Plane crashes on remote island in Papua New Guinea

At least five people have been killed in a plane crash on a remote island in Papua New Guinea. It is believed Australians are among those killed. The ABC reports it appears a charter plane burst into flames after landing at Misima Island, 200km off PNG's south-east coast on Tuesday afternoon. Brisbane-based company Australian Reef Pilots says one of its marine pilots was on the plane. The company's managing director, Craig Southerwood, says he believes there were five others on the plane and only one person survived.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Organics sector 'no longer a niche market'

An international organics leader says the New Zealand Government needs to acknowledge organically produced food is no longer a niche market. The International Organic Agriculture Movement says the number of organic producers in New Zealand has increased by a third in the past few year and production has doubled to almost $500 million per year. President Katherine DiMatteo says the Government needs to have policies that recognise the contribution of organics to the economy. Despite the global recession, she says consumers worldwide are demanding more organic food and New Zealand producers need more Government support to meet the demand.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Taxpayers cough up for Winter Games

$750,000 of taxpayer money is being put towards the Winter Games due to be held in New Zealand next year. The biannual sporting event caters for major winter sports such as skiing, snow boarding, ice hockey, and figure skating, and is regarded as one of the biggest winter sports fixtures outside of the Winter Olympics. Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee says the contribution helps secure the games for another year and provides a platform for the event to build its reputation and critical mass. He says in the next few years the Winter Games may become self sustaining and no longer need Government money.

Food stress a worry

It seems there's a new thing to worry about in life and that's food stress. It's a topic at the National Food Conference in Dunedin next week. Conference spokesman Peter Griffin says food security is generally linked to third world countries. But he says it relates to Western countries as well. Mr Griffin says a house is food secure when people don't live in hunger or fear of starvation. He says when people don't have food security it leads to food stress.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Only 13% would change vote

A poll has found only 13% of Australians would have voted differently - had they had known they were heading towards a hung parliament. Those between 18 and 24 are most inclined to change their vote if given another chance. Labor and the Coalition have been frantically negotiating with Independent MPs in the hope of forming a government. Today, new figures from the Electoral Commission show the Coalition is in front on both Primary Vote and the Two Party Preferred and has 73 MPs compared with Labor's 72.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Treasures found as historic Birdcage pub moved

Archaeological treasures have been unearthed as engineers prepare to move one of Auckland's oldest hotels 40 metres up a hill while a new motorway tunnel is built. Archaeologists have found a 100-year-old French coin and a mystery bone pendant in the 124-year-old Birdcage Tavern, built on the Auckland waterfront in 1886 as the Rob Roy Hotel. The 1910 French 10 centime coin and the bone pendant were found in the hotel basement as workers prepared for today's shift of the 600-tonne hotel 40 metres up Franklin Rd in the Auckland suburb of Freeman's Bay. After six months the old pub will be moved back almost to its original position. The move is to allow building of the $430 million Victoria Park tunnel as part of a motorway upgrade.
NZPA

Limited support for teachers from parents expected by PM

Prime Minister John Key does not expect secondary school teachers to find much support from parents for their industrial action over pay. Members of the Post Primary Teachers Association have voted to take one day of industrial action this term and plan further stoppages next term. They are seeking a pay increase of 4% and have been offered a rise of 1.5% this year and another 1% next year. Mr Key says the offer is fair, given the difficult economic conditions.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

New awards announced for young Pacific Island high achievers

Three awards for high achieving young Pacific Islanders to spur them into leadership roles, have been announced by Prime Minister John Key. The Prime Minister's Pacific Youth Awards recognise and encourage leadership, creativity and inspiration. Mr Key says a large part of the country's international competitiveness will depend on making the most of the skills and talents of the growing population of Pacific New Zealanders. Mr Key says the University of Auckland will sponsor a Leadership award which recognises those who motivate the community, have led a project at school or church, and met significant challenges. The Weta Workshop award is for someone demonstrating significant creativity either in the arts or to solve a community problem. Mr Key says the award from software company Cogita Business Systems will go to someone who has made either an inspirational change in their own life, or others, plus overcome adversity.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Wolfrik: Meet Wellington Zoo's baby dingo

A Wellington teenager has won the right to name the newest edition at the Wellington Zoo – a baby dingo. The 11-week-old dingo has been given the Germanic name Wolfrik, which means the King of wolves. The teen’s family paid $675 for naming rights on a TradeMe auction – a reward for her getting into vet school next year. The proceeds of the auction will go towards the zoo’s breeding programmes.
3 News

Recognition for NZ horticultural scientist

A leading figure in New Zealand horticulture has received international recognition. Professor Ian Warrington has been made a Fellow of the International Society for Horticultural Science, at the society's general assembly in Portugal. He's the first New Zealander and one of only six scientists worldwide to hold the fellowship, which recognises a member of the International Society, who's made an outstanding contribution to horticultural science worldwide. During a 30 year career with the former Department of Scientific & Industrial Research and then Hort Research, Professor Warrington became known internationally for research on effects the environment has on plant growth and improving the training and management of apples and kiwifruit.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

World Heritage status for Kermadecs soon

The Kermadec Islands, New Zealand's northern-most territory, could soon receive World Heritage status. The subtropical islands in the South Pacific ocean lie about 1000 kilometres north east of New Zealand, and are one of the most diverse marine areas in the world. They have been earmarked for World Heritage status since 2006. Kiwi scientists say they are keen to learn more about the islands. Environment Group spokesman Jay Nelson says the most exciting part is that there are new species of fish being found there every two weeks. New Zealand has three World Heritage sites, Te Wahipounamu (covering various mountain areas in the south west of the South Island); Tongariro National Park, and the sub-Antarctic islands (Snares, Bounty, Antipodes, Auckland and Campbell islands).
Source: ONE News

Pohutukawa causing havoc in US

The pohutukawa is causing havoc in suburban San Francisco. The New Zealand Christmas tree was planted across the city in the 1980s in a bid to increase canopy cover. But now, as the trees mature, their roots are causing widespread "destruction of infrastructure". 17 sewerage blockages in 10 years are blamed on pohutukawa roots. County of San Francisco urban forestry advisor Laurence Costello says they need to acknowledge that planting the pohutukawa in the city was a mistake.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Key to meet Queen

By LAWRENCE HAKIWAI - NewstalkZB
The Prime Minister will spend a weekend with the Queen during a nine day visit to the United Kingdom next week. John Key will meet with British counterpart David Cameron and his deputy, Nick Clegg, while in London. He'll also attend the unveiling of a memorial for World War Two hero Keith Park. Mr Key says he and his wife will join the Queen at her royal residence in Balmoral in Scotland. He'll then head to France where he'll meet President Nicolas Sarkozy and Prime Minister Francois Fillon for formal talks.

Wyatt first Aboriginal MP for Australia

An Aboriginal man has won a seat in Australia's House of Representatives, becoming the first indigenous person to do so. Ken Wyatt took the seat of Hasluck in Western Australia for the centre-right Liberal Party. Mr Wyatt says voters did not choose him because he is Aboriginal, but because they believe he will represent the interests of everyone within Hasluck. Two Aborigines have served in the upper house Senate, including Neville Bonner.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Reef seeking investors in its moribund fishing plant on Niue

The Auckland based Reef Group has confirmed it’s seeking companies to buy into its fishing operation on Niue. The processing plant on the island has been idle for two years following a multi million dollar investment by Reef in a joint venture with the Niue Government. Managing director, John Gresson, says there’ve been some conversations with China and also other fishing companies about buying into, or taking over, the Niue business. Meanwhile Mr Gresson says the company’s noni juice plant on Niue is flourishing and it’s seeking wild noni growing there to supplement its crop.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Tonga in line for World Bank funding

Tonga is to get just over $US37 million in assistance from the World Bank over the next four years. Radio New Zealand International reports the money will go towards post-tsunami reconstruction in Nuiatoputapu, budget support, an energy road map and the Tonga cable project. The World Bank will also manage a Tongan transport sector grant of nearly $US10 million from the Australian Government.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Australian Gun buyback saved 200 lives per year - researchers

Australian researchers have found there has been a drop of almost 80% drop in firearm suicides since a gun buyback was introduced by former prime minister John Howard in 1997. The ABC reports the figures equate to around 200 lives each year. The gun buyback saw 650,000 semi-automatic rifles and shotguns destroyed. It is estimated to have halved the number of gun-owning households. The new study, published in the American Law & Economics Review, found the largest falls in firearm deaths occurred in states where more firearms were handed in.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Cloud-based software gives aspiring athletes a sporting chance

By CLAIRE McENTEE - BusinessDay.co.nz
Software that helps fine-tune the All Blacks scrum and tweak the techniques of cricketing superstars is now being made available online to sports enthusiasts everywhere. Dunedin firm Siliconcoach's technology helps coaches and athletes analyse techniques captured on video with a range of editing, drawing and measurement tools, says general manager Graeme Burborough. "In its most simplistic form, a lot of human movement happens fast, such as when you're swinging a golf-club ... you put the video into our software and can advance frame by frame. "You can also put two videos side by side so you can look at yourself compared to what you were like previously or compared to an expert – it could be Dan Carter kicking a rugby ball." The software – which lets users annotate voice over video – can calculate an athlete's speed and acceleration, and one version of it can be used to create presentations. The company has launched an online software service, called The Zone, which lets users upload and analyse video, share it with others and create online discussion threads about it, Mr Burborough says. It expects the service will appeal to community sports teams as it is simple to operate and at $50 per individual a year, or $500 a year for up to 20 users, it is cheaper than the firm's other products.

