Maori words now on mobile phones

Almost 40 te reo Maori words and phrases can now be downloaded to mobile phones. As Maori Language Week draws to a close Associate Maori Affairs Minister Georgina te Heuheu helped launch the initiative. "Maori language and culture content must be readily accessible through a range of modern media." "Young people especially are extensive users of devices such as mobile phones," Te Heuheu says. Maori Affair Minister Pita Sharples says reports by Te Puni Kokiri showed Maori and non-Maori New Zealanders had "increasingly positive attitudes" to te reo.
NZPA

NZ's fisheries nothing to be proud of

By LAWRENCE HAKIWAI - NewstalkZB
The Green Party says the Fisheries Minister is looking at a report into the management of the fisheries with rose-tinted glasses. Phil Heatley is praising the industry after an international scientific research paper rated New Zealand one of the two healthiest fisheries on the planet. But Green Party co-Leader Metiria Turei says overall the report stresses that globally the fish stocks are in a terrible state. "It then compares New Zealand to another country in the way they manage fisheries, declaring that the fish stocks are in a terrible state and New Zealand is not quite as terrible as other countries.

NZ civilians may help out in Afghanistan more

The Government will consider offering Afghanistan more civilian mentoring in areas such as agriculture when it makes decisions about troop movements. The Government is to decide whether to send the Special Air Services (SAS) to Afghanistan when it considered a review report next month, but Prime Minister John Key indicated yesterday that deployment was likely to go ahead. However, he has ruled out the SAS being used to train Afghan forces. The United States has repeatedly asked for an increased military presence. The Government this year began the review, being prepared by the Defence and Foreign Affairs ministries, into its commitment when it announced it would roll over its army presence in Afghanistan until September 2010.
NZPA

Number of te reo speakers increasing, but fluency dropping

Despite more New Zealanders classifying themselves on census forms as being able to speak Maori, the proportion of the Maori population able to converse in te reo is dropping. Statistics included in today's release of social, environmental and economic sustainability indicators show that between 1996 and 2006 the proportion of Maori able to converse in te reo dropped from 25 percent to 23.7 percent - despite the number of Maori language speakers rising slightly to 157,113. A 1978 survey by the Council for Educational Research described the language as endangered, with only 18 to 20 percent able to speak it fluently.
NZPA

Friends or family overseas? Invite them back, says PM

Prime Minister John Key has launched a tourism campaign encouraging New Zealanders to invite friends and family based overseas to visit here. The Great Kiwi Invite campaign, which will run for four weeks, was launched in Auckland on Friday, the 10th anniversary of the the highly successful "100% Pure New Zealand" marketing campaign. The new campaign, run by Tourism New Zealand, invites New Zealanders to email a personal animated invitation to someone overseas. If the invitation is accepted, the invitee goes into a draw to win one of 15 trips for two to New Zealand, flying Air New Zealand.
CLICK HERE for the Great Kiwi Invite site
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Heavy snow expected in far south

Up to 15cm of snow could fall on the Milford Rd this afternoon. MetService is warning motorists that the snow could accumulate around the Homer Tunnel and further heavy falls are expected tomorrow.
NZ HERALD STAFF

Smacking referendum hitting letter boxes

Voting in the country's first ever citizens' initiated referendum held through the mail starts today. The question being asked is "should a smack as part of good parental correction be a criminal offence in New Zealand?" Chief electoral officer Robert Peden says almost three million voting papers will be delivered to mailboxes in the next week. For a vote to count, voting papers from within the country must be postmarked no later than Friday, August 21. Voting papers from overseas must be postmarked no later than August 20.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Proposal for Hamilton/Auck train service

KiwiRail has agreed to present a proposal to the Hamilton City Council which could see daily passenger rail services between Hamilton and Auckland. Council transport committee chairman David Macpherson says the proposal will be based on two return services daily which, combined with the long-distance Overlander, would offer Waikato residents three trains a day to Auckland. The service would possibly stop at Huntly, Te Kauwhata and Papatoetoe en route to Britomart or Newmarket.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Mixed report for Kiwis on progress

By REBECCA PALMER - The Dominion Post
We are better educated, better at recycling, and more productive. But only one in seven of us has a "healthy lifestyle", less of our electricity comes from renewable sources, and our native species have less room to move. A new study from Statistics New Zealand gives a mixed report card on the country's sustainability, bringing together official data from the past 20 years to measure not only environmental progress but social and economic. The report finds the two healthy behaviours people are least likely to follow are eating five or more servings of fruit and vegetables a day, and getting enough exercise. Men are less likely to drink alcohol safely or eat enough fruit and veges, and women are less likely to do enough exercise.

So long, La Nina - gidday, El Nino and warmer weather

The tail-end of winter is set to warm up as El Nino weather patterns move in from the Pacific Ocean. That's according to the National Climate Centre at the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), which says that the change of seasons will be noticeable because we had an early and cold winter. It says the spring will bring more frequent south-westerlies, especially along the West Coast. Rainfall, stream flows and soil moistures are all likely to be average, though there's a heightened risk of drought in northern and eastern regions in early summer.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Sir Roger, Chris Carter top MPs' travel expenses list

ACT MP Sir Roger Douglas has defended spending $44,000 on air travel in the first six months of the year. The figure, revealed in the first-ever disclosure of MPs' travel expense claims, is one of the biggest on the list. Apart from government ministers, only Labour MP Chris Carter spent more on travel than Sir Roger did. All expenses incurred by MPs for domestic and international travel and accommodation - including when they have to stay Wellington - are listed. Both Sir Roger and Mr Carter are sensitive about criticism of their spending. Sir Roger, who has repeatedly criticised government spending, explained the high cost by saying that he and his wife flew to London on a taxpayer-subsidised trip, while Mr Carter, who spent $57,000, rang Radio New Zealand to complain when his spending was reported.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Wild weather to hit the South

Wild, wet and windy weather may buffet the West Coast and eastern areas of Canterbury and Otago tonight and tomorrow, says the MetService. The higher suburbs of Dunedin, Otago's eastern hills and the Canterbury foothills and plains could experience northwest winds, gusting up to 130kmh in exposed areas, said forecaster Allister Gorman. "These gusts have the potential to damage trees and power lines and will make driving conditions difficult for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles." Up to 130mm of rain could fall over an 18 hour period in Fiordland and the mountain ranges of Westland and Buller from tonight, causing rivers and streams to rise rapidly and flood.
NZPA

Law Commission urges rewrite of liquor laws

The Law Commission has released a report recommending a complete rewrite of New Zealand's liquor laws. The commission began looking at the Sale of Liquor Act in August last year. Its report says the legislation has been amended too often and is too confusing. The commission also suggests keeping the age at which people can purchase alcohol at 18 if people are drinking on licensed premises. But it recommends increasing the age to 20 if they are buying from an off licence. The drinking age was lowered to 18 a decade ago, and lobby groups have argued ever since that it should be returned to 20.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Shadows reunion Downunder

Cliff Richard is getting back together with The Shadows and heading Downunder. Exactly 50 years after Sir Cliff first recorded and performed with The Shadows, the group are on the road for their final tour. The New Zealand concerts will take place in Auckland on Thursday 25 February at Vector Arena; New Plymouth, Saturday 27 February, TSB Bowl of Brooklands; Christchurch, Monday 1 March, Westpac Arena. Tickets go on sale on Friday 14th August.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Pam Anderson coming to Fashion Week

Hollywood hottie Pamela Anderson will be using New Zealand Fashion Week to promote her new clothing line. The former Baywatch star has joined forces with Richie Rich to design a range of swimwear, ready-to-wear and shoes which are both eco and animal friendly. 'Muse' will be launched at New York Fashion Week just a few weeks before hitting the Auckland runway in September.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Men admit digging up historic site

Two men have agreed to make a "significant" donation to the Historic Places Trust (HPT) after digging up items at an archaeological site in Central Otago. Campbell Munro Withington, 46, a journalist, and Alexander John McLean, 69, a teacher, pleaded guilty in Queenstown District Court yesterday to damaging or modifying a site without HPT approval, the Otago Daily Times reported. They, and a third man against whom charges were dropped, accompanied a TV3 camera crew to Coal Creek in the Nevis Valley in 2007 in hope of discovering an old mining village known as the North Pole. The court was told that about 400m from Coal Creek they reached a site which was they did not believe was pre-1900. The camera crew wanted some action footage so the men dug up a shovel and bottle. "Hopefully this will deter others from damaging heritage sites," HPT senior archaeologist Dr Rick McGovern-Wilson said.
NZPA

Cook Islands foreign affairs minister sacked

The Cook Island’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Wilkie Rasmussen, has been sacked by the Prime Minister Jim Marurai for conspiring against him with other politicians. The prime minister’s office says Mr Rasmussen has been displaying acts of disloyalty by trying to force the Mr Marurai to step down and negotiating with opposition members and lobbying for disgruntled caucus members to form a new government. The cabinet minister’s appointment was revoked at midday yesterday.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

MPs' travel expenses made public

The details of MPs' expense claims have been released for the first time. The decision to make the taxpayer-funded expenses public was a response to the furore in Britain over politicians' spending. The first disclosure lists all expenses incurred by MPs for domestic and international travel and accommodation, including when they have to stay Wellington. On average, MPs spent nearly $40,000 in the first six months of the year. The decision to release the information every three months was made by a cross-party committee.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

80,000 lots up for grabs at book fair

By Alanah May Eriksen
Bookworms will tonight start wading through the thousands of pre-loved titles at the Variety Monster Book Fair. Up to 80,000 donated books, games, jigsaw puzzles, DVDs and CDs are on sale until Sunday at the Alexandra Park Function Centre, Greenlane. Proceeds go to Variety, which will soon celebrate its 20th anniversary in New Zealand of helping sick, disabled and disadvantaged children.

