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Thursday, March 31

Call-centre relocation expected to create 125 jobs

Vodafone says 125 jobs will be created by the shift of its mobile customer centre back to New Zealand. The company says mobile customers have been calling its Egypt base since 2007 - but that will change from May. It says it always planned to move the centre back, so the move is not because of the current unrest in the Middle East and North Africa. Service director Kelly Moore says the company is consolidating all of its New Zealand contact centre operations with the aim of enhancing closer contact with customers. She says about 125 jobs will be created in Auckland - adding to the 500 people already working at Vodafone's three Auckland centres.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



DNA latest weapon against illegal use of seeds

Plant breeders say they have got a new weapon in the war against the illegal use of seeds. The New Zealand Plant Breeding and Research Association says the new DNA technology can clearly identify seed lines and determine their true ownership. Chairperson John Caradus says plant breeders are losing millions of dollars a year from having their seeds ripped off and unlawfully sold. Mr Cardus says growers who illegally produce proprietary seeds should not be allowed to cheat plant breeders by not paying them royalties. The DNA technology is available to use now and seed owners will begin testing on a wide range of rye grasses currently on the market, he says.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Defence Force has no time for 'flying saucer' matters

Spotted a bird, a plane or a UFO lately? Then the New Zealand Defence Force doesn't want to know about it. The most recent instalment of previously classified UFO files were made public yesterday - and within the documents, former chief of defence Jerry Mateparae makes it quite clear the military has no time for little green men. "The NZDF does not have any expertise or role in respect of ... `flying saucer' matters, nor is it qualified to address questions on the existence or otherwise of extraterrestrial life forms," he writes in a staff guide from October 2009. "The NZDF believes that rational explanations, just as aircraft lights or natural phenomena, could be found for [unusual aerial sightings] if resources were diverted for this purpose but ... it would be inappropriate use of defence resources." All UFO reports should be referred to police, he said.
Source: Fairfax



Ministry says 185 Kiwis registered in Thailand

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says there are 185 New Zealanders registered as being in the area of Thailand affected by massive floods. The tourist destinations of Koh Samui and Koh Tao and parts of southern Thailand, including Nakhon Sri Thammarat, Surat Thani, Phattalung, Chumphon, Trang and Satun, are experiencing severe weather conditions and flooding. The flooding has killed 21 people, stranded thousands of tourists and threatened to delay shipments of rubber in the world's largest rubber-producing country, authorities said. Trains to the region have been cancelled and three airports have been shut, including one on the popular island of Koh Samui. As well as Koh Samui, foreign tourists have also been stuck at resorts in Krabi and Koh Phangan. MFAT says there is a continued risk of mudslides and flash flooding in the affected areas. Any Kiwis travelling to Thailand are advised to check with their airline or tour operator for the latest information on disruptions.
Source: ONE News



Bank of India registered in New Zealand

The Reserve Bank has announced the Bank of India has today been registered in New Zealand. It brings to 20 the number of banks registered in this country.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Global interest in Kingston Flyer

BEN HEATHER
Fresh attempts to sell the Kingston Flyer steam train have attracted international interest. On Tuesday, the vintage train, which used to run between Fairlight and Kingston about 35 kilometres south of Queenstown, was put up for mortgagee sale on Trade Me by financier Prudential Mortgage Nominees Ltd. Associated buildings, the train tracks, a cafe and 13 sections of development land in Kingston are included in the sale. Ray White real estate agent Bob Muir said he had received 30 inquiries in less than 24 hours, including some from the United States, Britain, Australia and New Zealand. He would not identify prospective buyers, but said they included wealthy individuals and well-known New Zealand companies. However, sources have told The Press that United States company Railmark, which has made several failed bids, has shown renewed interest.
The Press



English lord gives $250,000 to quake appeal

Lord Michael Ashcroft, the Englishman whose reward offer helped recover Victoria Cross medals stolen from the Waiouru army museum, has given $250,000 to the Canterbury earthquake appeal. Ashcroft said the world was going through turbulent times, but few communities had suffered more markedly than Christchurch. "New Zealand is a great nation, one which is close to my heart," he said. "But New Zealand is small in terms of its population and its resources and it desperately needs help to tackle the monumental task of rebuilding which lies ahead. I am delighted to have been able to play a part, and I ask everyone to consider helping where they can." Ashcroft previously offered $200,000 for the recovery of 96 medals, including nine Victoria Crosses, which were stolen from the Army Museum in Waiouru in 2007.
NZPA



Climate-controlled haven for NZ's film treasures

BRONWYN TORRIE
A silent black-and-white film of Christchurch shot before World War II shows haunting scenes of buildings that are now rubble. The forgotten 15-minute film, City of the Plains, was discovered by the New Zealand Film Archive as thousands of original film reels and videotapes were sorted, preserved and transferred to a new storage vault in Plimmerton. "It's scenes of Christchurch, in particular around [Christ Church] Cathedral, and it really just gives us a glimpse of what the city looks like in 1930 and the city that's gone forever now," chief executive Frank Stark said. The purpose-built $850,000 temperature-controlled vault, due to be officially opened this morning, houses about 18,000 reels of film and about 40,000 videotapes on four kilometres of shelving. The five-year Saving Frames project was sparked by the risk of a natural disaster wiping out New Zealand's cinematic history, stored in two central Wellington sites. The vault was also needed to help house the ever-growing collection of 125,000 films, videos and television programmes. Hundreds of thousands of photographs, publications and papers of the country's cinematic history are also stored by the charitable trust.
The Dominion Post



Grape growers warned of more low prices

The wine industry is being warned of another season of low prices for grape growers that could put marginal operators out of business. Marlborough vineyards, which produce about 70% of New Zealand's crop, have just started their annual harvest. Growers say the quality and quantity of fruit is good. However, they have been thinning vines to minimise the crop so it does not exceed the industry target of about 310,000 tonnes. New Zealand Wine chief executive Philip Gregan says although that would be almost 50,000 tonnes more than last year, it should not result in a glut. Mr Gregan says prices for grapes are expected to be around last year's levels, which will make it difficult for some growers.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Wednesday, March 30

Rugby - McCaw turns down invite to royal wedding

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has turned down an invitation to attend the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. McCaw has been sidelined with a foot injury and his manager says that, although the invitation is a great honour, the foot might swell on a flight to London and hurt McCaw's recovery and performance in the Rugby World Cup later this year. The ceremony at Westminster Abbey will be held on 29 April. The tournament starts on 9 September. The chairman of Monarchy New Zealand, Simon O'Connor, says Prince William is an avid rugby fan and will understand and support McCaw's decision.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Major household health survey set to go

About 14,000 homes throughout the country are to be surveyed on health matters over the next year. About 14,000 homes throughout the country are to be surveyed on health matters over the next year. The Ministry of Health says the survey begins in Auckland, Northland and Waikato this week and will be rolled out to the rest of the country in May. It says it'll cover a range of topics, with the first part focussing on access to family doctors and after-hours services, including costs. One adult and one children from each selected household will be invited to be interviewed.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



South Island keeps three Rugby World Cup games scheduled for Christchurch

Three of the five Rugby World Cup pool matches which Christchurch lost because of February's earthquake, will remain in the South Island. Dunedin, Invercargill, Nelson, Wellington and North Harbour will host the matches that were scheduled to be held at AMI Stadium. Earlier this month the International Rugby Board announced the two quarterfinals to be held in Christchurch, would be moved to Auckland. The chief executive of Rugby New Zealand 2011, Martin Snedden, says Dunedin's new fully enclosed Otago Stadium, which is nearing completion, has also now met the criteria to be confirmed as a match venue.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Moko the dolphin one of history's 'most heroic'

Moko the cheeky bottlenose dolphin has been named on Time magazine's website as one of history's most heroic animals. Moko, eighth on a list of ''top 10 heroic animals'', was recognised for preventing a mother pygmy sperm whale and calf from beaching themselves on Mahia Beach, south of Gisborne, in 2008. ''Successfully doing what humans could not, Moko seemed to communicate with the two whales and lead them safely back into deeper water,'' the citation on the website said. Moko became famous between 2007 and 2010 for playing with humans along the east coast of the North Island. While Moko was in Gisborne during the summer of 2009 volunteer minders shadowed him to ensure he was kept safe over the busy summer period. Among those animals which also made the top-10 cut were Alexander the Great's horse Bucephalus; Trakr - the dog who found the last survivor in New York's September 11 twin tower rubble; and Cher Ami - a pigeon who flew messages in France during World War I, leading to the rescue of 194 soldiers in Major Charles Whittlesey's ''Lost Battalion''.
NZPA



Kiribati to receive US$23m aid boost from NZ next year

New Zealand has confirmed it’s boosting aid to Kiribati significantly. The aid programme will spend about $23 million US dollars in the next financial year on projects that include upgrading port and airport facilities on Christmas island, as well as improving basic amenities on the main island of Tarawa. The Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, visited Tarawa last year, and says it’s the most significant humanitarian challenge within the Pacific. He said 50,000 people are crowded on a string of atolls on Tarawa, living in conditions that I don’t think most New Zealanders would believe; so on Tarawa we’re doing a range of things to tidy the place up to try and get people living in conditions that are more civilised.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Auckland public transport use highest in 60 years