Supermarkets 'drug pushers'

Supermarkets are being accused of being "drug pushers" for selling high quantities of discounted wine. Substance abuse expert Professor Doug Sellman wants alcohol removed from supermarket shelves and alcohol advertising limited. He says a three month study of four major newspapers reveals that New World is the worst "drug pusher" with the most alcohol-related advertising. Foodstuffs, which owns New World, Four Square and Pak'n'Save, refused to comment.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Geeks flock to capital

Tea leaf readings, geek crafting and a Star Trek discussion panel are just a few of the seminars that have been held at a national sci-fi convention in Wellington. The Au Contraire science fiction and fantasy convention attracted 250 self-confessed 'geeks' to the Capital over the weekend, including many international visitors. Convention committee member Jessica Gordon says the event is all about getting together with a community of like-minded people, with the term 'geek' no longer taken as an insult by most.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Genetic history of the apple now traced

Thirteen teams of geneticists from five countries, including one from Plant & Food Research in New Zealand, have traced the genetic history of the apple. An article in the latest edition of Nature Genetics suggests that the same catastrophe which killed the dinosaurs could have had a major effect on the fruit's evolution. The teams sequenced more than 600 million pairs of DNA which make up the apple genome. The research found that the apple separated itself 50 to 65 million years ago from other members of the Rosaceae family, which includes peaches, raspberry and strawberry. The sequencing revealed that large lengths of apple chromosomes are copied in other chromosomes, which could explain why the apple has 17 chromosomes while other members of the Rosaceae family have between seven and nine.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Talks on resettlement from Kiribati

New Zealand Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says he will use his visit to Kiribati this week to discuss plans to resettle people on the country's largest island, Christmas Island. Mr McCully, who will also visit Solomon Islands and Samoa, says the president of Kiribati, Anote Tong, has been calling for assistance to shift some people away from overcrowded parts of Tarawa. He says this is an initiative which needs international help to be implemented.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Cigarette sales down since rise in excise - lobby group

An anti-tobacco group says cigarette sales have fallen 15% since a sharp increase in tobacco taxes. End Smoking NZ has been monitoring sales and says the drop is unprecedented, in both loose tobacco and factory-made cigarettes. Parliament voted in April to raise the excise on cigarettes by 10% and on loose tobacco by 24%. Two further price rises were also set in place.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Australia wins first netball test

Australia have won the first netball test beating New Zealand 48-43 in Adelaide. The Silver Ferns made a great start to be up early, however Australia levelled at quarter-time and led 23-21 at half time. New Zealand made some changes at half time with Liana Barrett-Chase going on at wing attack and Temapara George moving to centre. It helped as New Zealand led 36-35 at three-quarter time, however the homeside surged home with some great defence in the final quarter to take the win. The second of 3 tests is in Wellington on Thursday.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Hailstones hit kiwifruit but no major damage reported

Kiwifruit growers in Bay of Plenty appear to have escaped major damage from hailstones up to 15 millimetres wide. MetService says a storm peppered the area around Tauranga with sizeable quantities of hail shortly after midday. A spokesperson says it was likely the first big thunderstorm heading into spring. The president of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers, Peter Ombler, says that the hail fell over a wide area but that he has not yet had any reports of serious damage.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

NZ products not blacklisted by China

New Zealand food products were mistakenly included on a Chinese blacklist and no imports have been banned, the Food Safety Authority says. China's General Administration of Quality Supervision last week published on its website a blacklist of food and cosmetic products from a number of nations, including New Zealand. It said the products posed potential health risks and had been destroyed, returned or converted to other uses. However, New Zealand Food Safety Authority spokesman Gary Bowering said the list incorrectly included New Zealand, and no imports had been banned. The Chinese watchdog has since removed the list from its website.
NZPA

Riot at Australian detention centre for asylum seekers

About a dozen men are on the roof of the Darwin immigration detention centre, which holds almost 500 asylum seekers. Earlier, the centre was on fire. The men are banging on the roof with long poles. The ABC reports they appear to have masks covering their faces. Some are wearing hoods and others have light-coloured paint smeared on their faces. It is not known how the fire began at the centre. Police and fire crews are at the scene. Police are patrolling near the fence line at the centre.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Aussie republicanism cools

Public support for a republic has slumped to a 16-year low with more Australians in favour of retaining the monarchy for now. A Sun-Herald/Nielsen poll conducted two weeks before the federal election showed that - when asked straight out if Australia should become a republic - 48 per cent of the 1400 respondents were opposed to constitutional change (a rise of 8 per cent since 2008) while 44 per cent said we should change (a drop of 8 per cent since 2008). Backing for a republic is at its lowest since 1994 - five years before Australia had a referendum on the topic.
Sun-Herald

Rugby-Boks beat Wallabies

South Africa beat Australia 44-31 in their Tri-Nations rugby Test at Pretoria on Saturday. Springbok first-five Morne Steyn kicked four conversions and two penalties. The Springboks trailed 24-28 at half-time. It was the first win in this year's series for the 2009 champions, allowing vice-captain Victor Matfield to enjoy a triumphant 100th Test on his home ground. South Africa are now second behind New Zealand, who have 23 points after winning all five of their matches. South Africa have six points and Australia five.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Kiri Te Kanawa honoured

By Bruce Russell - NewstalkZB
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has been honoured in Wellington tonight, with an award from the Maori Arts Board of Creative New Zealand. It is in recognition of what the board calls her artistic leadership and lifetime of exceptional musical achievement. She received the prestigious Te Tohu Aroha mo Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu. Dame Kiri's only concert appearance in New Zealand this year will be at the Otago Festival of the Arts in Dunedin in October.

Rugby-More RWC tickets to go on sale next month

Another 400,000 tickets for the 2011 Rugby World Cup will go on sale when applications for the second phase of tickets open next month. More than half a million tickets worth about $85 million were sold during phase one of sales. Blocks of tickets to several games were sold during the first phase and applications for individual games can now be lodged during phase two. Applications can be submitted between 10 September - 8 October with successful applicants selected at random. Rugby New Zealand 2011 says a third phase of ticket applications will open next year.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Binney wins Book of the Year

Almost nine months after an horrific accident in which she was hit by a truck, Dame Judith Binney has received a prestigious literary award. The celebrated historian has won the New Zealand Post Book of the Year award, for her history of Tuhoe's self-government campaign, Encircled Lands. She says it means a great deal to her because it makes the book available for people to see Tuhoe have a real issue, which needs to be addressed.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Australian connections noted in Maori music awards

The importance of Australia to Maori music can be seen from the line-up for next month's Waiata Maori music awards. Australian resident Nuki Waaka, who formed the Maori Volcanics in Sydney in 1964, has been nominated for a lifetime achievement award. Brisbane-based Phatboy Pouet is contesting the best Maori male solo artist category against Auckland's Pieter T, 2008 Waiata Maori awards winner Young Sid and Te Huaki Puanaki. Among the wahine nominated are Maisey Rika, Toni Huata, Susan Rose and Kirsten Te Rito. The awards will be presented at the Hawke's Bay Opera House in Hastings on 10 September.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Hogan still in Australia after ATO talks fail

Actor Paul Hogan has failed to overturn a travel ban served on him by the Australian Taxation Office. The ATO served an order prohibiting departure on the Crocodile Dundee star a week ago in an five year dispute about an unpaid tax bill. Hogan's lawyer Andrew Robinson met the ATO on Friday afternoon to try to reach an agreement that would allow him to return to Los Angeles. "Unfortunately a resolution wasn't reached that would allow Paul to depart the country," Mr Robinson told the Nine Network. The order was served on Hogan when he returned to Australia to attend his mother's funeral last week. Some media outlets have reported the tax bill is more than $A150 million.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Teachers now 'expedition leaders' at hi-tech school

A school claiming to be New Zealand's most modern and technologically advanced has been opened in Queenstown. The $17 million Remarkables Primary School is the first primary to open in the South Island since the 1970s. The classrooms are packed with computer technology, including the latest touch boards which negate the need for chalk. Teachers are called expedition leaders and classrooms are called caves. Education Minister Anne Tolley is unconcerned about the teacher titles, saying the focus at the school is firmly on the curriculum.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

School sorry over Hitler dress-up

A Catholic primary school principal in Perth has apologised to parents after a student dressed as Adolf Hitler won first place in class on a school dress-up day. A letter went out to parents on Wednesday after some complained the costume should not have been allowed at the inner-city school. Children had been asked to dress up as famous people and a Year 4 student had turned up as the Nazi leader, complete with swastika. The school principal said he did not see anything sinister in the student's choice of costume. "To me it's a mountain out of a mole hill," The West Australian newspaper reported him saying. "I just think it's a one-off thing that in retrospect we'd do differently," the principal said.
AAP