Show marks centenary of painter's birth

The largest retrospective exhibition of one of New Zealand's best-known painters starts at the Auckland Art Gallery on Saturday. Auckland is the final venue for Rita Angus: Life & Vision, already seen by more than 250,000 people in Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch. It marks the centenary of Angus's birth and features iconic works such as Cass, a portrait of a small Canterbury railway station, which is held in Christchurch Art Gallery's collection. It was voted New Zealand's greatest painting in a 2006 poll by TV One's Frontseat arts programme. The exhibition, presented by Te Papa museum, includes 143 works drawn from public and private collections throughout New Zealand.
Copyright 2009, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Hawke's Bay tackles students' hearing difficulties

Hawke's Bay District Health Board is spending more than $120,000 on a school project to overcome the hearing difficulties of five and six-year-olds. The board is funding the installation of sound systems in 15 decile-one to decile-three schools. The project involves teachers wearing a wireless microphone, and wall-mounted speakers making their voice audible in every part of the classroom. Board spokesperson Joan Plowman says the rate of hearing failure among new entrants is almost 11% - more than double the national average. Ms Plowman says glue ear is one of the five main reasons Maori children in Hawke's Bay are admitted to hospital. She says that up to half of new entrants cannot hear properly in some schools.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Ban sunbeds - surgeon

Auckland cancer surgeon Isaac Cranshaw wants a ban on sunbeds to reduce the unnecessary risk of melanomas. His call follows the decision by international cancer specialists to reclassify tanning beds and other sources of ultraviolet radiation, putting them into the highest cancer risk category. Previously, the International Agency for Research on Cancer assessed sunbeds and sunlamps as "probably carcinogenic to humans". But it now says their use is definitively "carcinogenic to humans". Dr Cranshaw backs calls for New Zealand to join countries such as the United States and several Australian states to introduce an age limit for those who want to use sunbeds.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Greens want controls on biofuels

A Green Party push to put sustainability controls on biofuels goes before Parliament today. Today will see the first reading of a Members' Bill drafted by Jeanette Fitzsimons that would require the fuels to be produced in a way that does not harm the environment. The move targets areas such as biofuel produced from palm oil - a process the Greens say results in the destruction of indigenous forests in South East Asia. The Government says five companies have signed up to a grants scheme it set up to encourage domestic biodiesel production .
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Aussie kitchens riddled with bacteria

A study has found that Australia is one of the dirtiest countries in the developed world when it comes to hygiene at home. A recent Hygiene in the Home Study 2009 revealed that kitchens have a greater level of bacteria contamination than bathrooms. The study covered Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Germany, India, Malaysia, South Africa, Britain and America. Virology expert Prof John Oxford from the Hygiene Council says Australia has high levels of contamination in the kitchen. Kitchen cleaning cloths are the dirtiest item in the home, followed by the kitchen tap. The study found that toilet areas were relatively clean because they were considered important places to keep hygienic. Prof Oxford says Australia is at the top of the league in regard to kitchens because 95 percent of cloths and 80 percent of taps contained high levels of bacteria. The study showed that only India and Malaysia were worse than Australia when it came to contamination.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

New hepatitis B medicine funded

A new medicine to fight drug-resistant hepatitis B is good news for Maori, says a specialist from the New Zealand Liver Transplant Unit in Auckland. From 1 August, Pharmac is funding the medicine entecavir (Baraclude) as a first line treatment option for people with hepatitis B. Hepatologist Ed Gane says Maori are six times more likely than Europeans to be affected by the viral infection, which can cause potentially fatal liver disease. He told Waatea News the funding decision means Maori who have developed resistance to current antiviral treatments have another option.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

NZ couple take out lumberjack champs

A New Zealand couple have cleaned up at the 50th Lumberjack World Championships at Hayward, Wisconsin. On Monday (NZ time) Jason Wynyard, 34, of Auckland, won five events, was second in two others, and easily captured his 11th consecutive all-around championship, the New York Times reported. He and his wife, Karmyn - who won two events despite being six months pregnant - combined to win the jack and jill double buck (two-person sawing). (we sure know how to have a good time here in NZ:ed)
NZPA

Pie maker wins again

Tauranga's Gold Star Patrick's Pies Bakery has taken out the top award in the Bakels Supreme Pie Award, with its creamy bacon, mushroom and cheese pie. It is the third time the bakery has won the Supreme Award and the second time it has won for this particular pie. Chief judge, Peter Grant, says is extraordinary to win the coveted award so many times. The bakery's other Supreme victories were in 2003 with its mince and cheese pie and in 2004, with its creamy bacon, mushroom and cheese creation. It dominated the awards again this year, winning the Gold Award in the chicken and vegetable, bacon and egg and seafood categories. He took Highly Commended in the vegetarian category.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Farming's bright future feeds new middle class

By JON MORGAN - The Dominion Post
Agricultural and horticultural exports are "skating through" the world recession, according to Agriculture and Forestry Ministry head Murray Sherwin. Releasing its annual overview of the primary industries yesterday, he said New Zealand was relatively well off compared with other industrial countries. New Zealand was well placed to supply wholesome food. "It's safe to eat, it's nutritious and it is produced in conditions likely to be conducive to that. It's going to be delivered to spec, on time, every time. And we can have some confidence in the regulatory regimes behind it. That's a lot harder for some of our competitors to manage than you might think."

Discounts 'devastating for diet'

A new discount store selling junk food will feed our growing obesity epidemic by encouraging bad eating habits, dieticians say. Reduced To Clear has arrived in Wellington, selling products - some past their best-before date - at half the price or less when compared with supermarkets and dairies. Rongotai's store, which opened yesterday, is the second in New Zealand. Nutritionists and health activists have criticised the deal and the shop, saying it is irresponsible to offer cut-price junk food to an increasingly overweight nation. Fight the Obesity Epidemic's Robyn Toomath, a Wellington Hospital endocrinologist, said the new store was sending the wrong message to consumers.
By STACEY WOOD, Dominion Post

Angry meeting deplores class cuts

By CHARLIE GATES - The Press
A national day of protest against adult-education cuts is planned. Government money for Adult Community Education (Ace) programmes offered through secondary schools will be cut from $16 million to about $3m from January. The cuts have prompted outrage from people who attend night classes on subjects ranging from stone carving and sewing to car maintenance and English as a second language. The meeting voted to plan a day of action against the cuts and to call on the Government to reverse them.

Kiwi town's free internet plan

By KIRSTY JOHNSTON - Taranaki Daily News
Stratford has launched a daring plan to become the first New Zealand town with free broadband internet for everyone. The innovative move could see Stratford residents with access to the internet in their own homes as a council-provided service funded by the ratepayer. Although other towns, such as Lawrence in the South Island, have free wireless broadband in their central business districts, nowhere yet has a free service for the entire town. Stratford District Council yesterday approved a $20,000 feasibility study into free broadband at its policy meeting.

Niue Opposition MP hopes women will soon be able to give birth on Niue

Pregnant women in Niue will soon be able to have their babies locally with the appointment of a new Senior Medical Officer. A new hospital was built on Niue in 2006 with aid from New Zealand after cyclone Heta devastated the island in 2004. Opposition MP Terry Coe says a lack of appropriate medical staff has meant pregnant women on the island have travelled to New Zealand to have their babies at high cost to the government and the families.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Defence Force backs Maori Language Week

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) is throwing its weight behind Maori Language Week. All personnel are being encouraged to use Maori greetings and place names to help promote use of Maori language in the community. Of the 12,378 fulltime service men and women and civilian staff in the NZDF, 15.8 percent are identified as Maori.
NZPA

New UK passport production centre for Wellington

A passport production centre built for the British government will open in Wellington at the end of the month. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office says the centre will create 21 jobs in the city and produce passports for people in Australasia. It will be opened on 31 July by Britain's Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Chris Bryant.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Fiji’s Bainimarama again lashes out at NZ and Australia

Fiji’s interim Prime Minister has again lashed out at New Zealand and Australia, saying they are using bulldozer tactics. Just a week out from the Pacific Islands Forum summit in Cairns where Melanesian countries are expected to push for Fiji’s suspension from the organisation to be lifted, Commodore Frank Bainimarama has reiterated he won’t hold elections for five years. The Commodore told Australia’s SBS Television that his interim regime is not going to have an election just to please Australia and New Zealand.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Netball-Williams named as new captain of Silver Ferns

Netball New Zealand has appointed Casey Williams as the new captain of the Silver Ferns. Coach Ruth Aitken says the experienced Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic defender is a formidable competitor and widely respected across the netball world. Twelve players to play a World Seven will be named on 21 August.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Bid to get more to sign protection agreement

Countries that have reached an agreement to protect whales and dolphins will meet in Auckland on Tuesday and Wednesday in the hope of adding Tonga and Britain to its list of signatories. The Pacific Cetaceans Memorandum of Understanding was negotiated between 2003 and 2006, and signed in Samoa two years ago to help protect species such as humpback and blue whales. Signatories to the agreement, which is not legally binding, include New Zealand, Australia, Niue and France.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Government quashes pension age rise suggestion

