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Thursday, June 30

Aussie dollar at record level against pound

The Australian dollar has surged to a 26-year high against the pound, as fears of a possible Greek default ease. CMC foreign exchange dealer Tim Waterer said the Aussie dollar was one of the strongest performing currencies on Thursday. he Australian dollar rose to 66.68 pence on Thursday, the highest level since 1985. Against the US dollar the Australian dollar rose to a three-week high 107.46 US cents. The Australian dollar also rose against the euro and yen.
Source: AAP



First time for France in Tonga-US military exercise

Tonga’s annual military exercise with the United States in August will include France this year for the first time. The French defence attache to Tonga and Fiji has joined US military officials and the Tonga Defence Services in the capital, Nuku’alofa, this week for talks about the exercise, Tafakula. A spokesperson for Tonga Defence Services says Tafakula began as a national exercise in 1985 and was joined by the US in 1991. Lieutenant Commander Solomon Sevelio says the defence relationship between Tonga and France has always been close. Lieutenant Commander Solomon Sevelio says Tafakula will be held on Tongatapu from August the eighth to the 26th.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Tonga may extend school leaving age

Tonga is looking at extending the school leaving age to 18. It’s one of the initiatives that came out of a meeting into the rights of children held in Nuku’alofa last week. The director of the Ministry Education, women’s affairs, and culture, Emeli Pouvalu, chaired the meeting and says school drop-outs in Tonga, especially among girls is worrying. She says amid tough economic times many are leaving to help supplement family income.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Mystery donor gives $5 million

OLIVIA CARVILLE
A mystery donor, who has given $5 million to the children of Christchurch's shattered eastern suburbs, has previously visited the city and asked how to help its quake-hit children. The Christchurch Earthquake Appeal said it was the biggest donation it had received from any individual or organisation. Mark Weldon, head of the appeal, said the mystery donor wanted no recognition. "They wanted to do it for the right reasons. They have a real sense of care and emotional engagement for the kids," he said. The donor asked Weldon: "Are the kids OK? Is there anything I can do to help the kids?" This person then donated $5m to help children in the eastern suburbs.



Kiwi highest since 1985

The New Zealand dollar has reached its highest level in 26 years. It came after news the Greek parliament voted in favour of a package of austerity measures intended to save the country from defaulting on its debts. The kiwi hit a peak of 83.09 US cents on Thursday afternoon, its highest level since it was floated in March 1985.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Latest - Months before 'Happy Feet' released

By Yvette McCullough
It'll be some time before the recovering Emperor Penguin will be able to return to the wild. An advisory panel has decided the best option is to release the bird into the Southern Ocean. It will be let go near the northern edge of the known range of juvenile emperor penguins there. DOC spokesman Peter Simpson says they're still working on "when". "That will depend on when the penguin is ready and that we have arranged the practicalities of actually getting it down there," he told Newstalk ZB. "It's not going to be days, it will be weeks if not a few months." Peter Simpson says they've had a few offers of help they're considering, but they're still not sure how much the mission will cost.



New financial advisor rules in force tomorrow

Unregistered financial advisors will no longer be able to operate from tomorrow. Tighter rules on how financial advisors operate come into force, aimed at restoring investor confidence in the financial markets. The Financial Markets Authority says that means financial advisors must put the interest of investors first. Financial Markets Authority Chief Executive Sean Hughes says all financial advisors must meet minimum qualifications and professional standards. He says it includes providing information to investors on how they get paid and whether they're getting commissions from institutions they're recommending. Sean Hughes says commission payment is not illegal in New Zealand, although Australia is looking at banning commissions on certain financial activities.
By Sam Thompson



VIPs flying in for Pacific forum anniversary

By Audrey Young
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will visit New Zealand in September, just before the Rugby World Cup begins. He will be one of the high-profile visitors at the 40th anniversary meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum, the Herald understands. Other non-Pacific foreign dignitaries who will be at the forum are understood to include President Jacob Zuma of South Africa and European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso. Mr Zuma may stay on for the Rugby World Cup; South Africa's first game is in Wellington on September 11 against Wales, two days after the first game, New Zealand vs Tonga. US Assistant Secretary of State for Asia Pacific Kurt Campbell and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Kamalesh Sharma, are also expected to visit during the conference.



Big majority for drinking age of 20

By Derek Cheng
An overwhelming majority of people support raising the legal purchase age for alcohol to 20 for bars and liquor shops, including supermarkets, according to the latest Herald-DigiPoll survey. The buying age has been the subject of intense debate and will come into the spotlight soon when the Government pushes through its reforms to reduce alcohol-related harm. The Government is proposing a split age - 18 for on-licence premises such as bars, 20 for off-licences such as liquor outlets - in the Alcohol Reform Bill, which is before the justice and electoral select committee. When asked by the pollsters to choose between three options for the minimum age to buy alcohol, 58.6 per cent preferred 20.



