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Sunday, August 31

Drier than usual spring forecast

Weather experts are forecasting a drier than normal spring in contrast to the stormy, wet winter experienced in many parts of the country. September 1 is the first day of spring. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research says the weather is likely to be relatively settled during the next three months, with near-normal or below normal rainfalls likely across the country. However, rainfall and river flows are likely to be below normal in alpine and western regions of the South Island, including key hydro catchments. Average or above average temperatures are likely in most areas.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Reality TV drives demand

Reality TV shows may be behind an increase in demand for cosmetic surgery. Research from the University of Auckland suggests that reality make-over programmes are encouraging people into getting surgery themselves. Masters student Kate Faasse says four out of five people who were considering cosmetic surgery had been influenced by television. She says because the shows are dubbed as reality, people relate to the contestants and are easily sucked in. Ms Faasse says while it all looks quick and painless on television, people need to be aware of the pain that really goes with cosmetic surgery.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Green Party targets pokies

The Green Party is calling for an end to pokie machines in pubs. The Greens have released their latest gambling policy, ahead of Gamble-Free Day tomorrow. Greens' Gambling Spokeswoman Sue Bradford says most pokie machines are concentrated in low-income areas where people can not afford to have gambling problems. She says a lot of the profits end up being spent in more well-off communities. Ms Bradford says the Government needs to do more to ensure the profits from machines are distributed more fairly. And she says local councils and communities should be able to ban pokie machines altogether if they want to.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Forum targets 'half-million' expat voters

(See sidebar for enrolment link)
A global network tapped into 25,000 affluent and well-educated New Zealanders overseas says there are another half-million expatriates offshore who could vote in this year's election. The Kiwi Expat Association (Kea) - funded with a $250,000 Government grant in 2006 - helps businesses tap into New Zealand's global talent pool and extend international connections. It has members in 178 countries. Now the independent non-profit organisation is using its full-time regional managers based in Sydney, Shanghai, New York and London to run a global campaign - Every Vote Counts - to encourage voting by the several hundred thousand eligible New Zealanders overseas. "No-one knows exactly how many, but we estimate 500,000 - of whom only 28,000 voted in 2005," said Kea's manager of special projects, Nikitin Sallee, in Los Angeles. "That leaves hundreds of thousands of eligible voters missing". A paper produced by the Treasury estimates about 600,000 people born in New Zealand are now living overseas. Almost 400,000 expatriates live in Australia and a further 60,000 in Britain.
NZPA



HPV information website for teens launched

NZPA/Wayne Drought
A website is being launched tomorrow which will offer girls a forum to learn about and discuss the implications of cervical cancer and a new vaccine to combat it. The OneForTheGirls website (www.oneforthegirls.org.nz) is part of the Auckland District Health Board's strategy to communicate with teenage girls and encourage them to consider having the HPV (human papillomavirus) immunisation. The HPV vaccination programme aims to reduce HPV infection which can lead to cervical cancer. The vaccination is now available free of charge nationally for girls aged 17 and 18 from their primary healthcare provider. It is estimated that four out of five people are exposed to the HPV virus in their lifetime. The $164.2 million investment in the HPV vaccine Gardasil will see it offered free to 300,000 girls and young women aged 12 to 18 years over the next five years.



Elections-Eight new faces in Labour's list

By MARTIN KAY - The Dominion Post
Former Families Commissioner and Race Relations Conciliator Rajen Prasad is virtually assured of becoming an MP with a high placing on Labour's list. Dr Prasad has been ranked at number 12 on the list, just announced in Auckland. He is the highest ranked non-MP, and though not contesting an electorate seat, will enter Parliament after the election unless Labour's vote suffers a major melt down. Other high ranked non-MPs are Jacinda Ardern, a 28-year-old presently living in London, where she is senior policy advisor to British Home Secretary Sir Ronnie Flanagan. Lawyer and writer Raymond Huo is at 21, former world head of policy for charity Oxfam, Phil Twyford is at 26, Council of Trades Union Secretary Carol Beaumont 28 and school principal Kelvin Davis, 29.



Kohanga reo founder receives top Maori Creative NZ award

NZPA/Ross Setford
One of the founders of the kohanga reo movement, Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, will receive this year's premiere $20,000 award from the Maori arts board of Creative New Zealand. Mrs Tawhiwhirangi (Ngati Porou) will be presented with the Te Tohu Tiketike a Te Waka Toi award at a ceremony at her home marae later this year, for her outstanding contribution to the retention and development of te reo Maori, Creative NZ said. Initially a newly graduated teacher on the East Coast in 1948, Mrs Tawhiwhirangi eventually became the inaugural trustee and first general manager of the Te Kohanga Reo National Trust Board in 1982. In 2006, she received an honorary Doctor of Literature degree from Victoria University for her role in establishing the kohanga reo movement.
kōhanga reo -Maori language nursery



Southland, Otago to bear brunt of next storm

Southland and Otago are expected to bear the brunt of the next stormy weather system to hit New Zealand. MetService forecasters are warning an active front will move over the South Island tomorrow and become slow moving over Westland on Tuesday. It is expected to bring heavy rain to the Southern Alps and Westland. In Fiordland, up to 120mm of rain is expected to fall in the 15 hours from midday Monday. The "spillover" effect of the rain is likely to reach the headwaters of Canterbury and Otago rivers and lakes on Tuesday and Wednesday.
NZPA



Motorsport: Dixon on pole in Detroit

DETROIT - New Zealand's Scott Dixon, trying to secure the Indy-car season points crown, captured pole position for Sunday's Detroit Indy-car Grand Prix in Saturday time trials. Dixon, who finished a disappointing 12th last week at Sonoma, leads Brazil's Helio Castroneves by 43 points with two races remaining. Castroneves, the only rival who can deny Dixon the title, will start beside him on the front row.
AAP



Rugby: Wallabies cop worst thrashing ever

By David Beniuk
JOHANNESBURG - An embarrassing Wallabies outfit suffered their worst test rugby loss of all time in the Tri-Nations clash at Ellis Park today, a rampant South Africa running in eight tries to thrash Australia 53-8. The 45-point difference surpassed Australia's previous worst losing margin of 39 points, also suffered at the hands of South Africa, in Pretoria in 1997. The Wallabies will need a massive improvement to be any chance of wresting the Tri-Nations title from New Zealand when they meet in Brisbane on September 13.
AAP



New mobile network being launched

A long awaited challenge to the cellphone duopoly is on the cards. Telstra Clear is expected to launch its own mobile network next week. It is hoping to grab customers with much cheaper packages than Telecom or Vodafone offer. A Commerce Commission report earlier this year said New Zealanders are paying far more for mobile phones than users in most other countries.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Employers set to lure skilled workers to Southland

By Andrea Milner
Southland employers are set to launch a raiding party to lure Auckland's skilled workers to the region led by the Mayor of Invercargill, Tim Shadbolt. Shadbolt will return to his old home town at the head of a platoon of businesses, recruiters, educational institutions and real estate agents to put the case for Southland as part of the New Zealand Herald's Your Career Expo next month. Shadbolt says that the raiding party is considering establishing a village rather than a stall at the expo. Members will do everything they can to entice skilled workers south. The region needs an injection of 18,000 employees, Shadbolt says - and if oil is struck, that number will increase dramatically.



Saturday, August 30

Evers-Swindell Park?

Hastings residents may one day soon be able to take a stroll through Evers-Swindell Park. The plan was confirmed to the crowd numbering around 10,000 who turned up to to a civic reception in the town, which followed parades for the Olympic Games' Gold Medal rowing twins Caroline and Georgina in Napier and Hastings. Hastings District Council will consult with the Evers-Swindell family over the next two weeks about where the best place for the park might be. Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule says the twins are local heroes and were swamped for autographs after the reception.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Queensland seeks skilled US workers

The Queensland government has put up a "US Workers Wanted" sign in depressed parts of the United States. States in what is nicknamed the "rust belt" - including Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota - have record unemployment. Queensland's new Los Angeles-based US trade commissioner, former premier Peter Beattie, on Friday issued a press release headlined: "Queensland wants you!". It said Queensland is seeking skilled workers, particularly boiler makers, welders, diesel fitters and engineers, to fill "hundreds of vacancies" in the state.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Healthy food 'too expensive' for Maori

By PAUL EASTON - The Dominion Post
Despite the threat of obesity and heart disease, some Maori view healthy food as too expensive and time-consuming to prepare. Work with Maori focus groups by the Health Sponsorship Council has found they understand what healthy food is, but not why eating healthy food is so important. Nutritious meals are seen as expensive, needing time, effort and planning. Resistance to healthy food by family members is also regarded as a source of conflict to be avoided. The research found heavy consumption of convenient, fast, fatty food. High fat diets are thought to be a big contributor to obesity, heart and kidney disease among Maori.



NZ varsities best value

By REBECCA TODD - The Press.
New Zealand produces the best universities with less money and fewer people, new world rankings show. Shanghai Jiao Tong University publishes an annual list of the top 500 universities in the world. New Zealand contributes five entries the universities of Auckland, Otago, Canterbury, Massey and Victoria. Its percentage of global gross domestic product (GDP) 0.2 per cent makes New Zealand the best at getting value for money. While New Zealand produces 25 top institutions per 1 per cent of global GDP, Britain produces 8.57 and the United States 5.5. New Zealand is second when comparing population figures with the number of universities in the top 500. Only Sweden produces more top universities per head of population.



