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Thursday, May 31

MFAT working to bring triplets home

The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to arrange the return of the bodies of the three children who died in a blaze at a shopping mall in Qatar. The fire engulfed parts of the Villagio Mall in the capital Doha on Monday killing 19 people, including New Zealand triplets Lillie, Jackson and Willsher Weekes, aged 2 who were at the Gympanzee day care centre. The New Zealand Consul in Saudi Arabia, Brian Chambers, is providing support to the Weekes family as they prepare to bring the triplets home and is liaising with officials to work through paperwork and logistics. New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says there is quite a lot of pressure on the Weekes family at present and Mr Chambers is providing as much help as he can.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Rugby - Sir Graham Henry confident of taking Argentina to new level

The World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry is confident he can help Argentina take their play to another level, as they prepare to join New Zealand, Australia and South Africa in the new Rugby Championship. Henry is in Argentina for five weeks to help the Pumas, working as a technical consultant and exchanging ideas with local coaches. He says the Pumas defend well but need to work on their try scoring ability. Argentina will play their inaugural match in the Rugby Championship against South Africa on August 25th in Argentina.



NZ seasonal labour scheme research shows that majority of workers return

An inaugural report on return migration under New Zealand’s Recognised Seasonal Employment scheme has found more than half of the participants are returning workers. In the scheme’s four seasons to date there have been nearly 25,000 placements involving just under 14,000 individual workers. Three quarters of those people are from the Pacific and the research found that employers rate their Pasifica workers more highly than all other employee groups.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



No fracking to tap new gas reserves

State-owned coal miner Solid Energy's estimate of potentially recoverable coal seam gas reserves in its onshore Taranaki permit areas has identified a fourfold increase. However, its general manager of gas developments, Steven Pearce, says the company expects to use conventional directional drilling to extract difficult-to-access gas reserves, rather than using the controversial hydraulic fracturing technology known as fracking. While CSG extraction has often involved fracking, Mr Pearce says the low permeability coals in the Taranaki region lend themselves to the use of traditional drilling techniques to release both underground water and gas. "The latest information from Australia is it appears that fracking can be effective in high permeability coals, but with low permeability coals like ours, it is not effective."
NZN



Poor numbers for Maori, Pacific Island students

By Felix Marwick - NewstalkZB
The numbers remain poor for Maori and Pacific Island students when it comes to education outcomes. Data compiled by the Tertiary Education Commission shows 34 percent of Maori students are leaving school with no qualifications. It also shows 16 percent of Maori are disengaged from employment, education, and training by the age of 17. Literacy achievement is also poor, 18 percent of Maori and 16 percent of Pacific Island children aren't achieving basic literacy skills by age 10.



Samoa celebrates 50 years independence

Visitors are pouring into Samoa for celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of its independence. They include a strong New Zealand contingent, as the friendship treaty between the two countries is also being recognised. There's bunting lining the streets, and the main road from the airport into Apia along with Samoan flags, the colours of red, blue and white. Newstalk ZB's Niva Retimanu is there for the occasion and says those who didn't have flags have cut up lavalavas to hang in the streets, and traffic in Apia is bumper to bumper. NZ Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae has arrived in Samoa to help celebrate its anniversary.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



First ever nationwide earthquake drill

Over 100,000 of us have put our hands up to take part in the first ever nationwide ShakeOut earthquake drill. It's taking place at 9.26am on Wednesday September 26, with the aim being for one million people to Drop, Cover and Hold. Civil Defence Minister Chris Tremain says the Canterbury earthquakes have shown we need to be prepared for major earthquakes, and practise how to protect ourselves when they happen.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



NZ defence personnel to help with PNG elections

New Zealand is sending members of the Defence Force to Papua New Guinea to assist with its election campaign from next month. About 250 New Zealand and Australian personnel will support the PNG authorities during the campaign. PNG authorities requested the assistance to help them conduct a safe, free and fair election.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Samoan soldier dies in Afghanistan following attack

A Samoan soldier died in Afghanistan last weekend from wounds he sustained when his vehicle was attacked with an enemy improvised explosive device. The U.S. Department of Defense says Army Specialist Tofiga Tautolo died May 27 in Bati Kot, Nangarhar province. The 23 year-old’s remains were returned to the U.S on Monday.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



NZ company gains Antarctic contract

A New Zealand company has won a $100 million contract to support the United States Antarctic Programme. PAE New Zealand will work with Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor, to provide the services from Christchurch. PAE New Zealand says it will transport people and equipment, and support medical facilities, research vessels, construction projects and remote sites in Antarctica.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Revolt over plan to shift newspaper work offshore

Readers of Fairfax newspapers saw a thinner version on Thursday after around 800 journalists walked off the job on Wednesday afternoon. Thursday and Friday's copies of the Sydney Morning Herald, the Age, the Financial Review and other Fairfax papers are being put together by a skeleton staff. The strike is against plans to cut 66 jobs at the Illawarra Mercury, the Newcastle Herald and seven community papers, and move some production work on the titles offshore to New Zealand. The ABC reports the share price of Fairfax was 67 cents on Wednesday, after being at $A5 five years ago.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Wednesday, May 30

Tuatara found to have unique way of chewing

New research on the tuatara has revealed that it chews its food like no other animal on earth. Scientists from three British universities say tuatara pushes its jaw forward like a saw and slices pieces off its prey. The technique may have contributed to the survival of the New Zealand reptile, which is often described as a living fossil. It is the last remaining species of sphenodon, a lizard-like group of animals that goes back 200 million years. The researchers, whose paper has been published in the journal The Anatomical Record, observed tuataras chewing at Chester University then simulated the action digitally, the BBC reports.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



No-till seed drill may win further kudos

A New Zealand scientist and machinery manufacturer has had further international recognition for the unique no-tillage seed drill he developed years ago and now exports to 17 countries. Dr John Baker from Feilding has been nominated for this year's World Food Prize, which is awarded to people who've made vital contributions to improving the quality, quantity or availability of food throughout the world. The prizewinner will be announced next month. Dr Baker's company was a finalist in the World Technology Awards in New York, two years ago. No tillage drilling avoids the destruction caused by ploughing, reducing losses of moisture and carbon from the soil, by sowing seeds directly into the ground through the remaining residue of the previous crop. Dr Baker says no tillage drilling accounts for 20% - 25% of the seed sown on New Zealand farms.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Bishop Matthews to tour world cathedrals

The Anglican bishop of Christchurch is to visit cathedrals around the world. Along with architects from Warren & Mahoney, Bishop Victoria Matthews will take in 12 buildings including Coventry cathedral which was bombed during World War II and St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. She will also visit La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, as well as the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, California, which was severely damaged in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. The Restore the Cathedral group is questioning the motivation behind the bishop's trip. Spokesperson Mark Belton says it looks like a PR stunt and questions why the bishop needs to see more cathedrals when she has probably seen hundreds during her career. Bishop Matthews was not available for further comment.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



NZ and Australia to trial criminal record sharing

Kiwis and Aussies with a criminal history will find it harder to escape their pasts when they cross the Tasman with the launch of a trial on sharing criminal history information for employment vetting. Justice Minister Judith Collins today signed a memorandum of understanding with Australia's Justice Minister Jason Clare to establish the reciprocal sharing arrangement. The six-month trial between New Zealand and Queensland will begin in early July, and test and develop solutions for trans-Tasman information sharing as part of wider co-operation on border control and law enforcement.
Source: NZN



Memorial service held in Doha

Hundreds of people have laid flowers and attended a memorial service at a public park near the Viallagio Shopping Mall in Doha where 19 people died in a fire on Monday. They included New Zealand triplets Lillie, Jackson and Wilsher Weekes, aged two years, who were at the Gympanzee day care centre there. Their parents, Martin and Jane Weekes, were at the vigil. In a statement they described the inseparable triplets as the joy of their lives and said they were grateful for the love and support they have received.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Kiwis object to social media using facial recognition

New Zealanders have given a big thumbs down to social media websites such as Facebook using facial recognition technology to identify and tag photos. The latest Unisys Security survey shows seven out of 10 Kiwis don't want it happening. Spokesman Scott Basham says Facebook uses facial recognition to identify and tag friends in photos. "There seems to be a level of concern with privacy issues about organisations such as Facebook and social media sites using it without consent or without people opting in as it were, for their faces to be identified for them to be tagged," he says.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Community braces for influx of stargazers

Tolaga Bay's small community is bracing itself for an influx of stargazers ahead of next week's Transit of Venus. Around 300 people are expected to visit the town, northeast of Gisborne, to witness Venus pass between the Earth and the Sun at the national observation centre on Wednesday. Tourism Eastland spokeswoman Kerry Taggart says the entire region will benefit from the event because it stretches across several days with seminars, music performances and community events. It will be another 105 years before the rare astronomical event will be seen again.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Regional newspaper work to be moved to NZ

Fairfax Media is planning to relocate editorial production of its regional newspapers in Australia to New Zealand. Fairfax Editorial Services in New Zealand will do the sub-editing, page layout and headline writing for the Illawarra Mercury, Newcastle Herald and seven associated community titles. The move, which is expected to affect 66 personnel in Australia, is part of the listed company's plans to improve efficiency.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Syrian diplomats expelled