Changes to student loans

Changes are coming for the student loan system. A bill tabled in parliament today will allow those with loans to manage them online. It will also make changes that assume repayment deductions made from salary and wages are correct, ignoring minor over or under payments. Revenue minister Peter Dunne says penalty rates when borrowers do not make the required repayments are to be simplified. He's also floating the idea of employing debt collectors to pursue student loan debt from people who live overseas.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Working visas for Kiwis in Brazil

Young New Zealanders can spend a year working in Brazil under a new working holiday scheme, Foreign Minister Murray McCully announced today. The agreement will allow 300 people to work, study and travel in Brazil and the same number of Brazilians can come to New Zealand. It comes into force on Wednesday and is open to people aged 18 to 30-years-old.
NZPA

Overseas money boosts NZ film funding

Funding for New Zealand's film makers has almost doubled in the past four years, to reach almost $600 million. Figures from the Screen Industry annual survey, released by Statistics New Zealand, show that while funding from local sources was almost static, overseas offerings soared. The funds raised by film makers from local investors remained relatively consistent, at about $250 million, but international funding went up from $51 million in 2005 to $280 million in 2009. During the period, most of the international money came from North American countries, particularly the United States.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Researchers dying to discuss the afterlife

By MICHAEL FORBES - The Dominion Post
If you have ever died and lived to tell the tale, Massey University researchers want to talk to you. Psychology lecturer Natasha Tassell's interest in the subject was sparked by her own near-death experience. It wasn't brought about by a major trauma or a heart attack – she simply lay down to rest one day after feeling unwell. She recalls travelling down a tunnel with a bright light at the end. Now Dr Tassell and her associate Mary Murray are seeking personal accounts of near-death experiences for the first large-scale study of the phenomenon in New Zealand. They estimate up to a quarter of those who have come close to dying may recall a form of near-death experience. "It's a known phenomenon, but we don't know how it occurs and exactly how prevalent it is," Dr Tassell said. The researchers were interested in finding out about Kiwis' experiences, to see if they were similar to those overseas. They also wanted to know what variations existed and whether there were cultural dimensions. About 15 people had already shared their experience with the research team, but they were hoping to attract about 100. The two-year study would limit its research to those 21 and older, she said.

Manufacturing contract returns to NZ

Auckland based electronics company Endace has moved its manufacturing base back to New Zealand after 10 years of having its products made in Asia. Endace makes electronic security devices for computers and until recently had contracted firms in Asia to manufacture its wares. It announced on Friday that it has shifted that part of its business to a contracting firm in Christchurch. Chairman Ian Graham says the decision is not a patriotic one but is based on the bottom line. He says it is cost effective to have the work done in this country rather than overseas. Labour costs are not dissimilar and his company saves thousands of dollars in travel to Asia to monitor production. Mr Graham is suggesting other companies should also consider making a similar move.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Tougher penalties for wildlife smugglers

The Conservation Minister plans to toughen the penalties for foreigners caught smuggling native wildlife to block them from re-entering the country. The changes follow several high profile cases of people caught smuggling rare lizards. Three men from Germany, Mexico and Switzerland were sent to jail for varying terms earlier this year for trying to take 15 jewelled geckos. Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson says she will lift the maximum penalty to three years imprisonment and double the maximum fine to $200,000. Ms Wilkinson says any foreigner given 12 months in jail is routinely blocked by immigration from coming into New Zealand.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

McCully meets with Fiji foreign minister

New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister says he has met with his Fiji counterpart as part of ongoing diplomatic talks. Murray McCully met with interim foreign minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola in Suva on Tuesday. It was the first top level meeting between Ratu Inoke and a senior politician of a Pacific Islands Forum country since the forum's summit in Vanuatu earlier in August. The meeting comes amid diplomatic tension between the countries over the Fiji military regime's insistence to stay in power until at least 2014. Fiji has been suspended from the Commonwealth and the Pacific Islands Forum after reneging on earlier promises to restore democracy.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Debt collectors an option to recover student loans

The Government is investigating whether to use overseas debt collectors to chase student loan repayments. Loan debt now stands at more than $10 billion. Revenue Minister Peter Dunne says billions are owed by people who have moved overseas and are not paying back their loans. He says the situation cannot continue and using overseas debt collectors is one option being looked at. Mr Dunne says loan debt could increase to $14 - 15 billion in the next few years if it is not reined in.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Public to get say on Hillary Ridge

New Zealanders can now have their say on whether the South Ridge of Aoraki Mount Cook should be renamed as "Hillary Ridge", in honour of the late Sir Edmund Hillary. The Geographic Board today opened a three month-public consultation on the proposal, as well as 55 other proposals to alter New Zealand place names. South Ridge would be the first alpine landmark to be named after our most famous mountaineer who, with Harry Ayres, Mick Sullivan and Ruth Adams, made the first ascent of the ridge in 1948. Sir Ed, who died in January 2008 at the age of 88, and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay became the first climbers to reach the summit of Mount Everest in 1953. Submissions on the proposals can be made in writing to the Secretary for the New Zealand Geographic Board or via the LINZ website.
NZPA

Tobacco ads slip through the cracks

By Lesley Deverall - NewstalkZB
Otago researchers are accusing tobacco companies of using YouTube to get around advertising bans and appeal to youth. Their study focuses on 163 videos they found on YouTube while searching for five leading brands. They say at least 70 percent contained content supporting smoking - with many including the use of celebrities, movies, sports and music that appealed to youth. Lead researcher Lucy Elkin says, while tobacco companies deny advertising on the internet, the significant brand presence is a form of indirect marketing.

NZ scientists investigated in spy probe

New Zealand scientists involved in the building of the atomic bomb during the Second World War were investigated during a British probe into Soviet espionage. The scientists included the Nobel Laureate Professor Maurice Wilkins. According to secret Whitehall files just made public, all Australian and New Zealand scientists who worked on the joint US-British Manhattan Project to make the A-bomb came under suspicion. One unnamed scientist was said to have passed on everything he knew about the programme. In response, British spy agency MI5 investigated all the scientists involved in the project, including Professor Wilkins. However the agency concluded there was no evidence against him and the investigation was dropped.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

NZ inventions recognised

By Lesley Deverall - NewstalkZB
Two New Zealand inventions have made it into this year's short list for the international James Dyson top 20 inventions. The award for design students looks for practical solutions to problems and carries a prize of around $44,000. The New Zealand finalists are a device to make fire-hoses lighter work for fire-fighters and a seat for the elderly which can be attached to public facilities such as lamp posts, providing a convenient resting place.

New Families Commissioners

Two new part-time Families Commissioners have been announced. Former chairman of the Pacific Island Education Resource Consent James Prescott and chief executive of Philanthropy NZ Robyn Scott will start work on the commission on September the 1st. The pair replace David Smyth and Sandra Alofivae, who have completed their three year terms.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Minister stunned by letter

By LAWRENCE HAKIWAI - NewstalkZB
A letter sent out by an Invercargill school supposedly signed Education Minister Anne Tolley and taken another turn. Invercargill Police have confirmed the letter has been referred to them for enquiry. The letter stated that primary school students will spend an extra hour at school from next year as schools are having difficulty implementing the school curriculum. Mrs Tolley says she was stunned to see the letter after it was forwarded to her by a distressed parent - she says the signature is a forgery. Otatara School Board of trustees chairman Justin Reid says the letter was written to promote creative writing. He says the school has apologised unreservedly to Mrs Tolley.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Screening hearings mooted to weed out parole no-hopers

The chair of the Parole Board has floated the idea of pre-screening those applying for parole, to see if they stand a realistic chance of succeeding. Judge Carruthers made the suggestion in a speech at Parliament on Wednesday, saying the move would save time, money and distress. Judge Carruthers says 70% of parole hearings are declined and many decisions are easily predicted. He says the board and the inmate know that, but by law everyone must be put through the agony and distress of a hearing. The move would require a law change.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Rethinking eating disorders

There's a call for a fresh look at eating disorders to be taken. The Australia and New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders meets in Auckland today for its four day annual conference. President Chris Thornton says cultural and physiological factors have always been part of eating disorders, but there's growing evidence an illness like anorexia is brain based. He says patients who develop anorexia have a certain way of thinking about the world and how they process information, and aren't just focussed on food, weight and shape.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

$3,000 to attend child poverty summit

A two-day Child Poverty New Zealand summit is proving too pricey for many of the frontline workers tackling the issue. Critics say the entry cost of more than $3,000 for the October conference in Wellington puts it out of reach for many groups interested in attending. Playcentre Federation president Maureen Woodhams says the cost is astonishing and makes it impossible for people who are working with families and communities to attend. Child Poverty Action Group director Janfrie Wakim says her organisation can't afford the event either.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Over 91pc of voters enrol for elections

Latest details from the Electoral Commission show over 91 per cent of eligible voters in New Zealand are enrolled for upcoming local body elections. Following the closing of the electoral roll on Friday, a total of 2.956 million voters are enrolled, which is 91.3 per cent of the eligible voting population. The numbers are slightly down from the 2007 election where 93.8 per cent of eligible voters were enrolled. The Electoral Enrolment Centre is now in the process of sending out voting papers in the mail for elections to all their rolls.
NZ Herald staff