Peters to stand aside

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters is standing aside while the Serious Fraud Office investigation into donations to his New Zealand First Party is underway. He has requested the Prime Minister Helen Clark take over his foreign affairs, racing and associate senior citizens portfolios. She says she will take over his roles on a temporary basis. Miss Clark said it was clear to both her and to Mr Peters that it was appropriate that he stand aside while the SFO makes its investigation.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Cricket-India to tour New Zealand for 2 Tests, 5 ODIs in March-Arpil 2009

The Indian cricket team, which will be touring New Zealand in March-April next year, will begin their tour with a with a one-off Twenty20 international at Wellington's Westpac Stadium on March 6. The team would be playing two Tests and five one-day internationals. India last toured the Kiwi country in 2002-03.
The full schedule: Mar 6: T20 International at Westpac Stadium, Wellington Mar 8: 1st ODI at McLean Park, Napier (Day/night) Mar 11: 2nd ODI at Seddon Park, Haminton (Day/night) Mar 14: 3rd ODI at Eden Park, Auckland (Day/night) Mar 17: 4th ODI at Westpac Stadium, Wellington (Day/night) Mar 20: 5th and final ODI AMI Stadium, Christchurch (Day/night).
Mar 22-24: v New Zealand XI at Bert Sutcliffe Oval, Lincoln University Mar 26-30: 1st Test, Seddon Park, Hamilton Apr 3-7: 2nd Second, Basin Reserve, Wellington.



NZ, Brazil ink conservation deal

Brazil and New Zealand have signed a conservation cooperation agreement. The accord was signed in Auckland by visiting Brazilian foreign minister, Celso Amorim, and New Zealand's conservation minister, Steve Chadwick. Ms Chadwick says the agreement will see the sharing of research, knowledge and expertise between the two countries. New Zealand has signed similar understandings with Italy, Chile and South Korea. The Brazilian foreign minister is on the second day of a two-day visit to the country.



Up to 30,000 jobs could go in the building sector

The building sector looks like it will become a major casualty of the current economic climate. New figures from Statistics New Zealand show the number of consents for housing units issued in July was the second lowest monthly total since February 2001 - the lowest was recorded in June. The financial services organisation Goldman Sachs JBWere is predicting that up to 30,000 jobs could go given the amount of work in the pipeline. Economist Shamubeel Eaqub says it's difficult to predict exactly how many jobs will go because consent figures don't incorporate infrastructure investment.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Friday, August 29

Fairfax workers strike in Australia

Two major Fairfax newspapers across the Tasman have been hit by strike action. Journalists at the Age in Melbourne and the Sydney Morning Herald have walked off the job until Monday. They are protesting plans to cut 550 jobs in Australia and New Zealand. Chief Executive David Kirk says both papers will be published as usual this weekend. Fairfax staff in New Zealand, where 160 jobs are being cut, will not being going on strike.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Ellerslie Flower Show TV series to be made

NZPA/Ross Setford
A 13-week television series covering the first Christchurch-hosted Ellerslie International Flower Show and preparations for the event is to be made by TVNZ. The series will screen from January 10 and would follow designers as they prepare to take part, highlight award winning and nationally significant gardens, promote sustainability and offer gardening tips. The show would run from March 11 to 15 and was expected to attract similar numbers to the 65,000 attending previous shows held in Auckland. It was estimated to generate more than $14 million for the local economy. Christchurch won the "battle of the roses" last November when organisers of the show that has been held in Auckland since its inception in 1994 accepted the Christchurch City Council's bid ahead of competition from Auckland and Hamilton.



French Navy ship arrives in Auckland

NZPA/Ross Setford
A French Navy light transport ship Jacques Cartier arrived in Auckland today in preparation for a refit at Devonport dockyard. The Jacques Cartier is 80m long and 1330 tonnes displacement and was built in 1983. The ship's compliment is four officers and 39 seamen. The ship will spend about 12 weeks in Auckland for the major refit which includes overhauls of its engines, gear box, refrigeration and airconditioning systems, deck equipment and hull and deck preservation work.



Chathams to get $20m infrastructure injection

By MICHAEL FOX - Stuff.co.nz
The Chatham Islands is set to get a much-needed financial boost from the Government to repair its ailing infrastructure. The Government today agreed in principle to set up a $20 million Chatham Islands infrastructure fund to be used over five years from next July. The main priorities of the fund were electricity generation and distribution, the repair of two of the islands main wharves, and the provision of a breakwater. Annette King said she was delighted with the outcome as the Government had a responsibility to provide essential facilities for isolated communities. "The Chathams are a unique part of New Zealand with challenges related to their small size and their distance from the mainland," she said.



Tonga lifts state of emergency

The Tongan government has lifted the state of emergency declared in November 2006. The state of emergency was imposed across the kingdom after much of the centre of the capital Nuku’alofa was destroyed when violence erupted during demonstrations in support of democratic reforms. It had been renewed on a monthly basis but restricted to the centre of the capital. The prime minister’s advisor, Lopeti Senituli, has confirmed that the emergency regulations have not been renewed. However, the Tongan authorities have yet to make a public announcement to that effect.
© RNZI 2008



Patient well after landmark surgery

The first woman in New Zealand to receive revolutionary heart surgery is recovering well. Seventy nine-year-old Ramona Johnson from Tauranga had a new aortic valve implanted in her heart at Waikato Hospital yesterday. The procedure, transcatheter aortic valve implementation, does not require open heart surgery. A hospital spokeswoman says Mrs Johnson is looking forward to going home on Monday and being able to garden again. A 91-year-old woman from Hamilton also underwent the surgery and will be assessed this morning. Three more patients will have the procedure today. They are a 60-year-old from Gisborne, a 79-year-old from Otorohanga and another 79-year-old from Tokoroa.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Land bought for Dunedin stadium

Dunedin's new stadium is a step closer. The Dunedin City Council has secured all land needed for the new Awatea St stadium at a total cost of $32.5 million. It is $12 million more than the original budget, but the council is confident it can reduce the cost through the sale of surplus land. Mayor Peter Chin says at this stage the project remains on track, but there are issues to be sorted, including necessary zoning changes for the land.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Vege growers behind schedule

The recent wet weather has put Canterbury vegetable growers behind schedule. John Trott, owner of the company Vege Pot, says his paddocks are saturated and staff are not able to use machines on the wet soil. He says staff have been forced to do the final winter harvesting of leeks, cauliflower and cabbage crops by hand. Mr Trott says the weather-related interruptions mean spring crops cannot be planted yet, so there is likely to be a supply shortage around Christmas. He says at least a fortnight of fine weather is now needed.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Gisborne police name "most wanted" criminals in paper

Police in Gisborne have taken the unusual step of releasing details and mug shots of the region's 10 "most wanted" criminals to the local paper. Area commander Inspector Waata Shepherd said the move was to assist in tracking down wanted individuals and one that had not been taken lightly. If it helped to bring some criminals back before the courts, it was worth it, he said. Some of the people named and shamed in The Gisborne Herald have been the subject of warrants for arrest since last year. Mr Shepherd said the list of charges between the those on the list was long and serious and included violence, and in some cases there was a concern for public safety.
NZPA



Publican fined for giving credit to problem gambler

By CLIO FRANCIS - Stuff.co.nz
A Kaiapoi publican has become the first person to be convicted under the Gambling Act 2003 for providing credit to a gambler. Stewart Ross Turner, 46, of Recliffs, manager of The Crossing on Kaiapoi tavern, was fined $2100 on three charges of providing credit to a patron playing the gaming machines plus $130 costs at Christchurch District Court yesterday. Mr Turner had told an Internal Affairs Department gambling inspection he knew requesting money was a sign of a problem gambler and that the patron was gambling with credit. However he had spoken to the man about gambling and thought he was financially sound. Mr Turner had provided $3500 of credit, of which $2500 was repaid by the gambler's father and $1000 by the gambler. "Gambling operators are required to monitor patrons for potential problem gamblers.



Timor PM to honour slain NZ soldier

By HANK SCHOUTEN - The Dominion Post
The mother of a Kiwi soldier killed in East Timor will share a moment of commemoration at the National War Memorial today with Timorese Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. Private Leonard Manning, 24, was shot and mutilated by pro-Indonesia militia on July 24, 2000. His mother, Linda, has travelled from Waikato to be with Mr Gusmao for the wreath-laying ceremony. Private Manning was one of thousands of peacekeepers sent to East Timor to quell bloodshed in the wake of a referendum that voted for independence from Indonesia. He was the first New Zealand soldier to die in combat since the Vietnam War.