The number of people using public transport in Auckland has reached a 60-year high. A report to the Auckland Council shows a jump in patronage of more than 8% for the year to February, which is equivalent to about five million extra trips. Ferry patronage increased to more than four million trips, rail to more than 10 million and bus to about 50 million. Overall, people used public transport more than 64 million times, which is the highest rate of use since the 1950s.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Kingston Flyer put up for sale

It's every trainspotters' dream come true - an iconic steam train, its station and part of a historic railway are again up for sale in the Queenstown Lakes district. The Kingston Flyer, a former passenger train and tourist attraction, is the subject of a mortgagee sale after lying dormant for more than two years following its owners' financial collapse. Kingston Acquisitions, which ran trips on the train, went into receivership in November 2009, owing at least $4.7 million. Real estate agent Bob Muir said the company had "advanced" plans for the Flyer and the 80ha of land adjoining it, including a vision for a foreshore town centre complete with hotels, villas and new infrastructure. The land, some which already had consent to be subdivided, will be sold along with the train - the entire parcel comprising the Kingston Flyer itself, two locomotive passenger cars, a kitchen van and a number of flat top wagons. Muir said some of the titles were also linked to a station and a tavern, a storage shed, the railway corridor to nearby Fairlight and Fairlight station.
Source: Fairfax



Movie industry alive and well

By Alexia Russell - NewstalkZB
Figures released show the screen industry held steady in the in the last financial year, with a value of just under $3 billion. The number of businesses in the industry is up by 19% on the year before, and post-production activity has almost doubled over the past two years. Special effects are where the real money lies. The figures paint a picture of a country increasingly specialising in post-production work. That includes activities such as digital graphics, animation and effects.



Cricket - Vettori bows out as captain

Daniel Vettori's tenure as New Zealand cricket captain is over following the team's elimination from the World Cup. The Black Caps were beaten by five wickets by Sri Lanka in their semifinal in Colombo on Tuesday. Vettori, 32, is rated as one of the top allrounders in the world and had previously announced that the World Cup would be his last in charge of the national side. Vice-captain Ross Taylor is expected to take over. He will no longer play Twenty20 matches, but will continue to play test cricket and is undecided about his future in the 50-over game. New Zealand's next international tour is in Zimbabwe in October.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Thailand warning after unexplained deaths

The parents of a New Zealand woman who died in mysterious circumstances while on holiday in Thailand are setting up a website thailandtraveltragedies.com to make others aware of the "very real dangers" in the Southeast Asian nation. Sarah Carter, 23, fell ill last month while staying at the Downtown Inn in Chiang Mai and died from heart inflammation a day later. She was one of seven people to die in similar circumstances in the northern Thai city.
Copyright 2011, APN Holdings NZ Limited



Tap-and-go credit card coming for low value payments

Credit card company MasterCard is introducing a new system of "tap and go" payment which will mean customers do not need to physically authorise low-value transactions. From October next year, all of the company's new cards will include a micro-chip so users can hover their card over an Eftpos terminal instead of swiping it. For transactions lower than $80, no pin or signature will be required to authorise the payment. Mr Naffah said it was impossible for the card to accidentally pay for something if it bumped against the payment terminal. "You've got to take your card out of your wallet and tap it against the reader.
Copyright 2011, APN Holdings NZ Limited



NZ's oldest woman dies aged 107

One of New Zealand's oldest women died in a Wellington rest home yesterday. Agnes Harkins, born in Ayrshire, Scotland, on June 28, 1903, came to New Zealand in 1929 and settled in Petone. On the eve of her 107th birthday last year, she told The Dominion Post that she never drank or smoked but did not know what her secret to old age was apart from simply "I've got nothing against it". During World War 2, Mrs Harkins worked in the woollen mills in Petone. Her husband, Archie, died in 1955, and she was survived by daughter Esther Mills and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. On February 11 New Zealand's oldest woman, Doris Mackintosh, died aged 109 at an aged care centre in Christchurch, where she had been for the past 13 years. Her death came on the same day as Esther Moreland, of Waikanae, who died two weeks short of her 109th birthday.
NZPA



Artery clogger on its way

KFC's bunless burger is about to land in New Zealand. The Double Down Sandwich consists of two pieces of bacon, two melted slices of cheese and sauce encased in two deep-fried slabs of chicken. It has been heavily criticised by health experts in the US, but one nutritionist here says a Big Mac from McDonalds is just as bad. The Double Down goes on sale in Australia today. There is no launch date for New Zealand, but it is described as not very far away.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



School installs software to rate students

An Auckland high school is installing software to measure student progress. Macleans College will use the software to measure how well the students are doing, and therefore the teachers. Principal Byron Bentley says the software will allow them to analyse student results and compare their performance year-by-year, and by subject. He says that data is put into graphs and charts for teachers to reflect on. "Then using that reflection process to see how they could enhance their teaching practice, change their teaching practice, so that all the students in the class can progress," he says. Mr Bentley says the data will not be available to parents, they will still be informed via school reports.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Meteor shower colours night sky

A colourful meteor shower was reported over the central west of the country overnight on Tuesday. Police in Wellington and Christchurch received about a dozen calls about 11.15pm reporting sightings of the shower from Nelson to Pahiatua. It was described as green, white, orange and yellow lights over land.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



NZ cricketers out of World Cup

The New Zealand cricketers have been beaten by Sri Lanka by 5 wickets in their World Cup semi-final in Colombo. New Zealand were dismissed for 217 with the homeside reaching their target with 2 overs to spare. Tonight India play Pakistan in the other semi-final.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Tuesday, March 29

New research shows 'water footprints' of products

New research into the country's freshwater use has found that many foods and drinks require more than 100 litres of water to produce. Massey University and Plant and Food Research scientists are measuring water footprints - the total amount of water used in the production process of goods and servces. A senior lecturer in environmental hydrology and soil science at Massey University, Ranvir Singh, says their research has found that it takes an estimated 109 litres of water to produce a glass of wine. He says this is water that is used for growing, procuring raw ingredients and processing, as well as for storage, transport, retail and by the consumer. Dr Singh says other water footprints calculated to date include that of a glass of milk, which requires 211 litres of water to produce, and a bag of potato crisps, which takes 157 litres.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Lawyers set to compete with real-estate agents

In a move that could shake up the real-estate industry, a group of lawyers in Auckland has established a company to compete with real-estate agents. Changes to the Lawyers and Conveyancers Act in 2008 allowed lawyers to sell houses. The director of the new company, ACRES, Mike Tolhurst, says real-estate agents have had a monopoly for too long. He says ACRES can save sellers thousands of dollars by charging them a flat fee instead of a commission based on the sale price. Mr Tolhurst says he is confident lawyers won't go bust like low-cost vendors in the past, because selling homes is just one part of their business and they do not have big overheads.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Three finalists for Maori excellence in farming

A farm that brings together the vestiges of Ngati Whatua land in the Kaipara area and another with ties to an early Anglican missionary family are among the finalists for this year's Ahuwhenua Trophy for Maori Excellence in Farming. This year the revived competition is looking at sheep and beef farmers, with the current holder of the dairying trophy, Waipapa 9 Trust from west of Taupo, one of the finalists. Waatea News reports that the East Coast is represented by Pakihiroa Farms, a 3000-hectare property west of Ruatoria that includes the ancestral Ngati Porou mountain, Hikurangi. The third finalist, Otakanini Topu, runs from northern Muriwai beach on Auckland's west coast to the southern end of the Kaipara Harbour. Field days will be held on the farms over the next month, and the winner will be announced in June.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Suspend pesticides to protect bees, Greens say

The Green Party has launched a nationwide petition calling for the use of pesticides implicated in bee deaths overseas to be suspended. The party says neonicotinoid pesticides, which affect bees' central nervous systems, need to be urgently reassessed by the Environmental Risk Management Authority. Green MP Sue Kedgley says her party wants the pesticides suspended in the meantime. "They're widely used in New Zealand," Ms Kedgley says, "and we think we should suspend the outdoor use of them, particularly on crops that bees are attracted to."
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



New authority to lead rebuilding of Christchurch

The Government has announced the details of a new authority to lead the rebuilding of earthquake-hit Christchurch. The stand-alone Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, or CERA, has been given wide powers to relax, suspend or extend laws and regulations in order to help the region recover. It has been established for five years but will be reviewed annually. Based in Christchurch, its main task will be to rebuild the city, with particular emphasis on the eastern suburbs and getting general services restored to that area. The Christchurch City Council has been asked to lead the Central Business District recovery plan. Deputy State Services Commissioner John Ombler will serve as the authority's interim chief executive from Wednesday pending a permanent appointment, expected to be made in about two months.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Cricket - Ponting stands down as captain

Ricky Ponting has stood down as Australia's cricket captain. But the 36-year-old wants to continue his international career as a batsman. "I thought the timing was spot on," Ponting said at a media conference at the SCG today. "All that being said, I've made it very clear to selectors that I'm available (to keep playing Test and one-day cricket for Australia)." Current deputy Michael Clarke is expected to replace Ponting as skipper of the Test and one-day teams. Ponting captained Australia in 77 Test matches for 48 wins - the most of any Test skipper - 16 losses and 13 draws. His 227 one-day matches in charge returned 163 wins, 50 losses and two World Cups.
Source: AAP