The Government does not support raising the superannuation eligibility age from 65 to 67, despite a report from investment firm Mercer saying the move could save the country $100 billion dollars by 2061. Prime Minister John Key says the current pension system is affordable and he does not intend to accept the report's advice. Finance Minister Bill English has also said National Party policy is for no change to eligibility age or levels of payment.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Climate change to create 75 million refugees - report

Climate change could produce 75 million refugees in the Asia-Pacific region in the next 40 years, a report suggests. The report, by aid agency Oxfam Australia and think-tank the Australia Institute, says the effects of climate change are already being felt in the region. It says financial assistance needs to be increased and aimed specifically at measures to help communities adapt. The report's release is timed to highlight issues in the lead-up to the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting next week, where climate change is expected to be a hot topic for regional leaders.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Emily Perkins wins top book award

Emily Perkins has won the top prize for fiction at the Montana Book Awards. The judges said her book Novel About My Wife registered the nuances of class, concealment and reserve in domestic English life. One judge noted that Perkins had "recolonised English literature". Her work won the medal for fiction or poetry. Wellington curator and writer Jill Trevelyan won the top non-fiction prize with her biography, Rita Angus: An Artist's Life. The Peoples' Choice award went to Kate de Goldi for The 10pm Question The awards were presented at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Monday night.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Cedenco to close Gisborne factory

Cedenco Foods says a drop in the international demand for corn cobs and kernels is the main reason for closing one of its factories in Gisborne. The company's Australasian managing director, Richard Lawrence, says about 120 seasonal workers will lose their jobs as a result of the factory not re-opening next year. Mr Lawrence says the company bought the business in 2005 to heat vacuum-packed corn products between February and April each year.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Man fined for importing tarantulas

An Auckland spider enthusiast has been fined a total of $4630 for trying to import seven previously unknown orange tarantulas from the Philippines. Robert Featherstone, a self employed aquarium and pool designer, was sentenced in Manukau District Court last week after earlier admitting illegally importing spiders, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) said today. Judge Gus Andree Wiltens fin ed Featherstone $4000 and ordered him to pay investigation and court costs of $630. The maximum fine under the Biosecurity Act is $100,000 or five years in prison. A package containing seven live, juvenile spiders, each one orange in colour and secured in polystyrene, arrived from the Philippines on November 8, 2007, and was intercepted at an Auckland mail room by MAF Biosecurity New Zealand officials.
NZPA

Fined for fishing in reserve

Three men from Auckland and Whangamata have been convicted and fined for illegal fishing near Mayor Island in the Bay of Plenty. The trio had their fishing equipment seized by Department of Conservation staff who were on a routine patrol of the Tuhua Marine Reserve last January. Despite the markers on the island's shore, the men claimed to be unaware that they were within the reserve. However their own GPS unit onboard clearly showed the marine reserve boundaries. At the Tauranga District Court, the men were each fined $400 plus court costs. They also had their fishing rods confiscated.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Dolphin's fun ends in woman's rescue

A young woman playing in the ocean with 'Moko' the Mahia dolphin had to be rescued from the buoy she was clinging to 400 metres offshore, after the dolphin stopped her swimming back to the beach. The alarm was raised late yesterday afternoon, after the woman called out for help. Two local people went out in a dinghy to rescue the woman, who they say was extremely cold. Rescuer Juanita Symes says the woman panicked because she was out of her depth, the tide was coming in and it was getting dark. Ms Symes says the dolphin was not being aggressive, he just wanted to keep playing with the woman and stopped her returning to shore.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Marineland fur seal dies

One of Marineland's oldest animals has died. New Zealand fur seal Angel spent nearly 20 years at the Napier park. The Napier City Council decided to close the business last year, after its last performing dolphin Kelly died. Marineland manager Gary Macdonald says Angel's health had been deteriorating for some time. He says the fur seal had lost his sight and basically died of old age.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Scientists seek answers to Alzheimer's disease

Otago University researchers are using a powerful MRI scanner to map the flow of blood around the brains of Alzheimer's sufferers. They have been able to link areas which showed reduced blood flow to some of the well-known effects of the disease. Without the MRI – held at the Van der Veer Institute in Christchurch – the tests would require patients to be exposed to radioactive chemicals then placed in a PET scanner, chief scientist Dr Michael MacAskill said. The study was also investigating which areas of the brain were activated by fast eye movements as Alzheimer's affects the way eyes move.
NZPA

Next census to be held in March 2011

The next national census will be held on March 8 2011, Statistics New Zealand announced today. The five-yearly official count of population and dwellings in New Zealand gives a "snapshot" of society at a point in time, acting Government statistician Cathryn Ashley-Jones said. "One of our major focuses will be to encourage as many people as possible to fill in their census forms online. During the actual census, Statistics would be recruiting one of the largest temporary workforces in New Zealand. They would need about 7500 field staff to carry out the census, Ms Ashley-Jones said.
NZPA

Indycar-Dixon regains lead in Indycar series

New Zealand's Scott Dixon has regained the Indycar championship lead after finishing third at Edmonton. Dixon's three points clear of his Target team-mate Dario Franchitti, who's 11 clear of the Australian Ryan Briscoe. The defending champion Dixon had been running second behind the Australian winner Will Power more for most of the 95 lap race , when Helio Castroneves squeezed past with 10 laps to go for a Team Pernske one-two .
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

NZ man to testify at war crimes trial

New Zealander Rob Hamill is to testify next month at the Cambodian war crimes trial of the Khmer Rouge commander of the camp where his brother was killed. Mr Hamill is to appear at an Extraordinary Court of Cambodia trial of the commander known as "Comrade Duch", almost 31 years to the day after Kerry Hamill and Englishman John Dewhirst were kidnapped from their yacht. A fellow sailor, Stuart Glass of Canada, was killed. Hamill and Dewhirst were tortured for two months at Camp S21, then executed after being forced to admit they were CIA spies.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

First cycleway projects announced

Prime Minister John Key has announced the first cycleway projects, with construction likely to begin this summer. Mr Key told a conference of Local Government New Zealand in Christchurch that the Government has set aside $9 million for the seven projects from a $50 million fund. If all seven tracks go ahead, he says an estimated close to 300 jobs will be created from the construction. That will rise to more than 500 per year as supporting businesses are developed. The slected projects are: the Waikato River trail, Central North Island rail trail, Mount Ruapehu to Wanganui, St James trail, Hokianga to Russell, Hauraki Plains trail and Southland 'around the mountain' rail trail.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Sealord sells mussel farms for $23 million

Sealord has sold its mussel farms in the Marlborough Sounds to Sanford for $23.4 million. The seafood company announced it would sell them three months ago. The deal includes 47 green mussel farms covering 240 hectares, as well as growing equipment. The purchase price does not include crop on the farms that will be ready for harvest in the coming 12 months. Sanford will purchase this crop when it is ready for harvest. In March, Sealord announced a major restructure, including laying-off 160 factory workers in Nelson. Sealord says the sale frees up capital for investment elsewhere. It wants to develop existing holdings in Tasman Bay and the Coromandel.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

US: Fight for us, you may need us

By Patrick Gower
The United States is putting pressure on New Zealand to contribute more to the war in Afghanistan, warning Wellington that it should act as an ally in case it ever needs US military support. President Barack Obama's new ambassador to Nato, Ivo Daalder, has told the Herald that New Zealand should be fighting the Taleban as a "partner and ally" in a Western effort. Prime Minister John Key has indicated the elite SAS combat troops will be sent back to the war and the United States already has a likely role ready for them.

Orang-utans say goodbye

Three of Auckland Zoo's Bornean orang-utans have said goodbye to senior primate keeper Christine Tintinger, who has known them for decades, and are travelling to Busch Gardens in Florida today. Intan, 20, her mother, Indra, 28, and her father, Horst, 31, were due to leave at 1am on a Cargolux 747 freight plane. They are being accompanied by Auckland Zoo primate keeper Courtney Eparvier and a Busch Gardens vet and curator. The move to Florida is to help the captive breeding programme for their species, now endangered in the wild.
Copyright 2009, APN Holdings NZ Limited

Travellers fear pirates, plane crashes, disease

Infectious diseases, airline crashes and even pirates are among the factors that make the world a more dangerous place in the eyes of New Zealand travellers. A survey from Southern Cross Travel Insurance shows two thirds of New Zealand travellers now view the world as more dangerous than when they first went abroad. Twenty two percent of respondents considered the world "much" more dangerous and a further 43 percent said it is "a bit" more dangerous. Only four percent felt the world had become a less dangerous place. The two biggest reasons given are the perceived threat of terrorism and crime levels. Infectious diseases made the top five, with drugs, war and airline safety records also featured.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Clark settling into UN role

Former Prime Minister Helen Clark says her Kiwiness is helping her settle in to her new role at the United Nations in New York. Miss Clark became the first woman to lead United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on April 17. She also chairs the United Nations Development Group, a committee consisting of the heads of all UN funds, programmes and departments working on development issues. In her initial weeks on the job she made a point of meeting with all staff which amounted to holding "town hall meetings on every floor" she told Breakfast on TV One. "I think the willingness to engage and get out and meet people, maybe some of the skills you pick up in the Kiwi culture, they serve you pretty well settling into a new position here." Miss Clark said her job would not be completed in her lifetime but she had a positive attitude and expected to make a difference.
NZPA

'Fools' blasted for skiing despite avalanche risk

By REBECCA TODD - The Press
"Fools" are putting rescuers' lives at risk by continuing to ski back-country terrain at high risk of avalanches that would bury a house, the Mountain Safety Council (MSC) warns. The risk of avalanches remains high for back-country areas of Queenstown, Wanaka and the Arrowsmiths, and is considerable in the Mt Hutt region. A council warning said "fools" were still skiing steep terrain in the Queenstown area and putting rescuers' lives at risk, despite reports of several avalanches. It said that new snow and wind around Queenstown had combined to create a "very dangerous situation" and conditions were not expected to improve. The police, the council and the Labour Department are investigating the death of an Australian tourist on Friday. Llynden Riethmuller, 61, was caught in a massive avalanche containing 100 tonnes of debris in the Ragged Range, near Methven. He was pulled from the snow within seven to eight minutes, but could not be revived.