Officials investigate school's forged letter

Education Minister Anne Tolley is furious a Southland school put her signature on a fake letter, and officials are investigating the forgery. Otatara Primary School pupils were given the fake letter yesterday, saying their school day was to be extended by one hour. Written on Education Ministry letterhead, it was "signed" by Tolley, who was angry when she learned of it. "It's unbelievable that teachers would do this to children and I'm angry that the school has used my name," she said. "The relationship between children and their teachers is extremely important. "Parents and children trust their teachers - in this case that trust has been broken and the school has a lot of work to do to regain it." NZPA understands the Diplomatic Protection Squad is investigating.
NZPA

Family Court under scrutiny

The Family Court looks headed for a shake up as the government addresses rising costs and lengthy cases. The Justice Minister is calling for change, with family court battles over issues like child custody and maintenance costing taxpayers $39 million in legal aid last year. As an example, the Family Court gave security guard Craig Davis custody of his daughter, but the process took eight years in total. "It was the frustration of the cost and the time and the fact that I had to go back repeatedly for the same issues," Davis said. Simon Power says the cost of legal aid is unaffordable and he's not ruling out spending caps for legal aid, restricting eligibility and fixed fees. The Minister is considering options including:
- Imposing cost orders on parents deliberately dragging out proceedings
- A new merits test for family legal aid, tightening up who may be eligible for help
- Using duty solicitors for quick access to legal advice
Source: ONE News

Maui dolphins to undergo DNA profiling

Scientists will use DNA profiling for the first time to count the critically endangered Maui dolphins. The world's smallest and rarest dolphins lived only off the west cost of the North Island coast and the Department of Conservation (DOC) said fewer than 150 were thought to be left. "Knowing whether the population is increasing or decreasing in number is critical when assessing the effectiveness of the protection currently provided to them," DOC biodiversity programme manager Phil Brown said. A two-year joint study by Auckland University and the Oregon State University began in February when 26 dolphins were sampled. The process would be repeated this summer and Mr Brown said when the samples were compared it would produce a population estimate.
NZPA

Doctors sign up to work in Balclutha

Relief is on the way for medical services in the South Otago town of Balclutha, one of the rural areas struggling with a chronic shortage of doctors. A Balclutha general practice, which needs about four full-time GPs, has been operating at about half that staffing level and was facing the prospect of being reduced to one full-time doctor. German-born doctor Astrid Bodendiek has accepted a one-year contract after coming to New Zealand through NZLocums, the rural recruitment arm of the Rural General Practice Network. She has already worked in Balclutha and will return next month. Ray Anton of Clutha Health First, a community-owned organisation that provides hospital and GP services in the town, says a second doctor from Britain has signed an extended contract, and a third contract is being negotiated.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Philip elected Solomon Islands PM

MPs in the Solomon Islands have voted in a new prime minister. The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation reports the winner is Danny Philip who defeated the only other contender Steve Abana. Mr Philip is reported to have received 26 votes, Mr Abana secured 23 votes and one vote was spoilt. Mr Philip is the leader of the Solomon Islands Reformed Democratic Party. In the past 15 years, he has twice served as foreign minister.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Extra paramedics hired

About 100 extra paramedics have been hired under new funding, Health Minister Tony Ryall says. The funding was part of the Government's $48 million four-year spend to support national ambulance services. "We now have in place extra paramedics in more than 40 centres throughout New Zealand, particularly in many smaller towns. "This means a much better ambulance service for many thousands New Zealanders, up and down the country," Mr Ryall said.
NZPA

Australian soldier killed in Afghanistan

Another Australian soldier has been killed in action in Afghanistan. The head of Australia's Defence Force, Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, said the 28-year-old Lance Corporal was killed in an intense firefight with the Taliban. The soldier, who was on his fourth operational deployment, was married with a young family, the ABC reports. Defence Minister John Faulkner says the soldier is the fourth member of Brisbane-based 6th RAR battalion to have died in a matter of weeks; two were killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan last week. The ABC says 21 Australian soldiers have now died in Afghanistan since 2001.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Politics-More trouble for Hide from within ACT

There are fresh problems for ACT Leader Rodney Hide, with more dissension brewing in his party's ranks. One of his critics Peter Tashkoff, the number seven on ACT's party list, has announced he'll contest Mr Hide over the nomination for the seat of Epsom. Mr Tashkoff is scathing of Rodney Hide's performance, and the handling of Heather Roy affair. He says he has no faith in Rodney Hide and is disgusted with how he's handled the affair, which he caused. Peter Tashkoff says it's no use pretending ACT isn't divided as it won't fix anything. He says Mr Hide is a failure as a leader, a liability to the party, and has to go.
© 2010 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Chinese copies of NZ websites

By JO GILBERT - The Press
Duplicates of dozens of New Zealand university and polytechnic websites have appeared on the internet in the Chinese language, upsetting tertiary authorities who are trying to find out why. Shanghai-based Education in New Zealand promotes its 41 New Zealand university, polytechnic and private training establishment websites as the Chinese-language versions of the institutes' official websites. The websites contain information about New Zealand, the institutes, courses and tuition costs. Their purpose remains unclear, but contacts for three Education in New Zealand agents are listed on each site. Although discreet disclaimers state they are not official institute websites, the logos, images, layouts, colours and web addresses are similar or identical to the official portals. Not all the published information is accurate, with Auckland photos displayed on pages representing Christchurch institutes, and the false Canterbury University site claiming the campus has circus-training equipment.

Firms short of skilled staff after recession layoffs

A global recruitment agency says employers who've slashed too many jobs in recent years are now facing a serious skills shortage. Hudson surveyed more than 600 employers in Australsia, of which 84% said they'd made too many people redundant during the global economic crisis and now lack the right staff to expand. Hudson New Zealand executive general manager Marc Burrage says 85% of respondents feel upbeat about the economic future, but their attempts to rebuild and improve the strength of their workforce are falling flat.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Government signals projects to be fast tracked

The Government's signalling exactly which major projects are to be fast tracked under changes made to the Resource Management Act. Environment Minister Nick Smith says Auckland's two billion dollar Waterview motorway and Contact Energy's $1 billion geothermal station near Taupo have both applied to have their applications heard by the new Environmental Protection Agency. He says it's also likely Wellington's Transmission Gully project and Christchurch's planned new Southern Motorway will also be handled by the EPA.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

American Samoa’s Chief Election Officer announces general election date

American Samoa’s Chief Election Officer has announced November 2 as the date for the Territory’s general election. The deadline to file nomination papers and petition to be candidate for the general election is September the 1st. This year voters will go to the polls to elect the delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.
© Radio New Zealand International

Review of laws to combat people smuggling under way - PM

Prime Minister John Key says a review of all legislation covering the arrival of illegal immigrants in New Zealand is under way. Following a Cabinet meeting on Monday, John Key discussed the arrival in Canada this month of a ship with about 500 Sri Lankan asylum seekers on board. He says the ship had journeyed across the Pacific Ocean, which demonstrates that vessels being used by people smugglers are getting bigger and can travel greater distances. This shows New Zealand is vulnerable, he says. John Key says the review includes a look at New Zealand's international obligations in the processing of asylum seekers.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

NZ leader contacts Abbott

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key has telephoned Australian Liberal Party leader Tony Abbott following Saturday's inconclusive election. Australia has its first hung parliament since 1940 after neither the governing Labor Party nor the Coalition, led by the Liberals, won the 76 seats needed to govern alone. Mr Key says he left a message for Mr Abbott, saying he had watched the campaign and found the situation in Australia interesting. He says he did not call Labor Party leader Julia Gillard, because he did not have her number. However, he says he will try to get hold of Ms Gillard on Monday.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Zoos go online to help save species

By CLAIRE McENTEE - BusinessDay.co.nz
Wellington and Auckland zoos are among the first in the world to adopt online software that could help save endangered animals. The software will raise the profile – and potentially the survival rates – of New Zealand's native species. Auckland Zoo was one of 18 zoos around the world chosen to help fund and develop the Zoological Information Management System (Zims). Wellington Zoo also helped fund it and will "go live" with the online software next week. Tineke Nielsen-Joustra, Zims project manager at Auckland Zoo, says it will store all the data collected on every animal in the zoo. That information is available to other zoos using Zims and will be invaluable for improving conservation, breeding and re-introduction programmes, she says. "For example, if a cheetah is sick and we're wanting to find out what is the best treatment option for this animal, we can basically go on and see what other zoos have already done with treatments and see what has worked and what has failed.

Pets important to Kiwi families

Many New Zealand women agree their loved pooches are better listeners than their partners, while some men believe their dogs show them more affection, a pet care company survey shows. A Purina survey released today shows 31 percent of female dog owners believe their pets have better listening skills than their partners, and 14 percent of men say their dog gives them more love than their partner. After interviewing 250 dog owners and 250 cat owners nationwide, the survey also concluded nearly 50 percent of female cat owners share their problems with their feline friend. More than 80 percent of female and male dog or cat owners admit to ``cherishing pets,'' with more than 50 percent considering themselves a mum or dad to their pets. Purina's pet-care expert Shivaun Statham said the results mean that pets can become as endearing as a child or a close friend to many owners. When people find strong companionship and affection in their pets, it is quite normal for them to begin treating their animals as important family members.''
NZPA

Software to assess students' skills

BusinessDay.co.nz
The Tertiary Education Commission has spent $6 million developing a software tool that can assess students' literacy and maths skills. TEC director of tertiary investment David Nicholson says a 2006 survey found more than one million New Zealand adults had literacy and numeracy skills below those needed to "participate fully in society". The tool, developed by Wellington IT firm Fronde with the New Zealand and Australian councils of educational research, selects 30 questions from more than 2000 and students can sit the assessments either online or with pen and paper, he says. Fronde project manager Chris Hobley says the tool can adjust the difficulty of online questions mid-test. "At a basic level, if you're finding the questions too difficult it will give you simpler questions." Mr Nicholson says the software then generates a report identifying the learner's skills and knowledge, so tertiary organisations such as polytechnics can tailor a teaching programme to suit their needs.