July last chance for free flu shots

The Government is urging people to get their flu shots before its subsidised campaign finishes at the end of July. The National Influenza Strategy Group says about 1 million people have been vaccinated so far this year, but a large proportion of the population has yet to get a free shot. The group says it has a been quiet year for flu so far, but that could change quickly as colder weather arrives over the next two months. Pregnant women, people older than 65 and those with long-term health conditions are most at risk from the virus, it says.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Wednesday, June 29

Govt makes it tougher to get on waiting list for a state house

The Housing Minister, Phil Heatley has confirmed tighter rules for people seeking a place on waiting lists for state houses. Under the changes, which come into force on 1 July, only the most urgent priority A and B cases will be eligible for state house waiting lists. Those rated a C or D will not qualify, although those already on the list will be allowed to stay there. Also from 1 July, all new tenancies will be reviewable once every three years, with tenants moved out of state housing if their circumstances improve signficantly. Mr Heatley says elderly tenants and those with disabilities will undergo an office review only and are unlikely to be moved on. In another change, tenants issued with 90-day notices for destructive or abusive behaviour will face a year-long ban from re-applying for a state house tenancy.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Staff illness and bad weather stop Cook Strait ferries

The Interisland Line says some Cook Strait ferry services are being disrupted by staff illness and poor weather. It says the crossing from Wellington at 8.25am and a return sailing from Picton at 1.45pm, will be cancelled from Thursday to Sunday inclusive. The company says illness means there are not enough ship captains familiar with the vessel, Kaitaki. It says the Arahura will be crewed at high-season levels to enable more passengers to be carried during the affected times. The company is apologising for the problem. It adds that strong, southerly swells are also affecting sailing times, causing delays.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



NZ SAS troops injured in Kabul hotel operation

Two members of New Zealand's SAS have been injured fighting insurgents at the Intercontinental Hotel in Kabul. At least 10 Afghan civilians were killed when suicide bombers and heavily armed Taliban insurgents attacked the Afghan hotel. Helicopters from the NATO-led force killed the last three insurgents in a final rooftop battle. The NZ troops were confronted by enemy small arms fire and explosions during the operation. The Defence Force said the soldiers suffered moderate injuries and their next of kin have been informed.
Source: Reuters



Special Olympics team safe in Greece

The New Zealand Special Olympics team is managing to keep safe in Greece, despite the riots. Police in central Athens have used tear gas against youths during a series of protests against further austerity measures. Thirty-five New Zealand athletes in seven sports are competing at the Special Olympics in Athens. New Zealand Special Olympics chief executive Cathy Gibson says the team isn't having any issues. "The team is actually very safe and secure where they are in the games village and certainly getting to the venues around Greece," she told Newstalk ZB. Ms Gibson says the games have only been going for three days and our team has already won five gold medals.
By Natasha Burling



Happy Feet update - Penguin to be released in Southern Ocean

By Annabel Reid - NewstalkZB
The future of the emperor penguin found on Peka Peka Beach has been decided. It will be released in the Southern Ocean, south east of New Zealand. The decision's been made by an advisory group of representatives from the Department of Conservation, Wellington Zoo, Massey University and Te Papa. Spokesman Peter Simpson says the reason for not returning the bird directly to Antarctica is that emperor penguins of this age are usually found north of Antarctica on pack ice and in the open ocean. He says the penguin won't be released until it's well enough to have a reasonable chance of survival and until then will be cared for at Wellington Zoo.



Dutch to join NZ on religious animal slaughter ban

By Toby Sterling
The Dutch parliament has passed a bill banning the slaughter of livestock without stunning it first, removing an exemption that has allowed Jews and Muslims to butcher animals according to their centuries-old dietary rules. If enacted and enforced, religious groups say observant Jews and Muslims will have to import meat from abroad, stop eating it altogether, or leave the Netherlands. If the Netherlands outlaws procedures that make meat kosher for Jews or halal for Muslims, it will be the second country after New Zealand to do so in recent years. It will join Switzerland, the Scandinavian and Baltic countries, whose bans are mostly traceable to pre-World War II anti-Semitism.



Ash back to disrupt some air travellers

Ash from a volcano in Chile has returned to parts of the South Island, further disrupting air travel after a two-day respite. The volcano, part of the Puyehue-Cordon Caulle chain, has been erupting since the beginning of June. Jetstar says four services between Queenstown and Auckland and Queenstown and Christchurch on Wednesday have been cancelled. Other domestic and trans-Tasman flights are operating.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Tuesday, June 28

Job boom expected in Canterbury

Canterbury job seekers may soon be spoilt for choice with thousands of roles likely to be created in the next few months, the Canterbury Employment and Skills Board (CESB) says. "Not only will these jobs be in the trade and hospitality industries as expected, but also across professional and highly skilled sectors," CESB spokesman Carl Davidson said. CESB was established to determine the state of the labour market following the September 4 and February 22 earthquakes. "The key function of the CESB is to bring together the supply and demand sides of the local labour market and to influence the immediate recovery, rebuild and long-term recovery plan for the Canterbury economy," Mr Davidson said. Canterbury Development Corporation workforce strategy manager Simon Worthington said those serious about finding work "will not have an issue".
NZPA