Govt looking to reduce size of polytech councils

The Government is looking to streamline the running of polytechnics and it appears the size of governing councils could be reduced. Education Minister Anne Tolley won't comment, as her office says the matter is under active consideration. But it's understood she wants to reduce councils from their current maximum of 20 councillors to eight - half of whom would be appointed by the Government.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Stock sales still hurt by drought

The third drought in three years in Hawke's Bay is biting into the profitability of stock saleyards in the region. The number of sheep sold in January at the Stortford Lodge yards in Hastings was more than 10,000 down on last year. Cattle sales were more than 50% lower. Manager Bruce Campbell says cattle sales last month were 2180 compared to the usual figure of around 5000. He says it's also going to be difficult to source the animals and the prices will be quite substantial. The number of farmers in serious financial trouble in Hawke's Bay is also rising after three years of drought in some areas.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Rugby-Henry says All Blacks mistakes not the tough schedule to blame for loss

The All Blacks coach Graham Henry says their mistakes and not the tough schedule is to blame for thei 28-19 loss to South Africa in Bloemfontein. Henry says there are no excuses and he has no complaints about the altitude or the turnaround of a week between playing Australia in Auckland and then taking on the Springboks a week later. Henry says the current world champions are a very good Springbok side and deserve to be number one in the world. There was sympathy for the All Blacks though from South Africa skipper John Smit saying it's difficult to play on the Highveld just a week after coming from New Zealand.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Chinese hack Melbourne film festival site

Chinese hackers have attacked the website of Australia's biggest film festival, in protest at plans to screen a documentary about the exiled Uighur leader, Rebiya Kadeer. The Melbourne Age newspaper says the site of the Melbourne International Film Festival was broken into on Saturday. Information on the site was replaced with the Chinese flag and anti-Kadeer slogans, hours after the festival's official opening. Festival director Richard Moore believes the hacking of the site has been carried out by Chinese people outside Australia, who are angry the festival is screening a documentary about Rebiya Kadeer. Mr Moore says the intensity of the attacks has only strengthened his desire to screen the film.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Melbourne Vixens win trans-Tasman netball champs

The Melbourne Vixens have overpowered the Adelaide Thunderbirds to win the trans-Tasman netball championship by eight goals at Melbourne's Hisense Arena. With shooters Caitlin Thwaites and Sharelle McMahon outstanding, the Vixens dominated all over the court to post a 54-46 victory and win their first ANZ Championship. McMahon was named player of the match, shooting 23 of 28 goal attempts at 82%. There was no New Zealand team in the trans-Tasman final after the Waikato - Bay of Plenty Magic was defeated by the Thunderbirds 51-37 in Hamilton last weekend.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Forty thousand could join new mobile coy

The country's newest mobile phone company is claiming more than 40,000 people are keen to join up. 2degrees expects it will have to set up a waiting list for the free $5 SIM cards it has been offering. It is also claiming a big following on social networking sites. 2degrees says charity auctions are being set up today for some of the "trade name" phone numbers which will become available, once the 022 network goes live. People who want the numbers 022-BUILDER, BUTCHER or COURIER and some others can bid for them on Trade Me.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Fatal ferry accident to be investigated

New Zealand officials are investigating a ferry accident in Kiribati in which about 40 people are believed to have died. About 55 people were onboard the outrigger canoe when it capsized on 13 July en route from Tarawa to Maiana. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission in Wellington has begun an inquiry, at the request of the Kiribati Government. The craft, which was about 15 metres long, was typical of canoes used regularly to travel between the islands. A joint church service was held at the Kiribati National Church on Friday evening to remember those who died.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Hope for myeloma patients

Cancer specialists meeting in Melbourne say new treatments have the potential to help transform terminal cancer into a chronic disease. Doctor Jeffrey Szer says a tablet form treatment for myeloma has shown in clinical trials to improve the outcomes of those with the disease when other treatments have failed. Specialists from around the world are in Australia to discuss the latest treatments for blood cancer.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Young NZ physicists qualify

New Zealand's team at the International Young Physicists' Tournament in China have qualified for the finals in TianJin. It is the third year in a row that the kiwi team, made up of secondary school pupils, have qualified for the final, and they are the only team out of the 27 competing to have made the finals in each of the last three years. Team leader Paul Haines says they will be competing against Korea and Austria.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Rugby-ABs beaten 28-19 by the Boks

By Rikki-Jayne Swannell - NewstalkZB
South Africa has beaten the All Blacks 28-19 in the Tri-Nations test in Bloemfontein. Another slow start has cost New Zealand, with the Springboks taking a 14-3 lead at halftime, despite Ruan Pienaar missing a number of early kicks. Morne Steyn extended the Boks' lead with a penalty early in the second half, before an outstanding solo try by Conrad Smith saw the All Blacks narrow the gap to four. Steyn and Stephen Donald traded penalties, before a try to Jaque Fourie from an All Black error effectively sealed the win for the hosts. Despite Donald again closing the gap, another successful penalty kick by Steyn pushed the Boks' advantage to nine, stopping the All Blacks stealing a bonus point.

BMX rider wins world title

New Zealand has a new world champion. Sarah Walker won the BMX World Championship in Adelaide on Saturday night. Walker, 21, won the silver in 2007 in Canada and the bronze last year in China but was left disappointed with her fourth placing at the Beijing Olympics. She says she was delighted with her sub-32 second time for Saturday's final, which was her best time of the day. Walker says the final was by far the best she has ever ridden.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Parents still smacking despite law change

A new poll suggests 60% of parents still smack their children occasionally, despite a law change effectively banning the practice. The Weekend Herald-Digipoll survey questioned 200 parents of 4-year-olds about parental discipline and found 9% of mothers and 8% of fathers say they smack their children at least once a week. Despite a law change in 2007 which abolished the use of reasonable force against children for the purpose of "correction," the poll shows nearly two thirds of parents still smack their children occasionally. 39% of mothers and 33% of fathers say they never smack.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Companies turn sewage into oil and water

The world is starting to beat a path to the door of two South Island businesses. The two companies have developed technology and equipment that turns algae from sewage ponds into crude oil and clean water. Invercargill-based Solray Energy's managing director Wayne Harpur says he and Christchurch-based company Bionomic Corporation have been working separately up till now. He says New Zealand Trade and Enterprises pointed out their synergies and got them to work together to develop their technology. Mr Harpur explains the algae is collected from sewage ponds is processed and converted into crude oil. He says when the algae is extracted clean water is also created, and there is an insatiable demand world wide for clean water. He says there are goldfish living in the remediated water at Aquaflow's offices and the crude oil is as good as what comes from the ground.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Rugby-NZ vs Sth Africa - Altitude set to be a factor: Matfield

The All Blacks are expecting a torrid battle up front against the Springboks in Bloemfontein. Both sides have had their captain's runs ahead of tomorrow morning's Tri-Nations Test and the physical encounter early on could well decide the match. South Africa's vice-captain Victor Matfield is expecting the game to be very close, but feels they will have a slight advantage with the altitude factor. However the All Blacks are the world's best finishers with their bench players always making an impact. The two teams have been close in all five of their recent matches at half-time but the All Blacks have finished stronger in four of them.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Big turnout to travel expo in Auckland

New Zealanders are still travelling in these tough economic times. More than 5000 people have turned out to the first mid-winter travel expo at Auckland's ASB Showgrounds. Spokeswoman Marie Pilkington says Australia and the Pacific Islands are the most popular destinations in winter. She says people are also interested in going to Asia because the New Zealand dollar goes further.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Controlled explosions being carried out

Ski fields in the Queenstown and Wanaka region are on high risk avalanche alert with controlled explosions being carried out to release unstable snow. Up to 50cm of snow has fallen over the past week and back country skiers and boarders are advised to take extreme care. The Remarkables ski area says it has conducted 13 controlled explosions within its boundaries near Queenstown. Manager Ross Lawrence says extensive safety work has been carried out. At the Cardrona Alpine Resort in Wanaka, manager Gary Husband says the high risk avalanche warnings are being taken very seriously.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Pensioner gags on 'cakeage' fee

By Beck Vass
When you bring your own wine to a restaurant it's common to be charged corkage. But what about cakeage - or knifeage? Hillsborough retiree Aloha Trainor is stunned to have been charged $6.50 for being supplied with a knife to cut a cake at The Library Cafe and Function Venue in Onehunga last Sunday. The 72-year-old was enjoying an early celebration of her 50th wedding anniversary - which is today - with husband Noel in a party of 13 people. She said she was "disgusted" to learn the group had been charged $6.50 because of the cake. "I said: 'What? What for? For the loan of a knife? For the matter of cutting up a little banana cake?' And I said: 'I don't believe it.' Had I known that, we would have kept a knife from our dinners. It just blew me away."