Maori youth unemployment seen as threat to social cohesion

Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres says continuing Maori youth unemployment is a threat to social cohesion. Waatea News reports that while Maori unemployment is running at more than 16%, Maori youth unemployment is much higher, particularly in areas like Northland. Mr de Bres is concerned that more than 40% of those aged 15-to-19 years who have not gone into tertiary education, cannot find employment and can become dissatisfied. "I just don't think we can sustain that. I think it's a genuine risk to social cohesion and these people will feel marginalised," he said.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Pacific Island ticket formed in Manukau

Pacific Islanders from Manukau City have formed a political group to contest the super city elections in Auckland. The ABC (A Better Choice) ticket, includes long time Labour Party supporters who are standing for the new Auckland Council, community boards and Counties-Manukau District Health Board. ABC leader Rosie Brown, a former Manukau City Councillor, says the group is a vehicle for Pacific Islanders seeking a political career outside the existing mainstream parties. She says persistent poor statistics around Pacific Islanders have motivated her to join the group.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Another boat of asylum seekers intercepted by Australia

Another boat carrying asylum seekers has been intercepted in Australian waters. The Australian government said on Sunday it was spotted north east of Scott Reef in the Timor Sea. Twenty passengers and one crew member on board will be taken to Christmas Island for security checks. The ABC reports it was the third boat to arrive in the past week. A boat carrying 52 people arrived near Christmas Island last Tuesday night by HMAS Wollongong and the Navy intercepted another carrying 34 people on Thursday. A total of seven boats arrived during the election campaign.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Freeview captures 26% of market

By ROB O'NEILL - Sunday Star Times
Digital free-to-air platform Freeview is claiming a large increase in viewers, with 419,945 households – 26.1% of the market – now enabled to use the service. Figures to June 30 show year-on-year growth for the platform at 65%. Freeview added 10.3% of Kiwi homes to its service in the year. Another 9639 homes were enabled with Freeview satellite and 33,947 with Freeview HD.

Reduction in drug price

By Nina Burton - NewstalkZB
It is thought a price reduction in a blood-thinning drug will boost the number of people using it. Pharmac says from next month Clopidogrel is to be openly available to people who need it. Instead of $170 a month, people will pay only around $5, a saving of 95 percent. Medical Director Peter Moodie says Pharmac predicts the number of people using it will double to around 50,000 within three years.

New swine flu vaccine ordered as stocks run low

By LOIS CAIRNS - Sunday Star Times
Health authorities are bringing in a new vaccine for swine flu as the virus takes hold in the community and claims more lives. With stocks of the existing vaccine running out, the Ministry of Health has been forced to introduce a new vaccine, Intanza, previously available only on the private market. It has ordered 35,000 doses amid concerns that in a few weeks there will be none of the original vaccine left. The new vaccine is only suitable for adults aged 18 to 59. In the past two weeks three people have died from swine flu. The latest victim, a 53-year-old Waikato man, had no underlying health conditions. More than a dozen others are in intensive care. Dr Darren Hunt, deputy director of Public Health, said so far this year there had been nine deaths linked to swine flu. Close to 500 people had been hospitalised and 67 admitted to intensive care units.

Two Australian soldiers wounded in Afghanistan

Another two Australian soldiers have been wounded by an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. The Defence Department says the soldiers are in a satisfactory condition after being seriously wounded when the explosive detonated near their Bushmaster armoured vehicle in the Baluchi Valley region of Uruzgan Province. The ABC reports that the incident comes a day after Private Tomas Dale and Private Grant Kirby were killed and two other soldiers wounded. That incident occurred while the Australians were overseeing an Afghan army patrol in the Baluchi Valley.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Danes, Kiwis world's most generous for helping kids

By SARAH HARVEY - Sunday Star Times
New Zealanders are a charitable bunch. We are more likely to give money to charity than our miserly Aussie neighbours and many more of us think the government and businesses should increase our contributions to global aid. The Nielsen online survey of 1000 New Zealanders, released today by ChildFund New Zealand, found that a third of us believe the problems facing children in developing countries have worsened in the past decade, and more than half think overall spending on international aid should increase. Of the 12 developed countries that make up the ChildFund Alliance, New Zealanders give the second highest per capita in terms of sponsorship of children. A total of 23,000 families in New Zealand sponsor children through ChildFund. A similar survey recently conducted by ChildFund Australia showed that over 60 percent of Australians saw no need for increased funding on international aid, and more than 70 percent believed problems in the developing world have not worsened in the past decade.

U2 return to One Tree Hill

Irish superband U2 have confirmed a one-off New Zealand concert on November 25, within sight of One Tree Hill. The band will bring their U2 360 Tour to Mt Smart in Auckland, with the venue expected to hold about 50,000 fans. Organisers expect demand to be so intense that the show will sell out within minutes of going on sale on Friday, September 3. General admission ticket prices start from $39.90. The trip will bring back memories of Kiwi Greg Carroll, lead singer Bono's personal assistant, who died in a 1986 motorcycle crash in Dublin while delivering a motorcycle to the superstar. The song One Tree Hill was written for him. It is so special to Carroll's memory that after it closed a show in Amsterdam in 1990, it wasn't played live again until U2 visited Auckland in 2006.
Sunday Star Times

Labor majority lost in Australian election

Coalition leader Tony Abbott says he stands ready to govern Australia. He has warned Julia Gillard that Labor has lost all legitimacy after big swings against Labor destroyed the party's majority in the House of Representatives. Neither the Labor Party nor the Coalition have enough seats to form a majority government. Ms Gillard has vowed to fight to hang on to power in a possible minority government after Labor MPs were swept aside by swings of more than 9% in Queensland - home state of former prime minister Kevin Rudd - and more than 6% in New South Wales. The people have spoken, but it's going to take a little while to determine exactly what they've said, she said. Australia is facing its first hung parliament since 1940. An analysis by the ABC tips the Coalition to have 73 seats in the House of Representatives, with Labor on 72, four independents and one Green.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Netball-Silver Ferns sweep Sunshine Girls

New Zealand's netballers have claimed a 2-0 series win over Jamaica after a 62-40 victory in the second Test in Napier. The Silver Ferns led 35-21 at half-time. They made a stronger start than they managed in their 23-goal win in Christchurch. But with coach Ruth Aitken making changes at both ends of the court new combinations took time to settle in the second half. The Silver Ferns now have three Tests against Australia before the Commonwealth Games.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Rugby-Late tries give victory to All Blacks

The All Blacks scored two late tries to beat South Africa by 29-22 at the National Stadium in Soweto to seal the Tri-Nations rugby series title. The All Blacks dominated territory and possession in the first half but the Springboks led 16-14 at half time. The home team still led 22-14 with less than 10 minutes remaining. However, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw and Israel Dagg scored two tries in the final three minutes. It's the first win for the All Blacks in Johannesburg since 1997. The team had three losses to South Africa last year. The result means the All Blacks are the Tri-Nations champions for the 10th time.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Oz elections-Early counting shows big swing against Labor

Predictions based on early counting in the Australian federal election indicate a big swing against Labor - 6% nationally and more than 12% in Queensland. Fourteen million voters cast their ballots on Saturday, and with 2.4% of the vote counted the ABC was projecting 50 seats for the Coalition and 49 for Labor. Seventy-six are required for victory. The early swing to the Coalition was 1.8%; a swing of 3.4% to the Greens was also recorded. On the basis of exit polls Sky News is forecasting that Labor will finish with 51% of the vote against the Coalition's 49%. Polls closed at 8pm NZ time in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory, and at 8.30pm NZ time in South Australia and the Northern Territory. Voting continues in Western Australia, however, till 10pm NZ time. Marginal-seat results from Western Australia may not be known till Sunday morning NZ time. The Australian Electoral Commission says that up to a quarter of a million votes cast by voters on holiday in the Northern Territory won't be counted in their home electorates until next week.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Government urged to back Myanmar inquiry

Support groups are calling on the Government to back a United Nations inquiry into crimes against humanity in Myanmar. The National Council of the Union of Burma and Burma Campaign UK are lobbying for support for the UN inquiry, which would also examine allegations of war crimes committed by the country's military dictators. A spokesperson for the National Council's New Zealand office, Naing Ko Ko, says five countries - including Australia, Britain and the United States - already support the inquiry. Mr Naing says the people of New Zealand should put pressure on the Government to support it too.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Australian Election details

First results in the Australian election are expected from 6:30pm (AEST) on Saturday. Voting began at 8am (local time) and ends at 6pm. All 150 lower house seats and half of the Senate's 76 seats are up for grabs. Eleven million people are expected to vote. There are 7700 polling stations. Voting is compulsory in Australia. About 1.8 million people have already cast their ballots, which is almost 250,000 more early votes than the last federal election. The Electoral Commission says counting of postal, provisional, absent and overseas votes will begin on Monday. The Coalition needs to win 17 seats to form a government in its own right. Queensland could hold the key to the outcome. The state has 30 seats in the House of Representative and 16 of those are held by a margin of less than 5%.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Two more Australian soldiers killed in Afghanistan

Two Australian soldiers have been killed in Afghanistan. Two others were wounded. They have been named as Private Grant Kirby, 35, and Private Thomas Dale, 21. It was the first tour of duty in Afghanistan for both men. They were standing near a vehicle when an explosive device was activated in the Baluchi Valley. The Australian Defence Force says their families in Brisbane have been notified.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

44 whales dead, 14 whales still alive

Rescuers have started using diggers, lifting equipment and trucks to help save the remaining 14 pilot whales which are still stranded in the Far North. 43 of the animals died when the pod landed on Karikari Beach yesterday, and another has died overnight. DOC's Carolyn Smith says rain and rough sea conditions have hampered the effort. Today they'll be moved to Maitai Bay, rescuers will spend the day holding them in the water before trying to re-float them this afternoon. Carolyn Smith says around 20 people watched over the whales during the night.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

300% population rise?