The foreign ministers of New Zealand and Australia have agreed to expel the two Syrian diplomats our countries share in Canberra. They were last night given 72 hours to leave, with Australian minister Bob Carr saying the world is appalled at the massacre of hundreds of Syrians by the government's regime. Our foreign minister Murray McCully says the message has to be sent at the highest possible level that military activity in the troubled nation must end.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



New Zealand celebrates 25 years of nuclear-free

A commemoration will be held tomorrow to mark New Zealand's nuclear-free quarter century. It's being hosted by the chair and deputy chair of New Zealand Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-Proliferation, Labour's Maryan Street and National's Paul Hutchison. "On June 8, 1987, New Zealand became nuclear-free," Ms Street said. "That decision, controversial at the time, has become part of our national identity and heritage. "It has transcended party politics and is owned by New Zealanders across the board with pride." Diplomats, MPs and non-government organisations have been invited to the function in parliament's banquet hall.
NZN



Tuesday, May 29

Funding extension for whooping cough antibiotic

PHARMAC has announced it's extending funding to a type of antibiotic used to treat and prevent whooping cough in babies. The decision to fund azithromycin follows growing concerns over increased cases of whooping cough, and the Ministry of Health's belief that there's an urgent public heath requirement for such a treatment. Children under one will now be able to be treated with the antibiotic if they have whooping cough, or if they come into contact with someone with whooping cough.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Kiwi work-life balance tops global average

New Zealanders' work-life balance is higher than the global average despite employees working harder and more productively than two years ago, according to a survey. New Zealand employee's work-life balance was 126 points topping the global average of 124 points, according to the Regus work-balance index. "The results indicate that New Zealanders are working harder than two years ago and are spending more time at work," Regus vice-president William Willems said. "Despite this increase in time and energy, New Zealanders still enjoy a better work-life balance which is higher than the global average." The survey, which polled over 16,000 business professionals worldwide, ranked New Zealanders productivity at 79 percent. That's higher than Australia and US workers on 77 percent, and China on 73 percent. Kiwis were the happiest workers on 74 percent. That's higher than workers across the Tasman on 66 percent, in the US on 64 percent and UK on 60 percent. "A good work-life balance is essential to maintain a healthy and happy life and is important to ensure the health of the New Zealand workforce to support business productivity," Mr Willems said.
Source: NZN



NZ triplets killed in Doha mall fire

The grandfather of three young New Zealand children killed in a fire at a mall in Qatar says their parents are being well supported. Two-year-old triplets Lillie, Jackson and Willsher Weekes were among 13 children who died at a daycare centre at the Villagio Mall in Doha when the fire took hold. At least 19 people have been killed. The blaze started about 11.30am on Monday (local time) at the Gympanzee nursery. Fire-fighters had to break through the roof to get to the trapped children and two were killed. The triplets' grandfather, Ron Turner, says his daughter Jane Weekes phoned him from Qatar with the news shortly after the fire. The triplets were born in Wellington in March 2010 and had been enrolled at the daycare centre for about three months. Mr Turner says the deaths are unbelievable and have left the family numb and empty. Mr Turner says her daughter and husband Martin are numbed by the loss, but have many friends in Doha who are providing great support. Mr Turner says he and his wife will leave Auckland on Tuesday night to be with the couple.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Goff frustrated with lack of action against Syrian Govt

By Newstalk ZB staff - NewstalkZB
Phil Goff is adding his voice to those frustrated by the lack of international action against the Syrian government. More than 100 people, a third of them children, were massacred on the weekend by Syrian authorities, while 300 international peacekeepers stood by. Labour's foreign affairs spokesman says the United Nations has to be prepared to take sanctions against President al-Assad so we don't end up with wholesale massacres. "I'm saying that with unanimity on the security council, you could put such pressure on (Bashar) al-Assad that he would have to back down, either back down or face the same fate as (Muammar) Gaddafi."
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Website launched to combat stolen goods

There's a new tool in the fight against property crime. A website called StoleMe is being launched, which invites people to list details of property which has been lost or stolen, along with photographs. It means people purchasing items can do a check before they enter into a transaction, stopping them from inadvertently receiving stolen goods. The service is intended to partner with the Serial Number Asset Partnership, or SNAP, which lets people create and store a list of property with serial numbers for free.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Key role for Walsh in 2015 Cricket World Cup

A key figure in New Zealand's 2011 Rugby World Cup has been appointed head of New Zealand for the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2015. Therese Walsh, who was chief operating officer for last year's Rugby World Cup, has started work and will be based in Wellington. The ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 will be jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia. ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 chief executive John Harnden says Ms Walsh brings great experience in sport and major events to the role and has invaluable insights from what has been recognised as the best Rugby World Cup ever.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Hiring difficulties revealed

The latest survey has found nearly half of employers have experienced difficulty in finding the right workers. The report by Manpower, a recruitment company, found 48% of respondents are struggling to fill critical positions, a rise of 11 percentage points compared with last year. That's well above the global average of 34%. The most scarce workers remain engineers, sales representatives and skilled trades, which Manpower says mirrors shortages globally. The company says skill shortages are only going to get worse when the rebuilding of Christchurch gets underway.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Gorge road to reopen this week

The Manawatu Gorge will reopen to vehicles this week for the first time since being blocked by a massive slip in August. The gorge is expected to be open to one lane of traffic on a temporary road in time for Queen's Birthday weekend. NZTA Palmerston North state highways manager David McGonigal says good progress has been made on the temporary road, which should be open by Thursday, weather permitting. The road is only one lane in width, and will be open to westbound traffic from Woodville to Ashhurst during the day, and two-way traffic at night. Eastbound traffic will still be detoured over Saddle Rd during the day, and motorists are urged to check for the latest updates before travelling.
- WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE



Army parade boots can't take the heat

The Australian Defence Force admits the rubber soles are falling off dress boots made in China that soldiers are expected to wear for official parades. Defence officials say the problems began in 2008 when the tender to make the boots was won by a Chinese company. The boots were returned to the manufacturer for extra stitching and nails to hold them together. However, the glue is still failing in hot conditions in Darwin and Townsville.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Pictorial guide to asthma medication working

An online picture guide to asthma medication for Pacific children in west Auckland is being hailed as a big step towards reducing their high rates of admission to hospital with severe attacks. The latest New Zealand Medical Journal reports that an evaluation of the pictorial asthma medication plan resulted in a big jump in children using their preventive inhalers - and none going to hospital. Waitemata District Health Board developed the pictorial medication plan in English and three Pacific languages with the West Fono Health Trust.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Monday, May 28

New $10,000 grant for bereaved quake families

The Red Cross has announced a new grant of $10,000 for the families of people killed in the February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch. The Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Commission grant follows an initial payment of $10,000 to bereaved families in March last year. The head of the commission says many of those who donated to the Earthquake Appeal gave money to help the families of those killed and injured. Sir John Hansen says feedback indicates many of the bereaved families are still struggling financially, especially those who have been left as the sole parent. Last year, 186 families received the bereaved person's grant. The Red Cross says it is also giving more help to 23 people seriously injured in the quake.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Over 8000 downloads for NZ Budget 2012 app

More than 8,600 people downloaded the Budget application for smartphones since Budget day. Called NZ Budget, it as developed for the first time this year and allows users to read the Budget speech and key documents, watch video coverage and read ministers' public statements. It cost $59,000 to develop but was funded through savings in printing costs. Finance Minister Bill English says he's pleased with the popularity of the app, and it confirms Kiwis have an appetite for receiving information in new, innovative ways.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Sheep dog trial championships attract hundreds

Hundreds of competitors have entered the South Island and national sheep dog trial championships that opened at Alpha Burn Station near Wanaka on Monday. More than half of the 300 competitors have travelled from the North Island for the trials, which opened in sunny conditions. Organisers say the huntaway events have attracted 287 entries and 250 are competing in the heading events, with the national titles to be decided on Friday and Saturday.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



One in five children born last year had parent on benefit

Figures from the Social Development Ministry show 22% of children born last year had a parent dependent on sickness or unemployment benefits. Of the 13,634 beneficiaries who became primary caregivers last year, almost half were Maori and half were younger than 25. Social welfare researcher Lindsay Mitchell says research shows the younger a child is when their parent becomes reliant on a benefit, the more likely they are to rely on welfare themselves in later life. She says the percentage of children born to parents on benefits has remained relatively steady, regardless of the economic conditions and unemployment rate.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Treasury says smokers save the Government money

A report by the Treasury has admitted smoking actually saves the Government money in the long run. The fiscal benefits of smoking have long been suspected but rarely acknowledged and a report by Treasury now puts this on the record. In its report, Treasury says smokers often die earlier than non-smokers and save the state in superannuation costs. Treasury says smokers pay $1.3 billion a year in excise which may already exceed the direct health costs they impose. The report then goes on to consider broader economic questions. It says smokers' shorter life expectancy reduces superannuation and aged care costs, meaning they are already "paying their way in narrowly fiscal terms" The report was prepared for last week's Budget decision to raise the tax on cigarettes to discourage smoking.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Samoan Language Week this week

One of New Zealand's most widely used languages is in the spotlight this week. It's Samoan Language Week. To celebrate, people are being encouraged to give it a go. Also this week, Samoa will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of its independence. Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae will attend various events in Samoa during a four day visit.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Americans celebrate Memorial Day