NZ reaches free trade deal with Asian nations

New Zealand has reached an agreement with 10 southeast Asian nations over a free trade deal that is expected to have wide reaching economic benefits. The Government now hopes the agreement involving New Zealand, Australia and the ASEAN group will be signed by the end of the year. Trade Minister Phil Goff has been in Singapore for talks on the deal, which had been stalled over dairy and meat tariffs. Mr Goff says New Zealand is now waiting on three other nations in the agreement to settle their final differences.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Deadline for Treaty claims nears

People with new historical Treaty claims are being urged to send submissions outlining their grievance to the Waitangi Tribunal before Monday. The Waitangi Tribunal says people filing a new claim need only to show they are of Maori descent and to note the historical grievance suffered. Director Darrin Sykes says applicants have the opportunity after the cut-off date to amend the information they supply. He expects the tribunal will receive up to 300 submissions in the lead-up to the deadline at midnight Sunday. The Government plans to have all major historical claims resolved by 2020.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Thursday, August 28

NZ heart patients off to Aussie

Wellington heart patients will be sent to a private hospital in Sydney, as the Capital and Coast District Health Board tries to cut its waiting list. The board says it is initially looking at sending up to ten patients over the next three months - but may eventually send as many as 50 across the Tasman. The hospital currently has 25 patients who have been waiting for longer than six months. Spokesman Dr Barry Mahon says they want to get rid of the high priority backlog. He describes the Australian move as an appropriate one-off measure aimed at doing that.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Cervical cancer vaccine to roll out Monday

The $164.2 million cervical cancer immunisation programme which begins on Monday has been called a major step forward in cancer prevention. The human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil will be offered free to 300,000 girls and young women aged 12 to 18 years, over the next five years. HPV is the most common cause of cervical cancer, which kills 65 New Zealand women a year out of the 180 diagnosed. "This really is one of the most significant steps forward for cancer prevention in New Zealand," said Ron Jones, chairman of the HPV Professional Advisory Board. From 2009, the vaccine will be incorporated into the routine immunisation schedule for year eight girls (age 12-13).
NZPA



The lot of the average New Zealander improves

The Ministry of Social Development's seventh annual report on the wellbeing of New Zealanders shows life has improved significantly since the mid-1990s. New Zealanders are living longer, are more highly educated and more prosperous. Income inequality between the top 20 percent of earners and the lowest 20 percent has dropped, the first decrease since 1988. The report also shows there are fewer people living on low incomes, with 13 percent of the population living in households with low incomes compared with 22 percent in 1997. From 2004 to 2007 incomes for households in the low to middle income range grew more strongly than incomes for the top 40 percent of households. The document says Maori and Pacific people have made significant advances in employment levels and access to early childhood and tertiary education. Maori life expectancy has also improved considerably.



Helen Clark 56th most powerful woman - Forbes

NZPA/Tim Hales
Prime Minister Helen Clark's ranking in Forbes' magazine's 2008 list of the world's 100 most powerful women continues to fall. In the latest ranking -- based on career, economic impact and media coverage -- Miss Clark is listed at 56th -- her lowest ranking for five years. She was ranked 38th last year, 20th in 2006, 24th in 2005, and 43rd in 2004. German Chancellor Angela Merkel tops this year's list as the world's most powerful woman for the third straight year.



Govt considering compensating Kiribati workers

NZPA/Ross Setford
The Department of Labour is considering compensating 22 Kiribati workers who were forced to live in overcrowded conditions while working in Marlborough vineyards. They were part of 70 Pacific Islands workers who arrived in the country under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme in May to work on vineyards but were sent home early when the work finished -- leaving them out of pocket. Ten of the group have absconded and the department is urging them to turn themselves in before they are found by authorities and deported. The RSE scheme was launched in April 2007 and allowed up to 5000 seasonal workers to be employed each year to plant, maintain, harvest and pack crops here.



Big wine operators doing well, small ones struggling

Bigger is better when it comes to surviving in the wine business. That's the conclusion of the latest economic survey of the New Zealand wine industry, conducted by the international accounting firm, Deloitte. Paul Munro of Deloitte says it found large scale operators are in good health financially, and doing better than their Australian counterparts. But he says smaller growers and wine-makers are struggling. "They have struggled, once again, to demonstrate that they have a business model that can generate the sort of profit margins that the investments they need to make actually require," he says.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



"Singing budgie" NZ-bound

It has taken more than 20 years, but Kylie Minogue is bringing a live show to New Zealand. The pint-sized pop star will play Auckland's Vector Arena on Monday, December 8. While still staring as Charlene in the TV show Neighbours, Minogue won acclaim in 1987 with the hits 'I Should Be So Lucky' and 'The Locomotion.' Sometimes referred to as the "singing budgie" she turned 40 this year. More than half a million fans in 21 countries have already seen her Kylie X tour. Tickets for the New Zealand concert go on sale on September 9.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Wound dressing made of manuka honey to go international

Wound dressings made from biologically active manuka honey and a seaweed gel have gone on sale in New Zealand, and are about to hit international markets, Waikato University researchers say. The university's honey research group, led by Professor Peter Molan, put together the blend of honey and a seaweed extract as a dressing for leg and foot ulcers, burns, and similar infections -- a market estimated to be worth $12 billion by 2012. The technology has been licensed as a Medihoney antibacterial honey gel sheet, which has won regulatory approval to be sold in Europe, and Food and Drug Administration approval for the United States.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



'Last' Goldie portrait sold

What is thought to be the last portrait painted by Charles Goldie has been sold at auction for more than $400,000. A Noble Relic of a Noble Race, an oil painting of Ngati Manawa and Tuhoe priest and chief Wharekauri Tahuna, was sold to an anonymous private buyer for $404,000 at the Dunbar Sloane fine art auction in Wellington last night. Two other Goldie paintings of his "favourite subjects" - including Arawa chieftainess Ahinata Te Rangituatini, also known as Kapi Kapi, whom Goldie painted at least 22 times - are tipped to make their owners up to $350,000 at auction. The paintings have been in separate family collections for 90 and 70 years respectively.
The Dominion Post



Injured Aussie netball captain out for season

New Australian netball captain Sharelle McMahon will miss this year's representative season through injury. The goal attack has been ruled out of Australia's two Test series against the Kiwis in New Zealand in September and the tri series with England and New Zealand in Australia in October. The 31-year-old had arthroscopic surgery on her left knee following the trans-Tasman netball championship, but after consultation with coaching and medical staff, national coach Norma Plummer made the final decision to relieve McMahon of her international duties.



Wednesday, August 27

Daffodils arrive in Wellington after slip delay

It was panic stations for the Wellington branch of the Cancer Society last night when a truck carrying 40,000 daffodils could not get past slip-affected roads at the top of the South Island. Spokeswoman Helen Montgomery says the blooms were due to be delivered today to around 700 Wellington businesses ahead of Daffodil Day on Friday, but the truck was held up by a large slip on SH1 at Kaikoura. She says they were worried they would not get to the capital in time, but they were able to make it on to the last ferry crossing overnight and arrived this morning. Ms Montgomery says the daffodils are now being packed by a huge army of volunteers and will be delivered tomorrow, a day late, but still in time for Daffodil Day.
(The Cancer Society gives a daffodil in exchange for a donation on their appeal day...if you can donate...please try to give a little extra for this cause)
© 2008 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Ukulele Festival rivals rock concert

NZPA/Wayne Drought
An unlikely musical instrument is being elevated to the realms of being cool as hundreds of players, including schoolchildren, pick up the ukulele for this year's Ukulele Festival in Auckland. Auckland's Mt Smart Stadium -- usually reserved for international rock concerts -- is the new home for the increasingly popular festival. More than 1000 players will be strumming and singing at the concert in which local groups will feature alongside international ukulele virtuosos such as Australian Azo Bell and Rarotongan Chuck Upu. But the main act will be The Kiwileles, a massed ukulele orchestra made up of ukulele groups from more than 30 Auckland schools.



Does the earth really move for rugby fans?

NZPA/Wayne Drought
Auckland University scientists will monitor how the earth moves for thousands of fans at Eden Park for the 2011 rugby World Cup. As part of the stadium's revamp, a 250-metre deep hole will be drilled under the site of the new South Stand to give insights into underground activity, including the impact of large crowds. The Borehole Instrument Centre for Eden Park (Bicep) would measure seismic activity and vibrations in the ground under the stadium, project head Liam Wotherspoon said. The information would give a better understanding of how to design large structures to withstand earthquakes, he said.



Lonely Kiwis targeted by scammers

By SALLY FRENCH - Stuff.co.nz
Nigerian scammers are "fleecing" money off lonely, vulnerable Kiwis, with false promises of marriage or vast sums of money at a later date, police said. A Porirua woman recently lost $10,000 to the scam, and an Auckland woman $70,000 and police believe many other people may have also been burned. Detective senior sergeant Darrin Thomson said those using online dating agencies should be extra careful about disclosing their personal bank details and sending money to Nigeria.



Popular Kiwibank posts $36.8m profit

Kiwibank has reported an increase in annual profit, driven by growth in loans and deposits. The publicly owned New Zealand bank made a profit of $36.8 million, an increase of 19% on the previous year. Kiwibank is in growth mode as it looks to bolster its market share by luring customers from its much-larger rivals by offering cheaper mortgages and higher deposit rates. The strategy is paying off, having boosted its retail deposits by 46% to $4.8 billion, and its lending portfolio by 57% to $5.6 billion. The bank has 650,000 customers. Kiwibank chief executive Sam Knowles says it is attracting between 300 and 400 new customers a day. Kiwibank became embroiled in a political controversy after National Party deputy leader Bill English was secretly taped saying National might sell it eventually, which he later conceded he should not have said.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Waikato wind farm plan to get resource consent priority

A huge wind farm on the Waikato coastline is to be sped through the resource consent process. Contact Energy wants to build 180 turbines along a 40-kilometre stretch of the North Island coast between Port Waikato and Raglan. The $2 billion project was announced last October. The Government will speed the scheme through a process known as calling in. This allows resource consents to be heard by a board of inquiry instead of three local councils, which the Government feared could be cumbersome. With a maximum capacity of 540 megawatts, Contact's project would be more than three times larger than the biggest existing wind farm, on the Tararua Range near the Manawatu Gorge.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Hastings quake damage could be $5 million

By MARTY SHARPE - The Dominion Post
Damage claims from last night's Hastings earthquake could total about $5 million, despite initial reports of little damage. The 5.9 magnitude quake struck at 11.25pm yesterday and was centred about 10km southwest of Hastings at a depth of 30km. A 3.5 magnitude aftershock was recorded shortly after the first earthquake. Earthquake Commission insurance manager Lance Dixon said this afternoon that 124 claims had been already been received for things such as damage to interior walls, chimneys, toilets and hot water cylinders. It was early days but it looked like the total claims could run to about $5 million, he said.



Clean-up begins as flooding leaves trail of destruction

A clean-up operation is continuing in parts of the South Island which have been affected by flooding. Heavy rain and flooding is beginning to ease, but not before leaving a trail of evacuations, sodden land and lost livestock. Civil Defence says river levels were expected to drop by Wednesday, leaving a major mess to contend with. It says there will be significant debris on roads and farm fence lines. Landslides, slips and flooding caused by the heavy rain have blocked roads and railway lines from Marlborough to Canterbury. State Highway 1 between Cheviot and Ward is closed by up to 30 slips and washouts and is likely to reopen on Wednesday afternoon. The section of the highway north of Kaikoura is expected to re-open on Wednesday morning, but it will be mid-afternoon before the Kaikoura to Cheviot highway is cleared. The South Island's main railway line from Christchurch to Picton remained closed as boulders and other debris is continuing to fall on the track.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Warm welcome for NZ Olympians

The New Zealand Olympic team has been given a rapturous welcome at Auckland Intenational Airport. The 98-strong team won nine medals at the Beijing Games, including three golds - New Zealand's best haul since 10 were won in Barcelona in 1992. Shot putter Valerie Vili and rowers Georgina and Caroline Evers-Swindell were the first to emerge in the arrival hall on Wednesday morning to thunderous applause from the waiting crowd. Their gold medals were proudly on display as the athletes made their way slowly through the throng of about 400 well-wishers. Chef de mission Dave Currie told waiting media that it was the best welcome home a New Zealand team has ever received.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Fault lines mapped

Scientists hope research into the country's most active seismic risk area will help to better predict earthquakes. The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research has mapped out fault lines through Cook Strait for the first time. It has found no connections between the major faults running through the North and South Islands, meaning a large earthquake would probably be contained to one island. Ocean Geology Scientist Dr Philip Barnes says the new fault maps will prove very helpful and give scientists a better idea of the potential locations of future earthquakes and when they might occur. Dr Barnes says the information can be used to predict how an earthquake on one fault might affect another fault.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Author of Maori cannibalism book stands by his research

NZPA/Ross Setford
The author of a book on cannibalism in Maori history is disappointed a racism complaint has been made about it to the Human Rights Commission. Historian Paul Moon is defending his book This Horrid Practice and stands by his research. "I spent several years researching this book, using an enormous body of documentation, and I'm not about to denounce it just because it upsets a few people," he told the New Zealand Herald. An anonymous complaint said the book "describes the whole of Maori society as violent and dangerous. This is a clearly racist view claiming a whole ethnic group has these traits". The book suggests that consuming vanquished enemies' mana had little to do with the underlying reason for Maori cannibalism. Instead cannibalism, in pre-colonial times, was simply about "rage and humiliation".



Tuesday, August 26

Winetasters to choose NZ's top wine

NZPA/Ross Setford
More than 1000 wines will be sampled this week to decide the top 100 wines of 2008. The Liquorland Top 100 International Wine Competition began today and goes through until Thursday at Wellington's Westpac Stadium. Twenty local and international judges would sample 1476 wines. A spokesperson said the competition, now in its 15th year, was to give consumers 100 hand-picked wine choices, giving them the confidence to try new wine styles and varieties. The top 100 wines and trophies would be announced at a gala dinner on October 3 at Auckland's Hilton Hotel.



Fairfax Media to chop 160 jobs

Fairfax Media is to cut 160 jobs as it looks to cut costs. The company, which at present employs 2500 people, publishes nine newspapers including The Dominion Post and The Press. Fairfax says it will save $A50 million by laying off 5% of its New Zealand and Australian workforce. The company's New Zealand chief executive, Joan Withers, denies the redundancies will compromise the quality of editorial content. Fairfax says the cuts, which it describes as part of a "business improvement programme", will start later in the year.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Warnings over claims about vulnerable groups

The Race Relations Commissioner is warning academics and the media to be careful when making claims about vulnerable groups. It follows a headline story on the Dominion Post reporting that Pacific Islanders are a drain on the economy. The newspaper accepted a complaint about the accuracy of its headline and published a feature clarifying the issue. Commissioner Joris de Bres says Pacific people were angry and dismayed by the claims and subsequent coverage. In his review he says data shows that while Pacific people suffer inequalities, the trends over recent years have been positive in many areas.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Sandbagging begins as rain batters upper South Island

Sandbagging is under way in Picton and Blenheim, as heavy rain and flooding begin to make their presence felt in the Marlborough district on Tuesday. The storm is also still hitting the South Island's already sodden east coast. At-risk areas in Picton and Blenheim are being sandbagged, but Marlborough District Council says its greatest concern is flooding in some low-lying suburban areas. Parts of the Canterbury region has been drenched with more than three months' worth of rain in two days, with Civil Defence authorities on alert. MetService is predicting another 70-90 millimetres for Kaikoura on Tuesday before the rain eases on Wednesday.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Beijing may be last free-to-air Olympics - TVNZ

Television New Zealand says the 2008 Beijing Olympics may have been the last people can watch without paying for a subscription. Sky Television has secured the New Zealand broadcasting rights for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2012 Summer Games in London. TVNZ chief executive Rick Ellis says Sky TV securing the broadcasting rights may result in a large number of households being locked out of viewing the event in London. Mr Ellis New Zealand does not have any regulatory framework to protect against universal access to free sport, which means the highest bidder for such events wins. Sky TV declined to comment on speculation over its planned Olympic coverage. However, it has said it will offer 24-hour-a-day coverage during the Games, on its subscription channels and on Prime, which is free to watch.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Meteors create night sky 'fireworks'

Worried star-gazers called the police last night after seeing lights flaring in the night sky above Auckland. Officers were not sure what caused the flurry of lights, but said the most likely explanation was a meteor shower. Emergency services fielded five or six phone calls from people worried the lights were from a series of distress flares in the distance.
Copyright ©2008, APN Holdings NZ Limited



Weight Watchers recalls toffee bars

Weight Watchers Australia has recalled its Rich Toffee bars because they contain egg white, which was not declared on the label. Weight Watchers said the bars contained egg white and could pose a health risk to consumers who were intolerant to egg white. Consumers who were allergic to eggs should not consume this product, it said. Weight Watchers has recalled 5 x 28g Rich Toffee bars sold at Weight Watchers meetings and over the internet with the best before date of March 2009 and batch codes L8079 or L8080.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



$1.5 million keeps war fiance's memory alive

By JENNY LING - The Dominion Post
A tale of love and war will live on for generations after $1.5 million was gifted to Wellington College. More than 60 years after Tom Paul was killed during World War II, 92-year-old Violet Dunn has ensured that her beloved's memory will endure by giving the money to benefit the school he attended from 1931 till 1935. "She's a remarkable woman," headmaster Roger Moses said. "It's a great story, she's carried the memory of her fiance throughout her whole life." The couple met in 1934 on Auckland's Takapuna Beach. They fell in love and later planned to marry. Mr Paul enlisted in the air force as a trainee pilot in 1940 and a year later was based in England, flying Wellington and Lancaster bombers on night raids over Europe. The couple's story is told in the school's Collegian magazine this month. It says Miss Dunn was deeply affected when Mr Paul died in 1944, aged 26, when his plane crashed into forest near Farnham Common in southeast England. She never married and has stayed true to his memory. Mr Moses said the school was contacted last year by Miss Dunn's lawyer, who asked if Tom Paul had been a pupil - and said that, if so, there might be a "substantial gift" coming. Mr Moses said the money was an extraordinary gift and would be hugely beneficial.



Big quake rattles Hawke's Bay region

One of the biggest earthquakes in the Hawke's Bay in recent years has been felt in the region. The 5.9-magnitude quake hit at 11.25pm on Monday, 10km southwest of Hastings, and was felt over a wide area. Power was lost in two areas of Napier following the quake but supplies were quickly restored. Hastings District Council activated its emergency response centre to monitor developments but did not declare a Civil Defence emergency. The council says a damage assessment will be carried out on Tuesday morning, although there have been no reports of major damage.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Monday, August 25

Fijian airline to restart services

Air Fiji expects to resume full services by Tuesday, after the airline cancelled its flights on Sunday, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded. Air Fiji has given no reason for the cancellations. A spokesperson at Nadi airport says the airline expects to operate eight out of 20 flights on Monday and hopes to offer its full services by Tuesday. The airline says it has rebooked all stranded passengers on flights with other airlines, mainly Pacific Sun.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Price of wine drops

As the price of bread and milk continue to skyrocket, turning to the bottle may be the answer. The latest in a series of five-yearly surveys by researchers at Lincoln University shows that while consumer costs have shot up for products like meat and dairy, the price of wine has dropped significantly. In 1998, consumers were paying on average $17 for what they considered an every-day wine. A decade later that average cost is down to $14.60, the survey found. While the proportion of New Zealanders drinking wine remained steady at about 70 percent of all adults, the frequency of consumption and had increased dramatically. The average annual per capita consumption had risen to about 18.5 litres, which compared with 24 litres in Australia and 62 litres in Vatican City, the world's largest per-head wine consumer.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Alert over North Canterbury flooding

The Hurunui and Waimakariri district councils have activated their emergency operations centres because of flooding in the region. Heavy rain is causing slips, landslides and surface flooding throughout North Canterbury. The equivalent of a month of rain fell overnight and on Monday morning. Canterbury Regional Council advises motorists to take extreme care and also advises farmers to move stock from affected areas. Sandbagging is under way in Sefton, an hour north of Christchurch, and Amberley School has been closed.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Golf-Teenage Kiwi wins US Amateur Championship

Eighteen-year-old New Zealand golfer Danny Lee has won the United States Amateur Championship in North Carolina - the youngest player to do so. Lee, of Rotorua High School, beat Drew Kittleson of the US on Sunday in the 36-hole final at Pinehurst, North Carolina. NZ Golf says his win is New Zealand's best performance ever in amateur golf - eclipsing even a win at the world team championship in 1992 for the Eisenhower Trophy. Lee, who turned 18 only last month, will lead the New Zealand team at the Eisenhower Trophy in Adelaide next month. The win gives him entry to the US and British Golf Opens and a probable invitation to the US Masters - as long as he retains his amateur status. He is six months and 29 days younger than Tiger Woods was when he first won the tournament.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Signs of consumer backlash over privacy

Businesses are being warned the mishandling of personal information can cause serious damage. Privacy Commissioner Marie Shroff has unveiled a survey showing 86 percent of people are annoyed they have become a target of direct marketing, because their personal information has been passed on to other businesses. Launching Privacy Week today, she told the Auckland Chamber of Commerce that businesses must tell people if they plan to use their information for other purposes. She says they must also be given a chance to opt out, because there are real signs of a backlash from consumers angry at inappropriate use of their personal details.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Cholera patient in Auckland City Hospital

A man with cholera is being treated at Auckland City Hospital. He was admitted last Monday and staff hope he can be discharged today. The potentially fatal bacterial disease, generally spread through contaminated food or water, is rare in New Zealand. From 1997, only 10 cases were notified. The one case last year was a man who had recently returned from India, where he had drunk untreated water.
Copyright ©2008, APN Holdings NZ Limited



A host of golden daffodils

Thousands of daffodils have arrived in Auckland for the Cancer Society's 18th annual Daffodil Day appeal on Friday. Volunteers will be on city streets to help the society support cancer sufferers and their families. Money raised in the appeal also supports scientific research. Volunteer Cristina Magni was yesterday helping to sort some of the 70,000 daffodils grown in Huapai. Today more volunteers will begin distributing daffodils to businesses and individuals who have bought them. Visit www.daffodilday.org.nz to make an online donation, or phone (0900) 31-111 to make an instant $20 donation.
NZ HERALD STAFF



Campaign to get Kiwis overseas to vote

An organisation that links New Zealanders living overseas has launched a global campaign to encourage them to vote in the upcoming general election. Kiwi Expat Association's (Kea) NZ chief executive Ivan Moss said overseas-based New Zealanders had been vastly under-represented in past elections. "Although at least 600,000 Kiwis live overseas, only 28,000 voted in the 2005 general election," Mr Moss said. "Our Every Vote Counts campaign will help redress that imbalance by reaching tens of thousands of eligible voters overseas and encouraging them to enrol and vote." He said New Zealand citizens are eligible to vote from anywhere in the world if they had visited New Zealand within the previous three years. The campaign encourages overseas New Zealanders to check their eligibility and enrol at the official elections site (www.elections.org.nz).
NZPA



Twins carry NZ flag at closing ceremony

New Zealand double gold medallists Caroline and Georgine Evers-Swindell disconcerted organisers somewhat as they prepared to carry the flag into the Bird's Nest stadium for last night's spectacular Olympics closing ceremony. New Zealand chef de mission Dave Currie, speaking as the team returned back to the Olympic Village after, said the fact that New Zealand had two flagbearers where every other country had just one seemed to throw organisers a little as the team prepared to march into the stadium. "There seemed to be a little consternation that two people were carrying the flag into the stadium," Currie said last night.
Fairfax Media/NZPA



Fears held for neglected 1883 Chch theatre

By MIKE HOULAHAN - The Press
Heritage advocates are warning the historic Odeon Theatre could be lost to Christchurch if urgent action is not taken. The theatre has been a Tuam Street landmark since 1883. It is the oldest masonry theatre in the country and one of only three purpose-built 19th-century theatres that have survived in New Zealand. However, neglect and the ravages of time mean the Odeon is slowly falling into disrepair. The theatre's owner, property developer Dave Henderson, is having financial difficulties, and a month ago Christchurch City councillors voted to buy five Henderson-owned properties but not the Odeon. That decision surprised the Odeon Trust, which was set up in 2004 to try to preserve the theatre.



Winter of discontent hits vege prices hard

By JENNY LING - The Dominion Post
Skyrocketing vegetable prices are about to climb even higher thanks to months of rain, hailstorms and frosts that have wreaked havoc on crops. Shoppers are turning to frozen vegetables as one of the worst winters in two decades pushes prices up -and quality down -around the country. And with more rain expected this week, industry experts are predicting a rise of 15 to 25 per cent, record prices in October and shortages till Christmas. Alastair Turner, a senior trader at Fresh Direct -which supplies New Zealand supermarkets, retailers and wholesalers -said it had been one of the worst winters in his 20 years. Crops, especially green leafy plants, had been hammered and vegetable growth in hot houses stunted by lack of sunlight, he said. "There will be massive problems of supply through to Christmas as a result.



Country pubs are closing

Eight country pubs in South Taranaki are for sale. Some have already called for last orders and shut their doors. Three are being marketed as potential backpackers or large family homes. More closures are foreseen, as small farms continue to merge, leaving less people on the land and fewer customers.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



NZ nuclear stance causes problem for India

New Zealand's stance on nuclear proliferation is causing a headache for India and its nuclear dream. Despite continued pressure from the United States, New Zealand is insisting India sign both the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the Comprehensive Nuclear Testing Ban before it will approve a pact between India and America. Over the weekend, one of Washington's top foreign policy officials, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Glyn Davies, delivered a renewed message to the New Zealand Government asking for a waiver.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Sunday, August 24

Labour narrows National lead

A new political poll sees the gap narrowing between the National and Labour parties, and the Greens are the only minor party rating above the five per cent threshold. The poll shows National still has a solid lead, steady on 48 percent support. However Labour has moved up two points to 37 percent, cutting the gap to 11 points. Of the minor parties only the Greens are above the five percent MMP threshold, scoring six percent support. New Zealand First has dropped one point to three percent, ACT and the Maori Party are on two percent, and United Future is on one.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



ASEAN begins tomorrow

ASEAN is set this week to finalise a free trade agreement with India and hold talks with New Zealand and Australia. Economic ministers, meeting in Singapore from tomorrow to Friday, are expected to put the final touches on an ASEAN-India trade pact. The ministers will also hold talks with their counterparts from New Zealand and Australia in an effort to have a trade agreement ready for signing by December. Australian Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said recently Canberra hoped to conclude the talks with the 10-member ASEAN in Singapore this week.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Rugby-World champion Boks booed off the field

World champions South Africa were booed off the field after losing 27-15 to Australia in their Tri-nations test. The loss was the world champions' fourth in five Tri-nations matches and ensured they are out of contention for the title with two rounds remaining. Springbok captain Victor Matfield told a news conference the crowd reaction was understandable after his side made too many mistakes. "The booing was perfectly understandable because we are the world champions and we cannot afford to lose two in a row. It's unacceptable to play like that," Matfield said



Heavy rain, thunder in the south

Heavy rain and thunderstorms are on the way for parts of the South Island today. There is a severe weather warning in place for Nelson, Marlborough and the Kaikoura Coast. MetService says the rain could cause surface flooding, and slips are possible along the Kaikoura Coast. In the North Island, a burst of heavy rain is likely in the Bay of Plenty.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Flu woes worsen

By Michelle Coursey
Flu figures have hit a three-year high as wet weather extends the virus season. Schoolchildren have been particularly hard hit as rain forces them to stay indoors. Schools in Marlborough and Porirua have been blitzed by the virus, with large numbers of children absent. Further north, Auckland Regional Public Health Service medical officer Craig Thornley said his office was aware of above-average levels of sickness, some schools reporting a 100 per cent rise in students off sick.



Saturday, August 23

Peanut ends monkey business

A very hungry Minty the monkey has been recaptured after escaping from Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in Christchurch three days ago. A man who was walking his Labrador spotted the Capuchin in a tree, just 500 metres from the reserve. Willowbank spokeswoman Kathy Rangiwananga says when a peanut was put on offer, Minty jumped onto a keeper's shoulder and was popped into a cage where a nice meal was waiting for her. She was checked over by a veterinarian and given a tranquilliser. Willowbank staff say they are very relieved Minty is safely back home.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



SkyCity workers: 'You dirty rat...'

SkyCity workers have inflated a giant rat outside Auckland's landmark casino today to graphically illustrate management there as "dirty employers". Unite and the Service Workers Union, which represent about 1300 workers at SkyCity, have been in dispute with management since pay talks broke down earlier this year. Staff have rejected a company offer of a 4 per cent increase this year and 3.5 per cent next year. The unions are asking for a 5 per cent increase, and recognition of service for longer serving staff. Union members have been taking various forms of industrial action since the end of July and say it will continue until a better deal is agreed.
NZPA



Record internet downloads during Olympics

New Zealanders' internet downloads hit a record high during the Beijing Olympics, with peak viewing on Tuesday at the end of the men's triathlon. The peak output was 5.2 gigabytes per second (Gbs) of data, said Neil de Wit, chief executive of CityLink, the company assisting TVNZ's live internet coverage of the Olympics. "TVNZ Olympic coverage via the StreamingNet content delivery network peaked on Tuesday at 3.40pm, coinciding with the finish of the men's triathlon, and when NZ went up against Germany in the men's hockey."



Teen angler catches massive bluefin tuna

NZPA/Ross Setford
A 14-year-old angler may have netted himself a world record when he hooked a huge bluefin tuna off Westport yesterday. Andrew Hargen, of Christchurch caught the 268kg pacific bluefin tuna off the charter boat Te Ariki Nui. The fish took just over an hour to land on an 80lb line. Andrew is no stranger to catching big fish. At age seven he caught a 117kg marlin in the Bay of Islands. His father Alan Hargen said yesterday's catch could well be a world record for Pacific bluefin tuna in his son's age group.



Irish tackle Kiwi doctor drought

By REBECCA PALMER - The Dominion Post
You might say Wellington Hospital has had a touch of Irish luck. Twenty-two foreign junior doctors have just arrived in Wellington – the biggest contingent of overseas-trained doctors to start at one time. Half of the group are Irish friends who trained together and wanted to stay together. Caoimhe Hartley, 24, said the friends had spent six years training together at University College Dublin. They then worked at the same hospital before deciding to have a change of scene. Nine of the new doctors will start off working for Capital and Coast District Health Board in Wellington, and two others will work at Hutt Hospital. They are due to move on to Palmerston North's MidCentral District Health Board after their three-month stint in the Wellington region. Most of the rest of the new group of 22 are from England.



Friday, August 22

Maori Party releases list

The Maori Party has just released its candidate list and rankings for the upcoming election. Co-leaders Tariana Turia and Pita Sharples top the rankings with fellow MPs Hone Harawira and Te Ururoa Flavell named at three and four respectively. Hauraki Waikato candidate Angeline Greensill is at number five, one spot ahead of broadcaster Derek Fox, who is to challenge Parekura Horomia in Ikaroa Rawhiti. Te Tai Tonga candidate Rahui Katene is number seven on the list. In total the Maori Party has 19 candidates on its list for this year's election.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Monkey on the run in Christchurch

A monkey is running loose in Christchurch. The little Capuchin monkey is on the run from the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. It was being transferred to a new enclosure when it took off. Staff have been scouring the local neighbourhood without seeing any sign of the runaway. Police say the monkey is not considered harmful but should not be approached. It is likely to be rummaging for food and looking for shelter.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Wellington Zoo's zebra dies

It was a sad day at Wellington Zoo today, as popular attraction Zardi the Zebra was found dead in her enclosure. Her death shocked and saddened staff, who said Zardi looked fine when they left last night. Zoo spokesman Ben Pocock said it seemed like she had died from severe pneumonia, but it would take a few days for post mortem results to confirm that. Mr Pocock said it was unlikely Molly would get a new friend, as she was too old to be moved and there were no other zebras available in New Zealand.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Netball-Seymour recalled to Ferns captaincy

Julie Seymour has been confirmed as captain of the Silver Ferns ahead of their series' against Australia and England over the next two months. Katrina Grant is the only new cap in the 12 strong squad, while shooter Daneka Wipiiti has been recalled. Seymour last captained the Silver Ferns in 2002, leading them to a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. She was recalled to the national team in October 2006, after taking time out to have her three children.
© 2008 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Contingency evacuation plans for NZers in Fiji

The Government has revealed it has contingency plans in place to evacuate New Zealand citizens from Fiji if the situation there deteriorates. Defence Minister Phil Goff says he discussed Fiji with the Australian Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon at Parliament on Friday. He says co-ordinated contingency plans have been in place since the latest coup in December 2006 by Commodore Frank Bainimarama. Mr Goff says the Government does not expect to have to evacuate citizens but it would be remiss not to have plans in place. He says neither New Zealand nor Australia see a military solution for Fiji - which the Pacific Islands Forum has threatened to suspend if it does not hold elections by March next year
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Movement and Mozart merge

Works of Mozart will be interpreted in dance at Auckland's Civic Theatre from tonight. Renowned choreographer Mark Morris has brought his dance group to the city of sails for the first time. It will perform Mozart Dances, a ballet-style piece inspired by the music of the great Austrian composer. Along with the dance troupe, Mozart Dances features two pianists and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Renowned British conductor and Mozart scholar Jane Glover will lead the orchestra.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Plan for Pacific to buy fuel in bulk

New Zealand is providing financial support to a plan to provide cheaper petrol for motorists in the Pacific Islands. Prime Minister Helen Clark has told leaders at the Pacific Forum that New Zealand will fund the first meeting of experts next month to discuss bulk fuel buying in the Pacific. Such a move would allow Pacific nations to buy large quantities of fuel together, which would cut down on the cost of each country importing its own fuel.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Pacific gospel choirs tune up for big competition

By Vaimoana Tapaleao
Soulful tunes with a pinch of island flavour will ring loud and clear tomorrow at the annual Voices Pasefika Youth Gospel Choir Challenge in Manukau. Singing original pieces inspired by traditional gospel and Pasifika music, up to 700 singers from around the Auckland region and one choir from Wellington will battle it out at the TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre. Hosted by the Harvest Group Trust, the competition is now in its fourth year and has attracted widespread interest, with organisers being forced to limit the number of choirs competing to 15 as a result. Pacific food stalls and a careers market will also be at the event. Choirs will compete for prizes totalling up to $10,000.
Copyright ©2008, APN Holdings NZ Limited



Wellington's Matterhorn wins restaurant of year

Wellington's Matterhorn has won the restaurant of the year title in the Cuisine NZ Restaurant of the Year Awards. It also won the best casual dining award. Other major award winners were: best smart dining - The French Cafe, Auckland; best casual dining (regional) - Wendy Campbell's French Bistro, Martinborough; best wine experience - O'Connell Street Bistro, Auckland; best winery restaurant - Pegasus Bay Winery Restaurant, Waipara.



Dept of Labour offers amnesties to overstayers

By Lincoln Tan
Overstayers are being offered amnesties as Immigration New Zealand enlists the help of Asian community leaders to flush out illegal migrants. Through a pilot programme, those identified as being unlawfully in New Zealand have been asked to attend education clinics where their immigration status is reassessed - and those asked to leave the country can reapply to return lawfully. Generally, a person removed from NZ is not allowed back for five years. "These people were advised that on attending the clinic, they would be assessed in a timely and professional manner without fear of having compliance action initiated against them," said a spokesman for the Department of Labour, which oversees immigration.



Tots make great escape from kindergarten

The Education Ministry has launched an investigation after three pupils from a Taranaki kindergarten scaled a boundary fence and went missing for almost two hours. The Taranaki Daily News reported it was understood the three girls used a ladder to climb over a fence at Oakura's Kaitake Kindergarten on Wednesday and made their way to one of the girls' homes, crossing busy State Highway 45 on the way. It appears their absence went unnoticed until parents came to pick them up and they could not be found. Police were called, but the trio were found by a parent at the home of one of the children.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Michael Hill buys US jewellery chain

Michael Hill International is to expand into the United States market. The Brisbane-based jeweller is to buy 17 stores from Whitehall Jewelers for about $NZ7 million. Whitehall is in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which protects it from creditors and allows it to keep trading while it restructures its business. Michael Hill says the stores in Illinois and Missouri will provide a launching pad into the large US market. Most of the stores are in Chicago, with two stores in St Louis.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Thursday, August 21

Sunbed use increases despite melanoma link

A new study shows the availability of sunbed services is increasing, despite mounting evidence supporting strong links to skin cancer. Otago University researchers found between 1992 and 2006, there was a 241 percent increase in the number of services on offer in the Yellow Pages. Cancer Society Social and Behavioural Research Unit director Dr Tony Reeder says there have been a lot of studies on the effects of tanning. He says researchers concluded people who use sunbeds under the age of 35 are almost twice as likely to get melanoma later in life. Dr Reeder says it could mean it is time for the industry to come under regulatory controls.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Pacific leaders put Fiji on final warning

By Claire Trevett
Fiji has been put on its last warning with a strongly worded statement from Pacific Island leaders that it must work toward elections by March 2009 or risk suspension by the end of the year. The Pacific Islands leaders broke from their retreat at the Forum in Niue today to unanimously state Fiji must work toward elections by March after Mr Bainimarama backed down from promises last year to hold elections by March. The statement gave Fiji an ultimatum - of either working towards elections with the help of other countries, or risk being suspended from the forum at a special meeting of the leaders at the end of this year.



NZ, Singapore to hold maritime exercise

A joint maritime exercise between the New Zealand and Singapore navies will be conducted towards the end of the month. Helicopter operations, live firings, damage control and mariner evolutions will be put to the test when Exercise Lion Zeal kicks off from August 25-29. Aimed at strengthening the relationship and mutual co-operation between both navies, Exercise Lion Zeal will consist of both a sea and shore phase.
NZPA



More people visiting New Zealand

Visitor arrivals are up despite tough economic times around the world. Figures from Statistics New Zealand show there were more than 175,000 short-term visitors to the country in July. That's an increase of 2% from a year ago. More visitors from France and Australia led to the rise, with the number of French visitors alone up 55%. But there were fewer visitors in July from China, Korea and Taiwan.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Green light for Hastings' $56m sports park

Two independent commissioners have given Hastings District Council the go-ahead to change its district plan and develop a $56 million regional sports park west of the city. The council is already committed to spending $17m on an all-weather athletic track and grandstand, but needed permission to re-zone land for two other stages, which include an indoor velodrome. The commissioners, who spent almost five months considering submissions on the plan change, acknowledge the environmental impact the park will have. But they say that's outweighed by the social and economic benefits a regional sports park will provide.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Man admitted to hospital after taking toxic Chinese medicine

There are fears Chinese medicines with toxic and potentially fatal amounts of lead are being brought into and sold in New Zealand. The Auckland Regional Public Health service says a man was taken to Middlemore Hospital after taking a powdered Chinese medicine to treat his ulcers. The man's symptoms were dizziness, stomach pain, constipation and insomnia. It was found he had a blood lead level more than 12 times the notifiable level for non-occupational sources of lead exposure. The Auckland Regional Health Service says a man working as a Chinese medical practitioner had given the man powdered chinese medicine, which consisted of 46 to 74% lead.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Food recall notices missed by most

The Food Safety Authority is to take a look at the way food recalls are handled. It has conducted a survey which reveals that at best, just a third of consumers are aware of food recall notices when they are issued. TV advertising is rated as the best way of notifying recalls, followed by radio and newspapers. The NZFSA says it will undertake a cost benefit analysis of its methods to see which are best depending on the urgency of food recalls.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Living Library launched in Wellington

Wellingtonians visiting the Central Library are being encouraged to borrow a person instead of a book on Friday. As part of National Library Week, themed What's Your Story?, the library will offer borrowers the chance to talk to a person from their community, whom they might not normally meet. The Living Library concept originated in Denmark in 2000 and has since gained popularity globally. It is believed to be the first time a Living Library has been offered in New Zealand.
NZPA



NZ troops to train with US

New Zealand troops are to train with US forces in Germany next month. Defence Minister, Phil Goff says 172 personnel from Burnham will be involved in Exercise Cooperative Spirit with Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States. It's the first time New Zealand soldiers will be training with the group. Mr Goff says it's an important exercise and shows the relationship with the US is continuing to improve, following the suspension of the ANZUS Treaty. The ACT Party says a more significant step would be to repeal the legislation which prevents nuclear propelled ships into New Zealand waters.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Pacific Islanders being ripped off says Ministry

The New Zealand Government is to make it easier for Pacific people in New Zealand to send money home. At the moment charges to send money to the region can be up to 25 percent of the amount involved. But regulation changes, which could be in force by the end September, could bring that down to about seven percent. The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs says sending money to the Pacific is almost five times more expensive than to other regions. Its chief executive Colin Tukuitonga says there’s something seriously wrong that.
© RNZI 2008



Wednesday, August 20

Psychological study to look at medications

NZPA/Wayne Drought
A psychological study is to be conducted into whether people take daily medications to stay alive or improve their lifestyle. A team from Massey's School of Psychology in Auckland will manage the project in an attempt to determine whether some medication consumption is "life-saving or life-styling", team member Kerry Chamberlain said. He said the team would consider all forms of medications, medical drugs, alternative medicines and dietary supplements "It aims to develop new knowledge about the meanings of medications, their safety and risk, and the influence of media and social processes in their use and misuse." Professor Chamberlain said the role of medication had become increasingly complex with direct advertising of pharmacy drugs, the influx of over-the-counter medications, internet-based medical information as well as the profusion of alternative medicines, natural remedies and dietary supplements.



Olympics-Ashley wins gold for New Zealand

BREAKING NEWS: Tom Ashley has won a gold medal in the men's boardsailing event at the Beijing Olympics. Ashley finished third in the deciding medal race, enough to beat out his main rivals for the gold medal. It is New Zealand's third gold medal of the games and ninth medal overall.
Stuff.co.nz



Seasonal employment scheme extended

Solomon Islands is to be included as a formal partner in an employment scheme set up to meet work shortages in New Zealand. The Recognised Seasonal Employment Scheme allows New Zealand employers to recruit from several Pacific Island countries when they can't find personnel within New Zealand. Formal arrangements have been made with Kiribati, Samoa, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu, to facilitate recruitment and visa processing. At the Pacific Islands Forum in Niue, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark announced that Solomon Islands will now join the list. New Zealand will also start a training scheme for Solomon Islanders wanting to further their education while working in New Zealand.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Four wards now closed at hospital

Another ward at Dunedin Hospital is closed because of more suspected cases of norovirus. Otago District Health Board operations manager Megan Boivin says another eight patients and 10 staff have developed symptoms since 5pm on Tuesday. Another ward was closed on Wednesday morning, taking the total ward closures at Dunedin and Wakari hospitals since Saturday, to four. A total of 22 patients are in isolation. Visiting restrictions remain in place for both hospitals. The hospital says elective surgery and outpatient services for 2200 people have been cancelled to date.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Leaders arrive in Niue for Pacific forum

Prime Minister Helen Clark and other Pacific leaders have been welcomed in style to the Pacific Islands Forum in Niue. Miss Clark is one of 14 foreign leaders attending the three day gathering who were greeted by hundreds of locals singing and dancing. The forum is a major event for the small island nation, with its population of around 1,400, swelling by more than 400. The forum's official opening ceremony will be held this afternoon. Climate change, and high fuel and food prices are on the agenda. Miss Clark is due to hold bilateral talks with the other leaders this morning. Fiji's interim leader Frank Bainimarama is boycotting the summit. He claims Pacific leaders are trying to pressure him into holding elections too soon.
© 2008 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Teachers wired for sound

A Wellington primary school has found an improvement in the performance of its pupils when teachers were wired for sound. Almost all staff at Tawa's St Francis Xavier School now use a microphone and radio transmitter to broadcast their voice on speakers around their classroom. A trial run by Massey University researchers found that when the system is being used, some students had an improvement of up to 60 percent in tests. Principal Bernadette Murfitt says the system has made a big difference and children are more focussed because they can hear instructions. She says classrooms are quieter and pupils better behaved.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Grounded boat rescue operation hampered

Workers trying to recover thousands of litres of fuel from a grounded fishing boat in Northland say they are working under extremely difficult conditions to try to minimise the environmental damage. The 22-metre, Northland-based Kumea II ran aground on Monday evening a few hours after its crew were forced to abandon it when it began taking on water about three nautical miles off Shipwreck Bay, Ahipara. An as-yet undetermined amount of the estimated 8000 litres of diesel in two large tanks aboard the vessel when it ran aground has since escaped. Attempts to recover the remaining fuel have been hampered by the fact the Kumea II is stuck on its side in the surf line, giving them an extremely narrow window of opportunity to gain access to the boat and the fuel, each day.
NZPA



School boost for Pacific children

By LANE NICHOLS - The Dominion Post
The Government has unveiled ambitious plans to raise the education fortunes of thousands of Pacific Island pupils in the next four years. Along with Maori, Pacific Island children often have lower preschool participation rates and worse outcomes at school in terms of dropout rates, literacy and numeracy skills, and NCEA achievement. They are more likely to be truant from school than European pupils and less likely to attend university. But the Pasifika Education Plan, unveiled yesterday by Education Minister Chris Carter and Pacific Island Affairs Minister Winnie Laban, aims to turn those statistics around. It is based on information from the last eight years and sets targets for Pacific Island children, including 70,000 school pupils, through to 2012.



Robot just like having a doctor in the house

By REBECCA PALMER - The Dominion Post
Kiwi scientists are developing robots that could be used to measure blood pressure, help patients who fall over, carry out ward rounds - and keep older folk company. A new robotics laboratory was opened in Auckland yesterday as a joint venture of Auckland University and Korean scientists. Research, Science and Technology Minister Pete Hodgson had his blood pressure taken by a robot and said it was "an exciting new era". Kiwi researchers will adapt robot technology already developed by their Korean counterparts and "Westernise" it, including making robots speak and recognise English. "We need them to be interactive with speech," Auckland University senior lecturer in robotics Bruce MacDonald said.



When cows attack

By LISA SLOAN - Central Leader
A jogger feared for his life during an attack by a cow in a popular Auckland park that left him with a broken arm and extensive bruising. A morning run through the farm at Cornwall Park, on One Tree Hill, has been part of Ted Walker's routine for almost 15 years. But the Greenlane resident never expected to be attacked by a full-grown cow protecting her calves. While running through a paddock on July 26, he passed a cow who had recently given birth to two calves. She knocked him to the ground, kicking and head-butting him. "I was absolutely terrified and scared witless," he says. "I thought it was all over. I quite literally thought she was going to kill me."



Largest export market for NZ wine is Australia

Australia is now New Zealand's largest export wine market, after overtaking the United Kingdom. Wine export earnings for the past year reached a record $800 million, up 14%. Chief executive Philip Gregan says there's been a big growth in exports to Australia over the past three or four years - particularly sauvignon blanc and pinot noir and shiraz.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Olympics-Bronze for Willis in 1500m

New Zealand has an eighth medal at the Beijing Olympics. Middle distance runner Nick Willis won a bronze in the 1500 metres on Tuesday night. It is New Zealand's first medal in the 1500 metres since John Walker won gold in 1976 in Montreal. New Zealand now has a total of eight medals: two gold, one silver and five bronze.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Tuesday, August 19

Minister getting feedback on food control

New rules on food safety systems are likely to be served up by the government. Food Safety Minister Lianne Dalziel is visiting food businesses in Waikato today to get feedback on how prototype food control plans being trialled are working out. The new approach changes food safety rules from an inspection based, to a risk based approach and means responsibility is shifted from inspectors to operators to identify and fix problems. The system is set to be implemented nationwide when Parliament passes a new Food Bill later this year, or early next year.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Young persons award goes to Moon

Former double world champion mountain runner Melissa Moon has been selected as one of 10 outstanding young persons of the world by Junior Chamber International (JCI). The JCI programme recognises young people, aged between 18 and 40, throughout the world who excel in their chosen fields and exemplify the best attributes of young people. JCI NZ president Martin Watson said today Ms Moon was the second New Zealander to have been nominated, following singer Hayley Westenra in 2006. For a small nation, New Zealand regularly produced outstanding young individuals with impressive achievements, Mr Watson said.
NZPA



New atoll agriculture research centre based in Kiribati

An atoll agriculture research and development centre has been established in Kiribati to help communities maintain their food security. The centre has been established in cooperation with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community and the International Fund for Agricultural Development. The secretariat's participatory extension officer, Judith Vaneignatten, says scarce land resources and infertile alkaline soils make atoll agriculture very difficult, and almost all food is imported. She says the challenge is to create soil, so that dependency on food imports is reduced.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Medical training school planned for south Auckland

Counties Manukau District Health Board has revealed plans for a major new medical training facility in South Auckland. The DHB says the Centre for Health Services Innovation will be the first of its kind in this country, costing about $40 million. It will be run in conjunction with major tertiary education providers in the region and the Manukau City Council. The board's chief executive, Geraint Martin says the board is still getting approval for the facility, but hope to have it running by 2011.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



NZ natural partner in climate change talks, says Rudd

Australian Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd says Australia and New Zealand represent natural partners in battling climate change. Mr Rudd and Prime Minister Helen Clark addressed a climate change conference in Auckland on Tuesday morning. Kevin Rudd told the conference the importance of being able to work closely with New Zealand at international climate change negotiations cannot be overestimated. He praised Helen Clark's leadership in those negotiations, particularly when Australia had been absent from the table.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



NZ Fulbright scholars named

Two research scholars have been named Fulbright New Zealand Senior Scholars for 2009 and will conduct research on New Zealand's economy and education sector at top US universities. Socio-economist Professor Anne de Bruin from Massey University Auckland will conduct research at Babson College in Boston, and education researcher Dr Joanna Kidman from Victoria University will study at the University of New Hampshire.



Oprah Show the modern confession?

Talk shows are being held up as the modern equivalent of confession. Professor Barry King from the Auckland University of Technology is comparing and contrasting shows such as Oprah, Dr Phil and Jerry Springer which he says come complete with declarations of guilt and absolution. He says traditionally, people would testify to their allegiance or their social position through the Church, but today, talk show hosts are trying to get people to reveal aspects of their private life. Mr King says the format of the shows bare resemblance to the Protestant practice of bearing witness before a group.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Pacific leaders' summit policed by NZ officers

NZPA/Wayne Drought
New Zealand has sent over 50 police officers to Niue for the annual Pacific leaders' summit, which starts tomorrow. "New Zealand is providing police and defence officials to assist with security and catering purposes," Ross Ardern, Niue's police commissioner, said. "New Zealand police will work along their local police counterparts." The New Zealand force includes general duties and specialist search staff. There are additional diplomatic protection squad staff guarding some of the politicians, a police spokeswoman in Wellington said. Niue, which with a population of 1500, is the world's smallest independent state after the Vatican. It lies 2400km northeast of New Zealand, and covers 260 square kilometres, making it the world's largest raised fossilised coral atoll.



Kindy disco too wild for neighbours

A twilight disco for kindergarten kids was told to shut down by noise control for playing Bob the Builder too loud. The raid - called "absurd" by one teacher - happened on Friday night at One Tree Hill Kindergarten in Auckland. While parents, babies and the crowd of preschool children grooved to Chicken Dance and some light pop music, an irate neighbour apparently decided to spoil the fun. Head teacher Lisa Gordon said a council noise control officer showed up at 6.30pm looking a bit sheepish but nevertheless told them he would have to shut down the soiree.
The Dominion Post



Monday, August 18

Water boiling to continue in Levin

Levin residents are being told they will have to boil their drinking water for at least another two days as heavy rainfall continues to cause havoc in the area. The Horowhenua District Council has issued a boil water notice for those residents in Levin, and properties in the surrounding rural areas on town water supply. Council spokeswoman Colleen Sheldon says heavy rainfall is adversely affecting the performance of the water treatment plant suppling these areas. She says there is a small risk new water entering the system could be contaminated, and residents should boil their water for drinking and cooking.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Two North Island clothing companies have closed, with the loss of 40 jobs.

Two North Island clothing companies have closed, with the loss of 40 jobs. Palmerston North-based Everest Fashions and Levin-based Beardsley Pearce have announced they have gone into liquidation. The closures come hard on the heels of the closure of the Feltex plants in Foxton and Feilding, which resulted in the loss of about 160 jobs. National Distribution Union president Robert Reid says the companies are blaming a drop in orders, increased competition from cheap imports and a downturn in the economy for the closures.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Fiji pulls out of Pacific Islands Forum

Fiji has pulled out of a Pacific Islands Forum summit due to start in Niue on Tuesday. The country's interim administration says its withdrawal is in protest at being unable to attend bilateral talks in New Zealand before the forum. Fiji's leader, Commodore Frank Bainimarama, says the situation is unfortunate and regrettable. New Zealand made an exception to the travel ban it imposed on members of the Fiji administration and military and approved transit visas for the Fijian delegation so it could travel through Auckland to get to Niue. Prime Minister Helen Clark says it appears that Fiji was simply looking for an excuse to pull out, and forum leaders are likely to view the non-attendance as a direct snub.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Snow warning remains in place

A heavy snow warning remains in place for parts of the country until midday tomorrow. MetService says more snow is possible about Otago and Banks Peninsula, while another burst is forecast for the North Island's Central Plateau this evening. The latest falls have seen 80cm of snow fall on the central North Island mountains and a metre or more on the western slopes of the Southern Alps.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Hastings to name street after Olympic rowing 'golden twins'

Hawkes Bay "golden girls" will be welcomed home from Beijing with a parade and a street named in their honour. Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule has hailed the Olympic gold medal success of rowers Caroline and Georgina Evers Swindell, describing them as local and national heroes. Mr Yule says its inspiring to see the twins prove themselves the best in the world, then defend their title four years later. Hastings District Council is currently planning a welcome home parade for the pair, similar to that four years ago when they brought home gold from Athens. Mr Yule says the council also wants to provide a more lasting recognition for the twins, by naming a street after them.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Australia announces pilot Pacific labour mobility scheme

Australia has announced details of a three-year pilot seasonal workers’ scheme which will see Pacific Islanders take up work in horticulture. Visas will be available to 2,500 workers from Kiribati, Tonga, Vanuatu and Papua New Guinea to work in Australia for up to seven months in any 12-month period. The first group will arrive later this year, with the programme to be reviewed in 18 months. Such access to the Australian labour market has been a long-standing demand of Pacific Forum countries. The previous Australian government rejected the approach, saying it didn’t want to create an environment where people from other countries could be treated as second-class people. New Zealand has a seasonal labour scheme operating for Pacific Islanders.
© RNZI 2008



NZ birth rate rises to 17-year high

New Zealand had its highest birth rate since 1972 in the year to June. The birth rate edged up to 2.2 births per woman, from 2.1 a year earlier. The figure is around half the peak rate in 1961 of 4.3 births per woman. In the year to June, 64,140 live births were recorded, with boys outnumbering girls by more than 1,500. The median age of first-time mothers was 28, while women aged 30 to 34 had the highest fertility rate. Last year births exceeded deaths by 35,460.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Rudd heads off to Pacific for NZ talks

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd flies to New Zealand on Monday for economic talks with Prime Minister Helen Clark and to attend a climate change conference. On Tuesday he goes on to the tiny Pacific Island nation of Niue for a leaders' meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum. Since Labor came to power in November last year, Mr Rudd has visited China and Indonesia twice, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, the United States, Britain, Europe, Kuwait, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands.
© AAP 2008



Windfall possible for ex-pats

New Zealanders who have worked in Australia may be in for a cash windfall as the 25th anniversary Closer Economic Relations is marked. People who have accumulated compulsory pension contributions in Australia, have not been able to repatriate their savings until they reach the Australian retirement age. However an agreement has been reached that will allow savers to transfer their accounts between the two countries. Australian superannuation Minister Nick Sherry estimated that of the $13 billion in lost accounts, a considerable amount of it will belong to New Zealanders who have returned home. In Australia, employers have to contribute nine percent of wages into a retirement savings account.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Niue politician heading to NZ to protest Pacific summit

An opposition politician intends to flee Niue in protest at his tiny island hosting this week's Pacific Islands leaders' forum summit. Terry Coe, a former cabinet minister, believes his cash-strapped island can ill afford to stage the event -- one of the biggest events in its history -- so he'll fly to Auckland on Tuesday (NZ time). He said: "They (the Niue Government) are probably glad I am going because the media will not be able to talk to me as the sole independent Opposition member. I'll no longer be a thorn in their side." He said the cost of holding the forum each year, no matter where, could be better spent elsewhere. "All the money that has been provided by New Zealand would better to go into infrastructure to keep people here. The forum is not going to persuade people to stay."
NZPA


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