farmers because it stops the milk price paid to them from reducing over time.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Principal sees economic gain in polytech merger

An East Coast school principal says the region's economy should substantially benefit from a merger of the polytechs in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay. Eastern Institute of Technology in Napier and Tairawhiti Polytech in Gisborne have started the new year under one umbrella, following government approval in December to merge. Nori Parata, of Tolaga Bay Area School, says students have the chance to enrol in seven new courses in Gisborne.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Jabs urged as this year's flu vaccine arrives

This year's flu vaccine has begun arriving in doctors' surgeries, and health officials are urging people to ensure they are vaccinated. The director of the Immunisation Advisory Centre, Nicky Turner, says the vaccine is the same as last year's and targets three types of flu, including the N1H1 virus, which was the main flu seen by GPs last year. Dr Turner says the vaccine is free for pregnant women, people over the age of 65 and those with chronic ailments.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Study aims to find triggers of bowel disease

New Zealanders who have close relatives with Crohn's Disease may soon be invited to join an unusual international study. Canada and New Zealand share the world's highest rates of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, and a Canadian group is determined to discover the triggers. Crohn's and ulcerative colitis are forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic and debilitating disease with no known cause or cure - although genes, environment and microbes play a role. Some 200,000 Canadians and 15,000 New Zealanders have IBD. The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of Canada is beginning a $7 million study of up to 5,000 thousand healthy siblings or children of those with Crohn's to help discover the triggers.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Auckland named 10th most liveable city

Auckland has been named the 10th most liveable city in the world for the second year running. The Economist Intelligence Unit's annual liveability survey ranked 140 cities based on education, health care, infrastructure, culture and the environment, and stability. The top 10 cities were little changed this year, with only Melbourne moving up a rank, displacing Austrian capital Vienna capital to claim second place. Three other Australian cities also made the top 10.
The Economist's top 10 most liveable cities:
1. Vancouver, Canada
2. Melbourne, Australia
3. Vienna, Austria
4. Toronto, Canada
5. Calgary, Canada
6. Helsinki, Finland
7. Sydney, Australia
8. Perth, Australia
9. Adelaide, Australia
10. Auckland, New Zealand
NZPA

Flooding forces evacuations in Port Vila

Nearly 400 people have had to be evacuated from their homes in Vanuatu’s capital as Cyclone Atu has brought gale force winds and heavy rain to Port Vila. The Cyclone is slowly heading away from the capital but Ron Tamtam from the National Disaster Management office says low-lying areas are flooded. We are now starting to evacuate people from the low-lying areas to the evacuation sites. We have secured five primary schools and so far we have evacuated 381 people from around Port Villa he said. Ron Tamtam says Cyclone Atu is now heading towards the southern Tafea province, which was battered by last month’s cyclone Vania.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Anxious wait for Libyans in NZ

Libyans living in New Zealand are frantically trying to keep in touch with family and friends, anxious to see what will happen to leader Muammar Gaddafi. After days of violent unrest in the eastern city of Benghazi, thousands of people have joined protests for the first time in the capital Tripoli, Colonel Gaddafi's stronghold. New Zealand Prime Minister John Key is urging authorities in Libya and Bahrain to show restraint when dealing with popular protests. A New Zealand Libyan, who will not be named in case it would put her family at risk said "At the end of the day, the Libyan people deserve freedom - they deserve what we have in New Zealand and they deserve basic human rights which they haven't had for many years." What the Libyan people need now from other countries, including New Zealand, is support and to condemn the regime, she says.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

(Welfare) Benefit and allowance payments to rise

Benefits, superannuation rates and student allowances will increase nearly 1.75% from 1 April. The Government on Monday announced the payments will increase by 3.75%. However, the change includes a 2% rise made in October last year to compensate beneficiaries, students and pensions for the increase in the goods and services tax. Social Development Minister Paula Bennet says married couples receiving New Zealand Superannuation will do even better, with their weekly payments rising by slightly more than $22 a week. The Government says 1 million New Zealanders will get the increase in April.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Honda recalls Jazz Sport, City models in NZ

Japanese car maker Honda is recalling about 1200 vehicles in New Zealand because of defective parts that could stall engines. The company says owners of the 1.5-litre Jazz Sport and City 2009-2010 models have been notified of the recall. Honda New Zealand says there is a potential fault with small springs in the engine valve control gear. It says if a fault does occur an abnormal noise will be generated or, in extreme cases, there may be damage causing the engine to stall and not restart.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Travel risk upgraded for Libya

The Government has upgraded its warnings for parts of the Middle East and North Africa because of the on-going unrest there. Bahrain and Libya are now deemed "high risk". The Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all tourist and non-essential travel to those countries, and New Zealanders already there are warned to avoid protest areas. 236 Kiwis are registered with authorities as being in Bahrain, and there are 25 in Libya.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd

Crowds flock to lantern festival

By Lincoln Tan
Auckland's fine weekend weather brought record crowds to the city's lantern festivals, organisers say. An estimated 250,000 attended the 12th Auckland Lantern Festival in Albert Park over three nights, and were wowed by hundreds of illuminated lanterns and treated to local and international performances. Previous years attracted crowds of between 150,000 and 200,000. Asia New Zealand cultural director Jennifer King said the warm weather brought capacity crowds in the evenings, with many more choosing to view the lanterns during the day. Performances this year included the Chengdu Puppetry Theatre, which used a 2000-year-old Chinese tradition of rod puppetry, and the Shanghai Bai Yulan jazz bands playing tunes from 1930s Shanghai. The Lantern Festival marks the end of Chinese New Year festivities.

Cyclone Atu intensifies

Severe Tropical Cyclone Atu is continuing to intensify with the Fiji's Meteorological Service now classifying it as a category four storm. It is forecast to strike Vanuatu and WeatherWatch.co.nz predicts while it will brush New Zealand, it will pass here out of harm's way. However big seas are still a possibility between Northland and East Cape from Wednesday to Friday.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd

Frigates to exercise with Australian navy

Both the Navy's frigates will deploy on Monday to join exercises with the Australian navy. Te Mana and Te Kaha will be part of the annual Exercise Triton Storm. The Navy says both ships have completed main engine upgrades and will be testing their combat and weapons systems.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

120 whales die after Stewart Island stranding

Department of Conservation officers have had to kill 48 pilot whales that were among a pod of 120 whales beached in a remote part of Stewart Island on Sunday. The whales were discovered at the southern end of Mason Bay by two overseas visitors, who raised the alarm. Two DOC officers were flown to the scene, and found the whales in water, but with the tide receding. One of the officers, Brent Beaven says half the whales were already dead, and the others would have soon perished in the hot, dry conditions. He says with the tide out and little hope of floating the survivors for up to 12 hours, the decision was made to put down the survivors.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Key on guest list

By Bruce Russell - NewstalkZB
It appears Prime Minister John Key has made the guest list for the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in London in April. His office says St James's Palace has sent invitations to Prime Ministers, their spouses, and Governors-General. However the invitation has not yet been received. The Prime Minister's office says it is Mr Key's intention to attend the wedding along with his wife. Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand and his wife will also be there.

Hundreds expected to farewell godwits

Hundreds of people are expected to farewell the godwits at Christchurch's Southshore Spit on Sunday evening. Each year, the birds migrate 11,000 kilometres between New Zealand and Alaska - the longest non-stop flight by any bird. Over the next month, about 2000 godwits will start their week-long return journey to Alaska. Christchurch City Council park ranger, Andrew Crossland, says public interest in the godwits has grown since people started welcoming and farewelling the birds 10 years ago. He says fewer than 100 people used to turn out to farewell the birds, but it's now closer to 1000 who turn out.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Rotorua group wins Kapa Haka championship

The Rotorua-based group, Te Matarae i Orehu, has won the annual Kapa Haka Championship. Gisborne has hosted this year's Festival, which saw 42 teams from Australia and New Zealand vying for the title of greatest Kapa Haka team in the world. The winning team did a 25-minute performance in front of a crowd of more than 10,000 at Sunday's final. The festival's executive director, Darrin Apanui says the festival far exceeded his expectations, with more than 25,000 people through the gates during the past four days. Rotorua will host the next world championship, in 2013.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

National popularity falls, but no party near it - Colmar Poll

The government has fallen four popularity points in the latest ONE News Colmar Brunton Poll. It's down from grabbing 55% of the poll vote in December to 51%. The poll shows Labour sitting steady on 33%, the same as the last poll in December. The Greens have risen to 8% from 4.5% in December; and New Zealand First continues to edge closer to the 5% threshold and now sits on 3.6% (3.1% in December). The Maori Party is on 2.3% (2.2%) and ACT is on 1.3% (.9%). On those percentages, National would get 63 seats plus two from ACT and one from United Future. That would see it easily form a government.
Source: ONE News

Cyclone Atu expected to brush NZ

The risk of Cyclone Atu brushing New Zealand increased a little overnight. The storm may come a little closer to eastern New Zealand than was initially thought. It's expected that Atu will be closest to the country on Thursday but a direct hit still remains very unlikely. The Fiji Met Service said winds near the centre of the category one storm have picked up and the air pressure has fallen further as the cyclone intensifies over Vanuatu. Winds are currently 85 kilometres an hour with gusts to 120km/h with Fiji Met Service expecting those winds to climb to over 100km/h by this afternoon. The storm is likely to reach category three status before nearing New Zealand on Wednesday.
Source: ONE News/Newstalk ZB