Rugby-World Cup tickets may be out of reach

By Ryan Boswell - NewstalkZB
Rugby World Cup organisers may have to rely on overseas visitors to fill the stands. The head of the company promoting Rugby World Cup 2011, Martin Sneddon, has told business leaders that ticket prices for the knock-out matches will come as a shock. It is believed tickets to the finals could cost $1,500 each. Auckland Rugby Union Supporters Club president Barry Cave says most of his members will not be able to go to the tournament, at that price. "They'll probably go along to some of the smaller games, but when it comes to the finals and the semis, they're going to be out of most people's reach."

Scammers using credible names

Internet scamsters are becoming ever more sophisticated. The latest types of cons doing the rounds use the names of real people in an effort to appear credible. One offers the equivalent of more than $70 million to help extract money from a secret bank account in the UK. It uses the real name of the bank's chief financial officer. Richard Parlett from the Ministry of Consumer Affairs says the best thing to do is to use the delete key on the emails. The Ministry has been noticing an increase in work from home scams since the economic downturn struck.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Different tax rate wanted by craft brewers

Craft beer brewers in Nelson don't want their beers taxed at the same rate as mass-produced products. The brewers presented a petition Friday to the Law Commission, which has hinted it will recommend a rise in taxes on alcohol. Publican Mic Dover, of The Free House in Nelson, says the rise is partly a response to binge drinking, but he says that's not the case with craft beers. He says hand-crafted beers are already expensive and small independent breweries should have tax breaks. Mr Dover says more than 1000 people have signed the petition.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

UN to review NZ Bill of Rights status

The United Nations is to review New Zealand's human rights record on Friday. The UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva will draw up a list of issues to put to a New Zealand Government delegation next year. The review relates to the International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights, a treaty on which the 1990 New Zealand Bill of Rights Act is based. New Zealand was previously reviewed in 2001 when it was criticised by the UN, which did not think the Bill of Rights held sufficiently high status in New Zealand law. The Law Society's human rights committee says New Zealand has a good human rights record but there are areas which could be improved.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Change to Meals on Wheels reversed

An unpopular decision by the South Canterbury District Health Board to change its daily Meals on Wheels service to a frozen food delivery has been reversed after public pressure. The DHB wanted to stop delivering fresh, hot meals each day and instead send a stockpile of frozen meals to clients every few days. The change would have saved up to $40,000 per year. But those involved in the service protested the change, writing letters to the board and to a newspaper. The DHB now says the proposal was a mistake, saying it's listened to the people and accepted a daily hot food service was preferable.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Anderton does Labour deal

By VERNON SMALL - The Dominion Post
Twenty years after he split with Labour, Progressives leader Jim Anderton has all but returned to the fold, with a deal allowing his activists to stand as Labour candidates and a promise to campaign "party vote Labour" in 2011. In another sign that his Progressive Party and Labour have all but merged, his key adviser, John Pagani, who campaigned for Labour in the recent Mt Albert by-election, has thrown his hat in the ring to replace Mike Smith as Labour Party secretary. Mr Anderton, who was a Labour MP and its president before he split with the party over the Rogernomics reforms of the 1980s, said yesterday he had prepared a manual of more than 100 pages for Labour called Organising to Win, to help it "remarshall" as he had in 1984.

Fishing cats move in at Hamilton Zoo

New Zealand's first pair of endangered fishing cats has taken up residence at Hamilton Zoo. A six-year-old male and 10-year-old female arrived last Thursday from Sydney's Taronga Zoo. The Asian cats are capable of swimming underwater for long distances, and eat mostly fish. Their numbers are falling due to habitat destruction and over-fishing. Hamilton Zoo director Stephen Standley says they have created a set of purpose-built exhibits, including a stream.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Jenny Bornholdt wins poetry prize

A Wellington poet has taken out the 2009 Montana New Zealand Book Awards Poetry prize. Jenny Bornholdt has won the award for her ninth poetry collection The Rocky Shore. Judges' convenor Mark Williams says the beauty of the writer's work is that she uses speech as it is heard in everyday life. Bornholdt says it is a real honour to win the award and great to have her poetry recognised in this way.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Changes for Disputes Tribunal

The Government is confident a law change will improve the way the Disputes Tribunal operates. Maximum claim levels have been increased to up to $20,000, a move Justice Minister Simon Power says will allow parties to resolve disputes more cost effectively. He says the law change will allow up to 3,600 more cases be heard by the tribunal every year. Mr Power says previously many of those cases would not have had an appropriate forum, or would have had to have been handled by district courts.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Plan to create areas for non-commerical fishers

Fisheries Minister Phil Heatley has outlined a plan to set up fishing areas throughout New Zealand solely for recreational and customary fishers. Mr Heatley says he is committed to fulfilling a National Party promise for the exclusive areas. Recreational fishers say it is important to have significant areas where they can catch a fish and where stocks are protected from large-scale commercial activity. He says the plan is in its early stages but could be operational within two years.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

One dead after avalanche hits skiers in Canterbury

A tourist is dead after an avalanche hit a heli-ski group in the Southern Alps near Methven. The man was in a group of five skiers in the Ragged Range, north of the headwaters of the Rakaia River, when the incident occurred about 1pm on Friday. Experienced heli-ski company Alpine Guides had assessed the avalance risk in the area as high in the morning and warned the Mountain Safety Council. Later in the morning, two guides took three clients into the region close to the Main Divide. The man who died was buried for six minutes before his body was located. Both other clients were also buried briefly, but were unharmed.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Te reo Maori comes to iPhones

By NICOLA BOYES, Business Editor - Waikato Times
A Hamilton company has created the technology to bring te reo Maori to iPhones, where a simple text message will see English translated into Maori. The iPhone application is being launched nationally by Auckland University of Technology and Te Upukare National Maori Language Institute next week, the start of Maori Language Week. Hamilton company VO2 has come up with the iPhone application after digitising the Maori dictionary for the institute. Peter Moorfield and Damian Rosewarne are the brains behind the technology.

Stuff.co.nz wins web awards

Stuff.co.nz has won the best media site and best homepage at the people's choice netguide web awards. The site was also a finalist for site of the year, along with TradeMe and Google.co.nz, with TradeMe winning in the category. "It was thrilling to win best media site this year, particularly in a reader's choice award in which more than 130,000 people voted," Stuff.co.nz Editor Mark Stevens said. Stuff.co.nz was also a finalist for best mobile site and for best new site, relaunch or innovation.

Diabetics queue up for pig treatment

By RUTH HILL - The Dominion Post
More than 1000 Kiwi diabetics have volunteered to be injected with pig cells as part of a clinical trial for a radical treatment they hope may lead to a cure. However, overseas experts say they have serious reservations about starting human trials so soon. Auckland biotech company Living Cell Technologies started its clinical trial at Middlemore Hospital yesterday, with the first transplant expected within two months. The company's founder and medical director, Bob Elliott, said two of the eight patients in a Russian trial had shown "insulin independence", meaning the body was producing its own insulin, reducing the need for injections. Some cells were still producing insulin after 18 months.

$6 billion sliced off worth of those on NZs Rich List

The recession has sliced $6 billion off the fortunes of those on the annual New Zealand Rich List. Graeme Hart retains the top spot, with an estimated wealth of $5.5 billion - down $0.5 billion from last year due to the tougher market. Second on the list, published by The National Business Review is agri-businessman Eamon Cleary who has an estimated wealth of $2 billion - down $100 million from last year. He's followed by Christopher Chandler in third place, at $1.8 billion - down $2 million from last year.' Prime minister John Key is in 146th place with an estimated worth of $50 million. The richest woman on the list is Lynette Erceg, a liquor and property investor worth an estimated $1.2 billion.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

No Wellington - Wairarapa trains till Sunday

KiwiRail says trains between Wellington - Wairarapa will not operate until Sunday. Engineers are trying free a locomotive derailed by a landslide on Thursday evening. KiwiRail will decide on Friday afternoon what arrangements can be made to get people between the two regions. A further slip just north of Ngauranga Gorge has cancelled train services between Wellington - Porirua. KiwiRail says it's not yet clear how long the line will be closed. In the South Island, buses have replaced trains on the TransAlpine Midland line between Christchurch - Greymouth after a washout at Kokiri, on the West Coast
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Trades training scheme for Maori

The Government is boosting trades training opportunities for Maori. Prime Minister John Key and Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples have launched a new training initiative in Auckland, which aims to get more than 1,800 Maori gaining trades skills and qualifications. Dr Sharples says the scheme will initially provide 250 entry level training positions via an agreement signed with the civil infrastructure industry. Fifty places will be available in Waikato, 100 in Auckland/Northland and another 100 in the East Coast and Hawke's Bay regions.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Free bike scheme to curb thefts

Police in the Lower Hutt suburb of Eastbourne have unveiled a free bike scheme to reduce the number of bicycle thefts in the region. Eastbourne Community Constable Anthony Harmer says the seaside community has been plagued with thefts, especially during summer. But he says rather than disappearing for good, the bikes have been used by opportunists to get from A to B, then dumped. Mr Harmer says that has prompted him to introduce a new scheme where bikes are available to pick up and drop off at several points around the bays, free of charge. He says he will have to wait until summer to gauge the true impact, but he has noticed a definite drop in the number of bikes being handed into the police station.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

The quest to find NZ's best pie

Judges tasked with finding New Zealand's best pie face their toughest job yet with an unprecedented 388 bakeries taking part this year. The figure is a big jump from the previous record of 290 and has created a logistical challenge for organisers of the Bakels New Zealand Supreme Pie Awards. "Blind" judging, with all pies being coded, is being conducted in Auckland on Thursday with the panel assessing about 4000 pies for pastry, filling and flavour. Statistics New Zealand figures show the New Zealand pie market is worth more than $120 million a year, outstripping the burger market.
NZPA

Weather warnings as deep low develops

Strong to gale force winds are tearing down the East Coast of New Zealand, and are expected to bring down trees and powerlines as they sweep down the country. A deep low is developing south of New Zealand and WeatherWatch head weather analyst Philip Duncan says it's battling with high air pressure to the west and to the north. He says heavy rain is moving up the west coast bringing thunderstorms and squally conditions which may create more isolated pockets of damage. MetService has issued nearly two dozen weather warnings for on Thursday.
Copyright © 2008, Television New Zealand Limited

Petrol station shake-up looms

By GARETH VAUGHAN - The Independent
A major shake-up is looming for both petrol station ownership and the country's only oil refinery as Exxon Mobil and Shell look to sell Kiwi assets. The Independent understands Exxon Mobil is looking to sell New Zealand assets, including 183 petrol stations, tank farms and its 19.2 per cent stake in the country's only refinery, New Zealand Refining Company. Not for sale is its 90 per cent stake in an exploration joint venture with Todd Exploration in the Great South Basin, off the southeast coast of the South Island. Exxon Mobil spokesman Alan Bailey declined to comment. Texas-based Exxon Mobil made a US$45.2 billion (NZ$69b) annual profit last year.

Wave of Fiji arrests alarms Key

By MICHAEL FIELD - Stuff.co.nz
A wave of arrests of church leaders in military-ruled Fiji is alarming, Prime Minister John Key says. "It's a very concerning move," he told Stuff.co.nz. "It follows on from the breakdown of the government structure." At least 12 leaders of the Fiji Methodist Church and a paramount chief have been seized in the last couple of days, after trying to get around martial law by organising an annual church conference. Dictator Voreqe Bainimarama, who overthrew democracy in a 2006 coup, this morning told Indian Auckland Radio Tarana that his regime would not tolerate any challenge from Methodist politicians.

30-day warning for immigrant workers

Immigration New Zealand will tell tourism and hospitality workers seeking renewals of temporary work permits whether they are likely to get one a month before the expiry date, Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman says. The procedure is set up in a new industry agreement and is being trialled for those two industries but may be extended to others later. The 30 day period would give workers and their employers the opportunity to plan ahead. Employers were encouraged to talk to Work and Income about their staffing needs 90 days before their employee's temporary work permit expires, Dr Coleman said. "Currently, workers and employers are faced with uncertainty about when to begin talking to Immigration New Zealand about further permits," he said. "This makes it difficult for workers to manage their affairs and for employers to manage their staffing needs."
© 2009 Fairfax New Zealand Limited

Brown edges ahead of Banks in Supercity mayor poll

Manukau Mayor Len Brown leads Auckland City Mayor John Banks in the race to be the proposed Supercity's first mayor, according to a new poll. The UMR Research head-to-head poll, which surveyed 482 Aucklanders, showed Mr Brown had 35 percent support, slightly ahead of Mr Banks on 34 percent. UMR Research spokesman Gavin White said the poll showed Mr Brown had strong support in South Auckland and with older voters, while Mr Banks was more popular with younger voters. Mr Banks told the New Zealand Herald he thought the poll result was interesting. "Len Brown would be a very attractive candidate for the centre-left. He is someone I like and someone I respect and I wouldn't take his candidacy lightly," Mr Banks said. The Government has introduced a bill to Parliament which provides for a single authority to govern Auckland from November 1, 2010.
NZPA

15 confirmed dead in Kiribati boating accident

Fifteen people have been confirmed dead and 18 are still missing in Kiribati's worst boating accident. A double-hulled canoe capsized at the beginning of last week on a voyage from Tarawa to Maiana, about 60km to the south. Commander of the Police Maritime Service in Kiribati John Mote says 55 people were believed to have been on board the canoe. The New Zealand Air Force assisted in the search and helped to spot debris.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Pacific islands to see longest solar eclipse

Millions of people across Asia and the Pacific saw the longest total solar eclipse this century on Wednesday. Scores of amateur stargazers and scientists will travel long distances for the eclipse, which will last for more than six minutes. The eclipse will first appear in the Gulf of Khambhat just north of Mumbai. It will move east across India, Nepal, Burma, Bangladesh, Bhutan and China before hitting the Pacific. The eclipse will cross the Marshall Islands and will last be visible from land at Nikumaroro Island in Kiribati. Elsewhere, a partial eclipse will be visible across much of Asia. The previous total eclipse, in August 2008, lasted two minutes and 27 seconds. This one will last six minutes and 39 seconds at its maximum point.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Quake moves South Island closer to Australia

Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt is welcoming news that parts of the South Island of New Zealand are now up to 30 centimetres closer to Australia. Puysegur Point has moved a school ruler length towards Australia following last week's 7.8-magnitude earthquake in Fiordland. GNS Science says Te Anau has moved westward by 10cm, Bluff by 3cm, Alexandra by 2cm and Dunedin by 1cm. Mr Shadbolt welcomes the land movement. "I'm absolutely delighted. I built an international airport in Invercargill because we're the closest city in New Zealand to Australia and it will become more and more realistic the closer we get. It's great news as far as I'm concerned." Scientists say the South Island will gradually move back to where it was before the quake - but that process will take hundreds of years.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

New early childhood centres to be built

Three new early childhood education centres are to be built in Manukau, Education Minister Anne Tolley announced today. They were the first to be funded through the Education Ministry's Counties Manukau Participation Project, which targeted areas with low early childhood education participation. The centres would be at Mansell Senior School in Papakura, and Weymouth Primary and Homai Primary in Manurewa.
NZPA

Teens concerned about global issues

A study shows global issues are among the concerns about the future at the forefront of young people's minds. The Waikato University study surveyed 300 teenagers aged 13 to 17 about their hopes and fears. They were asked to carry out tasks such as finishing a story with their own imagination and drawing a picture of what they think the future will look like. Researcher Dr Kathrin Otrel-Cass says the group's biggest fear was the loss of a parent, followed by global issues such as environmental destruction and water shortage. She says students were less worried about personal issues including whether they got bad marks at school or how they look.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Dads not getting enough break-up support

A study has identified a gap in support services available to fathers who have separated from their children's mother. Pathways through Parental Separation was funded by the Families Commission. It involved discussions with 20 fathers no longer living with their children. Study co-author Philip Chapman says separated fathers experience grief and frustration and they need support. He claims men feel like outsiders at family agencies because most of their staff are women, who can find it difficult to put themselves in fathers' shoes. "It's just a matter of becoming more aware of what men are going through and not just focusing on their anger, but looking at the hurt and loss that's underneath their anger." Mr Chapman says it is a contradiction which needs to be addressed. He says New Zealand has a negative attitude towards fathers who do not live with their children.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Hopes for new Tokelau shipping service

There are hopes the issue of a new boat service for Tokelau may be making some headway after a special plea to the New Zealand Prime Minister. John Key discussed the issue of the vital link with Tokelau’s Ulu while he was in Samoa recently. While the issue has been considered over the past few years, it has not got as far as the signing of contracts. New Zealand’s current Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, is also expressing frustration over the delay in finding a solution.
© Radio New Zealand International

Two options favoured for Maori flag

The Maori Party says the choice of a national Maori flag have come down to two options. The party is leading a series of national hui to ask Maori what flag should represent them. The Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira says two options are clearly favoured, the 1835 flag of the United Tribes of New Zealand and the Tino Rangatiratanga, or Maori sovereignty flag. Mr Harawira says the debate has been romantic, edgy, and at times aggressive because people are passionate about Maori having a single flag. Prime Minister John Key had asked Maori to consult over which flag they most identify with.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Fiji police detain Methodist Church leaders

Police in Fiji have detained four senior figures of the Methodist Church for questioning. It is the latest action in ongoing tensions between the Methodists and the interim regime over the banning of this year's annual church conference, Radio New Zealand International reports. The general secretary of the church was detained on Monday night, while others were taken in on Tuesday morning. The church hopes the group will be released on Tuesday. For the past couple of months, interim Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama has been telling the Methodist Church it will not be allowed to hold its annual gathering this year, or any other, unless it follows strict conditions. These include the excluding from meetings of two former presidents and an agreement to refrain from political discussion.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Parents 'to blame' for measles

By GREER McDONALD and RUTH HILL - The Dominion Post
Middle-class parents worried about the possible side effects of vaccination are partly to blame for an "epidemic" of measles, a child health expert says. The claim comes as the Health Ministry said there were 90 measles cases notified so far this year, more than seven times the total number of cases for all of last year. The ministry is preparing a national measles strategy as fears grow that a Canterbury outbreak will spread across the country. The Royal Australasian College of Physicians paediatrics chairman, Johan Morreau, said even one case of measles was considered an epidemic because it showed immunisation rates were too low and there was no "herd immunity". "This is because of kids falling through the system and missing out on vaccinations, and also because of middle-class parents who are worried about side effects."

Employees could take public holidays on religious dates

Giving employees the choice of swapping existing public holidays for celebrations or holidays of other religions, is among a range of proposals up for public discussion. The Government is seeking feedback on its plans to revise the Holidays Act. The proposals include the ability to cash up one week of annual leave, and a look at the leave entitlements of casual employees. Another is for employees to be able to take public holidays on days other than the 11 currently listed in the legislation.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

PM believes top judge overstepped line

Prime Minister John Key believes the Chief Justice did overstep the line with her comments about dealing with overcrowding in prisons. In a speech made last week, Dame Sian Elias suggested a range of strategies to cut the number of prisoners overall, including an early release amnesty. The suggestions were dismissed by Justice Minister Simon Power and Mr Key on Monday said he supported that position. Mr Key said the line between the role of the judiciary and that of the minister is a delicate one, and there is no question that Dame Sian strayed over that line.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Little or no actual juice in "juice"

NewstalkZB
Imported fruit juice labelled as 100 percent pure has been found to contain little or no fruit juice at all. The so-called blackcurrant, peach and pomegranate juice was imported from Armenia under the brand name Yan. It was labelled as having no sugar, no preservatives and no artificial flavourings, colourings or sweeteners. Independent tests ordered by the Commerce Commission show virtually no juice of any kind in the blackcurrant and peach - and only a little juice in the pomegranate. The commission says it is not known exactly what is in the drinks so consumers should be cautious, especially if they have allergies. Distributor Armenian Imports has agreed to recall all the products.

Sharp rise in investor confidence

New Zealand investors have started to feel a little better about their money-making prospects, according to an ASB Bank survey. The bank's March quarter investor confidence survey says a net 11% of respondents believe their investment returns will deteriorate in the coming year, a sharp improvement from the net 25% pessimism level in the previous quarter. The survey says residential property investment returned to its top spot as the favoured method of investing, bolstered by low interest rates and stubbornly high property prices.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Complaint to commission over flagpole sale

A Ngapuhi man says the sale of of part of the flagpole chopped down by his ancestor Hone Heke is a breach of human rights. The Ngapuhi chief chopped down the British flagpole at Russell four times in the 1840s in protest at the way Maori were being treated by the British. David Rankin has complained to the Human Rights Commission, saying it is offensive to use the name of his ancestor for commercial gain. He does not believe the piece of the pole listed for auction is authentic. Mr Rankin hopes to have the sale stopped before tenders close on 7 August.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Rockers defend high concert price

AC/DC fans are being told the cost of tickets should come as no surprise. The Australian rockers will play in Wellington on January 30 and in Auckland on February 6. Tickets will cost $159.90 not including the booking fee. Promoter of the Black Ice tour Phil Sprey says New Zealanders in the past have been given very good value for money with concerts, but artists are paid in US dollars and the low New Zealand dollar means it is now very expensive to bring them here. The band last played in New Zealand in November 1996.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Rugby-All Black legend whacked by 'bloody Aussies'

By James Ihaka
Legendary All Black fullback Bob Scott reckons he was "deliberately marked" when he was flattened by a rogue Australian "bomb" at Eden Park on Saturday night. Scott was with a handful of former players on the field shortly before kick-off in the test against the Wallabies when he was hit on the head by a stray ball. The 88-year-old had just been waving to the crowd while doing a parade of the park and was lining up in a guard of honour as both teams continued their warm-ups. "I was standing there and then, God, I got this smack on the top of the head with this ball and it was bloody hard," said the man who, in 17 tests, was regarded as utterly reliable under the high ball. "The bloody Aussies, they deliberately marked me. "It's the first time I've never taken the ball cleanly he said"

Men survive mountain stranding

Two men have survived freezing conditions after they were stranded overnight on the slopes of the Remarkables mountain range near Queenstown at the weekend. Alpine Cliff Rescue team member Chris Prudden said the men, in their 20s, had been climbing the south face of the 2319m Single Cone on Saturday when darkness fell, the Southland Times reported. The two men, one from Queenstown and one from Australia, decided to wait out the night on a ledge but called for help on a mobile phone about 3.30am as they began to succumb to the minus 12degC temperature, Mr Prudden said. Poor weather conditions meant the search team was not able to get to the men until 8.30am, by which time they were suffering from mild hypothermia. Both climbers were helped up the ridge and airlifted off the mountain about mid-morning.
NZPA

Weight gain problem for Asian immigrants

By REBECCA TODD - The Press
Asian migrants get fatter and unhealthier the longer they live in New Zealand, a new study shows. Dietitian Katherine Zhang conducted a nutritional-needs assessment of Christchurch's East Asian community that found immigration often had a negative impact on their health. A dramatic change in diet, less exercise and the stress of migrating could result in rapid weight gain, which led to a fatty liver and other diseases. "The longer the duration of residence in New Zealand, the higher the cardiovascular disease mortality rate is among Chinese and other Asian ethnic groups," Zhang's report said. "Longer duration of residence is also significantly associated with likelihood of self-reporting high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure and being obese for all Asians."

NZ technology company expands into Europe

A New Zealand company specialising in noise cancellation technology says it is determined to retain its Auckland base despite expanding overseas. Phitek uses a patented technology to reduce ambient noise and has secured a string of deals with airlines - including Air New Zealand, Qantas and Singapore Airlines - to install its noise-cancelling headphones. Chief executive Mr Donaldson says the firm recently launched the world's first fully-integrated noise cancellation chip focussed on the mobile phone market and used in earphones and headphones.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Grimace and bear it, say men (cheap headline,important issue. ed)

By Rachel Grunwell
Epidural rates among Auckland women are more than twice the national average, prompting concern from the National College of Midwives. Figures collated by the Herald on Sunday show almost 60 per cent of the 7589 women who gave birth in the Auckland District Health Board area last year had the pain-relieving injections, a similar rate to the previous four years. New Zealand College of Midwives midwifery adviser Lesley Dixon said the national average was 28 per cent and she was "surprised" by Auckland's "extremely high statistics". She called on the health board to investigate and said she was concerned there might be "a culture of fear" about giving birth there. Auckland City Hospital clinical leader of women's health Denys Court agreed the figures were "of concern" and said the subject would be discussed at a conference at the hospital in August.

Black Sox beat England at softball world champs

The New Zealand men's softballers have had another big win at the world championships in Canada, beating England 14-0. The Black Sox started their quest for a fourth consecutive title with a 15-0 win over the United States. They Sox play Denmark on Wednesday and Japan on Friday.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Measles outbreak expected to spread

Health officials expect a measles outbreak in Christchurch to spread to other places within the next fortnight. There are now 44 cases of measles in the city, 26 of which have been officially confirmed. Most are pre-school and school-aged children. Medical officer of health Dr Cheryl Brunton says infected children will have travelled during the school holidays and it's likely cases will start appearing in those places soon. Dr Brunton says while the disease is merely unpleasant for most people, it can cause serious complications. Measles is highly contagious.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Second phase of trials for dissolving stent

The second phase of clinical trials testing a dissolving stent for patients with heart problems has begun in Christchurch. The procedure involves implanting a bio-absorbable stent into a patient's artery, which opens it up, allowing the blood to flow back into the muscle. Dr Dougal McClean from Christchurch Hospital performed New Zealand's first trials in this phase. He says the new stent is meant to dissolve within two years once the glands are healed, unlike metal stents which remain in the body. Dr McClean says the new stent may help patients in the long term by preventing any further narrowing of the arteries.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Earthquake in Hawke's Bay

A magnitude 4.3 earthquake has occured in Hawke's Bay. It was centred 40km south of Hastings, at a depth of 50km, at 12.03pm on Saturday. It was the third recorded in the district since Thursday. One was at 12.17pm on Friday. It measured magnitude 3.9, and was 40km south east of Havelock North at a depth of 25km. Another measuring 3.6 was recorded 40km east of Waipukurau at 10:24pm on Thursday. It was at a depth of 25km. This is New Zealand's 6th earthquake this weekend, and the 22nd since the 7.8 quake in Dusky Sound on Wednesday, which was felt as far away as Australia.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Samoa qualify for rugby World Cup

Samoa became the second team to reach the 2011 rugby World Cup via qualifying when they hammered Papua New Guinea 73-12 in Port Moresby on Saturday to win 188-19 on aggregate in their two-leg playoff. Samoa followed Canada's qualification last weekend and are the 14th team to take their place in the tournament to be held in New Zealand. The Pacific islanders will play in Pool D along with 2007 winners South Africa, Wales and Fiji. The pool line-up will be completed by the winner of Africa's qualifying final, between Tunisia and Namibia in November. Samoa, who were not invited to the first World Cup in 1987, have played in every tournament since, reaching the quarter-finals in 1991 and 1995.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

No more delays urged on arms trade treaty

Oxfam and Amnesty International are urging the New Zealand Government to make sure there are no further delays in negotiating an arms trade treaty. New Zealand is attending working groups in New York this week to work towards the commencement of negotiations for a treaty. It has been almost three years since the United Nations agreed to discuss a treaty. Oxfam says thousands of people are killed, injured and raped as a result of the global arms trade. The agency says New Zealand can play a role in ensuring negotiations on a treaty begin without delay.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Young physicists seeking gold

A team of young scientists are hoping their hard work studying physics problems will pay off. They have headed off to China, to challenge teams from other countries at the International Young Physicists Tournament. Team leader Paul Haines says each of the five high school students in the team has spent hours going over a set of 17 problems. One of the problems involves exploring how a person can make a skateboard move forward, without pushing their foot on the ground. The teams have to present their research, then debate critique from another team. Paul Haines says New Zealand's team has been in the top three at the contest for the past two years.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Over-the-counter controls possible

NewstalkZB
Concerns about the widespread use of some painkillers could lead to controls on over-the-counter products like Nurofen and Panadeine. MEDSAFE, the agency responsible for controlling medicines, is considering plans to reduce the maximum pack size of products containing codeine. They could also become restricted to pharmacies only. Sales may also have to be recorded, if the plans are adopted.

Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan

An Australian soldier has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan. Defence chief Marshal Angus Houston said in Canberra on Sunday morning the incident happened during an operation in the Baluchi Valley. The soldier was on his first deployment to Afghanistan but had previously served in East Timor. A second Australian was seriously wounded in the explosion, along with three Afghan civilians. The wounded soldier has undergone surgery and is now in a stable condition.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

NZ needs to play its part in stamping out terrorism - PM

Prime Minister John says the bombing of two hotels in Jakarta is a reminder that New Zealand needs to play its part in stamping out terrorism. At least nine people were killed in the bombings on Friday morning. They include a new Zealander and two Australians. Another Australian is missing, feared dead. Mr Key told the Q & A programme on TVNZ on Sunday that New Zealanders are not immune from terrorism and need to play a role in fighting it. He said a decision on a request from the United States to send the New Zealand SAS back to fight in Afghanistan is being considered. A review of New Zealand's commitment to Afghanistan will be issued next month.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Govt ditches folic acid plan

By GRAHAME ARMSTRONG - Sunday Star Times
The bun-fight is over. Bakers will not be forced by law to add folic acid to our bread, bagels, crumpets and English muffins. The Key government will announce this week that it is throwing out the former government's policy. Cabinet is expected to formalise the government's position when it meets tomorrow, effectively putting the controversial issue on the back burner for three years and, crucially, beyond the next election. The government is not convinced that making folic acid a compulsory ingredient in all bread is necessary, and wants more time to assess the evidence. Folic acid has been shown to reduce the risk of babies being born with defects such as spina bifida, but bakers say women would need to eat at least 11 slices of bread a day to make a difference to the health of their unborn child.

Rugby-All Blacks beat Wallabies 22-16

The All Blacks beat the Wallabies 22-16 in a Tri-Nations clash at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday.
The scorers were:
New Zealand - Try: Richie McCaw; Conversion: Stephen Donald; Penalties: Donald (5).
Australia - Try: Berrick Barnes; Conversion: Matt Giteau; Penalties: Giteau (3).
New Zealand won the last Test in Auckland, 39-10. Australia won their previous encounter in Sydney, 34-19.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

NZ nurse treated Jackson burns

Newly released footage of the moment in which Michael Jackson's hair caught fire during a Pepsi commercial shoot in 1984 have shown the flames were extinguished quickly and the resulting burn may not have been as serious as originally reported. New Zealand woman Rosalie Williams was a nurse at the Cedars Sinai Medical Centre in LA when Michael Jackson was rushed in for treatment. She says she recalls Joe Jackson as a man who made mountains out of mole-hills. She says Michael's father was a difficult man to deal with and clearly wanted to make money out of the situation. Ms Williams says he was ordering the doctors around and trying to take control, but instead just caused unnecessary commotion. She recalls telling him to leave the room. Ms Williams says the whole incident was blown out of proportion and even the doctors were not concerned about the injury Michael sustained. She says it was clear Joe Jackson wanted to sue over the incident.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

NZ cyclist shot at Tour de France

New Zealand cyclist Julian Dean has been shot at by a spectator armed with an air rifle at the Tour of France. He was one of three riders fired at, at the 165 kilometre mark of the latest stage of the race. Dean was shot on the hand and is not believed to be seriously hurt.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Free Trade benefits education

An education specialist says New Zealand's position as the first Western country to sign a Free Trade Agreement with China is about to pay off. Chinese students will come to New Zealand as part of ten government-funded scholarships allowing people from both nations to swap countries for study. Robert Stevens from Education New Zealand says the exchange of doctoral scholarships is a very positive development. He says it's an important scheme which is critical for international education. Mr Stevens says Chinese students will return to China with a globally recognised PhD. He hopes their experiences in New Zealand will inspire other Chinese people to travel here.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

No more NZ casualties known in Jakarta

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it's not aware of any more New Zealand casualties as a result of Friday morning's bombings in Jakarta. The attacks at the Ritz Carlton and JW Marriot hotels in Indonesia's capital, were carried out by suicide bombers. At least nine people were killed, including a New Zealander, Timothy Mackay of the cement company, Holcim. Grave concerns are held for the safety of three Australians, one of them an embassy official. Staff at the New Zealand Embassy visited Jakarta's main hospitals twice on Friday night to ensure no-one else was injured. The ministry says 281 New Zealanders are currently registered as being in Jakarta: 149 confirmed to be safe and well.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Rugby-Tough conditions expected for Test at Eden Park

Conditions are likely to be tough at Eden Park, Auckland, for the rugby Test against Australia after heavy rain on Saturday morning. A cold sou'wester is forecast but the showers are meant to ease in time for the opening match in the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup series. All Blacks head coach Graham Henry says the weather could dictate tactics. The Wallabies have not won at Eden Park for 20 years. New Zealand won the last Test in Auckland, 39-10. Australia won their previous encounter in Sydney, 34-19. The match will see Australian flanker George Smith become the 10th rugby player to win 100 Test caps. The match begins at 7.35pm (NZT) on Saturday.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Man charged over bushfire in eastern Victoria

Police in Victoria have charged a man with lighting a bushfire in the eastern part of the state. The Delburn complex of fires swept through the hills around Boolarra and Mirboo North, in Gippsland in January, a week before Black Saturday, 7 February. Thirty houses were destroyed and electricity supplies to Melbourne from the Mirboo Valley were threatened. Detectives from Taskforce Ignis charged Daniel Peter Kavanagh, 23, from Mirboo North on Friday with intentionally causing a bushfire, arson and conduct endangering life and property.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Desert Road closed by snow

Snow has forced the closure of the Desert Road in the central North Island. Contractors are currently clearing a stretch of State Highway One from Rangipo to Waiouru. Police say the route will be shut until further notice.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Closure of liquor store seen as warning about sales to minors

Manukau City Council says the forced closure of a liquor store in Mangere should serve as a warning to the rest of the industry against selling alcohol to minors. The Vine Street Liquor Store was caught selling alcohol to underage customers in a sting run by the police and the Manukau District Licensing Authority. The store was ordered to close by the District Licensing Agency on Friday. Licensing Inspector Paul Radich says the owner of the store knew that the buyers were underage and went ahead with the sale anyway.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Recession's impact on Pacific Island people

Pacific Island people in New Zealand are being hit by the recession with 6000 signing up for benefits over the past year. That's an increase of 30% on the previous year. Figures issued by the Labour Party show there are now just over 25,000 Pacific Island people receiving a range of benefits. The figures show that almost 4000 more Pacific Island people are collecting the unemployment benefit than a year ago. Another 1000 more are on the domestic purposes benefit and another 500 on invalids and sickness benefits.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand

Rugby-Ranfurly Shield holders lose to Manawatu

Ranfurly Shield holders Wellington have been upset 38-19 by Manawatu in a pre-season Air New Zealand Cup match in Palmerston North today. A report on the Manawatu Rugby Union's website shows that Manawatu scored 26 unanswered points in the second half after trailing 12-19 at halftime. The home side scored five tries to three in the match which was not a Ranfurly Shield challenge.
© Fairfax New Zealand Limited 2009

Jakarta kiwi bomb victim named

The New Zealander killed in today's terrorist bombing in Jakarta has been identified as Timothy David Mackay. The news agency Reuters says Tim Mackay was the head of PT Holcim in Indonesia. He was one of nine people who died when bombs were detonated at the Ritz-Carlton and Marriott hotels. At least 50 people were injured and 13 of those are said to be foreign nationals. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed a New Zealander has died but is not yet identifying the victim.
Copyright 2002 - 2009, TelstraClear Ltd

Take great care, NZ travellers in Indonesia advised

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has renewed its travel advisory for Indonesia, in the wake of Friday's Jakarta blasts. In a notice on its Safe Travel website, the ministry urges New Zealanders in Indonesia to exercise a high degree of personal security awareness at all times, keep a low profile and avoid any unnecessary travel through the city. Australia's government has issued a fresh travel warning, telling its citizens to reconsider going to Indonesia because of the very high threat of terrorist attack. Anyone with concerns for a New Zealand citizen currently in Indonesia is asked to try and make direct contact with them first before contacting the ministry.
Copyright © 2009 Radio New Zealand