Wellington-based red panda off to UK to breed

A male red panda from Wellington Zoo has arrived at Britain's Bristol Zoo, where he will be introduced to a female red panda born in the Netherlands. The three-year-old called Sir Ed, after Sir Edmund Hillary, is a suitable genetic pairing for Jasmina, which is also the same age. Red pandas were once thought to be closely related to the giant panda, but genetic research shows they are more closely allied with the raccoon and weasel families.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Botox to be used to help asthma sufferers

Medical reserarchers in Australia are set to use botox to treat severe asthmatics. Botox is normally used to treat wrinkles, but doctors at Melbourne's Monash Medical Centre hope injections into the voice box will help some asthmatics breathe more easily. Asthma commonly attacks the lungs but it can also affect the voice box and traditional treatments do not help. Professor Phil Bardin says the idea is to stop the voice box from cramping, with a selective injection that will paralyse the small muscle. Prof Bardin says if it can turn patients' asthma from very severe to just mild or moderate, they will have a normal life.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Key gets royal welcome in India

JOHN HARTEVELT IN NEW DELHI
Prime Minister John Key has been welcomed to the Presidential Palace with full pomp and pageantry. Key and wife Bronagh were met at Hyderabad House by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur. A late change of the programme saw the welcome moved inside the palace because of fears the monsoon rains would dampen proceedings. The change of plans sent local security officials in to a frenzy. Key now kicks off a day of meetings with top Indian politicians, culminating in the formal bilateral talks with Singh. In brief remarks to Indian media at the welcome, Key said he hoped to broaden the already very strong relationship between the two countries. Earlier, Key confirmed to New Zealand reporters that he would raise with Singh India's poor record on nuclear weapons proliferation. New Zealand's position on nuclear weapons was "extremely well understood", he said.
- Stuff



Reluctant penguin finally takes the plunge. Another penguin story

Morgan the white-flippered penguin, who was a big chicken when it came to water, has finally taken the plunge. The 16-year-old penguin, found skinny and lost wandering through a Banks Peninsula paddock in May, refused to swim when he arrived at the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch. Now Morgan is chubby, content and swimming with the 24 other penguins in the colony at the centre. This morning he climbed on to penguin keeper Mallorie Hackett's lap and she hand-fed him 17 fish. Two female penguins have been "giving Morgan the eye" since he was introduced to the colony, but Hackett said he was too busy swimming to be interested in romance. Hackett said Morgan was the first penguin she had come across that refused to swim. "He used to use his beak and flippers to haul himself out every time he was put in water," she said. Morgan is not to be confused with the other famous bird, emperor penguin Happy Feet. He ended up on a New Zealand beach and was later taken to Wellington Zoo for treatment after being seen eating sticks and sand.
The Press



Samoa ready to be on same dateline as NZ

Samoa’s parliament has passed into law the government’s proposed dateline legislation which will move Samoa west of the dateline. The move will align Samoa with its major trading partners of New Zealand and Australia as well as Asia. At the end of December the 29th, Samoa will skip one day and go straight to the December the 31st.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Latest - Happy Feet chilling out on ice following operation

Happy Feet's condition is now stable. The emperor penguin, that was found stranded on Peka Peka Beach on the Kapiti Coast last week, is recovering from numerous procedures to try and clear sticks and sand from its stomach. ONE News reporter Arrun Soma reported via Twitter this mornining that: "Happy Feet is doing well. Stable, being fed fish smoothies, IV fluid and laxatives, hoping debris still in stomach will be passed naturally." Altogether around 2.5 kilos of sand, around 10% of the penguin's body weight has now been removed and there is hope that Happy Feet's stomach will soon function on its own. A Wellington Hospital surgeon pushed aside his human patients to perform an endoscopy on the penguin and remove twigs and sand from its gut yesterday.
Source: ONE News



Pacific conference in archaeology begins today in Samoa

A Pacific conference in archaeology begins today in Samoa, bringing together current research from leading archaeologists in the region. The conference will have a special focus on Samoan archaeology as well as Lapita archaeology. The Lapita People is the name given to the bearers of ancient pots discovered across Melanesia and Polynesia, dating back nearly three thousand years. The conference, organised by the Centre for Samoan Studies in the National University of Samoa and New Zealand’s University of Otago, will also hear the latest on obsidian sourcing, which has provided new insights into how far the Lapita people travelled.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Team enters Pike River mine

A recovery team has entered the Pike River Coal mine for the first time since explosions killed 29 men last year. The bodies of the workers have remained in the West Coast mine since the disaster on 19 November. The mine has been in receivership since December. The mine company's receivers say the six-person team will do a two-hour reconnaissance inside the first 100 metres of the shaft on Tuesday morning. The team will come out about midday to consult with a second team which will install gas monitoring equipment inside the mine.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



French book out top restaurant for Rugby World Cup

The French have booked out a top Auckland restaurant for a month during the Rugby World Cup. Kermadec at Auckland's Viaduct Harbour will become the base for the French rugby union from September 25 until October 23. It is expected to be used by players' families, rugby administrators, diplomats and dignitaries. Industry sources say the deal could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. However the exact value remains unknown. Hospitality Association chief Bruce Robertson says the booking represents the sort of surge in activity the industry had been waiting for.
Source: Newstalk ZB



Women take charge of the ship

By James Wheeler
The women running the Pacific Pearl superliner say they are rapidly changing an industry dominated by men. Captain Sarah Breton has been appointed Australasia's first female cruise-ship skipper, one of only three women with such a role on major cruise ships anywhere in the world. She is joined by three other senior female officers - hotel manager Jane Herron, cruise director Zoltina-J Medwick-Daley and administration and revenue director Martina Damonte. They left Auckland yesterday as the senior officers on a 32-night South Pacific cruise. After a brief handover period, Captain Breton will officially take the ship's helm on July 12.



Icy blasts, snow as winter takes hold

The warmer weather New Zealanders have so far been enjoying this winter will give way to an icy chill later today, forecasters say. A wintry blast was finally pushing across New Zealand and would affect all of the country at some point, said WeatherWatch spokesman Philip Duncan. Duncan said the top half of the North Island had yet to experience its first winter chill - but that would all change this afternoon. Cold south easterly winds were expected to blast from Whanganui to Northland this afternoon and the region could expect lower temperatures, heavy showers and thunderstorms.
The Dominion Post, The Press, Stuff



Tobacco giant to sue Australia over packaging plan

Tobacco firm Philip Morris has launched legal action against the Australian government over its plan to introduce brandless packaging for cigarettes. The federal government says taking the brand name off packets will help reduce smoking rates, the BBC reports. Cigarettes would be sold in plain packaging without any company logos and with all the brand names written in the same bland font. Philip Morris claims the removal of its logo and packaging will adversely affect and devalue its intellectual property. The company said it had no other option and that the legal challenge had the potential to win billions of dollars of compensation if the proposals come into effect next year.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Monday, June 27

Whale entangled off Banks Peninsula

A humpback whale has become entangled in fishing gear near Banks Peninsula. The Department of Conservation will decide tomorrow what action to take to free the whale which has its tail caught in a craypot line off Kaitorete Spit. Mike Morrissey from DOC's Kaikoura Office flew over the whale today and will return with his team tomorrow to free the whale if neccessary.
Source: ONE News



Penguin's stomach may be near to functioning again, says doc

An expert in the human digestive system has been drafted in to help an ailing emperor penguin with a stomach full of sand and sticks. The penguin, called Happy Feet by zoo staff, has undergone a third, and possibly final, operation to remove sticks and sand it's eaten in a misguided attempt to keep itself cool. The head of gastroenterology at Wellington Hospital, Dr John Wyeth, peformed an endoscopy, inserting a tiny camera and lasso into the penguin's stomach to remove the material. "We've probably emptied about half the stomach and, hopefully, with a bit of luck the stomach will now start functioning of its own accord. We're talking about giving it some drugs to stimulate the stomach to empty and if that's the case we won't need to have another operation," he said. The bird was taken to the zoo's hospital on Friday from Peka Peka beach on Kapiti Coast, where it had been spotted a few days earlier. It had become increasingly distressed and had been eating sticks and sand, in place of the snow it would normally consume, in a misguided attempt to keep itself cool.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Rugby - All Blacks may never play at AMI Stadium again

The New Zealand Rugby Union has conceded that the All Blacks may never play at Christchurch's AMI Stadium again. Earthquake damage to the ground on 22 February meant the city's World Cup games were transferred elsewhere while the Crusaders had to play all their Super 15 matches away from the city. NZRU chief executive Steve Tew says what will happen to the ground, which opened in 1881 as Lancaster Park and hosted its first All Blacks test in 1913, will be up to the Christchurch community and the government. Mr Tew says the NZRU's considering re-developing Rugby Park and Rugby League Park in Christchurch but says the Crusaders may again have to play all of of their Super rugby matches outside of Christchurch next year as well.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



New Zealand efforts in Korean War commemorated

By Lloyd Burr
The 61st anniversary of the Korean War has been commemorated at a wreath-laying ceremony in Wellington this morning. Veterans’ Affairs Minister Judith Collins was joined by Korean War veterans, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, His Excellency Mr Kwang-il Noh, and Defence Force, Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand and Returned and Services’ Association representatives at the National War Memorial. The Korean War began on 25 June 1950 when the Republic of Korea was attacked by troops from North Korea. New Zealand was one of the first countries to respond to the UN request for assistance. “As part of the UN force, New Zealanders fought bravely in harsh conditions against the attacking North Korean troops,” Ms Collins said. “Today we pay tribute to all veterans of this war. We honour the sacrifice of those who served, in particular the sacrifice of the 45 New Zealanders who gave their lives during the Korean War.”
3News