By Tim DOWER - NewstalkZB
New Zealand's adult population would triple, if everyone who wants to move to this country was allowed to. The finding comes in a Gallup poll of more than 300,000 people worldwide. Gallup calculated each country's net migration score - the number of adults who would like to leave minus the number who would like to move in. At the bottom of the list is Sierra Leone in west Africa. If everyone who wanted to leave Sierra Leone could, and those who wanted to move there did, the country's population would fall by more than half.

Leopard seal visit prompts DOC warning

By TOM HUNT - The Dominion Post
The public have been advised to stay well clear of a leopard seal that has been spotted on Wellington's south coast. Leopard seals, usually from Antarctic and subantarctic regions, had slender bodies, large heads and massive jaws, and had been known to kill people, Conservation Department biodiversity programme manager Peter Simpson said. The department has issued the warning after the male leopard seal, up to 2 ½ metres long, was seen on Lyall Bay beach on Thursday and then at Houghton Bay yesterday. It was still there last night. The seals, which occasionally made their way to New Zealand shores, had killed people in Antarctica when looking for something to eat, he said. "Our advice is to stay well clear of them. They will make a mess of your dog."

Rugby-Black Ferns beat South Africa

The New Zealand women's rugby team has beaten South Africa by 55-3 in their opening match of the World Cup in England on Friday. The Black Ferns scored nine tries. Six were in the first half. Sevens star Carla Hohepa scored a hattrick. In other matches: Australia beat Wales, 26-12. Canada beat Scotland, 37-10. The tournament runs from 20 August - 5 September. New Zealand has won three times.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Remnants of giant turtle found in Vanuatu

Bones belonging to an 8-foot long-horned turtle have been discovered in Vanuatu. The remnants of these giant land turtles were unearthed in a 3,000-year-old archaeological site on Vanuatu and belong to a previously-unidenitifed turtle species that evolved 50 million years ago. Previously, turtles of the genus Meiolania were thought to have become extinct 50,000 years ago. Wired.com reports that the bones were uncovered from a prehistoric midden, indicating that the giant turtles were likely eaten by human hunters.
© Radio New Zealand International

New technology to boost voter turnout

Nominations for local body elections have just closed. But with less than half the population expected to vote, it is hoped new technology will boost the turnout. When you get your voting paper in October, there is likely to be a significant number of names you’ve never heard of. All you need to do to prevent that from happening, is head to a new website. “You can jump online and find out information and ask questions,” says Local Government Online general manager Cassandra Crowley. “Rather than having to go and sit in a cold town hall on a wet and windy night.” On the just-launched Elections 2010 site, voters type in their address and a list of all the candidates you can vote for instantly pops up. You can view a full profile, videos and even contact the candidate directly.
3 News

Ash boom lifts salmon company

New Zealand King Salmon says it is turning away orders worth $375,000 per week. The Nelson-based company says demand is booming because of the Icelandic volcano cloud over Europe earlier this year. Since Norwegian salmon supplies were interrrupted by a ban on international flights in parts of northern Europe in May, chief executive Grant Rosewarne says overseas orders have flooded in for chinook salmon from New Zealand. The company is planning a $17 million factory in Nelson and wants to open 10 new farms in the Marlborough Sounds.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Pakistan donations instantaneous

Tear Fund says donations to Pakistan get there almost immediately. The aid organisation is making assurances to New Zealanders after fears the Taliban is taking advantage of the flooding disaster. Education and Advocacy Manager Frank Ritchie says the money goes to Tear Fund UK workers who are already on the ground. He says the money is available to them as soon as its transferred over the internet and it works better than sending Kiwis to do the work.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

One-off Father's Day present

Looking for a special Father's Day present? Well maybe you could get Dad his very own Cold-War era jet fighter. A Russian MiG-21 - code named "Fishbed" by NATO - will be up for grabs in an online auction starting tonight. The 37-year-old fighter jet, previously used by the Polish Air Force is one of only two of its type in New Zealand. Former owner David Henderson has been placed in receivership and is putting it up for sale on Trade Me. The starting bid will be $10,000.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Major whale stranding

Around 60 pilot whales have stranded on Karikari Beach near Kaitaia, TVNZ reports. It said some of the whales are still alive and members of the public are trying to support them. Most of them however are believed to be dead.

Migration numbers up in July

New Zealand's monthly migration gains have picked up from a 19-month low. Official figures show a seasonally-adjusted gain of 970 people in July, compared with 140 in the previous month. On an annual basis, there's been a net gain of 15,200 migrants, compared with 14,500 in the previous year. Meanwhile, Statistics New Zealand says 2.5 million visitors travelled to New Zealand in the year to July, up 3.8% on last year. More visitors from China, Japan, Taiwan, India and Australia offset fewer from Britain and the United States.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Australian judge: Woman cannot wear burqa in court

PERTH, Australia – A Muslim witness in an Australian fraud trial must remove her all-covering burqa while giving evidence, a judge ruled Thursday. Western Australia District Court Judge Shauna Deane said it would be inappropriate for the woman to testify with her face covered but didn't specify what the woman could wear. The judge said the woman's decision to wear the burqa came down to "reasons of modesty" and a "personal preference" in her interpretation of Islam, rather than a religious requirement. The burqa debate has prompted comments from politicians campaigning ahead of Australia's federal election on Saturday. Earlier this month, opposition leader Tony Abbott — who hopes to become prime minister — said he found the garments "confronting" and wished fewer Australians wore them.

Harry the croc to give election prediction

An enormous saltwater crocodile named Harry is being used to predict the outcome of Australia's federal election. Harry, who weighs about 720kg and is nearly five metres long, correctly picked Spain to win soccer's World Cup in July, matching the skills of Gemany's octopus tipper, Paul. On Thursday afternoon, two chickens will be held over Harry's enclosure in a popular tourist attraction in Darwin - one with a photo of Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the other with a photo of Opposition leader Tony Abbott. Another crocodile at the enclosure, Bert, picked the winner of the Darwin Cup from a field of 12 horses earlier in August, the ABC reports.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand
LATEST: The crocodile has spoken, and its snap poll has chosen Julia Gillard as the winner of Australia's federal election this weekend.

Seats open for Air NZ Antarctic flight ballot

Families who lost loved ones in New Zealand's worst air crash nearly 31 years ago have been asked to register for a ballot for 80 seats on an air force commemorative flight to Antarctica this summer. An Air New Zealand DC10 slammed into the slopes of frozen Mt Erebus on November 28, 1979, killing all 257 passengers and crew on board. Air New Zealand said it was now asking families whose relatives died to register for a ballot to fill the 80 seats on the air force's Boeing 757 and spend a few hours "experiencing the unique environment that drew those on flight TE901 to it almost 31 years ago". The ballot would be open to immediate families of passengers, cabin crew and flight crew, and would be drawn by a senior member of the police, overseen by an independent auditor.
NZPA

More aid for Pakistan

By LAWRENCE HAKIWAI - NewstalkZB
New Zealand is giving another $2 million to international flood relief in Pakistan and that's on top of $2 million given to aid agencies in the flood-ravaged country when the disaster first hit. Foreign minister Murray McCully says 20 million people have been affected by the floods and nearly 1500 have died. The additional funds will go to the United Nations Pakistan Emergency Response Fund. Mr McCully says cash donations of any size, rather than the donation of goods, is the best way for Kiwis to assist relief efforts.