UN agency could boost Auckland economy

Talking a United Nations agency into setting up shop in New Zealand may be one way to help boost Auckland. Former Victoria State Premier Jeff Kennett has shared his experience rebuilding the state's economy in the 90s with around 200 people in Auckland today. One of his suggestions is to bring an arm of the UN over, which he believes might be possible given the fact Helen Clark works there. "If you were to get that here, I can assure you that would bring aeroplanes of traffic of people that you can't even imagine," he says. Mr Kennett also thinks Auckland should build a large convention centre and prioritise a rail line from the airport into the city.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Governments urged to join forces for Anzac centenary

The Returned and Services Association is calling on the New Zealand and Australian governments to work more closely in planning for the 100th anniversary of Anzac Day. The commemoration is set down for 25 April 2015. In Australia, the Federal Government has set up a commission which recommends travelling exhibitions and a special service at Gallipoli. It also wants a major refurbishment programme to fix and restore crumbling memorials. The chair of the New Zealand commemorations committee, Pat Duggan, says given the recent response from both countries during natural disasters in Queensland and Christchurch, a closer Trans-Tasman approach to organising the anniversary would make sense.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Trade surplus recorded in February

New Zealand has recorded its first annual trade surplus for February in nearly a decade. Official figures show a surplus of $758 million for the year, the first since 2002, boosted by surging global commodity prices. For the month, the surplus narrowed to $194 million. Exports rose 17% to $3.9 billion in February, compared with the same period a year ago, with the main contribution coming from milk powder, butter and cheese. Imports rose 23% to $3.7 billion, boosted by higher oil prices.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Woman's pain sparks warning on cut price for shiny teeth

By Nicholas Jones
People tempted by lower costs to have their teeth whitened by non-dentists should be aware of injuries that can result, says the health and disability commissioner. The warning comes after commissioner Anthony Hill examined the case of a woman who felt burning pain and had her gums turn white after having her teeth whitened. The unnamed woman experienced "severe mouth pain and burning gums" after her teeth were bleached by an unregistered non-dentist practitioner, who also remained unidentified. Mr Hill noted there was no legal requirement for whitening to be done by a dentist



Nutritionists call KFC burger "horrifying"

Nutritionists are calling KFC's new bunless burger "horrifying". The Double Down is about to go on sale in Australia, and is made up of bacon, sauce and cheese placed between two deep-fried chicken fillets. The fast food joint says it is one of the "manliest" burgers around, and has been a hit in North America. Nutritionists says about an hour of intense physical activity is needed to burn it off.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Pacific women gather in NZ to discuss female representation in politics

A New Zealand MP Carmel Sepuloni says it’s a continuing battle to improve the abysmal numbers of women in Pacific Island parliaments, but hope is on the horizon. Pacific women MPs and candidates who haven’t succeeded in recent elections have gathered in Wellington this week to discuss female representation in politics. The region has the world’s second lowest representation rate and Carmel Sepuloni says the poor state of women’s health in the region is one issue that needs to be addressed if things are to improve.
New Zealand MP Carmel Sepuloni.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Monday, March 28

New Plymouth girl wins Gallipoli competition

A New Plymouth girl has won a competition to represent New Zealand youth at the ANZAC Day service in Gallipoli. Cervantee Wild from Sacred Heart Girl's College is the champion of the National Bank RSA Cyril Basset VC Speech Competition. In a speech at the National War Memorial in Wellington, the teenager told how her grandmother lost a loved one in the war and spoke about the return of the unknown soldier. She will travel to Gallipoli to recite the Ode of Remembrance on ANZAC Day.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Kiwi doctor makes heart attack breakthrough

By Jessica Rowe
A Christchurch doctor's found a faster way to rule out heart attacks in patients suffering chest pain. His research has just been published in The Lancet, one of the world's highest-ranked medical journals - but for a while it got buried in the Canterbury quake. Emergency medical specialist Dr Martin Than's found a new and faster way to find out if patients suffering chest pains are actually having a heart attack. His discovery is changing the way emergency departments operate all over the world. "It means we can do our test a lot earlier and we can identify people at low risk of coming to harm, and at the moment we have traditionally kept those people in hospital usually a day at a time," he says. Instead of the usual 24-hour observation period, Dr Than fast-tracks the patient interviews and takes a blood test within two hours, rather than six.
3 News



Petition for official recognition of Pacific Languages in NZ

A petition is circulating to get some Pacific languages officially recognised as minority languages in New Zealand. Already 4,000 people have signed the petition earmarked for parliament, in support of the Niuean, Cook Islands Maori, Tokelauan, Samoan and Tongan languages. The Bilingual Leo Pacific Coalition hopes its petition can lend support for a parliamentary bill on Pacific languages. Supporter Judy Tagilau McFall-McCaffery says the coalition’s petition has had support from New Zealand and around the region.
Judy Tagilau McFall-McCaffery
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Commercial solar power a decade away

Meridian Energy has told Parliament that commercial scale solar power generation may be at least a decade away. The state-owned power company commissioned a solar power plant in California almost a year ago and indicates experience from its operation may be put to use in New Zealand. Meridian has told Parliament's Commerce Select Committee the economic success of solar power generation depends on subsidies and incentives. They say without such support it may be around 10 years before solar projects are economic here.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Up to $20 trillion in mineral and oil assets

Solid Energy is talking up the value of the country's mineral and oil assets. According to its financial review report, the state-owned enterprise estimates the value of the in-ground resources at between 10 and 20 trillion dollars. It says those resources include oil, gas, methane hydrates, coal and lignite, iron sands, and other minerals. Solid Energy believes most of the deposits are located outside of protected conservation land.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Special weekend for guide dog puppies

It's red puppy appeal this weekend, which means guide dogs around New Zealand are feeling even more special than normal. To become a guide dog, puppies train for two years and have to pass 55 different tests. It costs more than $30,000 to get the dogs fully qualified. The Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind receives no government funding for guide dog services. The organisation is New Zealand's main provider of sight-loss services to blind and partially sighted people. With the public's help, they are aiming to raise $1 million for the breeding and training of puppies to become qualified guide dogs. For more information on how to donate head to the RNZFB website. http://www.rnzfb.org.nz/support-us/redpuppyappeal
Source:ONE News



Cyclone Bune to batter east coast of NZ

The Metservice is warning heavy swells are about to batter our eastern shores from Northland to the western Bay of Plenty, and in Gisborne and Hawke's Bay. The eye of tropical cyclone Bune is expected to pass directly overhead Raoul Island in New Zealand's Kermadec Group tonight. MetService forecasters have been in touch with Department of Conservation staff on the Island since Saturday, communicating warnings of the expected progress of this storm. DOC staff have been warned to expect torrential rain and sustained winds of around 110 kilometres an hour, gusting to 160 kilometres. Bune is expected to slowly take a path southwards, out to the east of New Zealand, over the next few days.
Source: ONE News



Daylight saving to end on Sunday

Internal Affairs has reminded people that daylight saving ends on Sunday morning. The change occurs at 3am with the time reverting to 2am. People may find it convenient to put their clocks back by one hour before going to bed on Saturday night, Internal Affairs said today. Daylight saving starts again on September 25.
NZPA



Experts in town to reduce congestion

Transport leaders are learning smart ways to reduce congestion from international experts in Auckland today. The Intelligent Transport Systems Summit is being attended by delegates from Australia, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and New Zealand. One of the main themes is how smart technology systems can help Auckland ease congestion on clogged motorways and highways.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



20% less mail delivered in NZ

The rise of technology and the economic downturn are marking a mark on traditional postal services provided by New Zealand Post. The state owned company says it now delivers on average 20% less mail per address than it did three years ago. They say the decline of traditional mail has been made worse by the recession as businesses seek to cut costs by increasing email use. However there is a positive side - New Zealand Post says its courier and parcel services are growing as people choose to order more goods over the internet.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



NZ set example against death penalty

By Sam Thompson - NewstalkZB
New Zealand has had a big part to play in the Pacific leading the world towards abolishing the death penalty. Amnesty International today released its new report on death sentences and executions in 2010. Deputy Director Rebecca Emery says the Pacific remained the only region in the world to have not carried out any executions or delivered any death sentences in the last decade. She says New Zealand set the example by abolishing the death penalty from its statues in 1989. "We're really calling on the New Zealand Government to continue this trend and to keep the final four countries in the Pacific on track to also remove the death penalty from their laws," she told Newstalk ZB. "Those countries are Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Tonga and Fiji." Ms Emery says China, Iran, North Korea, Yemen, the US and Saudi Arabia continue to execute thousands of people each year.



EQC reminds residents to lodge claims

The Earthquake Commission is reminding Canterbury residents of the deadlines for lodging claims from earthquakes September and February. A 7.1-magnitude quake hit Canterbury on 4 September last year, followed by a 6.3-magnitude quake on 22 February that killed at least 166 people and caused severe damage in Christchurch and Lyttelton. Those whose properties were damaged in a Boxing Day aftershock from the September quake have until midnight on Monday to contact EQC by phone or online. Claims in relation to the February quake close on 23 May.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Govt determined to push on with oil exploration

Acting Energy and Resources Minister Hekia Parata says the Government will not consider changing its position on deep sea oil drilling. Several boats are on their way from Auckland to the East Cape to try to stop Brazilian oil company Petrobras from beginning seismic surveying. More than 200 supporters were at Princes Wharf on Sunday to send off the flotilla. Environmental groups and Maori taking part want the Government to reverse a decision last year to sell off rights to explore for oil.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Winemakers join forces to tackle US market

Winemakers from three regions are joining forces in what is thought to be the first New Zealand independent consortium to market itself in the United States market. Nelson's Seifried Estate, Forrest Estate and Lake Chalice Wines from Marlborough and Carrick Wines from Central Otago have set up a company to import and sell their range of wines across the US. Pacific Prime Wines says the wineries' current combined sales are 5000 cases a year and they are hoping to increase that to 80,000 cases per year within next five years.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Sunday, March 27

Overseas memorial services for Christhchurch quake victims

New Zealanders overseas are preparing for several major memorial services to remember the victims of the Christchurch earthquake. This country's High Commission and various other community groups have helped to organise a service at London's Westminster Abbey which will begin at midnight on Sunday New Zealand time. More than 2500 tickets have been balloted for people to attend. The Prince of Wales is also expected to attend. The service will be the second to be held in London to remember the victims of the 6.3 magnitude quake in February. In Australia, Sydney musicians put on a classical music and opera show at St James Anglican Church on Sunday evening.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Rugby - English fans boost ticket sales for Canterbury Crusaders in London

The Crusaders rugby franchise says ticket sales for its game in London are being boosted by English spectators eager to support earthquake relief efforts in Christchurch. About $11 from each ticket for Monday's match between the Crusaders and the Sharks at Twickenham, will be donated to the Red Cross earthquake appeal. Crusaders chief executive, Hamish Riach, says while demand for tickets has been strong from New Zealanders and South Africans living in London, English fans are also interested. Mr Riach says the English supporters are very much aware of the earthquake, and are conscious of the difficulties Christchurch is facing. He says 33,000 tickets have been sold so far, but he is hoping 40,000 people will attend the game.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Vettel wins Australian Formula One Grand Prix

The world champion Sebastian Vettel won the season-opening Australian Formula One Grand Prix for Red Bull in Melbourne on Sunday. The 23-year-old German blasted off the grid and never looked troubled as he notched up his 11th career victory and third in a row. McLaren's Lewis Hamilton of Britain was second with Russian Vitaly Petrov finishing third in his Renault for his first podium in Formula One.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Protest flotilla sets sail for East Cape

A flotilla of boats has set off for from Auckland for the East Cape protesting against deep sea oil drilling. The Brazilian oil company, Petrobras, is expected to start seismic surveying there soon after the Government last year sold the rights to explore for oil. About 200 supporters crowded Princes Wharf in downtown Auckland on Sunday afternoon to send off the flotilla. Several boats are taking part in the voyage, including ones from the environmental groups Greenpeace, the Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society of New Zealand, the Coromandel Watchdog anti-mining group and the East Cape iwi Te Whanau a Apanui. Forest & Bird says it is concerned at the potential damage to marine wildlife if there's an oil spill. It says New Zealand does not have a robust regulatory framework for deep sea oil exploration.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Worst Packaging Awards

The utter ridiculousness of individually wrapped prunes is just one example of bad packaging being highlighted in an awards shortlist. Unpackit Worst Packaging Awards also has corn cobs in two layers of plastic, plus the annoying Brother ink cartridge bags and Oral Braun toothbrush heads among its nominated products. The nominations come from a public vote, as will the winners, online at www.unpackit.org.nz Unpackit spokeswoman Sophie Ward says at the other end of the scale there are eight wonderfully packaged products, including a couple of simple classics - egg cartons and swap-a-crates. Voting closes this week.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Digital TV expanding

Digital television is going to be available to a further 160,000 households later this year. The expansion will allow digital TV to be picked up by UHF aerial in Whangarei, Rotorua, Gisborne, Taupo, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Wairarapa, Nelson, Timaru, and Invercargill. Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman says the expansion will be done in time for people to see the Rugby World Cup in high definition format. Currently 75% of homes have access to the digital signal, but that will expand to 86% by September. The analogue signal system will be shut down by late 2013, starting in September next year.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Severe weather ahead

A severe weather watch is in place for much of the North Island and parts of the South. MetService is forecasting heavy rain for Bay of Plenty and Taupo and thunderstorms for Waikato down to Taranaki. A front in the South Island is expected to bring heavy rain in the West Coast, the Alps, Southland and Otago.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Fish pass fitness taste test

By Celeste Gorrell Anstiss
Bigger, leaner, firmer: two Kiwi scientists have decided that fit fish are tasty fish, so have invented a way of persuading farmed salmon to exercise around the clock. The technology, called OptoSwim, uses flashing LED lights to trick the fish into thinking the water is moving so they swim to keep up. Its creators, Dr Neill Herbert and Sunil Kudri from the University of Auckland, found the exercise boosted fish growth by 34 per cent and reduced the amount of feed needed by 20 per cent. "It's behavioural trickery," says Herbert. "Generally fish activity in tanks diminishes over time, they become sluggish. We find putting them on a 24- hour exercise regime is key. Fish can exercise non-stop and still grow."



Accreditation lost by two demolition companies

Two demolition companies working in Christchurch have been stripped of their accreditation, after employees were caught acting suspiciously inside the city's red zone. Civil Defence says it is the first time that any companies have lost their accreditation, which demolition firms must have in order to work clearing debris from last month's earthquake. National Controller Steve Brazier says police caught two people working in the red zone in what he described as suspicious circumstances on Friday night, but could not be more specific.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Landslide loss by Labor in NSW

New South Wales Labor premier Kristina Keneally has conceded defeat after the party suffered a "massacre" at the hands of voters. There has been a swing of nearly 17% against Labor, which lost dozens of formerly safe seats across its heartland as voters ended its 16-year rule. Western Sydney is described by the ABC as a Labour wasteland. Ms Keneally retained her seat, but will step down as Labor leader. The Coalition is expected to have 68 seats in the state's lower house, against 22 for Labor.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Saturday, March 26

Cyclone Bune headed for Raoul Island

A tropical cyclone heading for Raoul Island, about 1100km northeast of New Zealand, is weakening but may cause minor damage, forecasters warn. Tropical Cyclone Bune weakened slightly this afternoon to a strong category 2 cyclone, with its winds of 111km/h just under category 3, WeatherWatch head weather analyst Philip Duncan said. The cyclone stalled today, but was likely to pass over or near Raoul Island, part of the Kermadecs. The storm is expected to reach New Zealand next week, although severe weather was unlikely as the centre was not going to make landfall, he said. There was a strong chance it would create dangerous rips and surf along the east coast, particularly from East Cape to Wairarapa, between Tuesday and Saturday.
NZPA



BHP to expand Australian operations

BHP Billiton is to expand its iron ore and coal mining projects in Australia. The company said in a statement it has approved $US9.5 billion in capital investment, which will be spent on developing mines, rail links and ports there. BHP said in February that it expects to spend $US80 billion on development by 2015. The Anglo-Australian company is the world's biggest producer of coking coal, which is used to make steel. The BBC reports it is also a major producer of copper, iron ore, nickel and silver.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Ferry passengers being checked for rats

The Department of Conservation checking people getting on a ferry in Auckland on Saturday morning to make sure they are not carrying rats. The screening is being done before 2000 athletes catch the ferry to Motutapu and Rangitoto islands, where mountain-biking and running events are taking place. The islands are free of rats and mice and are close to being declared pest-free sanctuaries for endangered wildlife. Three dogs and their handlers are carrying out the checks at the ferry terminal on Quay Street.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Earth hour tonight

Hundreds of millions of people are expected to switch off their lights tonight to mark 'Earth Hour'. The movement that began in Sydney in 2007 to raise awareness about climate change now brings together people from around the world to turn the lights off for 60 minutes to reduce energy consumption. United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged people to celebrate the shared quest to "protect the planet and ensure human well-being". Earth Hour is celebrated as 8.30PM rolls around the world.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



NZ ban on food from Japan not required - importers

The Importers Institute is backing a decision by the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry to hold off from banning imports of imports from Japan. It says the types of food imported by New Zealand are extremely unlikely to be affected by possible contamination from the damaged Fukushima nuclear power plant. Russia and Canada are the latest countries to impose import restrictions. Others include Australia, Britain and the United States. The Green Party says this country needs to follow Australia's lead. But the Importers Institute says countries that have imposed bans import a wider range of food products than New Zealand.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Hallensteins launches moose challenge

By Dave Goosselink

Ken Tustin's one of the country's top moose hunters. He's been on the trail of the elusive animal for 40 years, convinced they are still alive in Fiordland. “Yes there are. Yes absolutely for sure. We know that from the field sign, we know that from DNA records, we know that from cast antlers we've found over the years,” he says. It's almost 60 years since moose were last officially photographed. Now clothing company Hallensteins is issuing a challenge, putting up a $100,000 bounty for anyone who can take a photo of the mysterious animal. Capturing a clear shot of the elusive animal in the rugged Fiordland terrain will be no easy mission. Photographers will have to battle remote bush, heavy rain, and bugs in their search for the solitary animal. As Ken says, good things are worth waiting for. So is the $100,000.
3 News



Cricket - Black Caps record stunning upset to reach World Cup semi-finals

The New Zealand cricketers have shocked South Africa in their world cup quarter-final clash in Dhaka upsetting the pre-tournament favourites by 49 runs to advance to the semi-finals on the subcontinent. The Black Caps won the toss and chose to bat first reaching 221-8 on the back of a Jesse Ryder 83 before knocking over the Proteas for just 172. All-rounder Jacob Oram was named man of the match after claiming four wickets and taking a brilliant catch on the boundary to remove danger man Jaques Kallis and turn the match in the Black Caps favour. It was the fifth defeat in as many World Cup knockout matches for the South Africans since their first appearance at the 1992 tournament. New Zealand, who have now reached the semi-finals six times, will meet the winners of Saturday's quarter-final between Sri Lanka and England in Colombo next Tuesday.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Tropical cyclone Bune develops to category three storm

The Fiji met service says tropical cyclone Bune has developed into a category three storm. The cyclone is south of Fiji and moving very slowly in a south-easterly direction. The cyclone is intensifying further, with sustained winds of 120 kilometres about the centre and increasing to 148 kilometres in the next 24 hours. The lead forecaster at the Fiji met service, David Grant, says at this stage, cyclone Bune poses no immediate threat to land.
David Grant of the Fiji Met service.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Friday, March 25

Doctors queuing up for work in Canterbury

The Canterbury District Health Board says it has seen a significantly higher number of junior doctor looking for work in the region, contrary to reports of a doctors' exodus from the Christchurch. There have been 205 applicants for 40 positions at Christchurch Hospital's Resident Medical Officers' (RMOs) Unit, according to the DHB. RMO Unit Manager Karen Schaab says the number is higher than in previous years. "It is very encouraging given what the region has been through in the last six months, Unit Manager Karen Schaab says. The DHB says claims 50 junior doctors left as a result of the recent quakes were not true, and resignations for this year are relatively consistent with the same period last year. Schaab says she has received requests for contract extensions from current staff due to finish in August.
Source: ONE News



Warning falls on deaf ears

SAM SACHDEVA
A big Wellington earthquake could lead to a mass exodus of government departments, devastating the city's economy and turning it into a "glorified ferry terminal", a disaster resilience expert says. Emergency management consultant and former New Zealand Resilience Trust chief executive Jarrod Coburn said attempts to warn Wellington City Council about the likely impact of a major quake had been greeted with an "absolute deafening silence". In 2008, Coburn and the trust conducted a study of 120 government ministries, departments and agencies in Wellington on their emergency preparations. Of the 62 organisations that provided a plan, more than half indicated they would have to relocate out of Wellington. Coburn said the organisations were likely to remain out of the city for a long time, and some might never return. "They would have to spend a lot of money, hire new staff and move people up there," he said. "After all that, and with more than half of the population in Auckland, would the appetite for moving back to Wellington still be there? Unlikely." Wellington businesses were highly dependent on the government sector, Coburn said, and a mass withdrawal of government organisations could lead the economy into a downward spiral.
The Press



Buy Christchurch Made campaign launched

Buy NZ Made has today launched a new campaign called Love Christchurch Made. The campaign, which is free for all Canterbury-based businesses to join, is designed to help local manufacturers promote their products in the aftermath of February's devastating earthquake. Catherine Beard, BusinessNZ Executive Director Manufacturing, says the campaign will help raise awareness that Christchurch manufacturers are still pumping out their goods for sale. "This is a great way for New Zealanders and international consumers to show their support for Christchurch manufacturers. It also sends a clear message that these firms are open for business after February's earthquake." Love Christchurch Made also includes an online business directory for firms to advertise their contact details, web address and products. CLICK HERE FOR THE WEBSITE
Source: ONE News



Tropical cyclone heading to NZ

By Hayden Donnell
Tropical cyclone Bune formed near Fiji has strengthened overnight, with forecasters predicting it will intensify further as it moves toward New Zealand. Tropical Cyclone is now category 2 strength, with sustained winds at 93km/h rising to more than 100km/h later today, the Fiji Meteorological Service reports. Its is tracking toward New Zealand, with the Joint Typhoon Warning Center forecasting its centre to be 400 to 600kms off the East Cape by the middle of next week. WeatherWatch.co.nz has warned of dangerous surf rips and heavy surf in the East Cape, Gisborne and Hawkes Bay beaches next week.



Software lets parents monitor kids' calls

By Amelia Wade
New spy software has gone on sale in New Zealand to allow parents to monitor their children's text messages and cellphone calls. The technology even has a GPS tracking device so parents know exactly where their children are at any given moment - all for a cost of $44. Sally Rae and Steve Herstell, who launched the software in New Zealand yesterday, said the application was aimed at helping parents prevent their children become victims of bullying, sexting and grooming. "You need to train a child to use a cellphone, and this is a way of doing that," Ms Rae said. "You can actually watch all telephone calls in and out, you can black-list some numbers if you want to," Ms Rae said. "You can see all texts in and out and the content of the texts. You can also GPS-track them." MyFone software is purchased online and downloaded to a handset, which is then connected to the mobile number to be monitored.
The software is bought for $44.20 from www.myfone.mobi.



Tunnel dig uncovers archeologists' treasure trove

An old well, abandoned more than 100 years ago, is providing archaeologists with some rich pickings on a new Auckland motorway route. The well was found on the route of a new motorway tunnel in Auckland near the old Rob Roy Hotel in St Mary's Bay near the Auckland suburb of Ponsonby. When it was abandoned more than 100 years ago the well became "a bit of a depository for rubbish" and had turned up some exciting finds, said archaeologist Sarah Phear. "Within the well they have found all sorts of 19th century remains, artefacts like shoes and tin cans - some of them sardine cans - and other things like that. Archaeologists looked into the basement area after the hotel was moved but found nothing of interest other than evidence that the hotel was built on the foreshore before St Marys Bay was reclaimed.
NZPA



Student loan repayment reminder from IRD

Inland Revenue has issued a reminder about student loan repayments to more than 60,000 people living overseas. The borrowers, including more than 25,000 people coming off a three-year repayment holiday, have until March 31 to make a payment. "We're contacting borrowers to remind them repayments are starting again. For many of them we don't have current contact details so again, we're asking family or friends back here to remind them or get them to check our website," IRD spokesman Charles Ronaldson said. "With the repayment holiday now over for (many of) these borrowers, it's very important that they keep their account up-to-date and meet their repayment obligations. If they don't, penalties will see their loan grow quickly."
NZPA



High quality aerial pictures of Christchurch available

The public can now access the same high qualitiy aerial imagery of Christchurch that Police, Civil Defence, and other emergency services have been using to assess damage to the area.
The imagery of the city was taken on 24 February. Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) is coordinating the release of this imagery on behalf of the Crown, on the authority of the National Controller, John Hamilton, who commissioned the aerial images to help the work of the Christchurch Response Centre (CRC). LINZ has released the imagery under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 New Zealand license. This means anyone is free to copy, distribute, and adapt the imagery so long as it is attributed to the Crown. The imagery was collected by New Zealand Aerial Mapping (NZAM) flying at 1,600m above the ground using a Vexcel UCXp large format digital aerial camera. To access the 24 February aerial imagery, visit
http://koordinates.com/layer/3185-christchurch-post-earthquake-aerial-photos-24-feb-2011/
The Press



New online farm information service to go live

A new online farm information service that will improve the country's response time to a rural emergency will go live next month. FarmsOnline has been developed by MAF Biosecurity. It pulls together rural property, land use and ownership information. It is to ensure that up-to-date information on New Zealand farms is available if there is a serious biosecurity outbreak or natural disaster. Design manager Clifton King says testing on the system has been completed and it is on track to be launched on 13 April. He says security of the information held by the system has been a very important aspect of its development. Mr King says coverage of 98% of farms has been achieved.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Rudd to visit Christchurch

Kevin Rudd, Australia's Foreign Affairs Minister and former Prime Minister, is due in Christchurch on Friday for biannual talks with his New Zealand counterpart, Murray McCully. He will also visit areas damaged by the earthquake on 22 February. Mr McCully says a range of bilateral, regional and global foreign policy issues, including recent events in the Middle East will be discusses. The last formal talks between Australian and New Zealand foreign ministers were held in November 2010 in Canberra.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Sea cucumber farm project being explored

An experimental project to farm sea cucumbers has taken a step forward with Maori partners travelling to China to find out what the customers want. A business support agency, Poutama Trust, the Whakatohea Maori Trust Board, and the Wakatu Incorporation have been in talks with Oriental Oceans about farming the cucumber in Bay of Plenty and Nelson waters. Poutama chief executive Richard Jones says the sea cucumbers will be grown under mussel farms and the Chinese are happy with the progress.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Thursday, March 24

NZ not banning Japanese food imports

New Zealand is not joining other countries in banning food imports from areas near Japan's crippled nuclear power plant. New Zealand's Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry says it is working with importers to ensure that imported food is safe to eat. MAF says it has the capacity to test food for radiation. Products imported from Japan include noodles, saki, soy sauce and seaweed.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Solar-powered ship stops in Tahiti on trip around globe

A ship powered by only solar energy and carrying four people has arrived in French Polynesia on a trip aimed at circumnavigating the globe. The MS Turanor Planet Solar, had left Monaco in September and passed through the Panama Canal two months ago to reach the Pacific. The ship, which is 35 metres long and weighs 95 tonnes, has 537 square metres of solar panels to power the engine. The vessel, the largest of its kind, was built by German and Swiss companies.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Cyclone Bune leaving southern Fiji waters

Tropical cyclone Bune is about to leave the waters of southern Fiji as the system is headed in a southwesterly direction. By late afternoon the storm’s centre was about 400 kilometres south of Suva. The Metservice says the cyclone has gusts of up to 85 kilometres an hour. It has warned the southern Lau group of periods of heavy rain and flooding.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Cirque du Soleil returns to our shores

By Natasha Burling - NewstalkZB
Cirque du Soleil will return to our shores this August, for a two-week season of Saltimbanco. It is the fourth time the troop has visited New Zealand. The show will kick off on August 25 at Auckland's Vector Arena. It features an international cast of more than 50 performers and musicians from more than 20 countries. Tickets go on sale on Monday April 4.



Orchestras double bill concert

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra will join forces for a free community concert in Christchurch next month. The NZSO earlier said it would play for the community at Burnside High School on April 7, after last month's earthquake forced it to cancel a performance at the Christchurch Town Hall. NZSO chief executive Peter Walls said today the CSO had since approached the NZSO to suggest they co-present the event. The NZSO will open with a one-hour programme, and the CSO would play the second half.
NZPA



Tropical cyclone may reach NZ next week

By Hayden Donnell
A reported tropical cyclone forming near Fiji is on track to bring strong winds and heavy rain to New Zealand next week, forecasters predict. The US-based Joint Typhoon Warning Center has issued a warning for an as-yet unnamed tropical cyclone sitting south east of the Fiji capital Suva. Fiji Meteorological Service has forecast the system to move south-west towards New Zealand. WeatherWatch.co.nz head analyst Philip Duncan said the storm, which is currently blowing wind gusts of up to 80km/hr, could intensify before hitting New Zealand on Monday and Tuesday. It is predicted to bring strong winds and heavy rain to Gisborne and the East Cape, he said. MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said the Fiji Meteorological Service could name the storm later today.



Australia halts food imports from Japan

The Australian government has ordered a halt on food imports from parts of Japan amid fears of radiation contamination from the country's crippled nuclear plant. The Fukushima Daiichi plant was badly damaged after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami that devastated the country's north-east coast on 11 March. The United States and Hong Kong have already restricted Japanese food, and France wants the European Union to do the same. Australia has ordered a halt to food imports from the Fukushima, Gunma, Ibaraki and Tochigi prefectures which are near the plant. Singapore also suspended imports of milk products and other foodstuffs from the prefectures, while and Canada has implemented enhanced import controls on products from there, AFP reports. The holding order took effect on Thursday morning and will remain until Australian regulators are satisfied there is no further risk. The holding order took effect on Thursday morning and will remain until Australian regulators are satisfied there is no further risk.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



New foreshore bill passed

The controversial Marine and Coastal Area Bill, which replaces the Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004, has been passed in parliament. The Bill restores access to the courts to seek recognition of customary title, and guarantees the rights of all New Zealanders in the common marine and coastal area. Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson said the final reading of the bill marks the completion of more than two years of consultation and policy development "on a matter that has vexed us as a nation for almost a decade". Finlayson said over the last two years it has become clear all parliamentary parties want to change the existing law to restore right of access to justice.
Source: ONE News



Rare mural viewing

There is a rare viewing of a million dollar mural in Tauranga that was taken by Tuhoe activists more than ten years ago. The chequered history of Colin McCahon's Urewera Mural began when it was first commissioned by the Department of Conservation back in the 1970s. It was then stolen from a visitor centre at Lake Waikaremoana by a Tuhoe activist and his associate. Tauranga Art Gallery's Penelope Jackson says it was returned, and they have managed to borrow it for the next three months.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Oxford University offer space for Canterbury students

Oxford University is offering 42 places to Canterbury students to study for the eight-week term starting after Easter. The offer is for 32 honours students and 10 postgraduates in the arts, humanities, social sciences or law. Oxford contacted Christchurch University immediately after the February 22 quake to ask how it could help. The result is these fully funded study places. Successful candidates will be given a special $2000 scholarship to cover international travel, taxes and insurance.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Mistake forces royal wedding stamp recall

An embarrassing mistake has forced NZ Post to withdraw its royal wedding presentation stamp pack only a few weeks before Prince William, the second in line to the British throne, and Kate Middleton are married. The pack, which sold for $19.90, was released this week but included the wrong birth date for the prince in the text. Instead of the correct date of June 21, 1982, the pack said Prince William was born on May 21. The mistake was not on either of the two $2.40 stamps of Prince William and Kate Middleton released yesterday by NZ Post but in the text of the presentation pack. NZ Post spokesman John Tulloch, said it was a regrettable mistake and the unsold packs would be withdrawn and reprinted. He said anyone who had bought the packs and wanted them replaced should call 0800 782 677 to arrange a replacement.
NZPA



Hope rubble will be recycled

By LAWRENCE HAKIWAI - NewstalkZB
It is hoped up to 80% of rubble in Christchurch will be able to be recycled. Transpacific waste management South Island general manager Gareth James says the City Council is keen to see the maximum amount of material recycled. He says they want to see the material reused in the rebuilding of Christchurch. Mr James says work at the moment is looking at where can the material be stockpiled and what is involved in working through probably several million tonnes of demolition material over several years.



Tropical cyclone alert issued for Fiji groups

A tropical cyclone alert is now in force for Fiji’s Lau and Lomaiviti groups. A strong wind warning is also in force for the Lau group, Lomaiviti Group and nearby smaller islands. A tropical depression was located 240 kilometers south of Lakeba or about 360 kilometers east south east of Suva early this morning. The depression is moving west-southwest at about 22 kilometres an hour, and on this track it may cause gale forces winds over Lau, Lomaiviti and the nearby small islanders in the next 24 to 30 hours. The lead forecaster at the Fiji Met Service, David Grant, says the depression is intensifying.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



School helps pupils kick smoking habit

AMANDA FISHER
Nicotine-addicted pupils at Mana College in Porirua can now get patches, gum and lozenges from the school nurse to help them kick the smoking habit. The school nurse has been registered as a Quit Group provider, a programme funded by the Health Ministry, which means she can provide cigarette substitutes to pupils, if they pass an assessment, as well as other coaching. "When [an opportunity] comes along like that ... we would be foolish not to take advantage of it," principal Mike Webster said. He did not think Mana College pupils were smoking more than their peers, but said the school was committed to helping them make wise health choices. The programme would not promote nicotine use. It would be ridiculous if he said pupils did not smoke. "I'm not going to qualify us as a high user, a low user or a mid-user, but recognise there are children out there that need help to quit smoking."
The Dominion Post



Cyclone forms north of NZ

A tropical cyclone - yet to be christened - has formed this morning north of New Zealand. Its centre is currently 560 kilometres south east of the Fiji capital Suva with the Joint Typhoon Warning Center in Hawaii forecasting it will move due south toward New Zealand. MetService New Zealand has not currently posted any warnings.
Stuff



Day to day issues expected to influence Maori voters

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia expects day to day issues like health, education and jobs will be greater influences on the way Maori vote than the foreshore and seabed. The Maori Party has supported the Marine and Coastal Area Bill, which could be passed as early as Thursday. Mrs Turia says that for every email that MPs have received criticising their stand, there have been 20 commending them for standing strong and making some advances. She told Waatea News that the foreshore and seabed issue will always be paramount, but day to day, people will be concerned about the social situation that they are in. Mrs Turia said the party's polling supports that view.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Australian police farewelled from Christchurch

The final contingent of Australian police was formally farewelled from Christchurch on Wednesday night, ahead of their departure on Friday. About 300 police officers from throughout Australia began arriving in Christchurch in the days after the earthquake. Police Commissioner Howard Broad thanked them at a ceremony in the city and they were all gifted a piece of pounamu. Superintendent Gavan Ryan of the Australian Federal Police says the whole journey has been humbling. He says the blessings and the comradeship from the New Zealand Police and the wider community have been overwhelming.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



2nd recession avoided

The New Zealand economy avoided a recession in the final half of last year. Statistics New Zealand says Gross Domestic Product rose 0.2% in the final three months of the year. That follows a contraction of 0.2% in the previous three months. A contraction in the December quarter would have met the official definition of two consectutive quarters of contraction required for a recession. The biggest contributor to economic growth in the December quarter was an increase in manufacturing output of 2.5%.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Wednesday, March 23

MAF confident no contaminated food will reach NZ

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry says it is confident no contaminated food from Japan will reach New Zealand. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant was badly damaged after a 9.0-magnitude earthquake triggered a tsunami that devastated the northeast coast of Japan on 11 March. The Japanese government says above-safety radiation levels have now been discovered in 11 types of vegetables from the Fukushima area. The Japanese government says above-safety radiation levels have now been discovered in 11 types of vegetables from the Fukushima area. It has ordered two prefectures near the plant to halt shipments of vegetables and other foods found to have radiation levels up to 164 times the legal limit. Radiation has also been found in milk, tap water and the Pacific Ocean, although the government and experts insist that the levels are still far from dangerous to humans. MAF spokesperson David Crowe says the little food New Zealand imports from Japan is mostly processed, such as sake, soy sauce, pickled ginger and wasabi.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Kiwi soldier's bible home after nearly 100 years

Almost 100 years after being lost in the mud of a World War One trench, a Kiwi soldier's bible has finally come home. Richard Cook of Otago lost his bible during heavy shelling on the front line near Messines, Belgium in 1917 and later died of his wounds. One year on, British Fusilier Herbert Hodgson fell into that same bomb crater and his hand touched Cook's bible. No name was written in it and believing he didn't have a prayer of finding the owner, Hodgson kept it for good luck. While there was no name inscribed, the service number read 34816 and was last year traced to Cook who now lays at rest in France. Cook's family are thrilled that the bible has now been returned and will be part of a special exhibition at the Waiouru Army Museum. "For us it's almost bringing Richard back from the battlefields of France and Belgium," said great nephew Major Mac McColl.
Source: ONE News



Prisoners use patches to kick the habit

Three months out from the start of the smoking ban in prisons, more than 1800 prisoners have started using patches and lozenges to help them quit the habit. The ban in all prisons takes effect on July 1. Corrections Minister Judith Collins says five voluntary non smoking units have already been set up across the country. Staff are also giving up, with some receiving nicotine replacement therapy and 166 have received treatment from assessment clinics set up in prisons.
NewstalkZB



NZ company prepares to sue Gordon Ramsay

Lawyers for celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay are today holding discussions with those of a New Zealand promotions company, which is suing him for more than $2 million after he cancelled his appearances at sold-out charity events here. This was the second time Ramsay, who charged a $100,000 appearance fee, had not met contracts with the company, Duco Events. He was to take part in three charity dinners in the main centres in June, but postponed the tour until October after his mother suffered a minor heart attack. He cancelled the October dates to stay in Britain to sort out business matters, offering a personal donation to the related charitable trust. "He's effectively cancelled four events and mucked around a whole lot of people including, obviously, me, a charity recipient, the paying public, sponsors, the broadcaster, caused reputational damage and just generally wreaked havoc." The dinners would have raised money for a New Zealand girl living in the United States, Matisse Reid, who suffers from an intestinal disorder meaning she cannot eat and requires costly treatment.
NZPA



Aussie tax break for Chch donations

Australians who donate to the New Zealand government's Christchurch earthquake appeal will be able to get a tax deduction on their contributions. Australian Assistant Treasurer Bill Shorten announced yesterday that the appeal would be listed as a deductible gift recipient in Australian tax laws, allowing donors to receive a tax deduction on any donation over $A2 ($NZ2.72). Before the change, Australians could get tax deductions on donations to local charities raising funds for the appeal, but not on donations directly to the New Zealand appeal. Revenue Minister Peter Dunne today said the move was "a very generous gesture from our friends in Australia".
The Press



Swan cuts power to 2500 homes in Hawkes Bay

Thousands of households in Napier and Hastings lost power yesterday after two outages, one caused by a swan. More than 2587 Hawkes Bay homes were without power for up to half an hour last night after the swan flew into power lines in Whakatu at 3.54pm. Unison customer relations manager Danny Gough said the swan incident caused a chain reaction that shut down the Rangitane sub-station. Buildings from Napier and Hastings briefly lost power from the outage and some customers in Whakatu, Haumoana and Clive were without power for about half an hour. The swan's fate following the powerful powerful encounter was unconfirmed. "I'm not sure what the fate of the swan was, but I wouldn't be hopeful," Mr Gough said.
HAWKES BAY TODAY



Heinz Wattie's exporting to Russia

Food processor and canner Heinz Wattie's is shipping its first-ever exports of canned vegetables to Russia. The consignment consists of canned peas from Canterbury and corn from the Hawkes Bay. Heinz Wattie's Group Export Manager Donald Park says these are the first products the company has sent to Russia, a country with which New Zealand has begun negotiating a Free Trade Agreement. The company exports 55% of its production, with its major markets being Australia, Japan, Korea, Europe and USA.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Powers of invention on the boil

TINA LAW
Six Christchurch pupils have created a device that uses a pot of boiling water to charge cellphones, power a light and run a radio. The small generator has a flat base and a cup on top, which is placed on a pot of boiling water. The cup is filled with water, and, using the heat generated from the pot, it creates enough energy to power small devices. Sam Mackwell, 16, developed the generator in his backyard shed after the St Thomas of Canterbury College pupils came up with the idea after the September 4 earthquake. He said a lot of Christchurch people were having to boil water and the generator meant they could take advantage of the energy that would otherwise be wasted.



Christchurch gets specialised medical imaging machine

A $100,000 medical imaging machine has been donated to Christchurch Hospital, the first of its kind to be used in the South Island. The specialised machine provides detailed images of small bones during surgery. The equipment was donated to help orthopaedic surgeons working on small bone injuries after an increase in demand following the 22 February earthquake. The clinical director of the hospital's plastic surgery department, Barnaby Nye, says the machine helps surgeons to be more certain of their management of a fracture because of the fine detail it provides.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Police warn of another overseas scam

Police are warning of an overseas scam they say amounts to money laundering. Detective Sergeant Dave Grace, of Waikato, says a Hamilton woman answered an internet job offer for a home-based position for a company overseas. The woman responded to an application form that required her bank account number. The following day, about $9000 was wired to her account. Mr Grace says the woman was then asked to move the money to other accounts overseas. This is in effect money laundering, which carries stiff penalties. People need to be wary of unsolicited emails, phone calls and texts promising large windfalls, he says.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Super fund performance impressive

The New Zealand Superannuation Fund is performing impressively with it sitting at $19 billion and reporting a 22.5% return for the financial year-to-date. Business correspondent Roger Kerr says the Super Fund suffered heavy losses at the height of the global financial crisis, but it has made a great recovery. He recalls chief executive Adrian Orr making his viewpoint clear. "He strongly resisted calls to change their investment philosophy and investment asset allocation when values were plunging and they were down 22%. Mr Kerr says taxpayers will be pleased the Super Fund didn't panic.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Mt Ruapehu eruption warning system being upgraded

A major upgrade to the eruption detection system on Mount Ruapehu is underway, the Department of Conservation (DOC) says. In the mountain's last eruption, in September of 2007, two climbers and a snow groomer driver narrowly escaped death in the fast-moving lahar. The department says about half the eruptions on Ruapehu were not predictable with the old technology. DOC says new sensors and new communication systems will mean it will be easier to detect eruptions and more information will be conveyed reliably to skiers and staff.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Chinese news agency Xinhua opens a bureau in Fiji

The Chinese news agency Xinhua has opened a news bureau in the Fiji capital, Suva. A spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Suva says the Xinhua Suva Bureau’s coverage includes all big and important events both in Fiji and some South Pacific island countries like Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu. He says in recent years, as China-Fiji relations have grown rapidly, Xinhua has the responsibility and task to tell the Chinese people who have had growing interests in the area to tell them and the world the reality of Fiji.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Tuesday, March 22

Oldest albatross survives tsunami in Midway

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials are celebrating that an albatross that could be the oldest in the world has survived the tsunami triggered by Japan’s earthquake. Some islands at the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge near Hawaii were washed over by one and a half metre high waves. Many birds died including more than 100,000 chicks and 2,000 adults of the Laysan and black-footed albatross species. But project leader for the Hawaiian and Pacific Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Barry Stieglitz, says they were glad to see the albatross, known as Wisdom, was there feeding. Barry Stieglitz says Wisdom is thought to be about 60 years old.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Religion set for extinction in NZ, says US study

A study using census data from New Zealand and eight other countries suggests religion is set for extinction in all these nations, researchers say. The data reflected a steady rise in the proportion of the population claiming no religious affiliation. Academics from Northwestern University, in Illinois, Arizona University and a research company in Tuscon used a mathematical model to account for the interplay between the number of religious respondents and the social motives behind being one. The American research used "nonlinear dynamics" put a numerical basis behind the decline of religion as seen in census data from New Zealand, Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. "The result, reported at the American Physical Society meeting in Dallas, US, indicates that religion will all but die out altogether in those countries," the BBC reported today. In New Zealand, 2006 census figures show that the number and proportion of people indicating that they had no religion continued to increase, with 1,297,104 people (34.7 per cent) stated that they had no religion, compared with 1,028,052 people (29.6 per cent) in the 2001 census.
NZPA



Cook Strait ferry to get $40m revamp

The Cook Strait ferry Aratere is to get a $40 million refit to make the boat 30 metres longer and increase passenger capacity by about 300 people. The refit is part of KiwiRail's Turnaround Plan which includes boosting Interislander's ability to carry rail freight as well as passengers and commercial vehicles. The boat will leave for Singapore on April 13 where it will be cut in half and a new 30-metre body will be installed as well as a new bow. Vehicle capacity will be increased by 30 percent and rail capacity by 27 percent. The five-month refit was expected to be finished in time for the start of the Rugby World Cup in September, Interislander general manager Thomas Davis said.
NZPA



Royal wedding stamp on sale today

The official New Zealand stamps for the royal wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton went on sale today. There are two options available, one in which the prince and his future bride are standing and a second in which they are in a casual pose. Both options have a silver fern in the bottom left corner. The stamps, which went on sale at 9am, are being sold for $2.40 each, which is the cost of postage to Britain for a letter, while for royalists, 4000 collector packs have been produced at a cost of $19.90 each.
Source: ONE News



NZ research sheds light on black hole explosions

New Zealand researchers have shed new light on the phenomenon which causes black holes to explode. The research, which was led by Victoria University Professor of Mathematics Matt Visser, found the conditions which cause black holes to explode occurred more often than previously thought. The phenomenon, called Hawking Radiation after its discoverer Stephen Hawking, causes black holes to leak energy and ultimately explode creating a blast "that would dwarf any nuclear weapon ever envisaged". "We now believe there are a number of theoretically plausible objects in the universe that emit Hawking Radiation. It's more robust and more prevalent than scientists thought," Prof Visser said. Prof Visser said the discovery unravelled some of universe's mysteries but was not a cause for concern.
NZPA



Flooding blocks Coromandel Peninsula roads

Flooding has closed a number of roads on the Coromandel Peninsula. Up to 200mm of rain fell on parts of the peninsula overnight on Monday. State Highway 25 is blocked at Opoutere and Hikuai, closing the southern road into Tairua. The road is also closed near Hot Water Beach and further north at Whitianga, Manaia and Te Renga. Heavy rain is starting to cause problems on the east coast north of Gisborne with State Highway 35 closed at Te Puia springs on Tuesday morning.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Auckland Zoo's Burma befriends horse

Auckland Zoo's sole elephant Burma has a new friend - a horse. This after concerns about her psychological health since the death of Kashin in 2009. Plans to find Burma an Asian elephant mate, which would cost $13 million, have yet to go before the Auckland Council. Because that could take another year, Burma's keepers are trialling a horse substitute. Horses and elephants have similar social structures. Cherry the horse is being gradually introduced and while there's still distance between them in the paddock, Burma is growing curious about her new companion.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Monday, March 21

Vanuatu government makes donation to Christchurch quake victims

The Vanuatu government has donated 53 thousand US dollars to the victims of the Christchurch earthquake. The minister of justice, Ralph Regenvanu, made the donation to the New Zealand high commissioner, Jeff Roach, during a memorial service for the quake victims. Mr Regenvanu says the donation is sign of the solidarity that the people of Vanuatu have with New Zealand.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Wild weather lashes New South Wales

A body has been found in part of a stormwater system in the Australian state of New South Wales as as wild weather prompts dozens of rescues across the Illawarra region. Two people have been rescued from their car after it was swept down a creek and 16 children and their carers had to be rescued from a preschool after it flooded, AAP reports. The Illawarra region has experienced its worst downpours in 21 years with almost 230mm of rain falling in a 24-hour period, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Severe weather warnings are in place for the NSW south coast, the Illawarra, South West Slopes, Snowy Mountains and Southern Tablelands.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Kiwis can spot a hotel bargain - survey

A new survey has found Kiwis have the keenest eye for a bargain when booking hotels in New Zealand. The website, hotels.com, has taken a sample of more than 100,000 bookings made from all over the world to reveal the spending and holidaying habits of its customers. It has found Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are the most popular destinations for a break in New Zealand, with Kiwis spending less on average on accommodation than other visitors. Kiwis paid $117 a night, where Australian tourists tended to pay a bit more, with an average spend of $194.
Source: ONE News



DoC to tag sharks near Stewart Island

The Department of Conservation says it will be attracting great whites with a mixture of minced fish and fish oil called berley so they can be tagged. The department says berley can keep attracting sharks to the area for 24 hours. The researchers will use it from Tuesday until 6 April. It says as well as showing where a shark has travelled, the tags can provide other information such as dive times, depths and water temperature. DoC shark expert Clinton Duffy says the location of the vessel will be posted daily via local fishermen's radio to alert any divers or kayakers.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Wiggles to raise spirits of Christchurch children

The World's most famous children's entertainers - The Wiggles - are to go ahead with their tour of quake-stricken Christchurch. The CBS Canterbury Arena has been given the all-clear by safety inspectors. The Wiggles have announced that they will be donating the remaining available tickets to their shows on Saturday April and Saturday April 17 (during April School Holidays) to the children, parents and grandparents of Christchurch for free admission. Anthony, Murray, Jeff and Sam singing all your favourite Wiggles hits from the last 20 years, including Hot Potato, Fruit Salad and Rock A Bye Your Bear. Tickets to the shows will only be available through the CBS Canterbury Arena Box Office (James Hinton Drive, Addington) from Thursday March 24. Residents will need to take evidence of their local address (a form of ID together with proof of address such as a power bill) to receive tickets. Tickets are available on a first come basis and are limited to six per family. For families of Christchurch who have already purchased tickets The Wiggles will be donating $5 for every ticket purchased to the New Zealand Red Cross 2011 Earthquake Appeal.
Source: ONE News



Govt to assess education links with Libya

By LAWRENCE HAKIWAI - NewstalkZB
New Zealand's education links with Libya are being reviewed as United Nations sanctioned air strikes on the country continue. Prime Minister John Key says the Government supports the actions and the sanctions and is evaluating existing education links between New Zealand and Libya. New Zealand's deal with Libya was signed by Education Minister Anne Tolley in October last year to allow for the country to accommodate more than 300 fully funded Libyan students a year. The Minister said then "Libya is an emerging education market for New Zealand. It is a nation coming out of a period of international isolation and ready to re-engage with countries like ours," she said in October.



BOP pumpkin takes regional honours

A gigantic pumpkin that has been grown in the Bay of Plenty had to be taken off a trailer using a forklift because of its weight. The tractor wheel sized pumpkin weighs nearly 400 kilograms and has been crowned the biggest in the region. It is the heaviest ever to be recorded in Tauranga and is now on proud display at Decor Gardenworld.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Vanuatu wants greater rights for descendants of victims of blackbirding

A number of chiefs and politicians in Vanuatu have signed a document calling for greater recognition of the descendants of those who were blackbirded to Australia in the late 19th century. Blackbirding involved recruiting people through trickery and kidnapping to work on plantations in Queensland. Justice minister, Ralph Regenvanu, says they’re asking their own government to give those descendants still living in Australia, citizenship to Vanuatu so they can reconnect with their families.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Children under one should be at home - report

Children aged under one should ideally be cared for at home, according to a report released today. The Children's Commissioner John Angus consulted parents, childcare industry leaders, early childhood teachers, and health professionals among others in compiling the report with Dr Janis Carroll-Lind. Angus said there was "room for government policy" to better support parents who make a choice to stay at home to care for their child. "I think it's time we revisited the mix of parental leave entitlements and subsidised child care to see how they can be structured to best meet the needs of very young children," he said. "Rather than spend a large amount of taxpayers' money on subsidies for infants to be in child care, that money might be better put into supporting care at home by the parent. "For an under 2-year-old child in full time care, the taxpayer subsidy actually comes close to what a parent receives in paid parental leave."
Source: Children's Commissioner



Govt to look at forced marriage laws

Efforts to get a legal crackdown on forced marriages appear to have made an impact on Parliament. The Government's responding favourably to a petition opposing the forced marriage of underage women. The petitioners are calling for new laws to allow intervention and prevention of what they see as a major human rights abuse. Forced marriage is illegal and the Government considers further legislation would be unlikely to have a significant impact on it. However it says it takes the petitioners' concerns very seriously and will review existing law to see if it can be strengthened to introduce extra protections for those at risk
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Hobbit filming due to start

After months of delays and disagreements, filming of one of the biggest movie franchises ever begins today in New Zealand. The Hobbit is to be shot at Sir Peter Jackson's Miramar studios and on location around the country. The two films are expected to pump around $1.5 billion into the New Zealand economy. Friction between director Sir Peter Jackson and the New Zealand actor's union delayed production last year, and Jackson's hospitalisation earlier this year pushed filming back again. Mr Jackson's assistant Matt Dravitzki says everyone involved is looking forward to some action.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Problems at Christmas Island

By Nina Burton - NewstalkZBAsylum seekers are proving to be a thorn in the side of the the Australian Government. With Christmas Island now overcrowded, asylum seekers are heading to mainland detention centres. Australian correspondent Steve Price says that 200 police were flown up over the weekend to try to control the situation. He says despite this, people are escaping and living off crabs in the jungle. Steve Price says it's an absolute shambles and just keeps getting worse.



Sunday, March 20

New Zealanders evacuated from Libya

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has helped evacuate 29 New Zealanders from Libya in the last couple of weeks. But four New Zealanders have opted to remain in the country. Foreign Minister Murray McCully says they felt sufficiently safe to stay in Libya. Mr McCully says New Zealand is grateful for the assistance of Britain, Ireland and the United States who helped with evacuations, following a request from the New Zealand Government.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



NZ supports military action

By Bruce Russell - NewstalkZB
Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says New Zealand supports the military steps being taken against Libya. Air strikes have been launched after the United Nations demanded an immediate and complete ceasefire in Libya. Mr McCully says Colonel Gaddafi has been responsible for brutal acts of violence against the Libyan people, and the government fully understands why military actions have been undertaken. He's called on the Gaddafi regime to fully comply with the terms of the UN Security Council Resolution and to stop attacking his people.



Quake predictor owes people an apology says minister

Minister for the Environment Nick Smith says Ken Ring, who claims to forecast weather and predict earthquakes, owes the people of Christchurch an apology. He predicted another large earthquake would hit Christchurch on Sunday. The minister, Nick Smith, says people have left town because of Ken Ring's prediction for an earthquake on Sunday. A clinical psychologist, Mark Ottley, says a few patients are worried about the predictions and others are angry about the effect Mr Ring is having on vulnerable people.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand


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