Human specialist helps with penguin

A leading Wellington surgeon has been brought in to help operate on the emperor penguin found more than 3000km from its Antarctic home on a beach north of Wellington. The bird - nicknamed Happy Feet - was found on the Kapiti Coast early last week. It was taken to Wellington Zoo for treatment on Friday after vets discovered it had been eating sand. Vets at the zoo flushed three kilograms of sand out of its system. Wellington Zoo spokeswoman Kate Baker told NZPA today the penguin was "bright" but remained in a critical condition and would undergo an endoscopy -- involving a camera being inserted down its throat -- late this morning. Ms Baker said Wellington Hospital gastroenterologist John Wyeth would help with the procedure. "Although we do endoscopies here, a gastroenterologist has a lot more experience and is also bringing along some specialised equipment," she said. The emperor penguin is believed to have swum about 3200km from its Antarctic home to Peka Peka beach, about 60km north of Wellington. The only previous recording of an emperor penguin in New Zealand was at Southland's Oreti Beach in 1967. Penguins usually eat snow for hydration and to keep cool. Experts believe Happy Feet ate the sand because it was confused about where it was.
NZPA



NZ Trade surplus falls from record high

The country's trade surplus narrowed in May, but remained healthy as the value of exports outweighed imports. The trade surplus of $605 million for the month was a decrease on April's record $1.1 billion surplus. Exports rose 10% to $4.6 billion led by pleasure boats, higher prices for dairy products, meat and edible offal, Statistics New Zealand said. It said exports to China showed the largest increase. Imports rose 17% to $4 billion, with fuel and aircraft parts leading the way. BNZ senior economist Craig Ebert says imports were stronger than expected, showing there's demand from consumers.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



PM urges Queenstown to build regional events centre

Prime Minister John Key has told Queenstown to get started on building a regional events centre. Mr Key used his annual trip to open the resort's Winter Festival on Friday to push his plan to attract more business tourists to New Zealand. He suggested the area should build what he called a regionally significant convention centre to attract a larger slice of the lucrative conference market. Mr Key says the Government will look at helping pay some of the cost of building it.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Netball - Silver Ferns head to Singapore with title in their sights

The Silver Ferns leave for the netball world championship in Singapore today with belief in their ability to regain the title enhanced by their second test win over Australia in Auckland and their Commonwealth Games gold medal in Delhi. And captain Casey Williams says the long range shooting accuracy of goal attack Maria Tutaia is another confidence booster. The Silver Ferns have three warmup matches this week and the tournament starts on Sunday.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Sunday, June 26

Airlines to resume most flights on Monday

Qantas, Jetstar and Pacific Blue say they will be resuming most of their trans-Tasman and domestic services on Monday. Dozens of flights have been cancelled this weekend due to volcanic ash from the eruption of a volcano in Chile. Jetstar alone cancelled 30 domestic flights on Sunday, 16 trans-Tasman services and one flight to Singapore. Pacific Blue has announced it will resume all trans-Tasman flights on Monday morning. Both Qantas and Jetstar say that services will be back to normal on Monday - apart from those involving Wellington. An update on flights to and from the capital is expected on Monday morning. Air New Zealand services have not been affected.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



British assisting Kiwi journalist held in Yemen

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is working with the British Embassy in Yemen to assist a New Zealand journalist detained there. Glen Johnson is behind bars in the south of Yemen after apparently entering the country illegally. An MFAT spokesperson has confirmed that Johnson has been arrested, and that staff in Saudi Arabia are working with the British Embassy in Yemen to provide assistance. The ministry says that security situations in Saudi Arabia remain volatile, making it difficult to get information about the 28-year-old. Johnson is originally from the small town of Piopio in the Waitomo district, where his parents, Mike and Lin Johnson, are waiting for news from officials.
Source: ONE News



By-election an expensive waste of time - Key

Prime Minister John Key says the Te Tai Tokerau by-election was an expensive waste of time. Hone Harawira, the leader of the Mana Party he launched last month, won with a majority of 867 votes over Labour's Kelvin Davis. At the 2008 election Mr Harawira, standing for the Maori Party, had won the seat by 6308 votes. Speaking en route to India, John Key said hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars has been spent to end up in the same position. He said Mr Harawira cannot really claim victory because his majority has been slashed. The Prime Minister said the general election is only five months away and that's when the country will really go to the polls.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Royal couple cancel New Zealand trip - report

Prince William and his wife, Catherine Middleton, have reportedly cancelled a visit to New Zealand during the Rugby World Cup due to concerns they could influence this year's general elections. The newly titled Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had planned to visit during the World Cup in October but abandoned their plans because they did not want to be involved in a political row, Britain's Daily Mail reported. Prime Minister John Key had previously been accused by the opposition of using the visit to improve his popularity ahead of the November general election. The Royal family do not traditionally visit Commonwealth countries during general elections.
NZPA



Volcanic ash cloud disrupts flights again

The travel plans of thousands of people are again disrupted on Sunday, as Jetstar and Qantas cancel all domestic and international flights because of volcanic ash. Ash from the volcanic eruption in Chile volcano continues to drift over the country and the airlines say they have a strict safety policy not to fly under it, as national carrier Air New Zealand has been doing. Jetstar did not fly on Saturday, and on Sunday has grounded 30 domestic flights, 16 trans-Tasman services and one flight to Singapore. The airline's parent company Qantas has cancelled all trans-Tasman flights, and Pacific Blue has stopped 23 international flights to and from New Zealand. Air New Zealand has continued to operate, flying at a lower altitude though it says it is burning 10% more fuel as a consequence .
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Sporting bonanza for Dunedin as calendar fills up

By Adrian Seconi
Dunedin's reputation as a sporting hub was enhanced yesterday with news South Africa and Zimbabwe will play cricket internationals in the city and the Wellington Phoenix will host a pre-season A-League game. The region will be treated to a sporting bonanza of cricket, football and rugby with the codes staging major events in the city. The Black Caps will play Zimbabwe in a one-day cricket international at the University Oval on February 3 and return to play South Africa in a test on March 7. The stadium will also host four Rugby World Cup games between September and October. Netball New Zealand is also considering staging a test between the Silver Ferns and Australia at the stadium next year, with the aim of attracting a world record-sized crowd of supporters.
© Allied Press Limited 2007.



Girls make a beeline for top in US

By MARIKA HILL
Against the odds, four young Kiwi girls have out-smarted some of the world's top problem solvers. Oturu School placed second in the community section at the International Future Problem Solving Finals in the United States. Just getting to the finals proved a battle for the girls from Kaitaia. After qualifying for the world champs, the girls spent months raising money and canvassing big businesses to fund the $30,000 cost. The hard work paid off with the girls beating some of the world's top 15 teams – including Australia, Britain and Singapore – with their plan to save the honey bee. Ayvran Mackie, Teina Snowden, Manaaki Jakobs TePaa and Annaleah Cassidy-Taylor were beaten by a school from Texas. Deputy principal Heather Greaves, who travelled with the students, said the judges were impressed by the students' ambitious plan to save the honey bee.
Sunday Star Times



Bodle's bent could make NZ the top banana

By RICHARD MEADOWS
Hobby horticulturist Rodger Bodle is well on the way to achieving his lifetime goal of breeding the perfect banana for growing in New Zealand. Bodle, 72, and wife Janet have spent 40 years growing bananas in Gisborne, trying to find a variety that will withstand New Zealand's cool climate. After importing cold-resistant cultivars from all around the world, Bodle thinks he has found the answer. "I've picked up the ones that are suitably grown in highlands of the world, and that gives them a better chance of survival in New Zealand when they come to our climate," he said. Bodle's creation, the Bodles Wainui banana, is a hybrid cross between the Pisang Awak variety and the Blue Java. The Pisang Awak grows well in mountainous regions of Indonesia, even near the snow line, while the Blue Java from Fiji is popular for its icecream-like flavour.
Sunday Star Times



Black market in rare species costs NZ dearly

By STEVE HOPKINS
New Zealand's flora and fauna is being pillaged for the black market. "It's a huge problem," Customs senior investigator and Wildlife Enforcement Group member Stuart Williamson said of the illegal but lucrative trade. "We are losing animals, native orchids and things that are only found here. You can't find them anywhere else in the world and once they're gone, that's it. Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson said the government was "very concerned". She had a bill before parliament that sought to double smuggling penalties, and which would ban anyone jailed for more than a year from New Zealand for a decade.
Sunday Star Times



Diabetes epidemic balloons worldwide

An international study has found New Zealand is among the five developed countries with the highest diabetes levels. The study published in the The Lancet journal was carried out by international team of researchers working with The World Health Organization. Rates of diabetes have either risen or at best remained the same in virtually all parts of the world in the past 30 years, the study said. Diabetes has taken off most dramatically in Pacific Island nations, which now have the highest diabetes levels in the world. In the Marshall Islands, a third of all women and a quarter of all men have diabetes. Among wealthy countries, the rise in diabetes was highest in North America and relatively small in Western Europe. Diabetes and blood glucose levels were highest in the United States, Greenland, Malta, New Zealand and Spain, and lowest in the Netherlands, Austria and France.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Saturday, June 25

Rugby - Crusaders beat Sharks in Nelson

In Super 15 rugby, the Crusaders have won their knockout match at Trafalgar Park in Nelson, beating the South African side the Sharks 36 - 8. The Crusaders led 13-five at half time. The Crusaders scored three tries to one with Dan Carter contributing 19 points. Tries were scored by Kieran Read, Sonny Bill Williams and Ben Franks. It was the Crusaders fourth game of the season at Trafalgar Park and a crowd of about 12,000 turned out to cheer them on. The Crusaders leave for South Africa on Sunday where they will play the Stormers in a semi-final next weekend.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Colder weather on the way

By Bruce Russell - NewstalkZB
Light snow showers are expected overnight and persist throughout tomorrow on the Desert Road in the central North Island. MetService says they will turn to cold rain showers for a time tomorrow afternoon. Around two to four centimetres of snow could accumulate above 900 metres. Snow showers should clear at midnight tomorrow night. MetService warns of widespread heavy rain moving onto Hawke's Bay and Gisborne tomorrow, persistent north of Wairoa in the afternoon and evening. The strongest winds are likely in the afternoon and evening, with severe southwest gales about the Mahia Peninsula. Philip Duncan of WeatherWatch says temperatures in the North Island will be six or seven degrees cooler tomorrow than they have been in previous weeks, particularly in Auckland and Northland. He says another colder surge of air will arrive on Tuesday and Wednesday, with snow on the skifields in both islands and to fairly low levels around Queenstown.



Key leaves for India

By Bruce Russell - NewstalkZB
The Prime Minister is scheduled to leave tomorrow on an air force plane for an official state visit to India. John Key will discuss trade and tourism with India's political and business leaders. A delegation of New Zealand's top CEOs will be with him for the three days in New Delhi and Mumbai. Mr Key will also visit the Taj Mahal, a cricket ground and a Bollywood film set. But the main aim of the trip is move a step closer towards a free trade agreement with the world's second most populous nation.



Company seeks shale gas permits

A petroleum exploration company is applying for permits to search parts of the South Island for a controversial source of natural gas. L & M Energy says it has applied for five exploration permits for shale gas, covering more than 26,000 km/sq of South Island land, mainly in western Southland and the Canterbury plains. Shale gas is a booming industry around the world, especially in the United States where it already accounts for about one sixth of gas production. The gas is methane released from underground mud-rock by a process called fracking, which new technology and the surging price of oil has made attractive again.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Air New Zealand maintains full schedule

Air New Zealand passengers are the only people taking to the skies today,our national carrier is the only airline maintaining its full schedule in the face of the volcanic ash cloud from Chile. Qantas, Jetstar and pacific Blue have all cancelled all services to, in and from New Zealand. Air New Zealand says it is monitoring the conditions constantly, but for now all its domestic and international flights are running.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



NZ reporter arrested in Yemen

A New Zealand journalist is in jail in strife-torn Yemen. Glen Johnson, 28, a freelancer who writes from the Middle East's hotspots, was caught by authorities after allegedly entering the country illegally. A spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington confirmed last night it knew of his arrest, and said New Zealand Embassy staff in neighbouring Saudi Arabia were working with their British counterparts in Yemen to provide assistance. The ministry would provide no further details, but Johnson's King Country-based parents last night told the Herald they believed he had not been harmed and was in a jail in the Lahj province.
Copyright 2011, APN Holdings NZ Limited



Online brainstorm for Christchurch's future

Researchers are thinking outside the square to brainstorm for Christchurch's future. Hundreds of people have been coming up with ideas in a live online discussion which runs until midday. The initiative of Crown Research Institute and Landcare Research is using an online tool developed in Silicon Valley. Event organiser Dr Bob Frame of Landcare Research says people from all around the world are sharing ideas on making the quake rattled city an attractive place to live, work and visit in the future. "We've had people from Latin America, North America, we've had an architect coming in from San Francisco, we've had people all over Europe, Australia and Indonesia," says Mr Frame. The event is designed to complement the council's Share An Idea campaign, which has gathered thousands of initiatives already.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Turnout sky-rockets at Queenstown festival opening party

By SARAH LAMONT
More than 10,000 people rocked out to the biggest opening of the annual Queenstown Winter Festival last night, with the lack of snow having no impact on the huge party. Prime Minister John Key took to the stage to officially open the festival, engaging the crowd with some lighthearted humour. "Anyone here from Australia? I bet you flew Air New Zealand." Even without snow, Queenstown had to be the best place to be, Mr Key said. The crowd, from the very young to the very old, watched in awe as Queenstown Bay lit up with a stunning display of fireworks. The festival continues today with mask-making workshops, followed by the popular street parade and the McDonald's Teddy Bears' Picnic. Tonight, it's time to get glammed up for the Deutz Masquerade Ball – Burlesque style, while others hit the ice rink to watch the Southern Stampede take on Dunedin Thunder. Day on the Bay events tomorrow include the Birdman and the "Hundy 500".
The Southland Times



Penguin to undergo more treatment


Latest: The emperor penguin rushed to Wellington Zoo for treatment has made it through the night on Friday after having sand cleared from its oesophagus. The rare visitor from Antarctica, who's been named Happy Feet, was taken to the zoo's hospital on Friday from Peka Peka beach on the Kapiti Coast, where it was first spotted earlier in week. On Saturday, vets were preparing to pump sand from the penguin's stomach. An expert in penguins, Massey University associate professor John Cockrem, says the bird had been eating sticks and sand, thinking it was snow. The last recorded sighting of an emperor penguin in New Zealand was at Oreti Beach in Southland in 1967.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Friday, June 24