Alcohol advertising regulations under fire

An expert on alcohol research warns that allowing the liquor industry to self regulate its advertising isn't a good idea. New legislation around the sale, supply and regulation of alcohol are due to be unveiled by the Government next week. Visiting US researcher Professor Tom Babor says studies conducted in Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, and Europe have all been critical of self regulation. He says they show rules on liquor advertising in those countries have been systematically violated and circumvented by the liquor industry because they're weak and ineffective.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Orca doco being filmed

A worldwide TV audience of up to 80 million will get an insight into the work of a Northland orca researcher. A wildlife film crew from Britain is currently following Tutukaka based Ingrid Visser to produce an episode in the documentary series Natural World. It will be shown in Europe and the US and is expected to screen here at some stage. Ms Visser says the film crew are focusing on her research on the New Zealand orca and how she is trying to educate the public about them.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

PNG group plans canoe invasion of Australia after being ignored by High Commission

A group of Papua New Guineans, who believe they didn’t forfeit their Australian citizenship at independence 35 years ago, are planning to invade Australia to make Canberra take notice. The group is from the original Australian colony on the island, the southern party of modern PNG, known before World War Two as Papua. The leader of the group, Jonathan Jay Baure, says they were manhandled out of the Australian High Commission in Port Moresby yesterday by Australiann Federal Police, after going there to push their case. Mr Baure says they want the right to decide their own destiny and aim to raise awareness by sending a flotilla of canoes across Torres Strait from Daru in Western Province. Jonathan Jay Baure says he can amass a thousand people willing to make the Australiann invasion. He says the group has no desire to move to Australia but it wants recognition and the assistance that comes with that.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Cycle trail gets boost

The Queenstown cycle trail project has been given a $1.83 million boost from the Government. The 87 km trail includes new and existing cycle routes and will make up part of the New Zealand trail network. Wakatipu Trails Trust Chief Executive Kaye Parker says the funding will help speed up the completion of the $4 million project. She says the project is 40 percent complete and the Government funding will help along with their own fundraising to finish the rest.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Otago economy charges ahead

Economic activity in Otago blitzed that of the rest of the country in the three months to June, growing by 3.5%. The latest National Bank Regional Trends Survey shows 10 of the 14 regions grew in this period, with economic activity nationwide growing by 0.4% - the fifth quarterly increase in a row. Economic activity in the South Island grew 1.2% over the three month period, while the North Island expanded by 0.2%.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Sting snared for Mission Concert

The artist for next year's Mission Concert in Napier has been confirmed as international superstar Sting. The announcement was made this morning. The outdoors concert will take place on Saturday February 12. So far the fastest-selling Mission artist had been Rod Stewart. The concert fits into a busy summer for events in the region, with the Harvest Hawke's Bay wine festival on January 29-30 and Art Deco Weekend running February 17-20.
The Dominion Post

NZ authorities to run fatal ship sinking inquiry

By MICHAEL FOX - The Dominion Post
New Zealand investigators will run the inquiry into the sinking of Korean fishing vessel Oyang 70. The 82-metre ship was apparently hauling in fishing gear early yesterday morning when it turned over and sank within 10 minutes, the National Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Wellington said. Fifty-one crew members were forced to abandon the ship which was about 800 kilometres southeast of Dunedin. A nearby fishing boat, the Amaltal Atlantis, rescued 45 crew members from liferafts and later recovered the bodies of three Indonesian crewmen, leaving another three people, including the Korean skipper, still missing. It is expected to arrive in Christchurch tomorrow morning. Korean investigators last night formally accepted an offer from New Zealand's Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) to investigate the sinking

Chathams hopes for starring film role

The Chatham Islands is hoping to be chosen for a location for a film about a security van heist in a Scottish village. The proposed New Zealand-UK co-production Heist in the Glen, is about two brothers who rob a Bank of Scotland security van as it passes through their village. The producers are said to be considering filming some of the rural scenes on the Chatham Islands, where a replica of Scottish village would be built. Chatham Islands acting mayor Alfred Preece says the council has told the production company it is interested in any filming, but has yet to hear back.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Maori Party calls for trade training schemes

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says trade training schemes it wants reintroduced should extend to information and communications technologies. The schemes were scrapped, along with the Department of Maori Affairs, at the end of the 1980s, Waatea News reports. Mrs Turia says that decision meant a generation of Maori missed out on training that would have given them sustainable jobs and careers. But she says teaching traditional trades like carpentry and plumbing should not be at the expense of the new areas of work.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Bill enacting welfare reforms passes final hurdle

A bill that enacts the Government's welfare reforms has passed its final hurdle in Parliament and is set to become law. The Social Assistance (Future Focus) Bill introduces a part-time work test for anyone on the Domestic Purposes Benefit with children aged six and over. It also forces unemployment beneficiaries to reapply for the dole after a year. Other changes include new obligations for some sickness beneficiaries to look for part-time jobs and providing budgeting help for repeat applicants for one-off hardship payments. The bill passed by 65 votes to 55.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Netball-Silver Ferns win first test against Jamaica

New Zealand's netball team has beaten Jamaica in the first of their two test matches. The Silver Ferns won 58-35 in a fast-paced match in Christchurch on Wednesday night. If New Zealand was expecting an easy opponent they were mistaken, as Jamaica took early control and were up three goals before the Silver Ferns netted their first. But the New Zealanders gelled in the second quarter, pulling ahead by eight goals - a lead they kept increasing in the second half. Irene van Dyk shot with precision, missing only three attempts of the 49 she put up. At the opposite end of the court lanky Romelda Aiken was almost as accurate, shooting 24 of her 30 attempts. The teams meet in Napier for the second test on Saturday.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Police launch new missing persons website

Police have launched a new missing persons website to give the public the opportunity to help solve both current and historical missing person cases. The site can be found through the NZ Police main website and provides additional information and photographs, and ways to contact the police with information. Only cases that police have authority to publish information about will be profiled. There are more than 350 people in New Zealand who have been missing for more than one year, although some choose to be.
Find the site here http://www.police.govt.nz/service/missing-persons-home
Source: ONE News

Former addicts tell their stories online

Two drug websites launching today aim to put a face on addiction with "raw, authentic and uncensored" video testimonials from former addicts. DrugHelp.org.nz and MethHelp.org.nz are part of a three-year, $1 million project by the Drug Foundation and Ministry of Health. The websites feature stories from a variety of men and women about the highs and lows of drug use and treatment. Drug Foundation executive director Ross Bell said the websites would help addicts find support and treatment options. "The stories on these websites show people that others have been where they are and that change is possible."
NZPA

New machines to meet targets

By REBECCA TODD - The Press
Growing demand for cancer treatment means a fourth multimillion-dollar radiotherapy machine will be installed at Christchurch Hospital. The decision comes two years after the Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) approved $10 million to upgrade oncology services and buy two linear accelerators (linacs) to deliver radiotherapy. The ageing population, better survival rates and increased access to radiotherapy are driving up demand for cancer treatment. Government figures show 20,000 New Zealanders were diagnosed with cancer in 2007, up from 16,000 a decade earlier. The health board approved funding for two linacs in November 2008, with both operating this year, to ensure it could meet the Government's target of a six-week wait time for treatment. The target will drop to four weeks in December.

Polar blast lines up for spring

By PAUL GORMAN - The Press
Bitterly cold weather could coincide with the arrival of spring in a fortnight, bringing bad news for farmers. The southern annular mode (Sam), which measures the strength of the vortex, has been at record highs in the past month, meaning the polar air has been locked around Antarctica. However, computer models show Sam is expected to weaken over the next few weeks and return to negative values for the first time since April, allowing polar outbreaks to head north towards New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and South America. MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said it was too early to say which countries would get the freezing southerlies. However, the computer predictions meant the South Island was at risk.

Three bodies found after trawler sinks

Three bodies have been found following the sinking of New Zealand chartered fishing boat Oyang 70 in the Southern Ocean. Forty-five crew were rescued from life rafts and three, including the Korean-flagged fishing vessel's master, are still missing, the Rescue Coordination Centre. Mission coordinator Mike Roberts said sea conditions were good, but fog was hampering visibility. Mr Roberts said five life rafts were recovered, and the centre had been advised a sixth life raft was on board. The Rescue Coordination Centre centre received an alert from the the 82-metre trawler at 4.40am on Wednesday, about 400 nautical miles east of Dunedin.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Chilean military removes indigenous Easter Islanders from protest occupation

A Rapa Nui man says a thousand people who had been occupying buildings on the isolated Chilean island have been forced out at gunpoint by the military. The indigenous people on Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, are claiming that the buildings are unlawfully on their land. They are also protesting over immigration to the island. Santi Hitorangi, who’s based in New York, says his family has been occupying the Hangaroa Hotel for the past week. He says all the protestors were removed from the buildings and placed on the street, but haven’t been charged with any offences.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Tongans told they have two more weeks to get on the electoral roll

Tonga’s newly established Electoral Commission has strongly urged all Tongans to ensure their names are on the electoral rolls ahead of an historic poll in November. That election will see the country choose a mostly democratic Legislative Assembly for the first time. The Electoral Commission, which was set up by legislation earlier this year, met for the first time last week. It pointed out that the electoral rolls close on August the 31st and has reminded people that registration is compulsory.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Gillard calls for republic

Julia Gillard says Australia should move to become a republic when the current Queen's reign ends. As Prime Minister, Ms Gillard says she'd like to see Australia work its way through an agreement on a model for a republic - and the appropriate time to move will be when the monarch changes. She says she hopes Queen Elizabeth has a long and happy life but she should be Australia's final monarch, despite the nation's "deep affection" for her.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Majority of schools introducing National Standards