A special day for Americans in New Zealand. Today is the United States' Memorial Day, honouring the sacrifices of fallen American soldiers. US Embassy in Wellington spokesman David Edginton says this year's event is a particularly important one. "Memorial Day is a very special day for all Americans and this Memorial Day is particularly special because it falls in the same year as the 70th anniversary of the 1942 arrival of US forces to New Zealand during World War II." David Edginton says a Memorial Day ceremony will be held this morning at Queen Elizabeth Park on the Kapiti Coast, which was home to more than 20-thousand US Marines during World War II.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Record success for NZ's emergency departments

By Katie Bradford-Crozier - NewstalkZB
The Health Minister's released details showing record success rates for our emergency departments. Tony Ryall says more than half of District Health Boards are achieving the target of 95 percent of patients being admitted, discharged or transferred from an ED within six hours. Capital and Coast DHB comes in for a special mention - it's improved by five percent this quarter and it's the second quarter in a row it's made the largest improvement of all health boards.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Ebook company anticipates 'unbelievable' growth

A New Zealand ebook application company is aiming to raise up to $5 million to take its business to the next level. Backed by heavyweight American investor Peter Thiel and The Hyperfactory founder Derek Handley, Booktrack matches music and other sounds to text on a page using the reader's speed as a guide. Booktrack co-founder and chief executive Paul Cameron is pleased with the company's performance and says there is room for "unbelievable growth". Mr Cameron says Booktrack aims to raise $1 - $5 million to expand the business and is hopeful that New Zealand investors will get behind Booktrack. The company won two awards at the New Zealand High Tech Awards on Friday; the Software Product Award and the Most Innovative Mobile Technology Award.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Cathedral repair straightforward, heritage expert says

A meeting has been told that ChristChurch Cathedral could be restored for half the price estimated by the Anglican Church. US heritage expert Professor Marcus Brandt said the church could be repaired for about $50 million. Professor Brandt told a public lecture in the city on Sunday that restoring the cathedral would be fairly easy compared to some of his overseas work and doesn't need to break the bank, if the right methods are used. A master carpenter, Professor Brandt has been working alongside the Restore ChristChurch Cathedral group on a plan to restore the cathedral, which would involve shoring it up with timber frames and repairing it from the outside so no workers are put in danger. The only major design change would be an earthquake-safe wooden steeple, similar to that originally planned for the building, which would replace the current stone one.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Franchitti wins ahead of Dixon in action-packed 96th Indy 500

The Scottish driver Dario Franchitti has won his third Indy 500 open wheel classic, just ahead of his team-mate, the New Zealander Scott Dixon. The Target one-two finish in the 96th Indy 500 looked unlikely with Dixon starting 15th and the eventual winner 16th then having to make his way from the back of the field after a tangle with another car. Dixon says he's disappointed not to win a second Indy 500 to go with his 2008 victory. Tony Kanaan was third. The other New Zealander in the field, Wade Cunningham, was forced to retire.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Samoa police gets motorcade training from New Zealand counterparts

Traffic officers in Samoa have been undergoing a refresher course on the planning and conduct of VIP motorcades in advance of the 50th anniversary celebrations. New Zealand police officers Senior Sergeant Phil Wooding and Senior Constable Andy McKenzie have spent five days working with the Special Response Unit and the Traffic Division of the Samoa Police. The training was funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Sunday, May 27

Email, meetings among time-wasters at work

A survey has found that workers are wasting about a fifth of their time on the job each week at a cost of about $19 billion a year to the economy. Employees questioned in the Productivity Pulse Survey carried out by audit firm Ernst & Young estimated that 15% of their time at work is wasted, and the biggest culprit was dealing with emails. Others time-wasters were unnecessary meetings, technology waiting time and process waiting time. Employers estimated that 21% of the work done each day by staff was of no value to their company.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Snow hits the South Island

By Anna Cross - NewstalkZB
Snow has come into the mix of wintry conditions hitting the South Island. MetService is expecting between five and 10 centimetres on Milford Road tonight. There'll also be a light dusting near the summit of Lindis Pass during the day tomorrow.



Ciggie-free prisons a success story

By IAN STEWARD
Inmates are breathing easy following the prison smoking ban with scientists finding a greater than 50 per cent rise in air quality and – to everyone's surprise – no major incidents since the big stub out. Smoking was banned in New Zealand prisons on June 1 last year with stark warnings from prisoners, prison advocates, and guards of riots and disorder. However, there were no riots and Corrections staff report a number of unforeseen benefits. Prison services assistant general manager Rachel Leota said prisons had reported a "calmer" environment with fewer "standover" incidents now that tobacco has been taken out of circulation. Inmates had been heard on the prison telephone monitoring system telling family they appreciated living in a smoke-free environment and encouraging family to give up.



Extinguishing flame at war shrine an insult say police

An Australian Police force is searching for a man who extinguished the Eternal Flame at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne. The flame commemorates Australian soldiers killed in World War 2 and the police say the man's actions are an insult to the community. Security tapes show a man in his early 40s jumping the enclosure around the Eternal Flame and using a fire extinguisher to put it out. Sgt Peter Mellas says the Shrine of Remembrance holds a special place in the hearts of most Victorians, and the incident is upsetting.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Saturday, May 26

Marchers determined to save ChristChurch Cathedral

Thousands of protesters braved the bleak winter weather to try to save ChristChurch Cathedral. Up to 5000 people gathered at the picket line held in Cranmer Square today. The group say they do not want to lose their heritage and are calling on the Anglican Church to halt the demolition of the iconic building, as well as look at alternatives. Those expressing their concerns today include former MPs, councillors and well-known local identities. City councillor Aaron Keown said many engineers think the Cathedral can be saved, and they are the same engineers who are going to rebuild the city. Building restoration expert Marcus Brandt told ONE News tonight, as well as the crowd at today's rally, that he has seen the damaged building up close and still thinks it can be saved. "I've rarely seen a building that's so saveable, I've seen them far worse that this," Brandt said. "This cathedral can be made safe, it can be restored and the funding is available from right across the world to do it, all we need is the Anglican Church leadership to start listening to people," former MP Jim Anderton told ONE News.
Source: ONE News- with Newstalk ZB



Backlash over Australian foreign worker decision

Unions and members of Australia's Labor government are angry at its decision to allow billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart to bring more than 1,700 foreign workers to a mining project in Western Australia. The Federal Government has approved a migration agreement for Ms Rinehart's $9 billion Roy Hill Iron Ore project in the Pilbara. Ms Rinehart, recently named the world's richest woman, has long called for easier access to foreign temporary workers to help fill shortages, the ABC reports. A series of union leaders, including from the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, have criticised the agreement as lunacy and accused the Government of caving in to Ms Rinehart. The AMWU says the move sets a dangerous precedent and is a slap in the face for the domestic workforce.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Attractions open doors for Wellington Open Day

Sun, rain or snow, the crowds will be out tomorrow for Wellington Open Day. To promote the many high-quality attractions Wellington has to offer, more than 14 places around the city will be opening their doors for a gold coin donation. As well as popular destinations such as Wellington Zoo and Carter Observatory, some slightly more offbeat options will be on offer. For those who were quick on the draw, the Seal Coast Safari will be running its usual South Coast seal tours for just a gold coin – but places sold out quickly after being announced. Behind-the-scenes tours at Downstage Theatre and cocktail demonstrations at Motel Bar are sure to prove popular.
© Fairfax NZ News



Vaccine could stem allergy symptoms

A long-awaited solution for allergy sufferers may be just a few years away and could come in a form similar to a flu jab. Scientists undertaking world-leading research at Wellington's Malaghan Institute say they have made significant progress towards developing the vaccine. They hope it could be used to prevent allergic diseases, including asthma, caused by an overreaction of one part of the immune system to harmless environmental triggers. Malaghan Institute director Graham Le Gros said a vaccine could be 5-10 years away and would work in a similar way to the flu jab.
© Fairfax NZ News



Zespri profit triples, payments to growers rise

Kiwifruit marketer Zespri has announced a lift in total payments to growers for the past season on the back of a record crop of 116 million trays. Zespri has tripled its full year profit to $20.5 million in the year to the end of March, compared with $7.3 million in the previous year, but warns the PSA vine disease will dampen earnings in coming years. Sales rose 7% to $1.62 billion on the back of the record crop volume resulting in payments to growers rising by 11% to $980 million.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



NZ has stake in world's largest radio telescope

New Zealand, Australia and South Africa are to host the world's most powerful radio telescope. The Square Kilometre Array will cost about $NZ2.5 billion and be the largest radio telescope ever made. When completed in 2024, it will consist of an array of thousands of antennae and dishes spread over thousands of kilometres, which will give a total receiver surface area of 1 square kilometre. The telescope will sweep the sky for answers to the major outstanding questions in astronomy such as what happened after the big bang and how galaxies evolved, and will attempt to uncover more about the universe's dark energy. South Africa's site is in the Northern Cape, while the joint New Zealand-Australian section will be in Western Australia and the top of the South Island.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Friday, May 25

Clinton welcomes NZ bid for Security Council seat

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton says she welcomes New Zealand's bid to gain a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council. Her comment to Radio New Zealand News comes after a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully in Washington DC. The meeting with Mrs Clinton followed discussions earlier in the week between Mr McCully and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York. At a media conference on Friday, Mr McCully told reporters he believes New Zealand dealt with difficulties well, and its bid for membership would bear any scrutiny. New Zealand has been a member of the UN Security Council three times: from 1954-55, in 1966 and from 1993-94.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Kiwi beer beats Aussies at their own awards

By Viv Logie of the Greymouth Star
Monteith's Brewing Company has shown it has what it takes when it comes to brewing beer, winning awards at the 2012 Australian International Beer Awards this week. The old West Coast brewery in Greymouth collected a silver medal for the Monteith's Celtic Red and two bronze medals for Monteith's Pilsner and Monteith's Original. More than 1300 brews from 41 countries were entered in the awards, held in Melbourne. Monteith's head brewer Tony Mercer said it was always rewarding to win against the Aussies. "New Zealand beer is among the best in the world and our success at awards such as these are further proof of our brewing credentials."