Australian soldier and interpreter killed in Afghanistan

An Australian soldier and Afghan interpreter have been killed in Afghanistan. Defence Force Chief Angus Houston said that the pair had been shot and despite immediate first aid, could not be saved. The incident happened during a patrol in an area to the south-east of patrol base Wali. The Australian casualty is Sapper Jamie Ronald Larcombe, 21, a South Australian from a Darwin regiment. Twenty-three Australian soldiers have now been killed in Afghanistan.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Tens of thousands cram Napier for Art Deco weekend

By Belinda Henley
Tens of thousands of people have descended on Napier today to mark the 23rd annual Art Deco weekend and the 80th anniversary of the Hawke's Bay earthquake. The highlight of the five-day event is the vintage car parade which closed down the city this afternoon. More than 300 cars of every shape, size and colour came from all over New Zealand and the world for Napier's iconic Art Deco weekend. The event celebrates the style of the 1920s and 30s which the city embraced when it had to rebuild in the new architectural style after the 1931 earthquake. It began with just 1,000 people in attendance 23 years ago, this year more than 40,000 joined the celebrations. “It’s just so unique; people can dress up glamorous; so many different events; so much people can do,” says Sally Jackson of the Art Deco Trust. The celebrations began early this morning with a steam train journey from Napier to Hastings; a chance for some of the younger Art Deco devotees to lap up all the era has to offer. The weekend wraps up tomorrow with 15,000 people expected to attend great Gatsby Picnic on the waterfront.
3 News

Kapa haka radio broadcast shuts down site

The pressure of people listening to live broadcasts of the kapa haka festival being held in Gisborne sent the server hosting internet sites for 22 iwi radio stations crashing this morning. Te Matatini o Te Ra executive director Darrin Apanui said Streamcom, the Auckland-based company providing the service, had never experienced an overload of traffic for live streaming. "The demand from listeners to the live festival internet stream was so high it brought the server down, cutting off thousands of listeners," Mr Apanui said. Te Mangai Paho chief executive John Bishara said it showed the popularity of kapa haka and the importance of iwi radio for Maori.
NZPA

NZ travellers warned off Bahrain

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has raised its travel warning for Bahrain to high risk. MFAT says anti-government protests have made the security situation unpredictable and New Zealanders should avoid all tourist and other non-essential travel to the country. It has not raised its warnings for Libya from "some risk", but says it is watching the situation closely. There are 186 New Zealanders registered as being in Bahrain, 26 in Libya, 46 in Jordan, three in Tunisia, and nine in Yemen.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

More asylum seekers picked up in Australian waters

Another boatload of asylum seekers has been picked up in Australian waters. Authorities say there are 44 passengers and two crew on the vessel, which was intercepted northeast of Christmas Island by a navy patrol boat. The asylum seekers are being transferred to the detention centre on the island.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Nine teams will go through to kapa haka finals

The first two days of the national kapa haka championships near Gisborne have produced what's described as exceptional performing. Twenty-eight teams have taken the stage so far at Waiohika estate near Gisborne and another 14 are set to do so on Saturday - including the champions, Te Waka Huia, from Auckland. Nine teams will be selected for the finals on Sunday. About 15,000 spectators have been at the first two days of the event.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Red Cross still has nearly $10 million to give

The Red Cross says it still has more than $9.5 million in its appeal fund to help victims of Canterbury's September quake. It says more than $12 million of the $22 million donated has been distributed to more than 8000 applicants. About 2500 applications were denied for various reasons. The Red Cross's national programmes manager, David Neal, says most of the remaining money will go towards a relocation grant, which will help people forced to leave their homes while they are being repaired. Mr Neal says most of the fund has been spread across the emergency, hardship and damaged-home grants.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

New plant means beans are good to grow

Vegetable growers in Hawke's Bay say a $19 million upgrade to the McCain Foods plant in Hastings gives them the first opportunity in more than 20 years to grow beans for processing. Prime Minister John Key has opened the new plant, which can process more than 50,000 tonnes of vegetables a year and provide 70 new seasonal jobs.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Zealandia sanctuary to poison dam to clear trout

A Wellington wildlife sanctuary is preparing to poison one of its dams as it tries to return the lake to a pre-human state. The naturally-occurring chemical rotenone will be used next week at the top of the Zealandia sanctuary's upper dam to eradicate about 100 brown trout that are cannibalising native fish. It's the first time in New Zealand rotenone has been used in flowing water. A boat has been removing about 100 native banded kokopu fish from the lake ahead of the poison drop. Zealandia's conservation manager Raewyn Empson says the sanctuary has had great success in removing pest mammals and weeds, and the operation on the waterways is the realisation of a 15-year dream. Ms Empson says if the project works in the upper dam, the sanctuary plans to try to eradicate about 10,000 perch from another lake below.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Lantern Festival starts tonight

The 12th annual Auckland Lantern Festival kicks off tonight. The three day event ushers in the Chinese Year of the Rabbit. A highlight of the festival will be Beijing-based rock band Askar Grey Wolf, fresh from a sell-out Australian tour. The award-winning Chengdu Puppetry Theatre will bring to life the 2,000 year old Chinese tradition of rod puppetry, including a Michael Jackson routine. New lanterns sourced from China will include those representing the Year of the Rabbit. Last year 150,000 people attended the festival.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd

Japan ends whaling season early

The Japanese government has formally announced the early end to this year's whaling season in Antarctica. It says "harassment" by anti-whaling activists had made it impossible to continue, the BBC reports. Normally the season continues until mid-March. The hunt was temporarily halted last week, after the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society chased the Japanese fleet's mother ship. Now Farm and Fisheries Minister Michihiko Kano says the fleet will return home. "Even now the mothership is being chased, and it is difficult to ensure the safety of the crew members," the BBC reports. Commercial whaling was banned in 1986 but Japan uses a regulation permitting hunting for scientific research. Iceland and Norway have lodged official objections to the ban and continue to hunt commercially.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

NZers advised to avoid Bahrain unrest

New Zealanders are being advised to avoid areas of unrest in Bahrain after four protestors were killed and scores more injured. 193 New Zealanders are registered with MFAT as being in Bahrain. MFAT has also reviewed its travel advisory for Egypt, lowering it from extreme risk to high risk, but are continuing to advise against all tourist and other non-essential travel there. Protests and unrest continues in a number of other Middle Eastern and North African countries, including Libya, Jordan, Yemen, and Tunisia.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd

Future of 1400 bookstore jobs uncertain

About 1400 New Zealand jobs are at risk as administrators decide whether to shut down or salvage the country's largest chain of booksellers. Whitcoulls, Borders and Bennetts bookstores are all owned by Australian company REDgroup Retail, which was put under administration on Thursday by its owner Pacific Equity Partners. Together the three chains represent about a quarter of all bookshops in New Zealand. The chains operate about 260 stores and employ 2500 staff in New Zealand, Australia and Singapore. In New Zealand, there are 65 Whitcoulls stores and five Borders.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand

Census kicks off tomorrow

By laura heathcote - NewstalkZB
The 2011 Census is in full swing from tomorrow. Close to eight million census forms and Internet Access Codes will be delivered to nearly two million households around New Zealand. Census day is Tuesday March 8. Over 7000 census collectors will be tasked with the job of deliveries, covering everywhere from DOC huts, cruise ships, school camps and military bases.

Last chance for input on alcohol and crime bills

Public submissions close on Friday on two major pieces of legislation, affecting alcohol and crime. The Alcohol Reform Bill introduces tighter liquor licensing rules, a split-age for the purchase of alcohol and a range of other measures aimed at curbing excessive drinking among young people. The bill follows a comprehensive Law Commission review of alcohol laws, released last year. Friday also represents the last chance for people to tell Parliament their views on the Criminal Procedure (Reform and Modernisation) bill. Justice Minister Simon Power says the bill heralds the biggest changes to the criminal justice system in half a century by simplifying and speeding up the court system. Hard copy submissions on both bills are due by 5pm but online submissions will be accepted until midnight.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Sharks take diver off South Australia

A diver is feared dead in South Australia after being taken by two sharks while diving off the Eyre Peninsula. Police have been told that the diver was returning to the surface when two sharks, possibly great whites, attacked him. The diver was returning to the surface at the time, the ABC reports. The captain of the boat he was heading to witnessed the attack and was treated for shock by ambulance officers when he returned to land.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand

Democracy in the Pacific Islands hampered by poor leadership - academic

A speaker at the Resilience in the Pacific conference in Wellington says Pacific voters have to learn the difference between self-interest and electing the best leaders of their country. Professor Graham Hassall from Victoria University’s School of Government was talking on the challenge of leadership facing the region. He says that the traditional system prevalent in the Pacific of voting only for people in one’s family or community is not based on leadership of their electorate or country. Professor Hassall says it is one of the factors hampering the sustainability of democratic systems in the Pacific.
“If this system of favouring one’s relative had been so effective then we might have seen more change at the local level across the Pacific but it hasn’t occurred. So it might be time to look at a system in which you may vote for somebody who is not your personal kin, hasn’t given you a gift or promised you anything, then we can see if that’s a more effective way of getting services delivered to people.”
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