Education Minister Anne Tolley will be clapping her hands. A report from the Education Review Office has found the majority of schools are making good progress with introducing National Standards which have been widely opposed by educators. Chief Review Officer Dr Graham Stoop says the survey focussed on the preparedness of schools to implement the policy. He says 80% of schools are making good progress, 20% are well prepared and 60% have preparation underway.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Spring is in the air

Spring is sprung. Early signs of the change in seasons are appearing, with temperatures jumping into the late teens over the last couple of days. WeatherWatch analyst Philip Duncan has no doubt that the warm weather will continue for most of us for the rest of this month despite a brief cold snap on the way tomorrow. Southland, Otago and Canterbury continue to see cold weather. Farmers around the North Island have been commenting on the mild weather saying it's produced good grass growth for this time of the year.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Police trying to identify shark attack victim

West Australian police are trying to identify a young man who died after being attacked by a shark while surfing near Gracetown. The man was surfing alone at South Point when he was attacked. Witnesses helped him to the beach before calling emergency services. He was pronounced dead at Margaret River Hospital.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Kiwi academic makes Chaucer discovery

University of Otago English lecturer Simone Celine Marshall has discovered a previously unidentified edition of the poetry of Geoffrey Chaucer, sometimes referred to as the father of English literature. The find had important ramifications internationally for the study of medieval literature, Dr Marshall said. Chaucer was a 14th century English author, poet and philosopher, best known for his narrative The Canterbury Tales. There had been confusion establishing exactly which poems were his as he lived before the invention of the printing press. For many centuries many works were wrongly attributed to him. The 1807 edition discovered by Dr Marshall was the first time the distinction between works by Chaucer and those wrongly attributed to him had been made. The edition identified poems wrongly attributed to Chaucer and made an effort to correct the errors. She discovered the book while researching a 15th-century poem attributed to Chaucer and planned to develop a research project to study the 1807 edition.
NZPA

John Boscawen chosen as new ACT deputy leader

Heather Roy has been dumped from her position as deputy leader of the ACT party and John Boscawen chosen as her replacement. Party leader Rodney Hide says the change was made after a vote at caucus on Tuesday. Mr Hide says he has spoken to Prime Minister John Key and they have agreed Mr Boscawen will pick up the ministerial portfolios of Consumer Affairs and Associate Commerce. Mr Hide will pick up an additional role as Associate Education Minister. ACT is a support party for the National-led Government. Mrs Roy is on a two-week break from parliament and Mr Hide says she will use that time to reflect on her future. She is believed to have angered Mr Hide by questioning his role, ahead of next year's general election.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Crackdown on crims trying to enter NZ

Biometric checks will be undertaken as part of a crackdown on "persons of interest" who arrive as new immigrants to New Zealand. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has begun fingerprint checks with Australia as part of a biometric programme to strengthen border security and prevent identity fraud. INZ says the system will help by identifying, early in the immigration process, people with criminal histories or those using false identities. Biometric identification is the confirmation of people's identity by comparing unique physical features such as fingerprints, photographs and eye scans with a previously obtained image. New Zealand already shares fingerprint details with Australia and will begin sharing information with other countries to form a worldwide database.
Source: ONE News

Trade academies are 'go'

Next year nine trade academies will open around the country. They aim to provide trades and technology programmes for more than 800 secondary school students who prefer vocational rather than academic subjects. The academies are based on partnerships between schools, tertiary providers, industry training organisations and employers. Prime Minister John Key says they'll cost about $2 million a year. Students will earn NCEA credits, a tertiary qualification and learn practical skills. In 2012 two more academies will open.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

NZ having more babies

By Alexia Russell - NewstalkZB
We're having more babies. New figures released for the year to June show more than 64,000 births were registered, up nearly 1,200 on 2009. Auckland women can take the credit for most of the increase. The numbers put the country's fertility rate at 2.2 births per woman. Our infant mortality rate is 5.1 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Millions invested in dairy, meat research

The Government is putting $144 million into new research for the primary industry, its biggest investment in the sector in decades. The Government contribution will make up nearly half of the cost of two research and innovation projects proposed by dairy and meat exporters, who will spend another $181 million. The dairy research is being led by Fonterra and industry body Dairy NZ, while the other programme involves meat company Silver Fern Farms, rural services firm PGG Wrightsons and state-owned farming enterprise Landcorp.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

South Island restaurant scoops top award

A South Island establishment has won the supreme prize at the Cuisine NZ Restaurant of the Year Awards for the first time. Riverstone Kitchen, 12 kilometres outside Oamaru in the Waitaki Plains, was described by judges as "a wonderful showcase for what makes New Zealand cuisine special". It was awarded the supreme title out of 50 finalist restaurants judged by a group of leading food experts. Owners Bevan and Monique Smith picked up the award at a prestigious gathering for the restaurant industry in Auckland.
Winners
Supreme Winner: Riverstone Kitchen, Oamaru
Best Casual Dining Regional: Riverstone Kitchen, Oamaru
Best Casual Dining Metropolitan: Soul Bar & Bistro, Auckland
Best Smart Dining Metropolitan: The French Cafe, Auckland
Best Smart Dining Regional: First Equal: Bouterey's, Nelson and A Deco, Whangarei
Best Neighbourhood Restaurant: Ambeli, Wellington
Best Specialist Restaurant: O'Sarracino, Auckland
Best Winery Restaurant: Pegasus Bay Winery, Waipara, Canterbury
Cuisine Restaurant Personality of the Year: Shae Moleta, Ambeli, Wellington

MoH to release twice weekly swine flu updates

The Ministry of Health will now release twice weekly updates about swine flu, on the back of an increase in circulation of the H1N1 virus. There have been 389 hospitalisations of lab-confirmed pandemic influenza this year, including 10 people currently in intensive care. Six people have died, although four of these deaths are still being considered by the Coroner. Average call volumes to Healthline are running nearly 35 per cent higher than normal seasonal levels.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Three-year survey in Fiji waters on humpback whales

A three-year survey on the migration patterns of humpback whales in Fiji waters is set to get underway, after the project was approved for funding by the Australian Marine Mammal Centre. Sightings of the whales will be recorded, and photographs and sound recordings collected in an effort to help establish migration patterns, breeding grounds, and the population structure. Aisake Batibasaga from Fiji’s Department of Fisheries, says the project will also help researchers to understand the impact of whaling on the population.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Tension remains on Easter Island after call to secede

Easter Island’s provincial governor is reported to have resigned amid a dispute about independence from Chile. The Santiago Times says Pedro Edmunds Paoa resigned for personal reasons as protestors among the indigenous Rapa Nui community occupied disputed property. The newspaper reported last week 45 members from Chile’s special forces had been sent to the island to monitor the situation. Community leaders on Rapa Nui, or Easter Island, have threatened to secede from Chile and transfer allegiance to Polynesia in a row over land rights and immigration. The Guardian newspaper reports prominent indigenous families have told the Pacific Islands Forum they wish to renounce Chilean sovereignty and become part of Oceania.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Wine industry perfect storm 'not over yet'

Wine growers believe the toughest market conditions they have seen for 25 years are going to get worse. NZ Winegrowers chairman Stuart Smith says the 2008 grape glut teamed with the global financial crisis has created a perfect storm for growers, with many vineyards being forced to sell up at a loss or go into receivership. Gisborne grower Tom Brodie told Nine to Noon that about 50 local vineyards have lost their contracts in recent times and grape prices have halved in the past year or so.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Pacific Blue pulls out of NZ domestic market

Pacific Blue has announced it is pulling out of the New Zealand domestic market. The airline says it will stop flying local routes and use its New Zealand based aircraft for trans-Tasman and medium haul routes. The company says Pacific Blue employs around 450 New Zealanders in Christchurch and Auckland, and the increase in international flying means up to 100 new jobs will be created.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Health insurers in Fiji sending patients to India before NZ or Australia

Health insurance companies in Fiji are sending patients to India, rather than Australia and New Zealand, as surgical and medical treatment costs escalate. The Managing Director of Fiji Care Insurance, Peter McPherson, says the devaluation of the Fiji dollar last year, pushed claim costs through the roof. He says elective cardiac or cancer surgery in India can be done for a third of the cost of that in Australia. Peter McPherson says any cases needing extremely urgent treatment are still sent to Australia or New Zealand due to travel time and the lack of direct flights from Fiji to India.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Video gamers' average age is over 30 - study

Research into video game culture in New Zealand says nearly half of gamers are women and the average age is 33. A study commissioned by the Interactive Games and Entertainment Association concludes 89% of homes have a video game-playing device. It claims they are in 100% of households with children. Lead researcher Jeff Brand, from Australia's Bond University, says the study dispels many stereotypes about who gamers are. He says 44% of gamers are women and the average age is 33.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Rugby-South Africa considers SANZAR breakup - report

A report in a South African newspaper says the South African Rugby Union is looking at the possibility of breaking away from the SANZAR alliance because its relationship with Australia and New Zealand is damaged. The Sunday Times newspaper says the South African Rugby Union has already discussed the issue and is looking elsewhere when the current SANZAR deal runs out in 2015. The newspaper says the relationship has reached an all-time low after Springboks' complaints about referees in the away leg of the Tri-Nations and the resultant charge of misconduct against Springbok coach Peter de Villiers. It also cited disciplinary hearings that seemed to go against South African players and SANZAR's letter seeking clarification on South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins's supposed "declaration of war" comments.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand