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Friday, September 30

Awatere Huata gets 2 yrs 9 mths.

Donna Awatere Huata has been sentenced to two years and nine months prison on fraud charges. Her husband Wi Huata has been sentenced to two years in jail for fraud and attempting to pervert the course of justice. However he has been given leave to apply for home detention and has been granted bail in the meantime. That news was greeted with an uproar from around one hundred supporters packed into the Auckland District Court. Supporters jeered and screamed, with one holding up a sign accusing the judge of race-based sentencing. The judge adjourned the court so order could be restored. Wi Huata's sister Hira lashed out at reporters after the sentencing and struck one with her hand.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Strong winds in South Island.

Parts of the South Island could be in for a battering later today. MetService is warning of winds strong enough to uproot trees and lift roofs. The strongest gusts will be felt in exposed parts of Marlborough, Canterbury and Otago. It says a deep low is passing over the south of New Zealand tonight, preceded by gale force winds and a band of heavy rain. MetService warns trampers watch out for rising rivers with up to 100 millimetres of rain forecast for Fiordland and the Westland Ranges.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



NZ gives $5.3m aid for Fiji elections.

Fiji's struggling electoral system will be bolstered by $NZ5.3 million worth of New Zealand aid in a bid to ensure 2006's general election results are accurate. New Zealand funding would be spent on training and technical support in the coming year, Aid Minister Marian Hobbs said when she announced the funding today. Although Fiji's 2001 elections were recognised as valid, the country's democratic situation is still shaky after a 2000 coup saw the elected Fijian Labour Party deposed.
Source: NZPA



Aussie bank buys Kiwi preschools.

An Australian investment bank has snapped up 20 early childhood education centres in New Zealand. Macquarie Bank, which owns private preschools in Australia, has bought centres in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Napier and Palmerston North. Property and banking group executive director Tony Fehon said the move was not influenced by government funding earmarked for New Zealand early childhood education. Educational Institute national secretary Lynne Bruce said the union was appalled the education of young children was being treated as a business where big profits could be made.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Smoking rates continue to decline.

The number of smokers in New Zealand continues to decline, the Health Ministry says. The ministry's annual Tobacco Facts publication released today estimated the percentage of adults smoking decreased to 23.4 per cent in 2004. The number of adult Maori smoking had also dropped since 2002 from 52 per cent to 47 per cent, deputy director-general of public health Don Matheson said in a statement. "While there have been gradual decreases in the numbers over the last decade, we're now looking at steepening declines in both the number of people smoking and the amount of tobacco consumed," Dr Matheson said.
Source: NZPA



Thursday, September 29

Spate of false sex complaints

Hornby police have wasted hundreds of hours on a string of false sex complaints. Officers at the Hornby station in south-west Christchurch say there has been a spate of false sexual allegations in recent months, including claims of abduction and sexual attacks. In one recent incident, more than 20 police took part in an operation costing $15,650 after a Darfield woman falsely complained she had been abducted. The woman was sentenced to 150 hours' community work. Last year, 290 people nationwide were charged with making a false complaint, wasting almost 3000 hours of police time and costing more than $230,000.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Rescue on for seriously ill man.

Two helicopters are on their way to rescue a Kiribati fisherman who has become seriously ill on a Japanese fishing trawler in the Auckland Islands area. Maritime New Zealand says the man has chest pains and a dangerously high temperature. The helicopters from Dunedin and Invercargill are expected to reach the Tomi Maru 87 by about 1pm. The 900-kilometre round trip is expected to take some seven hours.
Source:RNZ



NZers like 'parking up' - survey.

A new survey shows many New Zealanders enjoy a bit of 'hanky panky' in the car. A study by Auto Trader and Nielsen NetRatings Online has found nearly half of respondents have fooled around with their partners in a vehicle. It also shows North Islanders are far more prone to using their vehicle as a mobile office, and not surprisingly, are more likely to sit in traffic. However survey spokeswoman Tina Clyma says Mainlanders came out as the more hot-blooded. They are more likely to argue to with their partners, break the speed limit and get amorous in their cars.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Social workers to strike.

Child, Youth and Family's (CYF) 2000 social workers are to strike as abuse and neglect notifications reach a monthly record. Nearly 5200 allegations of abuse and neglect were made to the child-protection agency last month. The previous high was recorded last November, when almost 5000 people contacted the department to report abuse or neglect. CYF says the rise in notifications is due to New Zealanders being less tolerant of abuse after the much-publicised deaths of children such as Coral Burrows and sisters Olympia Jetson and Saliel Aplin over the past four years. The union for social workers says staff are working under increasing pressure but have not been paid more for their efforts. More than 2000 CYF workers nationwide will strike tomorrow in a bid to get pay equity with other public sector social workers.
Source: The Press



Dad pleads to be given time to pay.

A Bangladeshi family is worried they could be deported from New Zealand because they can't pay a $37,500 hospital bill for their three-year-old son who had a stroke. Shihab Fahim, who has complex congenital heart disease, had a stroke in March while he was outside playing with his family. He spent 21 days in Starship children's hospital in Auckland and needs ongoing therapy after being left paralysed down his right side. He is unable to speak and is fed through a tube in his nose. His father, Ashraf Uddin Khokon, who is in New Zealand on a student visa, has paid $2500 of the $37,500 medical bill to the Auckland District Health Board and asked to be allowed to repay the debt at $50 a week. But he has been sent a letter by the health board saying the account must be settled within 12 months - the equivalent of $664.47 a week - or his case will be "placed in the hands of an international debt collector and New Zealand Immigration Service".
Source: NZPA
full story CLICK HERE
Anyone wanting to make a donation can send it to ASB Bank, Albert St, Account no 12-3113-0000326-01 (a hospital bank account).



Rugby-Three ABs up for IRB player of the year.

New Zealand's success on the international stage has reflected the shortlist for the annual International Rugby Board awards, with the All Blacks and three members of the team in contention for the major prizes. Captain Tana Umaga, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, along with South Africa's Bryan Habana and Victor Matfield, have been nominated for the board's player of the year award. New Zealand and Wales lead the nominations for the for team of the year. The coaches of the two teams – Graham Henry of New Zealand and Mike Ruddock of Wales – are the nominees for coach of the year.
Source: NZPA



Vodafone accounts emptied in 'technical hitch'.

Thousands of Vodafone customers have been charged for a service the mobile phone company advertises as being free. Customers using the Vodafone Live service earlier this week had all the credit in their prepay accounts cleared out after a technical hitch on the company's network. Vodafone this morning said it did not think it was in the public interest to say how many customers were affected - although it was thought to be only prepay customers - or how much money had been lost. However, those that lost the most money were being reimbursed last night and Vodafone said it hoped to repay everyone affected by the end of today.
source:Waikato Times



Homes listed for Treaty claim.

Hundreds of Wellington and Hutt Valley properties, including prestigious inner-city ones, have been listed as possible settlement options for one of New Zealand's biggest urban Treaty of Waitangi claims. The list, obtained under the Official Information Act, totals more than $330 million in capital value and consists of 353 sites. It includes government buildings, reserve land, commercial property, undeveloped sections and homes – all of which can be compulsorily bought by the Government at standard market rates and included in a Treaty of Waitangi claim settlement. The properties are all currently or were previously owned by the Crown and are subject to a part of the State Owned Enterprises Act 1986 that is known as a Section 27 memorial. A Waitangi Tribunal decision in 2003 confirmed Port Nicholson Block claimants had grounds for grievances and said "a significant element of compensation should be the return of Crown land in Wellington City and its environs". The claim, of a value suggested to be between $100 million and $170 million, is being sought by 14,500 claimants from four tribes – Te Atiawa, Ngati Ruanui, Taranaki and Ngati Tama.
Source: The Dominion Post.
full story CLICK HERE



Lomu's boot in mouth.

Jonah Lomu, the All Blacks wing synonymous with the 1995 and 1999 World Cups, appears to have backed Japan's bid to host the 2011 tournament. Though Lomu insisted last night that he supported New Zealand's bid, he was quoted in the respected South China Morning Post newspaper as saying a World Cup in Japan would "show that rugby truly is a global game". The comment could not have come at a worse time for the New Zealand Rugby Union, which is entering the home stretch in a three-horse race with Japan and South Africa to host the 2011 World Cup. South Africa have begun their final round of intense lobbying, with New Zealand and Japan to follow next month before the International Rugby Board chooses the winner at its council meeting in Dublin on November 17.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Prince Andrew faces Maori challenge.

Prince Andrew the Duke of York this morning was greeted by a Maori challenge at the Linton Army Camp near Palmerston North. The Duke, who arrived by helicopter, was accorded a powhiri and faced a spirited challenge from the 2nd Logistic Battalion Maori culture group. The Duke was met by Warrant Officer Graham Purvis and reviewed a parade of the 2nd Logistic Battalion. He rubbed noses with Defence Minister Mark Burton, Army chief Major General Jerry Mateparae, and several soldiers before joining them for a barbeque lunch. The rubbing of noses - the hongi - is a traditional Maori greeting. The Duke arrived at Wellington from Melbourne early today at the start of a four-day visit.
Source: NZPA



Wednesday, September 28

Woman turns 109 today.

A Tauranga woman is celebrating her 109th birthday today. Mahala Sadler has outlived sisters, a brother and a husband. She cannot explain her long life. Being teetotal is certainly not part of the secret. She began the day with a champagne breakfast
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Greens 'fail' charm test.

A Green Party charm offensive on big business appears to have failed, with business leaders labelling a myth-busting meeting a wasted opportunity. Though Greens co-leader Rod Donald described last night's meeting as "very successful", several business leaders walked away disappointed that the Greens seemed unwilling to compromise on their positions. The briefing was designed to shake off labels - such as Luddite, cave-dweller and scary - that have dogged the party in recent weeks. But some entered a little cynical about its timing. Wellington Chamber of Commerce head Charles Finny said he had tried and failed to engage in talks with the Greens for several years. "Now they are wanting to get into government and suddenly they are indeed trying to have a charm offensive." He said he heard nothing that would make Green policies, especially on trade and roading, acceptable to business communities. Auckland Chamber of Commerce head Michael Barnett, one of the first to leave, dismissed the meeting as a waste of time.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Invasive water weed spreads to Buller River

An invasive water weed has been found in the Buller River, it was confirmed today. Biosecurity New Zealand (BNZ) said in a statement today it was investigating a confirmed find of didymosphenia geminata (didymo), in the West Coast river. BNZ asked all river users to avoid the Buller if they also intended using other rivers. "It is likely that a controlled area will be declared on the Buller in the next few days, prohibiting use of the Buller River if users are intending to use other rivers," BNZ didymo response manager Kerry Bodmin said. Didymo has been declared an unwanted organism under the Biosecurity Act 1993. Among other things, it can affect stream habitat and sources of food for fish and make recreational activities unpleasant. It is not a human health risk, though swimmers might notice itchy eyes or irritated skin from the silica in the algal cells.
Source: NZPA



More trouble for MP Field.

Labour MP Phillip Field is embroiled in fresh conflict of interest allegations after an Auckland family claimed he profited from the purchase of their house after they went to him for help. Simon Tupou Cole told One News his father, Sione, who has Parkinson's disease, approached Mr Field early last year after they struggled to meet mortgage payments. The financial crisis came after the cancer death of Sione Cole's wife, Fale, and they were threatened with a mortgagee sale. Simon Cole, 20, claimed Mr Field persuaded his father to sell the house in Church St, Otahuhu, to him for about $250,000, which he agreed to do without obtaining a valuation or advice from a lawyer. Mr Cole said there had been higher offers, but they sold it to Mr Field, MP for Mangere and a minister outside the Cabinet with portfolios including associate justice and associate Pacific Island affairs, as it seemed the best solution. According to One News, Mr Field bought the house 16 months ago, and recently sold it for $395,000. Last night, Mr Field strenuously denied any conflict of interest, and said he had acted to help a family in "considerable financial difficulty".
Source: The Dominion Post.



Wacky occupations listed on electoral roll

Wanaka may have its jack russell dog but other voters have recorded some barking mad jobs on the electoral roll. Behind the facade of hum-drum suburban life there are many weird and wacky ways of earning a living - if occupational declarations on the Hamilton East and Hamilton West electoral rolls can be believed. For instance, Blair Christieson is a lion tamer. Cameron Curd is a Jedi Master. Mark Bryan lists his occupation as "parasite". Nikolasa Biasny-Tule is one of two philosophers in Hamilton East. But Leanne Ireland has one of our most distinctive occupations. The 32-year-old suburban Claudelands mum is officially a "gaiety girl". "I have re-interpreted the concept of `gaiety' to be a celebration of life rather than a poorly paid prostitute or chorus line dancer," she said. As a gaiety girl, Ms Ireland occasionally does singing telegrams or participates in the Free Lunch street theatre group. Electoral Enrolment Centre national manager Murray Wicks said listing an occupation was not compulsory for enrolling, but was encouraged because it helped in identifying people and was advantageous in selecting lists of potential jurors for court.
Waikato Times



Pipfruit growers seek rescue package.

Desperate Nelson pipfruit growers are seeking a multimillion-dollar rescue package from the Government so they can rip out trees and walk away from the ailing industry. Orchards around the region are being abandoned as growers face the prospect of a second successive season of low returns.
The Nelson Mail



Tuesday, September 27

Another week in limbo till last count.

MPs and parliamentary staff have entered their second week in limbo as the wait continues for special votes to decide the outcome of the election. Caretaker Prime Minister Helen Clark is poised to pull together a government - possibly within days of the final count this weekend - but with the election-night result so close, National leader Don Brash is refusing to concede defeat and there could be a last-minute upset on special votes.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Maori database goes online.

An online database containing the names, contact information and iwi affiliation of 98,000 Maori has been set up by Tuhono, part of the Tautoko Maori Trust, to make it easier for iwi to keep in touch with whanau. People who have agreed to be on the register will be able to log on to the internet to update their contact details, including their email address and mobile phone number, from October 8. To protect privacy, people will not be able to look up information about one another. They will receive a plastic "Tuhono card" on which will be printed their "unique iwi affiliation number". More than 350,000 Maori are registered on the electoral roll, but the roll doesn't contain people's iwi affiliation and can't be easily accessed, making it of limited use to iwi, and it lists only the names and addresses of those over 18.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Canterbury shellfish ban extended.

Another part of the Canterbury coastline has been closed to shellfish gathering after tests revealed toxin levels had risen above the health safety limit. The coastline from Akaroa Harbour to Birdlings Flat was closed to shellfishing last week and the ban now extends to Waimairi Beach. Health experts said in recent weeks officers have detected rising levels of diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, which is produced by phytoplankton and can cause abdominal pain, diarrhoea and vomiting. Cooking does not remove the toxins and all shellfish are unsafe to eat. However crayfish, crabs, paua and finfish can be eaten provided the gut is removed.
Source:RNZ



Rare ducks make historic return.

A large flock of flightless ducks has made a long and arduous journey back to their sub-Antarctic island after a 20-year battle by conservationists to save the species. The Campbell Island teal have returned to their namesake island to join another group transferred last year. The 55 birds' great-grandparents were rescued from Campbell Island 20 years ago when it was over-run with rats and the species was on the brink of extinction. The Department of Conservation's Peter McClelland says the return is a big moment for the birds.
Source:One News
full story CLICK HERE



Trade deficit widens to record.

New Zealand's trade deficit widened to record levels in August as import costs jumped and export earnings fell, reinforcing expectations the current account deficit will deteriorate for some time. A deficit of $1.105 billion was posted for the month, pushing the deficit for the year ended August 31 to a record $5.818 billion, according to official data released on Tuesday. BNZ economist Craig Ebert says there's a huge imbalance developing between exports and imports that New Zealand has never experienced as a country before, and everyone should be concerned about how we will will get out of that situation.



NZ wines scoop gold at awards.

New Zealand wines have scooped 15 gold medals in the prestigious International Wine Challenge. The awards are run by the Wine International magazine and involve more than 9000 wines from around the world. Spokesperson for New Zealand Winegrowers Chris Yorke said local wines won twice as many awards this year than last with eight of the golds going to red wines.
Source:RNZ



Tenants profit in rental unit glut.

A national survey shows the housing boom has created an over-supply of rental properties that is forcing landlords to drop rents, particularly in the volatile Auckland inner-city apartment market. Although house prices continue their spectacular rise, tenants have had a dream run in the past three years from falling rents, figures released by Massey University's real estate unit show. The fall is hurting landlords who bought in the housing boom expecting returns to improve, but is leaving tenants in a better financial position. The median rent of $250 is virtually the same as it was a year ago and Auckland rents are static or falling. Median rents are up in Tauranga from $240 to $260 and in Hamilton from $230 to $250.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd
full story CLICK HERE



Michael Campbell shirt fetches $10,000 at auction.

A shirt signed by Kiwi golfing pro and man of the moment Michael Campbell has gone under the hammer for $10,000 at a high-profile charity luncheon in Tauranga. A glove signed by golfing legend Tiger Woods also sold for $10,500 at the luncheon which raised $104,000. The framed glove, along with two golf balls, was one of 26 items auctioned at the 11th annual Tauranga CIB charity luncheon, which raised money for the Bay of Plenty Down Syndrome Association
BAY OF PLENTY TIMES



Monday, September 26

NZ youth sentenced for US robbery.

Tears flowed as bumbling bank robbing duo Australian Luke Carroll and New Zealand teenager Anthony Prince made emotional pleas for mercy in a US court. The dramatic, tear-filled speeches appeared to have helped as US District Court judge Phillip Figa jailed the two mates, nicknamed Dumb and Dumber by the press, for far less than the maximum 25-year sentence. Carroll was sentenced to five years in a US prison, while New Zealand-born Prince was handed a 4.5-year jail term. Prosecutors had asked for at least seven years and have not ruled out appealing the sentence. Under US law, even with good behaviour they will have to serve at least 85% of their sentences in America's harsh federal prison system, although there is the possibility they could be transferred to Australian jails.
full story CLICK HERE



Christianity cool in Wellington.

Christianity is growing in popularity amongst young people throughout New Zealand, with one church in Wellington doubling its numbers since the New Year. City Church is growing at the rate of 50 new members per month, as more and more young people decide it's cool to be Christian. Young Christians seem to agree with that they get a sense of belonging from the church and for students living away from home - it provides support.
Source:One News



25% fare rise for Christchurch buses.

Bus fares in Christchurch may rise by 25% in response to rising fuel prices and increased driver wages. The Canterbury Regional Council says a zone one bus fare in Christchurch is $2 which is low compared with the rest of the country. It has recommended the changes to the Christchurch City Council which will make a final decision when it meets on Thursday.
Source:RNZ



Famous train celebrates 60th.

Icon of children's books and television Thomas the Tank Engine has made his first public appearance in New Zealand. Thomas turned 60 on Sunday and he shared the occasion at Auckland's Britomart with thousands of young fans. This Thomas has had a hard life - the train was built in Britain for the Tomoana freezing works in Hastings. But he was all done up for fans on his 60th birthday, with new panel work and a fresh paint job. "Hours and hours of labour" were spent on the train, says Grant Hjorth of the Mainline SteGam Heritage Trust
Source:One News



Coal-fired power station gets go-ahead.

Independent commissioners have given the go-ahead for a coal-fired power station at Marsden Point. Mighty River Power had applied for resource consent to convert the old the oil-fired Marsden B power station, which was built in the 1970s and never used, to burn coal. Greenpeace wanted the proposal dumped because of the millions of tonnes of climate-changing carbon dioxide they say it will produce in its lifetime A record number of submitters raised objections to the proposal, but commissioners acting for the Northland Regional Council have approved the application. They say they accept there will be adverse effects when Mighty River takes seawater from Bream Bay for cooling, but the land has a heavy industrial zoning and the company is entitled to resource consent.
Source:RNZ/One News



Kiwi wins asbestos compensation.

Australian asbestos victims around the world have a chance at compensation now that a New Zealander has won a $320,000 asbestos payout in a Sydney court, a Sydney lawyer says. Lawyer Tanya Segelov, a partner in dust disease law firm Turner Freeman that ran the case, today said the payment could open the door for thousands elsewhere to sue Australian asbestos suppliers. Segelov said the 60-year-old man, who has asked to remain anonymous, worked with James Hardie products as an insulation contractor in New Zealand between 1963 and 1966. He was diagnosed with asbestosis in 2000.The Dust Diseases Tribunal in NSW last month ruled that Amaca, a subsidiary of Australian building products giant James Hardie, compensate the man $320,000.



NZer Scott Dixon wins Watkins Glen Internat in New York.

A bright spot for Scott Dixon after a nightmare season in the US Indy Car motor racing. Dixon has won the Watkins Glen International in New York. He finished nearly a second ahead of Tony Kanaan from Brazil. The race was held on a road course, rather than a speedway. It is not only the New Zealander's first win of the season, but also his first podium finish of the year. He has one race left in the season. Englishman Dan Wheldon has clinched the Indy Car Championship.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Workforce getting bigger and greyer.

The workforce is expected to get bigger and greyer. Statistics New Zealand says the labour force will rise from two million to 2.4 million by the mid-2020s before falling away. The workforce will also be older. In 1991 half of all workers were over the age of 36. By 2001, that had risen to 39 and by 2012 the median age is expected to be 42.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Greens and Maori Party may pass on coalition.

Two key minor parties in talks with Labour over forming the next Government have indicated they may stay outside a coalition, giving Helen Clark extra elbow room in her bid to form the new Government. The Maori Party has signalled it will withhold formal support from both main parties while the Green Party has moderated its bid to be a coalition partner in a Labour-led Government. Their positions give a boost to Clark in her bid to form a minority government with support on confidence and supply issues from minor parties. Any deal with United Future or New Zealand First would also be made easier if the Greens in particular were not in coalition.
Fairfax



Sunday, September 25

Protest flotilla greets ferry.

A protest flotilla of about 30 boats met the ferry Kaitaki as it entered Tory Channel about 11am today. They are protesting the speed at which the Kaitaki travels through the Sounds, saying a speed of 18 knots creates waves that damage the shoreline and swamp boats. The protesters' craft included fishing boats, pleasure boats and water taxis. Interislander owner Toll New Zealand is fighting Marlborough District Council's speed restriction of 15 knots, saying the limit will cost it millions of dollars.
Source: NZPA



Maori TV sacks 'disloyal' presenter.

Maori television presenter Julian Wilcox has been sacked after the leaking of an internal email asking staff to declare Maori Party membership, says the channel's chief executive Jim Mather. He said Mr Wilcox did not leak the email himself, but an internal investigation found "compelling" evidence he was involved in the issue, which featured on TV3 and in the New Zealand Herald. The sacking follows a high-profile employment dispute with newsreader Ngarimu Daniels. She won the case, in which she gave evidence she had been banned from wearing a red, white and black necklace because of its links to the Maori Party logo. In this case, an internal email asked staff to declare if they were Maori Party members. It was withdrawn after protests and staff received an apology, although it later featured on TV3 and in the New Zealand Herald.
HERALD ON SUNDAY



Iraq protest forces ANZ branch closure.

A protest over the occupation of Iraq closed the ANZ Bank's central Auckland branch yesterday. The protest involved many of those who fought a running battle with police in March this year, causing concern from those inside the bank. About 150 protesters marched up Queen St and blocked the footpath outside the bank, shouting "ANZ, blood on your hands" and other slogans. A row of police stood across the entrance to the bank, which locked its doors and refused to take in customers. Veteran protester John Minto led many of the chants up Queen St although he stood back from the footpath blockade. The protesters were attempting to highlight the ANZ's involvement in a banking conglomerate which is financing some of the rebuilding work in Iraq.
HERALD ON SUNDAY



Brent Todd set to face arrest warrant and formal charge.

Police are expecting to shortly issue an arrest warrant and lay a formal charge against former rugby league star Brent Todd in connection with the so-called celebrity drug ring. Todd, who has been named in court documents as a joint offender in supplying cocaine and cannabis, has not yet been formally charged and is still in Australia. He has denied buying, selling or supplying prohibited drugs. Detective senior sergeant Mark Osbourne said police were still negotiating with lawyers, but it was likely a charge would be laid soon against the former Kiwi and Canberra Raider.
HERALD ON SUNDAY



Axe looms for losers in Clark's shake-up.

Prime Minister Helen Clark plans to dump under-performing ministers, including George Hawkins and Dover Samuels, in sweeping changes to her third-term Cabinet. In a bid to counter perceptions of staleness after six years in government, Clark is expected to change nearly all the front bench jobs with the possible exception of Michael Cullen's finance portfolio.
Source:Sunday Star Times
full story CLICK HERE



Saturday, September 24

$1 Million from New Zealand to Palestine.

OAKLAND, September 23, 2005, (WAFA)- The Government of New Zealand decided to provide assistance package to the Occupied Palestinian Territories in support of the peace process and humanitarian needs. In a statement issued Friday, Foreign Minister Phil Goff, announced that New Zealand will provide a $1 million today for various projects. "NZAID, the government's aid agency, will contribute $500,000 to the United Nations International Children's Fund (UNICEF) Relief Appeal and $500,000 to the Public Financial Management Reform Trust Fund for the West Bank and Gaza, through the World Bank," Mr Goff said. "This contribution will be alongside, and in support of, intensified efforts by the quartet (UN, US, EU, Russia) to assist Palestinian economic regeneration and governance reform which was endorsed by the G8." "New Zealand also contributes $300,000 a year for basic education, health, and social services to more than four million registered Palestinian refugees.



As long as you can wear it, it's art.

Audiences were wowed by the Wellington debut of the Montana WearableArt awards. Former Nelson MP Mike Ward won the supreme award with his painted canvas entry, The Emperor's Entourage, and category winners came from as far away as Singapore. Wellington designer and former supreme winner Simon Hames won the $7500 Creative New Zealand artistic excellence award with his bizarre bra entry, The Servitor. Made of polystyrene and velvet, it was "couture meets cocktail cabinet meets wearable art", he said. Singaporean Xian Ping enjoyed beginner's luck, winning the first-time entrant award for Picasso's Cubism. The creative excellence award was won by Wellington's Chloe McGlashen for Cosi Fan Tuti.
Source: The Dominion Post.
full story CLICK HERE



Rugby-Canterbury remains unbeated.

Wellington are once again reflecting on a close Ranfurly Shield loss in Christchurch; holder Canterbury has beaten the Lions (Wellington) 15-14 in a nail biter at Jade Stadium. Canterbury remains unbeaten in this year's NPC.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Baby-sale scam has Kiwi link.

An apparent baby-buying scam operating in Australia could have New Zealand links. Mothers in a Queensland hospital have been offered $1500 to give up their babies in a pamphlet posted in the toilets of the Ipswich Hospital maternity ward. The pamphlets, aimed at Polynesian women having boys, offered cash for completion of a survey. A recorded message related to the survey said a person would visit the mother at home after the birth to talk about support and adoption. Queensland police are investigating the matter. Yesterday New Zealand authorities said they did not know anything about it.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd



$8m boost for provincial rugby.

The New Zealand Rugby Union has found an extra $8 million for provincial unions, but insists the one-off payment is not a knee-jerk reaction to concerns about next year's revamped NPC. Chairman Jock Hobbs revealed yesterday nearly $6.4 million would be given to the 14 teams in the new premier competition that kicks off next year, while just over $1 million will go to the 12 unions in the new first division. Another $500,000 is available to unions that need further help.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Glitch in special vote.

Computer glitches have corrupted an unknown number of special voting papers. More than 200,000 special votes are to be counted before the final result is declared next Saturday. Of these, 13,000 ballot papers were downloaded from the Chief Electoral Office's website by overseas voters who faxed in their votes. It has emerged that some of these papers may have been corrupted by people's individual computer set-ups. Some parties' names were blacked out when overseas ballot papers were printed from voters' computers, raising fears the problem could influence the outcome of the tight election race. The extent of the problem is unknown. About 10 instances of incorrect ballot forms being printed have emerged.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Friday, September 23

Immigration falling dramatically, figures show.

The number of new immigrants or New Zealanders returning home in the year ended August fell 66 per cent compared to the previous year, Statistics New Zealand said today. For the year ended August there were 78,900 permanent and long term arrivals, down 3600 or 4 per cent on the previous August year. Departures rose 9100 or 14 per cent to 72,300. Australia remains the destination of choice for New Zealanders leaving home on a long term basis. There was a net outflow to Australia in August, with 1600 more New Zealanders moving across the Tasman than returning home. By contrast there was a net inflow from Britain for the month, of 900 more long term arrivals than people leaving.
Source: NZPA



Tourists continue to flock to NZ.

New Zealand is expected to attract even greater numbers of visitors in the years ahead. The Ministry of Tourism is picking the number of international travelers will increase 38% to 3.2 million people by 2011. And it's predicting they will spend more, rising by more than half to $9.6 billion by 2011 from 6.3 billion last year. This comes despite official figures showing the stronger NZD helping curb tourist spending, though the number of visitors continues to rise.
Source:RNZ



International match-racing to return to Auckland.

International match-racing is to return to Auckland early next year with a five-day regatta that organisers yesterday said had already whetted the appetite of top sailors. The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) will host the Auckland Cup, from January 25 to 29, which coincides with Auckland Anniversary weekend. RNZYS commodore David Charlesworth said the regatta would be an international grade one event and be the first on the 2006 international match-racing calendar. He said most America's Cup syndicates would be represented in the 10 crews, who would compete for prizemoney worth $US100,000 ($NZ145,000)
Source: NZPA



Stable agricultural conditions likely.

Most farmers are expecting the agricultural economy to remain stable, according to a new confidence survey. In the quarterly survey just released by Rabobank and ACNielsen, about 59 per cent of farmers see plain sailing ahead. Pessimists outnumber the optimists, with about 13 per cent of primary producers convinced that the agricultural economy will improve in the next year, compared with 28 per cent who expect conditions to worsen. More gloom merchants were to be found among dairy and cropping farmers, while beef producers were the chirpiest in their prediction. Influencing dairy farmers' lack of confidence was the uncertain outlook for international dairy prices. Weaker forecasts for wheat and other grains caused cropping farmers also to feel less positive. Farmers' confidence levels were down on the last quarter, said Rabobank New Zealand's general manager, Doug Crombie, but the underlying feeling was for stable conditions to prevail. While farmers were still cautious because of the high kiwi dollar and increases in fuel prices, there was confidence that the rural economy would remain unchanged
Source: The Press



Aggressive kakapo banished to Fiordland.

An aggressive male kakapo has been banished after it assaulted a kakapo chick in one of the acclimatisation pens on isolated Codfish Island near Stewart Island. The chick, hand-raised in Nelson, is recuperating at a clinic in Palmerston North after it was assaulted by the male kakapo with "an aggressive streak". Kakapo recovery team leader Paul Jansen said Pounamu, a female chick, was injured three weeks ago when Dot, a two-year-old male, jumped into the pen she was sharing with another chick. Mr Jansen said Pounamu was badly bruised and lost a few feathers around her head in the attack. She was taken to the Massey University clinic to ensure she did not have any internal bleeding, and would be back in her southern home soon. "It was nothing major, just a kicking in the pub carpark, rather than a drive-by shooting."



Homeopathy nets TEC bent spoon.

The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) has been awarded the Bent Spoon Award by the New Zealand Skeptics, for what they call the most publicly gullible action of 2005. Since 1992 the Skeptics have made an annual Bent Spoon Award, in "honour" of spoonbender psychic Uri Geller. This year's "honour" was awarded to TEC which the Skeptics said "was suffering dilutions of grandeur when they identified homeopathic training as a nationally important strategic priority for New Zealand". Homeopathy involves a process of dilution to increase the potency of medicines. Skeptics chair Vicki Hyde said the award was being made to TEC because Bay of Plenty Homeopathy College had received money from TEC's strategic priorities fund to run its Diploma of Homeopathy (Animal Health).
Source: NZPA



Bird flu may see NZ close borders.

New Zealand may lock down all air and sea ports if a lethal bird flu epidemic takes hold internationally, potentially turning planes around and putting all arrivals into quarantine. The disease has killed more than 50 people, but it has not yet learned to rapidly transmit between humans. In late October, New Zealand border agencies would look at the logistics of stopping all people and imports, such as food and medicine, from entering the country in the event of a pandemic, Customs business development unit manager John Ladd said yesterday. The agencies would have to consider whether it was reasonable to direct planes in mid-air not to land in New Zealand.
Source: The Press
full story CLICK HERE



Elephant kills NZ man in Africa.

A Waikato microbologist has been killed by an elephant while on holiday in Africa. Bevan Jones, 75, was killed on Saturday by an elephant that strayed from its herd. Mr Jones, who lived in Hamilton for 20 years before retiring to Waihi with his wife Elaine, had been on a camping trip in Zambia with his oldest son Colin.
source:Waikato Times



Toby the Jack Russell on electoral roll.

Toby the Jack Russell dog has formalised his identity as a New Zealand citizen after his owner, Peter Rhodes, successfully registered him on the electoral roll. When Mr Rhodes, an aviation safety specialist, received his electoral roll confirmation forms, an extra form was supplied for people who had been "inadvertently overlooked". Mr Rhodes gave his dog the full name of Toby Russel Rhodes, occupation: "rodent exterminator", and signed a squiggle, accompanied by a paw print, for a signature. He gave Toby the birth date of July 4, 1977 - his age in "human years" (his real age is four years). He expected Toby's application would be rejected. To his surprise, Mr Rhodes received a letter in the mail, addressed to Toby, saying he had been registered in the Otago electorate and was able to vote.
Source: NZPA



Thursday, September 22

British-Kiwi Team Follow Nile To Source.

A team of Britons and New Zealanders will travel through Africa, steering clear of hippos and crocodiles, to attempt what they say will be the first complete ascent of the river Nile, the team said on Wednesday. The five men and one woman started their journey at Rosetta, near the city of Alexandria on Egypt's Mediterranean coast, and are in Cairo on their way to Rwanda, where they believe the ultimate source of the Nile lies. "Our goal is to accurately measure the length of the Nile to its longest source. There's been a lot of debate over the last several hundred years about the source of the Nile," New Zealander and team co-leader Cam McLeay said. The team believes the Nile is longer than is currently accepted. The calculation is difficult because of the many streams leading into the upper reaches of the Kagera River, the biggest river flowing into Lake Victoria.
©2005 Xtra Limited.



Ngapuhi handed fishing assets.

New Zealand's largest tribe will get control of its share of fishing assets under a long delayed settlement of Maori fishing claims. Ngapuhi, with 107,000 members, will receive its money in fishing quota, shares in Aotearoa Fisheries and a small amount of cash. The total value is $67 million. The Maori Fisheries Trust is transferring approximately half its assets to iwi and says Ngapuhi has met the requirements needed to take control of the assets
Source:RNZ



Tourism at risk from lack of staff.

The tourism industry is heading for a staffing crisis that could push down quality and make New Zealand a cut-price destination, the Tourism Ministry chief has warned. Ray Salter, ministry general manager, said the industry's staffing problem was a combination of record high employment and high capacity utilisation, in which most people who are able to work already have jobs. Unattractive hours, seasonal work, low wages and a lack of career development made the industry less popular.
Source: The Dominion Post.



French spies take fight to Supreme Court.

French espionage agents Alain Mafart and Dominique Prieur will appeal to the Supreme Court to stop Television New Zealand (TVNZ) screening a film clip of them pleading guilty to manslaughter. It is the pair's third attempt to stop TVNZ accessing video footage, filmed during a 1985 District Court hearing, which has never been released. Mafart and Prieur bombed the Greenpeace ship Rainbow Warrior in Auckland Harbour 20 years ago, killing photographer Fernando Pereira.
Source: NZPA



Tourism NZ aims to repeat triumph at Chelsea Flower Show.

Tourism New Zealand is aiming to repeat its gardening triumph at the Chelsea Flower Show after organisers accepted a new design for next year's show. The winning of a gold medal at the show last year, for the "100 per cent Pure New Zealand Ora - Garden of Well-being", had boosted New Zealand's profile as a tourism destination, said Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton. "Last year coverage of our garden reached over 47 million Brits through news reports and advertising and we distributed 80,000 brochures about New Zealand during the event," he said. Tourism New Zealand won't give away too much about its new design but spokeswoman Cas Carter said it would portray a slice of North Island west coast and would have a special water feature.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Chopper Power.



Helicopters flew over Marlborough vineyards to help prevent frost damage yesterday after Tuesday night's cold spell.



New Zealand enters new climate cycle.

Changes in the Pacific Ocean are plunging New Zealand into a new climate cycle that will result in warmer temperatures, less rain and severe easterly weather for up to 30 years, scientists warn. Scientists internationally believe the globe is on the brink, or in the early stages, of a new phase in a long-term weather cycle determined by changes in ocean temperatures. New Zealand scientists yesterday said the cycle would probably result in more severe weather on the east coast of the South and North islands and low rainfall, but they were reluctant to link single weather events to the pattern.
Source: The Press
full story CLICK HERE



Wednesday, September 21

White House gets lesson in spin from Kiwi ad man.

New Zealand advertising guru Kevin Roberts has been telling the Pentagon how to "spin" its war on terror. His advice? "Call our struggle, the Fight for a Better World", American marketing magazine Brandweek reports. Mr Roberts - chief executive of global advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi - was invited by the United States Department of Defence to address various "US defence intelligence agencies" at a conference in New York on March 9, according to Brandweek, which obtained a copy of his speech, Loyal Beyond Reason. The New Zealander's recommendation - apparently derived from his 2004 book, Lovemarks: The Future Beyond Brands - appeared to have provided the concept for a term top Bush Administration officials used in August to replace the phrase "war on terror".
Source: NZPA



All Kiwis accounted for after Katrina.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says all the New Zealanders who were missing following Hurricane Katrina in the southern United States have now been accounted for. There were concerns for three people who lived in the affected area but their families have now contacted the authorities to say they've been found safe and well.
Source:RNZ



Activist appears on firearms charges.

Maori activist Tame Iti has made an appearance in the Rotorua District Court on firearms charges. He is pleading not guilty to brandishing and firing a shotgun before members of the Waitangi Tribunal and Crown officials at Ruatoki in January. A date for the week-long trial has not yet been set. Three hundred witnesses were due to be called but after the accused consulted a lawyer, that number has been scaled back to about 10. Iti has requested a Maori translator fluent in the Tuhoe dialect as four defence witnesses will give evidence in Maori. The case is back in court next month.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Sheep jokes? Nah, it seems they love us, really.

So much for the sheep jokes. New research shows that despite traditional transtasman rivalry, Australians like New Zealanders more than any other nationality. They also believe that our values are the closest of any country, trust us more than anyone else, and we are important to their economy. Which is just as well, as Kiwis now make up 2 per cent of the population, second only to the 6 per cent who were born in Britain. Figures released yesterday by the bureau also show that almost one in 10 overseas-born residents is a New Zealander.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd
full story CLICK HERE



Historic gold mining relic to be preserved.

Strengthening work on an historic gold mining relic, which may be the only one of its kind in the world, is set to begin. The 16m high, 101-year-old pumphouse at Waihi, in the Bay of Plenty, has been closed for several years for safety reasons. But approval is expected to be given within the new few weeks to start strengthening work to stop it collapsing. "It will reduce the risk significantly of it collapsing because of the tilt," said Langley Cavers, from the Hauraki District council. The pumphouse is classified by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust as a piece of history with national importance.
NZPA



Capital faces water shortage in 2 years.

Wellington's water supply will last for only two more years before the demands of a growing population will outstrip what taps can deliver. By 2007, the current infrastructure keeping water in the region's pipes will be at capacity, according to the Greater Wellington regional council. But in a utility services committee meeting yesterday, councillors raised concerns that not enough focus was being put on teaching people to conserve water. Currently, the water supply capacity for Wellington can cope with a resident urban population of 377,000 during summer. The regional council plans to spend $1.5 million in the next 15 months exploring options to extend that capacity to 450,000.
Source: The Dominion Post.



NZ current account deficit jumps to $2.8b.

New Zealand's current account deficit swelled to $2.85 billion in the June quarter up from a revised $1.73 billion the previous quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today. The current account, also known as the balance of payments, measures all New Zealand's transactions with the outside world. The annual deficit was $11.89 billion, up from a revised $10.9 billion for the year-earlier. Economists estimate the deficit at 8 per cent of gross domestic product. The official ratio will not be available until September 28 when the latest GDP figures are announced.
Source: NZPA



Plans under way for flu pandemic.

Plans to cope with an expected influenza pandemic need local government input, says MidCentral District Health Board member Barbara Robson. The committee will come up with recommendations on pandemic responses, including from where patients should be seen, assessed and treated; how to care for patients out of hospitals; how to maintain staff and volunteers; and provision of mortuary space. The Health Ministry suspects the avian bird flu H5N1 has potential to trigger a worldwide pandemic any time. The New Zealand Medical Journal estimates it could affect a million New Zealanders. It's expected 20,000 would need hospital care and 3700 would die. There is no vaccine, against the strain, but the anti-viral medication Tamiflu is being stockpiled by the New Zealand government.
source: Manawatu Standard



White House gets lesson in spin from Kiwi ad man.

New Zealand advertising guru Kevin Roberts has been telling the Pentagon how to "spin" its war on terror. His advice? "Call our struggle, the Fight for a Better World", American marketing magazine Brandweek reports. Mr Roberts - chief executive of global advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi - was invited by the United States Department of Defence to address various "US defence intelligence agencies" at a conference in New York on March 9, according to Brandweek, which obtained a copy of his speech, Loyal Beyond Reason. The New Zealander's recommendation - apparently derived from his 2004 book, Lovemarks: The Future Beyond Brands - appeared to have provided the concept for a term top Bush Administration officials used in August to replace the phrase "war on terror".
Source: NZPA



Growers fight the frost.

Orchardists and wine growers faced an anxious and sleepless time last night as frost descended on their vines, threatening an entire year's production. With still weather, the temperatures plunged below zero and grape growers spent the night putting out diesel frost pots, tending wind machines and watching helicopters stirring the air over their precious vines. Marlborough Wine Growers Association spokesman Stuart Smith said the temperature at his Fairhall Downs vineyard near Blenheim had probably reached about -2degC. Elsewhere it might have been colder.
Source: NZPA
full story CLICK HERE



Tuesday, September 20

Relics of famous saint arrive in NZ.

The relics of one of history's most famous saints will be at St Patrick's Cathedral in Auckland today for public veneration. The closed casket containing the remains of St Therese of Lisieux, sometimes called the Little Flower, will arrive at the cathedral in Wyndham St about 10am. Mass will start at 12.15pm and prayers will continue until late. The cathedral will remain open throughout the night for veneration. The 1.5m-long casket, decorated in precious stones, arrived in Auckland from Paris on Sunday and was taken to the Carmelite monastery in Mt Albert Rd, Royal Oak (St Therese was a Carmelite nun).
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Ancient bones have experts excited.

A find of tiny prehistoric moa bones has Waikato locals hoping they have discovered a Jurassic wonderland. Workers in Raglan discovered what could be one of the earliest examples of a moa bone and one man believes the find could indicate a wealth of prehistoric remains. And although the bones are only small, their finder Fred Litchwark says that actually increases their importance. Litchwark believes he has seen some spectacular fossils in the area, including a prehistoric penguin. He is hoping that come low tide and some better weather the moa bones will just be the first of some spectacular discoveries.
Source:One News



Westpac customers face another email scam.

Another Internet scam is clogging up Westpac customers' email accounts. The bank is asking all customers not to follow the link and ensure it is deleted immediately if it turns up in their in-box. The fraudulent email tells customers they need to update account details to avoid having it suspended. Customers received a similar message earlier this year. Westpac received around 16 inquiries yesterday from customers questioning its authenticity.
NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB



Late winter blast brings chaos.

The worst snow storm of the year has wreaked havoc across the South and lower North islands and looks likely to strangle services for a second day. Snow closed North Island roads last night and police urged extreme caution for motorists in snow-affected areas. As winter made its last gasp, the bone-chilling conditions yesterday caused lamb losses for southern farmers and blanketed Christchurch in snow. The cold weather moved north and, by evening, police had closed the Rimutaka Hill Road, Desert Road and State Highway 49, between Ohakune and Waiouru. "We're basically closing anything with a bit of elevation," Inspector Peter Stokes said. Areas of the Taranaki, Rangitikei and Wanganui districts were also reporting hail, sleet and ice on the roads.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Non-Maori students face expulsion from Wananga.

Thousands of non-Maori students face expulsion from Te Wananga o Aotearoa under an 80 per cent Maori quota demanded by Education Minister Trevor Mallard in return for a stalled $20 million lifeline. The quota demand and changes to the wananga's charter demanded by officials are illegal and will turn it into an apartheid institution, say papers filed with the Waitangi Tribunal. About half the wananga's 60,000 full and part-time students are non-Maori but Mr Mallard and the Education Ministry are insisting the proportion of Maori students increase to 80 per cent in line with a 2001 deed of settlement.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Australian media bemoans indecisive MMP.

In the absence of a clear winner in the immediate aftermath of the general election, The Australian newspaper yesterday held New Zealand's "eccentric" election system up for ridicule. In an editorial headlined "Kiwi Conundrum" The Australian described New Zealand's "complicated electoral system as a liability" in the wake of Labour and National's failure to secure an outright victory on Saturday night. "New Zealand is about to reap the whirlwind of its eccentric electoral system," the editorial began. "Saturday's inconclusive result, with both Labour and National hovering around the 50-seat mark, means everything will depend on the negotiating skills of Labour Prime Minister Helen Clark, and National leader Don Brash, as they reach out to a field of minor parties including the left-leaning Greens, the protectionist New Zealand First, and the new kid on the block, the Maori Party.
Source: NZPA



TVNZ axing Kim Hill programme.

TVNZ is cutting another top frontperson from its line-up after deciding not to renew Kim Hill's interview programme as part of a review of the shows in its news and current affairs stable. TVNZ head of programming Annemarie Duff confirmed yesterday that Hill's interview show, Face to Face with Kim Hill, would not be back after its season ended on November 2. The network is also cancelling its sole international affairs show, Foreign Correspondent, which alternated with Hill in the Wednesday 10pm timeslot. The decision is due to poor ratings and comes as TVNZ reviews the performance of all its news and current affairs shows.
Source: NZPA



Monday, September 19

Women MPs make up third of new Parliament.

There will be more women MPs in the new Parliament than ever before, the Electoral Commission said today. The election results produced a Parliament with 16 women in electorate seats and 24 drawn from party lists, commission chief executive Helena Catt said. Women will make up one third of Parliament. They accounted for 29.4 per cent of the last Parliament and 30.8 per cent of the Parliament elected in 1999. "In world ranking, New Zealand moves from 21st to 15th place for the proportion of women MPs – now equal with South Africa and the last German parliament," Dr Catt said. Today is Suffrage Day. On September 19, 1893, New Zealand became the first country in the world to grant women the right to vote in parliamentary elections, although they could not stand as candidates until 1919.
Source: NZPA



Campbell on top of matchplay world.

VIRGINIA WATER: Michael Campbell may need to call an urgent meeting with his bank manager after earning the biggest pay cheque in golf by winning the HSBC World Matchplay Championship at Wentworth today. Campbell needs somewhere to store the £1 million ($NZ2.59 million) he won for beating Irishman Paul McGinley 2 and 1 in the final. The reigning US Open champion was never behind after the ninth hole before finally sealing the outcome with a birdie at the 35th hole. The New Zealander's payout was £370,000 more than when he won the US Open in June. It catapulted Campbell back to the top of the European Tour's Order of Merit with official earnings this year of £1,613,530, £109,474 ahead of South African Retief Goosen, who he eliminated in yesterday's semifinals.
Source: NZPA



New Zealand first on WB global business-friendly list.

According to the World Bank "Doing Business in 2006: Creating Jobs" report, published last week, New Zealand rated first on the WB global business-friendly list. The World Bank’s ease-of-doing-business index ranks 155 economies worldwide. The report tracks several criteria: the number of work days it takes to receive a license to open a businessstartup;the time and cost associated with various government requirements,the ease of hiring or firing workers; investors ability to get their money back in a bankruptcy;payment of taxesand the ability to enforce contracts through courts. New Zealand came in first as having the best business environment,followed by Singapore, the U.S. and Canada, Norway, Australia, and Hong Kong, the UK, Denmark, Japan, and Ireland.



Newmarket Plans For Green MP's Streak.

Authorities will be on standby as the Auckland suburb of Newmarket plans to host a naked run by Keith Locke. The Green MP promised during the election campaign to do a nude dash through a main street of the Epsom electorate if ACT leader Rodney Hide won the seat. Mr Hide won by more than 3,000 votes and now the pressure is on Mr Locke to fulfil his promise. Newmarket Business Association boss Cameron Brewer says plans are underway to clear a section of Broadway between Two Double Seven and Kyber Pass to allow the run to take place. He says paramedics will be on hand, to firstly look after Mr Locke, and then to care for the fainthearted witnesses.
©2005 Xtra Limited.



Thousands turned out to watch The Blossom parade.

Thousands turned out to watch The Blossom parade in the sunshine. They were entertained by rides, sideshows, food stalls, karate demonstrations and song and dance. The parade was part of the Hastings Blossom Festival – a feast of music, dancing, theatre, flowers and fireworks that runs till Sunday. Festival programme director Keith Thorsen said attendance at the parade appeared higher than last year, when 20,000 turned out. The blossom parade began in the 1950s but stopped in 1973. It was revived 12 years ago.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Strong tourism growth expected.

Strong growth is predicted to continue in both overseas and domestic tourism markets, the latest six-year forecast predicts, with international visitor numbers expected to reach 3.2 million by 2011. The Tourism Research Council New Zealand (TRCNZ) and the Ministry of Tourism forecast a 52.3 per cent increase in international spending to $9.6 billion (2004: $6.3b), and a 28.9 per cent domestic tourism spending increase to $9.3 billion (2004: $7.2b) from 2005 to 2011.
Source: NZPA



Mobile up next for Woosh?.

Woosh Wireless may use its wireless broadband network to create a low-cost mobile phone service after making a splash last week with the launch of its long-awaited alternative to Telecom's fixed-line voice network. With a broadband Internet and mass-market voice offering now in place, a move into the mobile market would be the next logical step for the company, capping off its offering to consumers and small businesses. Woosh last week announced details of its voice service, which lets customers make cheap phone calls using their existing phones that plug into a Woosh modem via a $99 gateway device. Unlike niche services such as Skype, customers don't need to have their computers switched on to make and receive calls and can easily call anywhere, making it a mainstream alternative to renting a phone line from Telecom or TelstraClear.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Severe weather across country.

Snow is falling to near sea levels in eastern parts of the South Island as a cold snap spreads across New Zealand. MetService forecaster Paul Bruce says North Islanders are already feeling this with squally, thundery showers and a new depression this evening will intensify the chill with significant amounts of snow expected in the central plateau. The South Island is in the middle of a wintry outbreak with snow falling to near sea level in eastern parts, which should melt by tomorrow afternoon - just in time for another short burst. A number of schools have been closed, and there are livestock concerns as many farmers are in the middle of lambing. Bus services have been cancelled in Canterbury and electricity is off in more than 20 localities.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Latham backs NZ's approach to US relations.

CANBERRA - Australia should follow the example of New Zealand, which had made itself the safest country on earth through distancing itself from the United States, former opposition leader Mark Latham said today. Speaking ahead of the long-awaited launch of his diary today, Mr Latham said he reached the conclusion that Australia needed to renegotiate the alliance with the US after dining with then US Ambassador Thomas Schieffer. "We should have a look at how New Zealand has made itself the safest country in the world," he told ABC radio. "There is no terrorist threat to New Zealand that has been identified but (there is) one here. If you go supporting bad American policy you make yourself a bigger target and you stir dissent in your own country," he said.
AAP



Talks on new government getting underway.

Minor party leaders were arriving in Wellington today for negotiations with Helen Clark aimed at securing a majority for a third-term Labour-led government. Having four parties to work with, she needs at least two of them to hold a majority of 62 votes in the new 122-member Parliament, and is keeping all of her options open. Helen Clark indicated yesterday she intends running a minority government, as she did before the election. She might not have any coalition partners other than Progressive Party leader Jim Anderton.
Source: NZPA
full story CLICK HERE



Class action filed for NZers who took Vioxx.

American lawyers have filed a class action for all New Zealanders who took the potentially lethal painkilling drug Vioxx. The legal firm Kenneth B Moll & Associates filed the action against the drug's manufacturers Merck & Co, alleging they had failed to properly research known risks of Vioxx and warn people of its potentially fatal side effects. Studies have shown people taking Vioxx faced a three-fold risk of heart attacks and stroke.
Source: NZPA



National house prices hit fresh high.

The property market continued to bubble along in August, with the nation's median selling price hitting a fresh high, according to figures out today from the Real Estate Institute (REINZ). After falling to $280,000 in July, the median selling price hit a new national record of $290,000 in August. This compared to $248,000 the same time last year. The number of house sales also increased in August, to 8537, from 8213 in July.
Source: NZPA



Sunday, September 18

Netball- NPC results.

Auckland Waitakere, Waikato, North, Western and Otago are all unbeaten after two matches in netball's NPC.The twelve teams are split into two sections, one in Napier and the other in Christchurch. Waikato has thumped Bay of Plenty 87-21 and Auckland has smashed Tasman 87-31 on day two in section one in Napier. In the other game Southland has beaten Eastern 53-44. In section two in Christchurch, Western has demolished Counties Manukau 57-25, Otago has beaten Wellington 62-37 and North has downed Canterbury 40-36. Today Counties is up against Wellington, North plays Otago and Canterbury meets Western in Christchurch. In Napier, Southland plays Bay of Plenty, Waikato is up against Tasman and Eastern meets Auckland Waitakere.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Future government hangs in the balance.

Helen Clark will seek today to put together the frailest and most unwieldy governing arrangement in living memory. Over two hours of vote-counting last night, she seized pole position for prime minister from National leader Don Brash - 50 seats to his 49 on provisional results. But such a fragile arrangement could be a poisoned chalice. At 65, Dr Brash is waiting in the wings, insisting that it will all fall apart within a year. Last night he refused to concede defeat. "It is too close to call, and it will depend on the outcome of the 218,000-odd special votes, and we will have to see the outcome of that," he told the Herald on Sunday from his Tamaki home.
HERALD ON SUNDAY
full story CLICK HERE



Super storm on the way.

Heavy snow and gales are expected to pound Canterbury early next week in what may be the most severe southerly storm in more than a decade. Canterbury's Blue Skies forecasting agency is so concerned about the storm that it has publicly issued snow warnings it usually sells to mostly farming customers. Director Tony Trewinnard said he was raising the alarm because of the storm's potential to be "disruptive to transport, disastrous for stock and hazardous to people". He wanted people to be aware just how dangerous conditions could be throughout the region from Monday night until Tuesday night. The worst period was likely to be overnight Monday and Tuesday morning, when heavy snow was likely to sea level across Christchurch and Canterbury.
Source: The Press



Saturday, September 17

Several sitting MPs miss out.

Several sitting MPs have lost their electorate seats in the general election. New Zealand First leader Winston Peters lost to National's Bob Clarkson in Tauranga but his party has secured 5.8% of the vote, giving him seven MPs in parliament. Many Labour-held electorates also swung in favour of National .Napier's Labour MP Russell Fairbrother has lost to National challenger Chris Tremain and sitting Labour MP Rick Barker has lost Tukituki to National's Craig Foss. Labour MP Jim Sutton has conceded defeat in Aoraki in South Canterbury, losing to National candidate Jo Goodhew by a margin of more than 6,000 votes. In Wigram, the Progressives leader Jim Anderton has held on as expected but Matt Robson's future in parliament is in doubt. Marion Hobbs has been returned to Wellington Central ahead of former mayor Mark Blumsky and Harry Duynhoven has won in New Plymouth. Labour's Damien O'Connor has held West Coast Tasman and Ruth Dyson has held Banks Peninsula.Act will have two seats with leader Rodney Hide scoring victory in the National-held seat of Epsom. The Green Party is over the 5% threshold and could have six MPs which would mean current MP Nandor Tanczos could be a casualty. United Future appears headed for three MPs, the Maori Party looks like having four, while Jim Anderton's Progressive Party will have one.



Tauranga lost, but Peters still there.

Winston Peters has lost his Tauranga seat to National's Bob Clarkson but New Zealand First will still have a place in the next parliament. Peters said he has been proud to represent Tauranga for 21 years and is pleased to be able to continue to be there for them in parliament.



Rugby-Cantabs leave it late.

Canterbury withstood a strong Ranfurly Shield challenge from Waikato to win their NPC first division match 23-15 in Christchurch tonight. Until Canterbury replacement wing Vilimoni Delasau scored in the 79th minute, the result was in the balance after both sides traded blows all evening at Jade Stadium. Waikato led 15-13 with six minutes remaining before Canterbury fullback Ben Blair, who produced another stellar kicking display, wrestled the lead back. Tonight's victory sets up an mouth-watering shield challenge against Wellington next Friday who dismantled Southland 53-12 earlier in the capital.



Labour lead by one seat.

Prime Minister Helen Clark's Labour Party clawed its way back in election counting to lead the National Party by one seat. National, under former central bank governor Don Brash, had streaked to a clear early lead but the two main parties were near level with Labour on 40.4 per cent and National on 40 per cent with 93 per cent of polling places counted, official figures showed. That would translate into 50 seats for Labour and 49 seats for National, making coalitions with minor parties crucial in forming government, a process that could take weeks. Opinion polls in the past week had suggested the vote was too close to call.



Friday, September 16

Stormy Weather For The Weekend.

It doesn't matter which way the country votes tomorrow - New Zealand will be hit by a depression on Sunday. A stormy and snowy blast is heading this way brought by a depression in the Tasman sea. It is expected to deepen tomorrow and become even stormier as it crosses the North Island on Sunday. South Islanders will feel the change first with a cool south-westerly late on Sunday. Those winds will become stormy by the time they reach the Wairarapa on Sunday Evening and Wellington is expected to get a buffeting. Forecasters warn that the storm could damage apple blossom, which has come early this year, and snow in Otago and Canterbury could make life difficult for newborn lambs.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.




latest poll



Man arrested over bomb threat.

The man at the centre of a bomb threat in Tauranga has been arrested after police stormed the hotel he was holed up in. A 57-year-old Slovakian man went into the Devonport Towers on Thursday morning and threatened to blow himself up, which prompted the evacuation of downtown Tauranga. After a 12-hour standoff, armed police entered the building and arrested him at 12.30am on Friday. The man did not resist arrest and no explosives were found. Late on Thursday night he was holed up in a room while police negotiators tried to speak to him. Earlier he had said he had wanted to speak to Prime Minister Helen Clark. He was on the fifth floor of the Devonport Towers with what he said were two suitcases packed with explosives.
Source:One News



Agent: Ship jumpers not mistreated.

The New Zealand shipping agent for 10 men who jumped ship in Port Nelson says they were not mistreated while aboard the vessel. The Department of Labour says the men from the Korean fishing boat have said they left the ship because of employment conditions and mistreatment. The International Transport Workers Federation also said the men could have been driven to desertion by inhumane conditions. The men handed themselves into police on Thursday afternoon and are being questioned by Department of Labour inspectors.
Source:RNZ



Squabble over Stewart Island bush.

A squabble has broken out on Stewart Island over where to put the district's first industrial area. The council wants to use coastal reserve land it owns, however locals say that would mean destroying beautiful native bush. Stewart Island receives 30,000 visitors a year who come to enjoy the unspoiled beauty. But the island also has eyesores and industry, and Southland District Councillor Peter Goomes says it would be nice to have them in an area that is not in public view. The council has chosen a seven hectare block on land it owns close to Oban, which includes some untouched kamihi, rimu and rata native bush. Botanist Lloyd Esler says the chosen forest has been there since the ice age - some 13,000 years. "Some of the bigger trees are probably 500 years old," he says.
Source:One News



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Appealing sight.

Staff at Napier's National Aquarium are working on a city-wide appeal for 5c coins - which carry the image of a tuatara and are to be phased out next year. The tuatara - New Zealand's survivors from the dinosaur age - remain in danger of extinction, though there are populations on a few offshore islands Money raised in the appeal will go toward starting a new tuatara population on the 32-acre East Island, off East Cape.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Keep it simple – vote close to home.

A total of 2700 polling places will be open around New Zealand tomorrow but the Chief Electoral Office is asking people to choose one in their own electorate. The office has mailed every registered voter an EasyVote pack listing the polling booths in their electorate. "If people vote at a polling place listed in their EasyVote pack, casting their vote will be easier," Chief Electoral Officer David Henry said."Voters will avoid having to make a special declaration vote, which could take five times longer if they vote outside their electorate." Polling booths will be open from 9am till 7pm, with 9am till 11am expected to be the busiest time. "Take your EasyVote card with you when you vote," Mr Henry said. "Voters can vote without the EasyVote card but it will take longer." Voters enrolled in a Maori electorate would be able to vote at any of the polling places in their electorate.
Source: NZPA



Thursday, September 15

Rain Should Stay Away For Polling.

Fine weather is forecast for election day in many parts of New Zealand. Forecasters expect a few showers over the next couple of days, but say skies should clear over most of the country on Saturday morning. But it will be raining on someone's parade on Sunday. A depression in the Tasman Sea is expected to intensify on election day bringing rain to the northwest of the North Island from Saturday night. That depression will move across the North Island on Sunday bringing heavy rain to many area, particularly Nelson and Marlborough.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Chinese illegal migrant bailed and reunited with children.

A Chinese woman, who was set to be deported, has been granted bail and reunited with her three New Zealand-born children in Auckland. Yueying Ding, 44, who has lived in New Zealand illegally for 10 years and was arrested last month, was released on strict conditions. Ms Ding's lawyer, John Foliaki, said humanitarian factors had allowed the release. In granting Ms Ding bail, the Auckland District Court denied an application for a warrant of commitment to hold her in custody. Ms Ding's immigration status is being reviewed by the High Court.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Boost to South Pacific news services.

The Government will provide $512,000 for a satellite service to South Pacific television broadcasters, Broadcasting Minister Steve Maharey and Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff said today. The service includes One News satellite broadcasts to the Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tonga, as well a weekly half-hour programme of Tagata Pasifika. "Funding of the news service will help strengthen the important linkages between New Zealand and Pacific Island communities," Mr Maharey said.
HERALD ONLINE STAFF



Muslims forgive hate-mail writer.

The Somali Muslim community has extended the hand of friendship to a man who terrorised its members with hate-filled letters. The 53-year-old Hutt Valley man, who has admitted writing 30 abusive letters to Muslims all over New Zealand, was yesterday jailed for six months - the first time anyone has been jailed in this country for such hate-letter offences. Somali community spokesman Adam Awad said the man was to be forgiven. He would be welcome at mosques to learn about Muslim values.
NZPA



Flotilla protest planned against Interislander.

Angry Marlborough Sounds residents are planning a large-scale protest flotilla to ensure the new Interislander ferry keeps to the legal speed limit. A spokesman for the Guardians of the Sounds lobby group, Peter Beech, said the Kaitaki, owned and operated by Toll Holdings, was deliberately flouting the 15-knot speed limit set in Tory Channel, damaging the environment and posing a danger to the public. "We are sick and tired of being bullied and blackmailed by this bloody company," he said. Yesterday, Toll said it would limit the speed on its ferries to 18 knots through Tory Channel.
Source: NZPA



140-year-old jail door stolen.

An Auckland historical village is pleading with thieves who have stolen a treasured 140-year-old Kauri jail door, to return it. The door, which dates from 1870, was bolted to the old courthouse at the Howick Historical Village and went missing on Saturday. Security at the village is being beefed up to protect other historical items.
Source:RNZ



Nervous punter pulls Clark bet.

A Sydney-based Kiwi punter plans to pull a $A50,000 ($NZ54,320) bet on Helen Clark remaining prime minister after a dramatic switch in betting odds. In another bad omen for Labour, Australian-based betting agency Centrebet yesterday reduced its odds on National returning the next prime minister from $A2.70 to $A1.85 – odds now even with Labour. Centrebet reported yesterday that $A100,000 had been wagered on the election within the previous 24 hours, and all but $A1500 of it was placed on National to return Don Brash as prime minister.
Source: The Press



Wednesday, September 14

Sleepy Call Centre Worker Loses Case.

An ambulance call centre supervisor who fell asleep on the job after a night out was supposed to be overseeing 111 calls. Wellington Free Ambulance supervisor Ionalee Wyllie claimed unjustified dismissal after she was fired for serious misconduct in December but the Employment Relations Authority has thrown out her claim. Wellington Free Ambulance general manager Marty Smyth says Ms Wyllie wheeled a La-Z-Boy chair into the call centre and fell asleep. He says other staff found the actions of their supervisor most unprofessional.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Flights To Melbourne Cease To Exist.

Freedom Air is ending its Dunedin to Melbourne service. It is also withdrawing its flights to Melbourne from Hamilton and Palmerston North from late March next year. Freedom Air general manager Stephen Jones says it is an unfortunate but sensible business decision. He says it is not a signal that Freedom Air is looking to withdraw services from any other routes.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



Staff Walking Off Job At Resort Airport.

Strike action is due to hit Queenstown Airport on Friday after a breakdown in pay talks between ground staff and management at Mt Cook Airlines. The 55 baggage handlers and ticketing staff are seeking a five percent pay rise. Union spokesman Ged O'Connell says there is no set time limit for the strike and staff will be off the job for as long as necessary.
Copyright 2005 Newstalk ZB News.



World's Top Surfers To Compete In NZ.

Four of the world's best surfers are heading to New Zealand to compete in a head to head competition against some of New Zealand's best at Piha in West Auckland in October. Three times defending World Champion Andy Irons will be joined by legends Sunny Garcia from Hawaii, and Australia's Mark Occhilupo as well as up and coming youngster Joel Parkinson, runner up on the World Championship Tour last year and in 2002. On Saturday, October 22 the international surfers will take on four of New Zealand's best; Daniel Kereopa, Maz Quinn, Jay Quinn and Bobby Hansen.
©2005 Xtra Limited.



Prince Andrew to visit NZ.

Prince Andrew will visit New Zealand next month and will open Nelson's Battle of Trafalgar bicentenary celebrations. Prime Minister Helen Clark today announced the Duke of York will visit New Zealand after a trip to Melbourne. Prince Andrew will be in New Zealand for four days, arriving on September 28 and leaving on October 2. He will arrive in Nelson on October 1 to open Nelson's Trafalgar 200 celebrations.
Source: NZPA



Poll gives National six point lead.

The latest poll gives National a six percentage point lead on Labour, just four days out from the election. The Fairfax-ACNielson poll of 1086 voters, taken over three days from Saturday, had National on 43 per cent support and Labour on 37 per cent. The poll also shows New Zealand First regaining lost ground and attracting 7 per cent -- two points above the crucial 5 per cent threshold. The Greens attracted 6 per cent, United Future 3 per cent and ACT and the Maori Party 1 per cent each. NZ First's surge is good news for National, as leader Winston Peters has pledged to support the party with the most votes on the night. Support from them and United Future would leave National well ahead of a Labour-Greens-Progressives coalition.
Source: NZPA



New Zealand congratulates Junichiro Koizumi.

Prime Minister Helen Clark today congratulated the Prime Minister of Japan, Junichiro Koizumi, on his victory in Sunday's national elections. Helen Clark said it was a clear-cut result, with Prime Minister Koizumi's Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner, New Komeito, likely to have a two-thirds majority in the new Parliament. “I congratulate Mr Koizumi on winning another term. The New Zealand Government will continue its good relationship with the Japanese Prime Minister and his administration,” Helen Clark said.



Pharmacists rush to beat OE law change.

Young pharmacists are rushing to Britain to beat "draconian" new registration laws, prompting concern that New Zealand will face more shortages. From June, New Zealand and Australian pharmacists will have to finish a year's university study and a year of supervised work before they can register to work in Britain, under new European Union rules. Traditional reciprocal arrangements have in the past allowed New Zealand pharmacists to register in Britain after a month's supervised work. The head of Auckland University Pharmacy School, Professor John Shaw, said the new rules were "draconian and completely inappropriate". Professor Shaw predicted up to 100 pharmacists in their early twenties would head to Britain to register before the law came into force, but the full impact would not be apparent till next year.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Southland rivers drowning in Whitebait.

Whitebaiters in the far south are reporting some spectacular catches and on the Mataura River they have been hauling in 10 kilogram lots. On a recent morning a quarter of a tonne was lifted from a single stretch of the Mataura, and some hauls have filled three 10 litre paint pails. The south's big commercial catches are normally on the West Coast, but unlike Southland rivers there have been in flood. No one is really sure why Southland is doing so well.
Source:One News



PM hustled away from rowdy meeting.

The Prime Minister has been hustled to safety after political rivalry boiled over into downright hostility at Canterbury University this afternoon. Helen Clark was hoping to outline Labour's foreign policy to a group of around one thousand students in the university quad. A group of vocal National supporters waving placards positioned themselves directly in front of Miss Clark. One in particular stood just a metre away from her, screaming so furiously that the Prime Minister was struggling to be heard. Things then got nasty between the hard-core National and Labour supporters with members of the two groups eyeballing each other. It was at that point Miss Clark's minders hustled her away.
© 2005 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



NZ most business-friendly economy - World Bank.

SYDNEY: New Zealand has again topped a World Bank survey of business-friendly countries. The bank rated 155 economies in January last year and confirmed New Zealand was the easiest place to do business. While this was the also case the previous year, the bank said the two results were not comparable, because it based its ratings on 10 indicators this time, an increase of three on January 2004. Singapore was second in the latest survey, United States third and Australia sixth. Zimbabwe was last.
Source: NZPA



Tuesday, September 13

Balloonist tries again to overfly Mt Cook.

Balloonist Rick Walczak plans to make another attempt to be the first to fly over Mt Cook. In April last year the Carterton adventurer attempted the feat, only to be turned back by the weather as he got to within 100m of the summit. He and crewman Kenny Walker were the first to balloon to the top, they set a New Zealand balloon speed record of 72.8km/h in the process and they set a distance record of 60km. (Since then he's pushed that out to 70km). "But people keep saying 'yes, but you didn't go over the top'," he said today. So at the end of this month or early in October, with the help of sponsor Eggs NZ, he will lift off from Franz Joseph Glacier -- the site may vary according to wind direction -- in a bid to finish the job.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd



National proposes work-for-the-dole environment scheme.

The unemployed would be used to staff environmental projects in a work-for-the-dole scheme, National leader Don Brash said today. Launching his environment policy, Dr Brash said a National government would introduce community work schemes for the long-term and young unemployed to enhance the environment. "National knows that economic growth and improving the environment go hand-in-hand," he said. National also announced it would create a $7 million a year fund to back community conservation projects for native flora and fauna.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Appeal for info on missing woman.

The family of a missing Christchurch woman are appealing to the public to help find her. Christine Hindson, 45, was last seen by a friend a week ago. Her sister Meg Annan says Hindson is usually a home-body and her disappearance is very out of character. She says her sister leads a simple life and does not have a cellphone or a car. Annan says anyone who might have information on where Christine is, should contact the police immediately. The police have 18 staff working on the case.
Source:RNZ



Grounded Skyhawks and jet trainers go for $155m.

Four years after Prime Minister Helen Clark wrote off the air force's aging Skyhawks as "clapped out", the Government has found a buyer prepared to pay $155 million for the mothballed air combat aircraft and associated jet trainers. "It's not a bad price for planes that were beyond any operational capability, which I think the prime minister was alluding to," Defence Minister Mark Burton said yesterday when announcing the sale of the 17 Skyhawks and 17 Aermacchi trainers. Four years after the air combat wing was disbanded and put up for sale, a deal has been signed with United States-based pilot training company Tactical Air Services.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Nurse practitioners get prescribing rights.

Nurse practitioners across the health sector will be able to prescribe a range of medicines under new regulations approved by the Government. Health Minister Annette King said cabinet approved the prescribing rights yesterday. She said they give nurse practitioners who have met rigorous requirements, set by the Nursing Council, the right to prescribe a range of prescription medicines and controlled substances. Previously, only nurse practitioners in aged care and child family health had prescribing rights , and those were limited.
Source: NZPA



Monday, September 12

Japan down under in Dunedin.

Dunedin celebrates the sister city relationship between New Zealand and Japan with the Nippon DownUnder Festival of Japan, which begins on Friday September 23. Ongoing exhibitions will showcase Japanese kimono, armour and swords, pottery, printmaking and contemporary art. There'll be concerts from renowned Japanese musicians, and Japan's leading classical martial artists will incorporate daggers and samurai swordsmanship into their demonstrations. Tours of the University of Otago's cherry blossom trees will be on offer, and visitors can partake in a traditional tea ceremony, marvel at taiko drumming or engage in mock Sumo wrestling.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Labour aims for cheap, fast internet.

Labour is adding cheaper and faster high-speed internet to its list of election promises with a policy announcement today that aims for $1-a-day access and that pledges to get tough on Telecom. The policy suggests a regulatory review of Telecom's wholesale broadband business that would bring New Zealand's regime in line with many other countries and drive down prices. Getting the price down to $30 a month or about $1 a day was an important psychological barrier that would make broadband more affordable. That price would also be more in line with other OECD countries. Basic broadband plans in New Zealand cost around $40 a month.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Petrol prices fall slightly.

Petrol prices will drop at three of the four major petrol companies reflecting a drop in world oil prices. Shell has dropped the price by two cents, with a litre of 91-octane costing $1.53 and 96-octane dropping three cents to $1.57. Shell spokeswoman Jackie Maitland said a dip in crude oil prices and slowing demand has led to lower prices. BP has also dropped its price by two cents, with Caltex set to follow suit.
Source:RNZ



Outgoing tide strands whale.

A young minke whale is being rescued by volunteers in the Eastern Bay of Plenty after becoming stranded in a shallow harbour. The 4.8-metre whale became stuck in Ohiwa Harbour, near Whakatane, around 6.30am when the tide went out. More than 200 volunteers have helped roll the whale onto a pontoon which they will push out of the harbour.
Source:RNZ



Tiny group of rare skinks found in regional park.

The discovery of a tiny population of rare New Zealand lizards near the country's biggest city has amazed scientists. The tiny population of moko skinks (Oligosoma moco) was found at the council-run Shakespear Regional Park on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula, about 30 minutes from central Auckland. "Official records list six sites for the skinks throughout Auckland but those sites are under housing now," Dr Ussher said. Moko skinks were common throughout the upper North Island before Europeans settled in New Zealand but the introduction of rats and mice saw some skink populations plummet. Moko skinks are mostly confined to islands such as the Hauraki Gulf's Tiritiri Matangi.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Kiwi doctors in bird-flu vaccine breakthrough.

Two New Zealanders have developed the best hope yet for a vaccine to combat the deadly bird flu. Kiwi doctors Richard Webby and Robert Webster have been involved in the World Health Organisation's development of an H5N1 bird flu strain, to be used in a vaccine, which has shown early success in clinical trials in the United States. The pair work for one of WHO's three vaccine research laboratories. Trial leader John Treanor told the Sunday Star-Times that almost all 450 trial subjects involved in the project had developed enough immunity to theoretically protect against bird flu. Since the outbreak of H5N1 in Southeast Asia in mid-2003, 112 people have been infected and 57 have died. So far, the virus has not spread easily between humans but experts fear it could mutate, sparking a pandemic worse than the 1918 Spanish flu that killed more than 50 million people worldwide.
Source:Sunday Star Times



Kingston wins Sydney marathon for NZ.

New Zealand's Ruth Kingston won the Sydney women's marathon today, while Seaton Meredith, also from Auckland, was third in the men's event. Kingston was just outside her personal best in recording two hours 54 minutes four seconds as she crossed the finishing line at the Sydney Opera House after a gruelling 42.2km. Sydney's Liz Miller was second, while Wellingtonian Sally Anderson was third.
Source: NZPA



Sunday, September 11

Election set to be nailbiter.

With just over a week to go, the New Zealand election promises to be a cliffhanger battle between the Labour government seeking another term in power and the conservative National Party bent on a comeback after six years in the political wilderness. But although opinion polls show Labour and National both streets ahead of 17 minor parties also contesting the election, neither is likely to win enough seats in the 120-member parliament to be able to govern alone. Support for the minor parties, who were backed by more than one-in-three voters at the last election, has plummeted during the campaign. On current polling, the also-rans, which include Greens, the Maori Party and New Zealand First, would not get 20% of the vote between them.
source:AAP
full story CLICK HERE



Bold new plan for waterfront.

Ports of Auckland has unveiled designs for a multi-billion-dollar redevelopment of the waterfront's western reclamation area, putting new entertainment and retail facilities, apartments and public spaces next to existing fishing and marine industries. The concept extends from the Viaduct Harbour, across a new rotating bridge, to a similar development on the 18ha, western reclamation tank farm. The project would extend public access to the waterfront by 2.6km and provide 1.6km of new public boardwalks and 5.1ha of new open space. The land could be renamed Kahurangi, meaning blue or precious jewel.
Source: APN Holdings NZ Ltd



Skyhawks take off to a new home.

A sale has finally been struck and after four years New Zealand's Skyhawks are off to a new home One News can reveal the planes have been sold to an American company but the deal is so top secret Prime Minister Helen Clark claims she did not even know about it. When asked about the multi million dollar deal, Clark said she had not had a briefing and did not know if they had been sold. One news understands both the Skyhawk and Aermacchi training aircraft have been sold to an American pilot training company.
Source:One News



Ancient skulls surface in Matata.

Several skulls have been found in a Bay of Plenty town after severe flooding in the region in May shifted large amounts of earth. Four human skulls came to the surface in Matata when debris flows eroded an area near the railway underpass. The town's iwi resource advisor Anthony Olsen says the area is an historic battle site and urupa (cemetery). Olsen says the skulls, thought to be around 700-years-old, have remnants of a red ochre which often used in traditional Maori burial ceremonies.
Source:RNZ



Skin cancer jab on trial.

A promising new skin cancer vaccine is to be tested among New Zealand volunteers. The vaccine works by teaching the immune system to recognise and kill cancer cells. Auckland University researchers in collaboration with North Shore Hospital are looking for people to join the trial who have had advanced melanoma surgically removed in the past six months. In phase one research overseas, only two of the 19 people who had the vaccine suffered a relapse compared to five out of seven people who had a placebo.
Source:Sunday Star Times



Saturday, September 10

NZ communication kits used in hurricane relief effort.

Small New Zealand company Flightcell has been called upon to supply high-tech communications kits to help aircraft crew with relief efforts in hurricane-ravaged New Orleans. The US city has urgently requested 85 of Flightcell's niche kits to help Army reserve helicopter pilots and rescue crew talk to each other and people on the ground. Hurricane Katrina has wreaked havoc on New Orleans' telecommunications infrastructure and pilots are usually restricted to using standard aircraft radio systems which only allow them to talk to other aircraft or air-traffic controllers.
Source: NZPA



Fake refugee jailed for fraud.

A Somali woman, who claimed refugee status in New Zealand under an assumed name, has been jailed for two and a half years and will be deported once her sentence is served. Hani Osman, 24, was found guilty on 13 charges including making false declarations in August. She came to New Zealand six years ago on a visitor's visa from Holland, but she wanted to stay. Osman changed her identity and applied for refugee status, making up a story that she had been smuggled out of Somalia via Kenya. As a refugee for several years Osman got a benefit, a free education and residency. Then she was able to sponsor other family members wanting to come to New Zealand. Osman will be deported back to Holland after serving her time.
Source:RNZ/One News



170 Hawke's Bay jobs go up in smoke.

Up to 170 Napier workers will lose their jobs in the shock closure of New Zealand's biggest cigarette factory. British American Tobacco, based in one of Napier's best-known art deco buildings, said yesterday that it was moving cigarette production to Sydney in 10 months. British American has been critical of New Zealand's anti-smoking laws, describing them as some of the most stringent in the world, but denied the closure was connected with next week's election.
Source: The Dominion Post.



Rare whale visitor gives us a wave.

Waiheke Islanders were treated to some giant-sized acrobatics yesterday as one of the world's rarest whales decided to linger at a popular swimming beach. Around 20 people watched the 12m southern right whale - so-named by early whalers because its slow swimming and tendency to float after killed made it the "right" whale to catch - rolling on its back, flipping upside down and slapping the water with its tail close to shore. Southern right whales migrate between the Auckland Islands and the tropics in spring and autumn. They are easily identified by the giant calluses on the head, unique to the species.



Company questioned in Iran 'black market' inquiry.

A Christchurch company is under scrutiny as part of a global investigation into the black market trade of United States military parts to Iran. Diesel engine specialist TransDiesel has been swept into an investigation of a Netherlands company and the movement of US-sourced military supplies into Iran. Some of the machinery parts in question allegedly came to and moved through New Zealand on a convoluted route to the Middle East. While New Zealand does not have sanctions against Iran, the export of "strategic goods" like guns, howitzers, weapon sights, tanks, armoured vehicles and their parts, needs special consent.
Source: NZPA


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