Rena captain, navigation officer to be jailed

A judge has told the captain and navigation officer of the Rena they will be jailed. Judge Wolff has started to deliver his decision on sentences on Friday for the pair, whose container ship ran aground off Tauranga in October last year, shedding tonnes of oil and debris. The captain and navigation officer have previously pleaded guilty to charges under the Crimes Act for wilfully attempting to pervert the course of justice, the Maritime Act for operating a vessel in a way which causes unnecessary danger and the Resource Management Act for discharging harmful contaminants into a marine area.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



International builder says Cathedral can be fixed

An international master builder has had a close look at ChristChurch Cathedral this morning, and he says it's one of the easiest fixes he's seen. Marcus Brandt's from Philadelphia and he's been calling for the iconic building to be restored for sometime. This morning CERA officials took him for a look around the entire Cathedral building and he says it's nowhere near as damaged as he'd thought. He says demolishing the Cathedral will be a black mark on Christchurch's history, as we'd be throwing away heritage that can be easily repaired.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Kaimanawa horse muster about to begin

A muster to reduce the numbers of Kaimanawa wild horses is due to get under way in the central North Island on Friday. A recent survey has identified that 179 horses will need to be taken out of the herd to bring the number back to 300, a figure settled on to provide a balance in allowing the horses to survive and protecting the environment. Three helicopters will be used to help round up the horses. The Department of Conservation says once the horses are corralled and veterinary checks done, some will be selected and given new homes.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Free health shuttle to city

NORTH CANTABRIANS will be able to catch a St John-operated health shuttle into Christchurch for health appointments from June 11. St John already runs seven health shuttles in the South Island and is now filling in the gaps following an offer of funding from Four Square. "Four Square is a very community-minded chain. Last year, it gave us $345,000 for three new health shuttle services. One has gone into North Otago, another into Ashburton, and now the third will be housed in Amberley, and run through to Christchurch via Rangiora, Woodend and Kaiapoi, and various pick-up points in between, depending on the daily requirement, " Pam Hall, St John community care manager, said. People wanting to use the service will need to ring ahead and book a seat for any appointment between 11.30 and 2.30. They will also be able to bring a support person along. The service will run Monday to Friday from June 11, and will be free, although donations are gratefully received.
- © Fairfax NZ News



Crown Jewels tour New Zealand

There's tight security as a rare collection of Crown Jewels tour New Zealand. A select few Farmers stores across the country are displaying the replica treasures as a celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Spokesman Dean Cook says the collection includes crowns, crosses and orbs, and a replica of the King's coronation ring. "These pieces are very precious to us, they're obviously not real jewels but they've been handmade and they were commissioned to be absolute replicas so we have significant security in place as it goes around the country."
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Pasifika cyber safety programme launched

Cyber Safety Pasifika has launched a new website aimed at helping young members of Pacific Island communities to be safe online by providing information, advice and assistance on cyber safety. Cyber Safety Pasifika is a programme which equips police in various Pacific countries with the knowledge and resources to educate their communities, including young people, teachers and parents, in all aspects of cyber safety.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Tonga prepares for Royal wedding

Preparations for the Royal Wedding of Tonga’s Crown Prince, Tupouto’a ’Ulukalala and the Honourable Sinaitakala Fakafanua are in full swing. Families and people of the estates of His Royal Highness and Lord Fakafanua have started dance practice for the wedding, which will be on the 12th of July. Radio Tonga reports the Registration at the Royal Palace will be held two days before, on the 10th, and a reception will follow. The Royal Wedding itself will be held at the Centenary Church and a Royal Luncheon will follow at Pangai Lahi Grounds.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Thursday, May 24

Labour denounces 'zero hope' Budget

The Labour Party says the Government has delivered a zero-growth and zero-hope Budget. During a debate in Parliament after the 2012 Budget was delivered on Thursday, leader David Shearer said it will deliver the worst economic growth in 50 years and see 50,000 people going to Australia. "It has delivered 50,000 more unemployed and has 50,000 more people on benefits, costing us $1 billion. "That is a zero growth Budget, a zero hope Budget and a zero reason Budget for staying here in this country, Mr Speaker." Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says the Budget has ramped up the burden on lower and middle-income New Zealanders. Dr Norman told Parliament if there is a burden to be shared, then it should be shared fairly. And he accused National is slowly entrenching inequality. "The National Party government is slowly grinding middle and lower income earners into the ground, while giving generous tax cuts to the wealthiest."
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Budget 2012: The main points

The main points of Budget 2012
* Closing a tax loophole for those who rent out their bach and boat, saving $109m over four years
* An excise tax hike on tobacco, taking the price of a pack of 20 cigarettes to more than $20 by 2016
* Scrapping the annual inflationary increase to early education funding
* Deferring KiwiSaver auto enrolment
* New KiwiSaver rules requiring more disclosure from fund managers.
* Increasing student loan repayment rate to 12 per cent
* Increasing cost of prescription items to $5 each
* 154,000 new jobs over the next four years, unemployment to below 5 per cent by 2015
* Government debt to rise from $50b to more than $70b before return to surplus
* A return to surplus by 2014/15 (of $197m)
* New spending totals $26.5m to 2015/16
* Reprioritising $4.4b of spending
* Holiday home tax deductions cut, saving $109 million over four years
* Livestock valuation rules tightened, saving $184 million over four years
* Three tax credits abolished, saving $117 million over four years.
* Extra $78.4m funding for IRD audit and compliance.
* Future Investment Fund established to use proceeds of SOE selldowns
- © Fairfax NZ News



Budget 2012: The main points

Proceeds from the sale of state-owned assets: The "Future Investment Fund" will initially get $558 million.
Tobacco tax will increase: by 10pc on January 1 each year for the next four years.
Changes to tax deductions: tightening of rules around tax deductions for baches, boats and planes.
KiwiSaver: Funds will be required to report performance in an approved, standardised form.
Three tax credits are being removed childcare / housekeeper, income under $9,880 and the children's income credit. These will save the Govt $117m over 4 yrs.
A $326m boost for science, innovation and research. A new Advanced Technology Institute will receive funding of $160m.
Copyright 2012, APN Holdings NZ Limited



'Unveiled' exhibition draws nearly 75,000 total visitors

Te Papa is celebrating another success with its latest exhibition. Unveiled, which showcases wedding fashion through the ages, drew nearly 75,000 people through the doors during its run from December to April. That breaks down to almost 600 people a day. Te Papa says those figures make Unveiled slightly more popular than the European Masters exhibition, but not Monet and the Impressionists. Monet drew double that. Around 60 percent of the visitors to Unveiled were from outside of Wellington.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Rinehart richest woman in the world

Australian mining magnate Gina Rinehart has been named as the richest woman in the world. The latest BRW Magazine Rich List says Ms Rinehart's $A29 billion mining fortune has ballooned by an unparalleled $A18.87 billion in the past year. That equates to $A1,077,054 every 30 minutes of every day. BRW said the money is from foreign investment in new projects, increased production and a recovery in the iron ore price over the past six months. The title of richest person in the world is currently held by Mexican telecommunications mogul Carlos Slim Helu, with $US69 billion.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Copper deposits detected in Northland

Rich deposits of copper have been detected by an aerial survey in Northland. The survey also detected signifiant amounts of gold, silver, zinc, antimony and lead. The survey results were analysed by GNS Science, which says there are massive deposits of copper sulphide at Pakotai and Parakao inland from Whangarei and at Pupuke, north of Kerikeri. These areas have been mined before - Pupuke in the early 1900s, Pakotai from 1944 to 1951 and Parakao in the early 1960s.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Wellington delegation to China

Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown is heading a 39-member delegation to China, aimed at strengthening business ties between Wellington and a number of cities in China. The delegation will be in China for seven days, visiting Beijing, Tianjin, Hangzhou and Shanghai. The group includes representatives from organisations including the Wellington Employers' Chamber of Commerce, Positively Wellington Tourism, Grow Wellington, Airways Corporation and Whitireia Polytechnic.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Maori agribusiness entering exciting new phase

The Maori Trustee organisation says Maori agribusiness is entering a new and exciting phase. Jamie Tuuta told a dairy farming audience in Hamilton that Maori assets now control 37% of New Zealand's fishing quota, 36% of the forests, as well as being major players in the dairy, sheep and beef industries. He says one advantage for many Maori agribusiness organisations is that they have multiple land use options.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Shock, horror over Treasury timing

Treasury wrote its report on the select committee hearings into the Government's partial asset sales legislation before they were finished. Wednesday was the last day of hearings by the Finance and Expenditure Select Committee on the Mixed Ownership Model Bill. Submitters in the committee room heard that Treasury officials had already written their report, before all submitters had had their say. Opposition parties say this is reprehensible. Labour says the Government does not care what people think and it has treated submitters with contempt. The Green Party says it shows the Government never had any intention of listening to the submitters.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Living wage campaign launched

More than 50 organisations, including churches and unions, are supporting a campaign for a living wage. The campaign was launched at midday in Auckland on Wednesday and is based on overseas examples where workers who would normally earn the minimum wage are paid more to cover what are considered basic necessities. The Service and Food Workers Union, which intitiated the campaign, says a research group will now establish what a living wage would be in New Zealand. Spokeperson Annie Newman says the minimum wage of $13.50 an hour undermines the quality of many workers' lives.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Wednesday, May 23

NZ backs changes to British succession laws

A first-born daughter of William and Kate could become the next queen after a New Zealand push to change the rules of royal succession was backed in Britain. Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the move, saying he is glad New Zealand has been part of the process to bring about positive change. The rules of royal succession have for centuries discriminated against women by allowing men to accede to the throne before any older sisters. New Zealand has pushed to allow an elder daughter to precede a younger son in the line of succession - a move that gained the support of other Commonwealth leaders at a summit in Perth last October.
- APNZ



Indian nurses protest outside Parliament

More than 100 Indian nurses are today staging a protest outside Parliament after being told they are not qualified enough to work here. TV ONE's Close Up programme revealed last week that some Indian nurses come here on the false hope that they will find work, only to be turned away by the Nursing Council who says their Indian diplomas do not meet New Zealand standards. The Qualifications Authority told Close Up last week that it had launched an investigation into the recruitment of Indian nurses and what promises were made to them when they were brought here by New Zealand polytechnics.
Source: ONE News



US Marines to visit NZ marking WW2 anniversary

By Kate Shuttleworth
US Marines will visit New Zealand next month to mark the 70th anniversary of the arrival of US World War II forces. Prime Minister John Key will welcome 50 marines and a 50-person Marine band to New Zealand for three weeks. They arrive on June 14. The Marines will be hosted by Mr Key at an evening reception at Parliament, followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial. The New Zealand Defence Force will send 36 personnel to California in June to take part in a three-week field exercise with Marine engineers. Originally the marines arrived in New Zealand in June 1942, following the entry of the United States into the Second World War.
- APNZ



40,000 workers needed for quake repairs

A new report says up to 40,000 construction workers may be needed in Christchurch in the next few years to meet the demand for quake repairs. The Built Environment Training Alliance has issued a report on the expected demand . Chief executive Philip Aldridge says the latest forecast of demand is that 40,000 workers will needed by the end of next year. He says this would be an 84% increase on the current size of the workforce in Christchurch.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Chemists keen to prescribe drugs

Pharmacists have told Parliament they back moves that would offer them the chance to prescribe medicines. Parliament's Health Select Committee is considering extending prescribing rights under proposed changes to the Medicines Act. The Medicines Amendment Bill would expand who can become an authorised prescriber of medicines and set up a new category of delegated prescribers. The Pharmaceutical Society representing 3000 pharmacists said delegated pharmacist prescribers would work under and in partnership with authorised prescribers such as doctors. It says it would improve access and continuity of care in the community while making better use of pharmacist's training.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Canterbury first in economic ratings

Canterbury has leapt ahead of Auckland to scoop first place in the National Banks' annual economic ratings, as the Christchurch rebuild gathers pace. Ten of the country's 14 regions report growth, including Northland, Waikato and Southland. But Wellington languishes at the bottom of the table, with growth down 0.2 percent over the past 12 months. Business correspondent Roger Kerr says tomorrow's zero budget won't bring any positive news for the Wellington region either. The National Bank says nationwide economic growth has lifted from 0.8 percent to 1.6 percent in the twelve months to March. The South Island economy expanded by 2.1 percent and the North's by 1.5 percent.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Questions over English's grasp on portfolio

Questions are being asked about the grasp Finance Minister Bill English has on his portfolio. It follows a parliamentary exchange between Green Party co-leader Russel Norman and Mr English over partial asset sales and the impact they'll have on the current account deficit. Dr Norman says he's shocked Mr English doesn't appear to understand the make up of the current account after the Minister said purchase of shares would count towards it. "It does not. It's part of the capital account so the fact that the Government is growing a current account deficit and the Minister of Finance does not understand what a current account deficit is, should have all New Zealanders very worried."
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



AUT monitoring first private space flight

AUT is playing an important role in monitoring the first private space flight to the International Space Station. SpaceX launched its Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon space capsule from Cape Canaveral last night. The Dragon will deliver two thousand 500kg of food, water and other cargo to the 16 nation outpost. AUT's Institute of Radio Astronomy and Space Research director Sergei Gulyaev says New Zealand is very close to where the rocket will reenter the atmosphere. "And we will report its exact coordinates and parameters to the mission control centre and they will determine the place where it will splash into the ocean."
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Govt asked to help those fleeing Syria conflict

By Felix Marwick - NewstalkZB
Our government is being asked to do more to help those fleeing the conflict in Syria. Green Party MP Kennedy Graham's just back from observing the situation and believes we should be doing more to help the refugees escaping the violence. He's paying tribute to the efforts the Jordanians are making to support Syrian exiles and believes New Zealand could help. Dr Graham believes we could offer bilateral assistance.



Tuesday, May 22

PM called a chicken for not answering question

Green Party co-leader Russel Norman called the Prime Minister a chicken as the National-led Government faced strong criticism in Parliament on Tuesday over its economic management. John Key was the subject of name calling after he transferred a question about the economy to Finance Minister Bill English. That prompted the Green Party co-leader to twice call the Prime Minister a chicken. Speaker of the House Lockwood Smith called for order several times and Russel Norman then lost his question entirely as Dr Smith moved on to the next question.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



New uncertainty in PNG

There's a fresh outbreak of political turmoil in Papua New Guinea where the Supreme Court has again found Peter O'Neill's appointment as prime minister was illegal. In a three to two ruling on Monday, the court upheld its decision of last December that Mr O'Neill's replacement of Sir Michael Somare as prime minister was illegal. Chief justice Sir Salamo Injia said the order to reinstate Sir Michael still stands and is binding. But an ABC correspondent reports that only three members of the five-man bench took part in the decision after two judges withdrew because they felt their colleagues were biased. PNG's parliament was dissolved last week ahead of the general election, but will be recalled for a special sitting on Tuesday to deal with the court's decision.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



UN critical of NZ welfare reforms

The United Nations has criticised New Zealand's proposed welfare reforms for breaching human rights. Its committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights says the welfare changes are inconsistent with international obligations and the Government should reconsider work tests for single parents. The reforms require those on the Domestic Purposes Benefit to seek part-time work when their youngest child is five years old and fulltime work when they are 14.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Foreign fishing vessels to be reflagged as NZ vessels

The Government has announced new changes that will require foreign-owned fishing vessels operating in New Zealand waters to be reflagged as New Zealand vessels. It will place the vessels under New Zealand laws and hold domestic operators accountable for the employment of crew. The changes follow the release of a ministerial inquiry earlier this year into accusations of mistreatment and underpayment for some foreign crew working on fishing boats chartered to New Zealand companies. Primary Industries Minister David Carter says reflagging foreign vessels will provide greater protection to the crews working on these vessels.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Wellington's passionate plea to save TVNZ 7

By OLIVIA WANNAN
A passionate and infuriated audience packed out the Wesley Church Hall on Monday night to celebrate and mourn TVNZ7, a channel described as an "oasis in the desert''. The public service channel will close down when its government funding runs out at the end of June, but lobby group Save TVNZ7 isn't letting it go quietly. The group is holding public meetings around the country with Opposition politicians, hoping it will raise the profile of TVNZ7 and public service television. About 300 Wellingtonians attended the meeting, which featured a panel of Labour MP Clare Curran, former Green MP Sue Kedgley, and media experts Tom Frewen and Peter Thompson. Ms Curran, who has a private member's bill in the ballot to keep TVNZ7 funded, said public service television had an essential role in a democratic society.
- The Wellingtonian



Music service Spotify comes to New Zealand

By TOM PULLAR-STRECKER
A second major online music streaming service, Spotify, has debuted in New Zealand following the launch of rival Rdio in February. Spotify lets consumers search for and listen to 16 million songs on computers, mobile phones and Apple devices. There is a free advertising-funded version, another without adverts that costs $7.49 a month and a "premium" version costing $12.99 with enhanced sound quality that also lets subscribers listen to music offline. Rival Rdio, a privately owned company bankrolled by Skype co-founder Janus Friis, beat Spotify to the New Zealand market in February. It has a catalogue of 15 million songs and costs $8.90 a month. For $13.90, subscribers can also download music that they can listen to offline on mobile devices.



Chch job growth likened to Aus mining boom

Forecast employment growth in Christchurch is being likened to Western Australia's mining boom. It comes as the city starts rebuilding with increasing demand for the likes of quantity surveyors, residential and commercial project managers. Statistics from Trade Me Jobs show jobs in Canterbury have risen 81 percent year on year, compared to just three and four percent in Wellington and Auckland. Hays Recruiting General Manager Jason Walker says Western Australia's mining boom could be mimicked here by the demand for construction jobs. "We've got a marketplace in Christchurch which could very shortly resemble the type of thing we're seeing in Australia where Western Australia predominately drives the economy." Mr Walker says the demand is so high, some job applicants are being hired practically on-the-spot.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Tooth fairy paying an average of $5

By ARN - NewstalkZB
It's been found the tooth fairy is now paying on average $5 a tooth. That's about $100 for a full set of teeth for each child. Back in the 1970s the average going rate was 20 cents a tooth, the equivalent of about $2 today.



New pear from NZ launched in Britain

A new variety of fruit developed in New Zealand that looks and tastes like an apple, but is actually a pear, will feature in Marks Spencer stores in Britain this week. MS describes the papple as one of the most exciting new varieties of fruit it has seen in years. The papple does not have a formal brand name yet, but stems from a Plant Food Research programme to breed new types of pears.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Fury expressed over charter school

Some residents in Otahuhu, Auckland, are furious a charter school could be trialled in their community, saying it is not wanted or needed. Charter schools get Government funding but are run by companies or non-profit organisations and can set teacher pay and their own school timetable. A pilot programme for charter schools is part of the confidence and supply deal between the National and ACT parties. About 400 people attended a meeting in Otahuhu Town Hall on Monday night to debate the merits of the idea. Charter Schools Working Group chair Catherine Isaac, faced a tough audience and was heckled over her political affiliations.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



NZ troops to exit Afghanistan next year

The Government has confirmed it will withdraw New Zealand soldiers from Afghanistan by late next year. Foreign Affairs minister Murray McCully made the announcement at a NATO summit in Chicago. He says the early withdrawal reflects the outstanding work of the provincial reconstruction team in Bamyan province.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Monday, May 21

NZ economy among world's safest

By RICHARD MEADOWS
New Zealand's stable economy is better for doing business in than Japan or China, a new report says, and the country is ranked in the top 20 safest for investment worldwide. The findings come from credit reporting agency Dun & Bradstreet's Global Risk Indicator (GRI), which assesses the risk of doing business in 131 countries. While New Zealand was ranked fourth safest in the Asia-Pacific region, major trading partner Australia took out the number one spot both regionally and globally.
© Fairfax NZ News



Boot near Nelson most unusual place to stay

A Wellington travel writer's come up with a list of the most unusual places to stay in New Zealand. Pip McCurdy says the Boot near Nelson tops the list. It's a bed and breakfast in the shape of a boot with the sitting room as the toe, a bedroom tucked halfway up the leg and a kitchen in the heel. She says the place is truly extraordinary, and is a plastered monument to craftsmanship and whimsy. The Giant's House in Akaroa comes in second - it sits in a garden of full size human sculptures and their friends, clothed in ornate mosaics.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



New degrees to help develop gaming industry

Two new degrees are being launched in New Zealand to fuel growth in the game development industry. Media Design School will offer a Bachelor of Creative Technologies in Game Art, and Bachelor of Software Engineering in Game Programming. The three year programmes have been developed in close collaboration with local and international game studios, to ensure graduates are primed to enter the industry. Media Design School CEO Frances Valintine says the New Zealand game industry is growing due to the global demand for game content across all platforms, such as console, mobile, PC and online.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Pacific Island students losing out - ERO

Schools are making little progress in improving the achievements of students from Pacific cultures , the Education Review Office says. That was despite Pacific students being the learners most at risk of not achieving, and after the Government's 2009 call for an urgent focus on lifting their performance. Today ERO released its third report on the achievers of Pacific learners, and said that while some schools had positive practices in place, most were not sufficiently focused on improving Pacific learners' performance.
© Fairfax NZ News



Asset sales bad - BERL

The Green Party has issued a report that argues the Government and the economy would be permanently worse off if the partial asset sales programme goes ahead. BERL chief economist Ganesh Nana was commissioned to investigate the long-term impacts of the Government's programme that would sell 49% stakes in four State energy companies and reduce the Crown's holding in Air New Zealand. Greens co-leader Russel Norman says the report found that the sales would leave the Government accounts worse off in terms of Government debt, debt ratio, net worth and total assets. He says it is bad news for both the Government books and the wider New Zealand economy.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Partnership agreement signed by Australia and Afghanistan

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has signed a new strategic partnership agreement with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Chicago. Australia will provide nearly $A400 million for security in Afghanistan after most Australian combat troops have left in 2014. The two leaders signed a strategic partnership deal outlining ongoing cooperation in a range of areas including security, trade, and investment post-2014.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Sunday, May 20

Best kapa haka performers battle it out

By JO MCKENZIE-MCLEAN
Maori song and haka boomed throughout the small rural Canterbury township of Lincoln today. The best kapa haka performers in Te Waipounamu (South Island) competed at the Waitaha Senior Kapa Haka Competition, held at the Lincoln Event Centre. Waitaha Cultural Council chairperson Ranui Ngarimu said there were 10 groups competing this year, nine from Canterbury and one group travelling from Dunedin, Te Taieri o Owheo. "It's great to see so many teams competing this year. This is the first time we have so many groups compete at our regionals - it is very exciting. "This year we opened the competition to all the regions in the Ngai Tahu takiwa and we are delighted that our whanau from Dunedin are able to travel up to Christchurch and be part of this event." The groups were competing for three spots to represent Waitaha at the national senior kapa haka competition, Te Matatini, to be held in Rotorua from February 20-24, 2013.
© Fairfax NZ News



Orcon email down since Friday

By FRANCESCA LEE
A technical issue is stopping Orcon customers from logging into their email accounts. Orcon customer service said a small number of their customers nationwide had been having trouble logging into their email since Friday. Brian Strong, of Waltham, encountered an error message when he tried to log onto his Orcon email account on Saturday morning. Orcon customer service said technicians were working on the issue, but they could not say when the problem would be resolved.
© Fairfax NZ News



Colder weather good for Kiwi ski bunnies

By LOIS CAIRNS
A cold snap has left skifields confident they'll open as scheduled early next month. Last year, a warm autumn prevented many fields from opening on time but colder temperatures this year mean snow bunnies could be hitting the slopes in just three weeks. Mt Hutt and Coronet Peak are due to open on June 9, and the Remarkables area is preparing for a June 16 opening. In the North Island, Turoa is due to open on June 16 and Whakapapa a week later. "Winter is upon us," Mt Ruapehu ski area manager Steve McGill said.
© Fairfax NZ News



Paying to sit with PM worry for Greens

Businesses have been buying access to Prime Minister John Key through an Olympic fundraiser. Duco Events, which is organising the Prime Minister's Olympic Gala Dinner on June 28, would not say how much it would have cost to buy a seat on the PM's table, which sold out quickly, but it did say that next time around the price would be around $30,000. Green Party MP Holly Walker said the marketing for the event carried a clear message, and it was time to look at how corporates and the wealthy used such events to lobby for causes at the highest level. ''There is an implication that this is your opportunity to get in the ear of these decision makers,'' Walker said. ''What it highlights is the inequality of access that people have to decision makers.'' While it was relatively easy for ordinary people to get to talk to their local MP, those with money appeared to be able to get better access to ministers and it was time for greater transparency, Walker said, adding the Greens' Lobbying Disclosure Bill dealt with this scenario.
© Fairfax NZ News



NZ parents want tougher stance on class discipline

MARIKA HILL
Increasing numbers of fed-up parents want schools to get tough on discipline. A recent international study ranked New Zealand students among the worst-behaved in the world, and Secondary Principals' Association president Patrick Walsh said there was a sea change in how discipline was perceived in schools. "The public and parents are becoming less tolerant with the restorative justice approach, and want schools to get tough on serious offenders." While a restorative justice approach had been widely adopted, research showed children's behaviour had grown worse in the past decade, with sexual and physical assaults increasing. Almost three-quarters – 71 per cent – of respondents in a Sunday Star-Times reader poll, said discipline was lacking in our schools, and blamed the rise in bad behaviour on the loss of discipline at home and a lack of respect among young people. An OECD report, which looked at how long it took teachers to control unruly children, was published last year. It ranked New Zealand 50th out of 65 countries for disruptive pupils. Many Asian countries ranked near the top, the United States was 22nd and the United Kingdom 32nd.
© Fairfax NZ News



Crowded House drummer Jones dies

Crowded House has paid tribute to drummer Peter Jones who died on Friday. Reports in Australia say the musician succumbed to a battle with brain cancer, the ABC says. Crowded House was formed by former Split Enz members Neil Finn and Paul Hester. British-born Jones replaced Paul Hester after he left the band in 1994. Hits by Crowded House include Don't Dream It's Over, Something So Strong and Fall at Your Feet.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Wizard of Christchurch leading protest today

Christchurch's wizard is brewing up a protest today, against the deconstruction of the city's cathedral. The Anglican Church has confirmed it won't halt the process of bringing the building down to two or three metres, despite weeks of protest and public backlash. The Wizard has labelled Anglican Bishop Victoria Matthews as 'seriously cracked' and in a dangerous state, with no evidence she can be made safe. At today's rally he's promising to deconstruct her, in favour of a cardboard figurine. The protest will be held at Canterbury Museum at noon and The Wizard also promises the demolition of members of the Anglican chapter who are still backing the Bishop.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Fundraisers 'squeeze Pacific Island families'

MICHAEL FIELD
Pacific Island families being hit by fundraising delegations from their home islands want them stopped, Labour MP Su'a William Sio says. A group from Samoa raised $110,000 from Mangere-based Samoans last month for a hospital, but when Sio tried to limit it, a chief later branded him a poor leader. Sio says Pacific Island people feel the pressure from the increasing visits, which can secure up to $90,000, and include political fundraisers. He says senior community leaders are concerned, and some have asked him if the delegations could be stopped.
© Fairfax NZ News



Food residue tests show growers complying - ministry

The Ministry for Primary Industries says most growers are playing by the rules when it comes to the use of chemicals on their crops. MPI on Friday released an update on its annual Food Residue Surveillance Programme. It says of the 247 samples of fresh unwashed produce tested in the past six months, 11 failed to comply with maximum residue limits. The programme tests for 350 chemicals being used on a range of crops, with a focus this year on eggplants, lemons, walnuts, hops, spring onion, pumpkin, asparagus and olive oil.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Saturday, May 19

Investors flock to NZ Government bonds as safe haven

New Zealand's increasing appeal as an investment safe haven has helped push down the Government's borrowing costs to a new record low. The interest rate on the benchmark April 2023 Government bond fell to 3.66% at Thursday's weekly auction. Bids worth $700 million were received for $200 million worth of bonds offered by the Debt Management Office. Westpac strategist Imre Speizer says Thursday's auction was a continued flow into New Zealand's Government bond markets from offshore central banks which are parking their central reserves in high yielding, but what they consider to be safe assets.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Australia confident of growth despite Europe worries

Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan has played down the ramifications of Europe's financial crisis for Australia, despite a further $A35 billion being wiped off the value of shares across the Tasman .Australia's sharemarket fell sharply to close on Friday at its lowest for six months. The S&P / ASX200 index ended the day down 110.9 points (2.67%), at 4,046.5 points, the lowest close since 5 November. There are fears the European debt crisis may be spreading after several Spanish banks were downgraded by a ratings agency. But Mr Swan says that his government's budget predicted Australia's economy would continue to grow, even while Europe goes into recession, the ABC reports.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Cook Islands government increasing pension

Cook Islands pensions are going up from July under a three-year government plan to double superannuation payments by 2015. The minister of finance and economic management, Mark Brown, says the Cook Islands government will make good on its promise announced last December to double the pension to people aged 70 and over. Pensioners will receive $400 per fortnight once the full increase is introduced, bringing their payment to an equivalent of the minimum wage and double what they currently receive.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Friday, May 18

Another 56 Maori graduate from Massey

Graduation of 56 Maori from Massey University in a special ceremony coincided with the final address from its Assistant Vice Chancellor of Maori and Pasifika, Sir Mason Durie. Professor Durie told the graduates that they had a challenge to ensure that Maori society realised its potential over the next 25-years. He says it's important not only for a strong economy but also to realise healthy whanau (family), healthy lives and healthy young people. Professor Durie says a new whanau research programme being introduced at Massey in June will find out what are the ingredients of success for whanau and how to make it happen. This year 396 Maori have graduated from Massey University.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



National support slips further - poll

By Adam Bennett
Support for John Key's National Party has fallen 2.5 per cent in the latest Roy Morgan political poll, suggesting a Labour-Greens-NZ First alliance would have the best chance of governing if an election was held today. The poll of 894 voters conducted between April 30 and May 13 found support for National was 44.5 per cent, down 2.5 points from the previous poll. Gary Morgan of Roy Morgan NZ said the continuing scandals involving Act leader John Banks appeared to be rubbing off on Mr Key's Government. Support for Labour was 1.5 points higher at 30 per cent, the Greens were unchanged at 15 per cent and Winston Peter's NZ First was up half a point to 5.5 per cent. Together they had 50.5 per cent.



Wellington to host prestigious wine awards

The Capital will play host to the nation's most prestigious wine competition this year. The Air New Zealand Wine Awards attracts top-class entries from all over the country. The 2012 awards dinner will be held in Wellington on November 24.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Kiwi ‘papple’ to hit UK shelves

When you cross one variety of pear with another, the last thing you'd expect to see is something that looks like an apple. But the so-called New Zealand-grown "papple" is about to go on sale at Marks and Spencer stores in the United Kingdom. Though it is round and has a red skin, much like an apple, the as yet unnamed fruit is in fact a cross between Chinese and Japanese pear varieties. Known officially as PremP109, the pear is one of a number of varieties to come out of Plant and Food Research's apple and pear breeding programme.
Source: NZN



The New Zealand book of life

By PALOMA MIGONE
New Zealand is the first country in the world to catalogue its entire known living and fossil life from 530 million years ago to today. The three-volume work - New Zealand Inventory of Biodiversity - offers a first full review of the country's entire known species of animals, plants, fungi and microorganisms - more than 56,200 living and 14,700 fossil species covering all environments. The catalogue, led by NIWA's Dennis Gordon, was an international effort that took a decade to complete.



Rural NZ may face competition for migrant workforce

Researchers at Lincoln University say rural New Zealand may face competition for its migrant workforce over the next decade. Employment relations senior lecturer Rupert Tipples is leading research which aims to provide an insight into the communities of migrant labour in Southland. There are about 1500 migrant dairy workers in New Zealand, mostly from the Philippines. Dr Tipples says initial meetings with farmers and farm workers have shown that many migrant workers intend to stay here and advance, not just through the different grades of employement , but also into contract milking, sharemilking and even at some future stage, farm ownership.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Manawatu Gorge slip finally cleared

The massive slip that has blocked the section of State Highway 3 through the Manawatu Gorge for the past nine months has been cleared. The Transport Agency says 370,000 cubic metres of earth has been removed from the slip site. Agency spokesperson David McGonigal says it's a huge milestone to have the road cleared and means the agency can now focus on on getting the road ready and safe for motorists to travel on. The agency expects to open the section of State Highway 3 to one lane of traffic by the end of May.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Zoning announced for more Christchurch properties

Another 600 properties have been given the go-ahead for rebuilding in Christchurch while almost 200 have been red-zoned. Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee made the announcement on Friday. Mr Brownlee said 198 homes in the suburb of Southshore, closest to the estuary, will be zoned red meaning the land can no longer be lived on. Another 203 properties in the suburb have been zoned green, which allows rebuilding. The minister announced that 421 properties in the Port Hills have also been green-zoned, leaving about 1700 Port Hills properties awaiting a decision.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Thursday, May 17

Samoan students march against the local production of booze and cigarettes

About 1,000 students from around Samoa have marched in protest at the production of cigarettes and alcohol in the country. Talamua online reports that the march started from the British American Tobacco Samoa premises a few metres from the Vailima Breweries at the Vaitele Industrial Zone. Students held placards and banners with anti-smoking and anti-alcohol messages and singing. Uaea Laki Apelu, one of the organisers of the march says cigarettes and alcohol have contributed to the downfall of many Samoan youths. He says the Government should look at banning these products completely.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Illegal immigrants detained in Northland

By Lesley Deverall - NewstalkZB
Eight migrants working illegally have been detained by Immigration officers following a swoop with police in Northland. The one Malaysian and seven Thai nationals remain in custody in Whangarei pending deportation. Immigration New Zealand says the eight had originally come to New Zealand as part of the Recognised Seasonal Employers scheme - but were now working illegally.



60 Samoans out of 15,000 applicants off to Australia for seasonal work

The first group of 60 Samoan workers to take part in a pilot seasonal work scheme in Australia has been selected. 15,000 applications were lodged for the six-month-long seasonal jobs in South Australia to pick oranges. A source in the Samoa Prime Minister’s Office says the airfares for the first group will be met by the employer, with the workers to pay this back from their earnings. As many as 500 Samoans are expected to eventually work in Australia under the short term labour scheme.
© Radio New Zealand International



Government to close Stockholm embassy

The Government is to close the New Zealand embassy in Sweden as part of its drive to save $10 million from the cost of running the country's European posts. The Stockholm post was opened by the Labour government in 2008 and downsized by the current Government a year later. Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says while the relationship with Sweden is excellent, it is not always necessary to have a diplomatic presence to maintain that relationship.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Waikato Hospital celebrates 125th anniversary

Waikato Hospital celebrates its 125th anniversary today. The first patient ever to be admitted on May the 17th, 1887, was operated on by candlelight for a shooting injury. James J Daley's hand had been shattered by the barrel of a gun. His thumb and two fingers were amputated, and his brother stayed to look after him because there were no nurses. He recovered well.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Tongan church to go ahead with housing project

The Tongan Methodist Church is delighted it's been given the go-ahead for a substantial new social housing project in the Auckland suburb of Mangere. A $4.3 million Government grant has been awarded, to build 22 new homes on church land for up to 80 people. Reverend John Murray says the project has been in the pipeline for eight years, in an area where the church believes there's a lot of need.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



WW1 memoir wins Children's Book Awards

An author whose book is based on the first World War 1 diaries of his grandfather has won the country's highest honour in children's writing. The Children's Book Awards were announced on Wednesday. Winning entry Nice day for a War by Matt Elliott tells the story of his teenage soldier grandfather, Cyril Elliot. Other winners included picture book The Cat's Pyjamas by Catherine Foreman who won the Children's Choice Award. Debut writer Leonie Agnew took this year's Best First Book Award and also the Junior Fiction category for her novel Super Finn. The Young Adult Fiction category winner was Calling the Gods by Jack Lasenby.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



NZ teaching programme to go global

A Christchurch teacher has signed a multi-million dollar global distribution deal for software she designed for students with learning difficulties. Ros Lugg has taught people with learning difficulties for the past 10 years, and three years ago launched her computer-based programme STEPS onto the New Zealand market. The STEPS programme is offered in 400 learning centres and schools throughout New Zealand and worldwide distribution is expected to begin next month. Ms Lugg says the programme will be distributed to Britain, India, Australia and the United Arab Emirates.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Wednesday, May 16

Parents urged to get whooping cough booster vaccine

A public health expert says adults who are around infants need to consider getting a booster vaccination against whooping cough, which is at epidemic levels in New Zealand. Dozens of infants have been admitted to hospitals nationwide with the infection this year. Dr Nikki Turner from the Immunisation Advisory Centre told TV ONE's Close Up tonight a lot of people do not realise that they can catch whooping cough more than once, which can be passed on to young children. She suggested what is known as a "cocoon strategy," where adults who are around infants get a booster vaccine to build on their whooping cough shots from childhood. Vaccinations are easily accessible at any general practice in New Zealand and cost about $30.
Source: ONE News



Remote-controlled vehicle to identify Rena containers

A remote-controlled underwater vehicle is to be used in an attempt to identify about 50 objects on the Bay of Plenty sea floor that are thought to be containers from the Rena. About 300 containers remain unaccounted for since the cargo ship grounded on the Astrolabe reef last October. The salvage company Braemar Howells will complete an 800 square km sonar sweep of the seabed this week. Operations manager Neil Lloyd says the underwater vehicle will be fitted with a video camera to identify the objects. He says if they are confirmed as containers they will be tagged by the underwater vehicle and attempts will be made to retrieve them.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



More Maori to prescribe nicotine replacement therapy

More Maori will soon be able to help others to quit smoking under a new scheme at Te Puna Oranga - Waikato District Health Board's Maori Health Service. Quit card training is being offered to all Maori staff working within the Midland region, and it is intended to be taken up by those with Maori patients, whanau and community. Once the training is complete later this month, staff will be able to prescribe nicotine replacement therapy, where previously only health professionals could do so. Te Puna Oranga workforce development co-ordinator Natania Katene says once this happens, there will be more people able to encourage Maori to quit.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Xtra email fixed, backlog remains

TOM PULLAR-STRECKER
Telecom believes a problem that delayed the delivery of Xtra email has now been fixed by its provider Yahoo, but said it would take some time until the "substantial" backlog of emails was cleared. The company refused to disclose what caused the problem but said it was not connected to last weeki's spam-related issue which saw email to and from thousands of corporate customers held up over a few days. "Customers will see their emails arrive as the backlog clears and service levels return to normal. Our technicians continue to monitor the situation closely. We apologise to customers affected by this issue," spokesman Richard Irvine said.



Government ministers head to the US

America is a popular destination for our government ministers this week, with three of them heading stateside. Foreign minister Murray McCully and his defence colleague Jonathan Coleman will be at the 25th NATO summit in Chicago - hosted by Barack Obama. Mr McCully will then head to Washington DC to meet with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, to discuss international issues. Trade minister Tim Groser will also be in DC, delivering a keynote address on food security and meeting with his American counterparts.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



NZ registers lowest number of births in five years

New Zealand has registered its lowest number of births in five years. New figures show there were 60,860 births in the year to the end of March, more than 2300 fewer than the year before. Statistics New Zealand says in part, annual fluctuations reflect changes in the population, the age at which women have children, and the number of children they have. But it says in turn, births also influence the future size and age of the population. The number of deaths registered during the year to March was 29,811 - up two percent from the year before.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Gov-Gen to visit East Timor

The Governor-General will visit East Timor for 10th anniversary independence celebrations. Sir Jerry Mateparae will be in Dili on Saturday for a state welcome at the Presidential Palace and a meeting with outgoing President, Jose Ramos-Horta. He'll be at the swearing in of the new President, Taur Matan Ruak, that evening.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Auckland Art Gallery celebrates 500,000 visitors

By Natasha Burling - NewstalkZB
The 500,000th visitor has visited the Auckland Art Gallery since it was revamped in September last year. Secondary school teacher Lulu French visited the gallery on Saturday with her partner Jeremiah and son Rene. The Otara resident says they're impressed and feel art is for everybody to enjoy. She says she never thought she'd stand in front of a Monet. Ms French and her family were given free entry into the Degas to Dala exhibition, plus a free catalogue, T-shirt, notebooks and art gallery book Art Toi.



Christchurch building million dollar historical site

By Jarrod Booker
A prized piece of Christchurch's history is one of a select few sites worldwide to be backed in a multi-million dollar international heritage project. The earthquake-damaged Canterbury Provincial Government Buildings are one of six historic sites to benefit from $1 million in grants announced by the World Monuments Fund. It is the first allocation from a $5 million, five-year grant from sponsor American Express to support the sites listed in the World Monuments Watch list for 2012. Built in the mid-19th century, the High Victorian Gothic Revival buildings in Christchurch remained relatively unchanged through the twentieth century, and were an important tourist attraction. They were used as an educational and event space until the February 2011 earthquake caused the buildings' 1865 stone chamber to collapse and reduced large sections of the buildings to rubble.



Award for invention that helps poorest kids

A former University of Auckland engineering student is encouraging New Zealand graduates to dream big after receiving international recognition for his invention. Vinny Jeet, who finished his electrical engineering degree last year, has been named one of four recipients of this year's Alva Emerging Fellowship. Mr Jeet's technology enables the humanitarian organisation One Laptop Per Child to communicate with its users via radio broadcasts that can be picked up by the laptops. Mr Jeets company OneBeep's solution is to use radio broadcasts to communicate information, which can be converted into digital files on the laptops. The technology converts any digital file, such as a book or a game, and broadcasts it using an AM/FM radio tower. The broadcast can be picked up by a standard transistor radio.
By Teuila Fuatai



Ice Festival to be held in Chch

Another boost for Christchurch, with the New Zealand Ice Festival confirmed to go ahead in the city later this year. The Government's committed $800,000 for the biennial event in 2012 and 2014. Festival director Jo Blair says the Ice Festival will become a major event on the country's calendar, drawing on the city's role as a gateway to Antarctica.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Tuesday, May 15

Snow forecast for Wairarapa

By TIM DONOGHUE
Snow and hail is forecast to fall in on the Ruahine, Rimutaka and Tararua mountain ranges tomorrow. The MetService is prediction snow and hail to arrive tomorrow evening, which may not be good news for motorists driving over the Rimutaka Hill Road. Snow fell the Whakapapa and Turoa skifields today and is expected to fall again tomorrow. Snow, accompanied by southerly winds, is also predicted to fall to about 700 metres over the central North Island volcanic plateau tomorrow night. A MetService forecaster said snow was expected to fall on the Desert Road between Turangi and Waiouru tomorrow night. Snow routinely falls on Mt Ruapehu before Queen's Birthday Weekend.



Tui one of world's most intelligent birds

By Alex Bourn
An Auckland study into the native call of the tui has revealed its song ranks as one the bird-world's most complex. New research places the tui amongst a handful of intelligent birds that can produce more than 300 songs, with some singing thousands. Researchers at Massey University believe it can help improve the survival of the native bird by identifying the reasons behind their songs. Massey University masters student Sam Hill compared the sound of mainland tui to those in the Chatham Islands and discovered the species have regional dialects and accents. “We took a 2.5 hour sample from Tawharanui of continuous recording and found that there were 300 different songs, or song types, within a very small population, so maybe five or 10 birds, which suggests that possibly there could be at least 30 songs per bird.”
3 News



Snow falls on Mt Ruapehu

Snow is currently falling to 1200 metres on Mt Ruapehu as staff there gear up for the ski season. At least four centimetres of snow has fallen so far today and more is forecast to arrive throughout the week. The ski season is due to open on June 16 at Turoa, and June 23 at Whakapapa.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



NZ lobbies against Aust departure tax hike

New Zealand's tourism industry lobby has called on Prime Minister John Key to challenge a 17 per cent hike in departure taxes in Australia. Australia's federal government budget last week hiked the departure tax to $A55 ($NZ70) from $A47 ($NZ60) per person, effective July 1. That means a family of four departing Australia will pay about $NZ280 just to leave the country. "We have asked the prime minister to raise it with his Australian counterpart - and we have had a positive response," said Ann-Marie Johnson, a spokeswoman for the Tourism Industry Association. Tourism operators are concerned about the impact on the number of Australians coming into New Zealand since they are our biggest market."
Source: NZN


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