Volcanic ash likely to disrupt weekend flights

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says the ash cloud from a volcanic eruption in Chile is likely to disrupt flights in New Zealand throughout the weekend. The cloud has dropped slightly to 18,000 feet due to weather conditions. Qantas and Jetstar have cancelled all flights in and out of New Zealand for another full day due to the volcanic ash cloud from Chile. The airlines say their aircraft will not fly on Saturday. Pacific Blue has also cancelled all flights in and out of New Zealand, with some cancellations already listed for Sunday. Air New Zealand says it is keeping an eye on the weather and the ash cloud but at this stage intends to keep flying below the cloud. CAA meteorological manager Peter Lechner says the cloud on Friday stretched from just below Tasmania to Antarctica.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Chilly bin mission for distressed penguin

A lost emperor penguin that turned up on the Kapiti Coast earlier this week has been rushed to Wellington Zoo in a chilly bin for medical treatment. The Department of Conservation (DoC) called a vet and an emperor penguin expert, Massey University associate professor John Cockrem, to Peka Peka Beach on Friday morning after the rare visitor from the Antarctic started showing signs of distress. The penguin was taken to the zoo in the chilled container and x-rayed. Vets have also flushed sand from inside its body. Associate professor John Cockrem says the bird had been eating sticks and sand, thinking it was snow, and was not looking very lively. The vets will decide if surgery is needed once the x-rays have been processed.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Air NZ named best airline

Air New Zealand is still one of the world's best airlines. In the latest Skytrax World Airline Awards, New Zealand's national carrier was named the best airline in the Australia and Pacific category. It also picked up awards for the world's best premium economy and the best premium economy catering. Skytrax has voted the airline the seventh best in the world, just above Qantas, two places below last year's placing.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



LandCheck site gets five million hits

Christchurch's newest must-see website has had five million views in its first 24 hours. LandCheck.org.nz was created to help people find out whether their properties should be abandoned or repaired. Trade Me created the site for the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and head of operations Mike O'Donnell is surprised at the numbers. He says the large bulk of visitors came locally, but more than 10% came from overseas visitors. Mr O'Donnell says he though traffic would be solid, but this was even more impressive than expected.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Cycle trail set to be expanded

The Ministry of Economic Development is planning to expand the New Zealand Cycle Trail. It intends to add a number of back country routes to the 18 predominantly off-road trails being built. The first expansion ride will be on State Highway 43, known as the Forgotten Highway, which runs through the King Country and Taranaki. Ministry of Economic Development spokesperson Sarah Berry says other routes will follow.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Pacific’s first private hospital in Samoa goes broke

The first ever private hospital in the Pacific Islands has gone broke and its fate is now being decided by stakeholders. The MedCen Hospital in Vailima, Samoa, was set up in 1998 and provides emergency care and essential health services by local professionals and visiting specialists. Last month, the Chief Executive Officer of the Development Bank of Samoa, Tuiasau Saumani WongSing, said the government might have to take over MedCen’s assets and equipment. The Development Bank made an initial 850,000 US dollar investment in the hospital and Saumani says he’s trying to recoup the funds.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



PNG’s Somare to leave intensive care in Singapore hospital

The Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare is expected to leave the intensive care unit any day now after undergoing heart operations. He has been in a Singapore hospital for nearly three months. During his absence from Port Moresby, the acting prime minister Sam Abal has sacked two ministers amid a major cabinet reshuffle, and now the Highlands executive of their party is asking for Mr Abal to be dismissed from the party. The president of the National Alliance Party, Simon Kaiwi, says the prime minister is recovering well. Simon Kaiwi says Sir Michael Somare has made his intention known that he would like the leadership made available for someone else and it would be discussed at the next party caucus meeting in August. His retirement would end a 40-year career in parliament.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Queen Elizabeth II to visit Napier

Napier is expecting an elegant, sophisticated and well-travelled visitor -The cruise ship Queen Elizabeth will stop in the city in 2013. Immaculately presented, she weighs in at more than 90,000 tonnes and carries nearly 3000 people. The luxury ocean liner, named after Queen Elizabeth II, will spend just four days in New Zealand, including one day in Napier. Launched in October 2010, this will be the ship's first visit to New Zealand. It stops in Napier on February 21, 2013 after visiting Auckland, then carries on to Wellington and Christchurch as part of a 91-day "Exotic Discoveries" cruise. Napier had 75 cruise ships booked for next season.
© APN News & Media Ltd 2011.



NZ leads the way in reducing emissions

More than 30 countries will today sign up to a New Zealand-led alliance on agricultural greenhouse gases. The first ministerial meeting to approve the charter is being held in Rome and is chaired by climate change negotiations minister Tim Groser. It brings together countries with a mutual interest in researching ways to produce more food while reducing emissions. Mr Groser says not enough research has been done globally to look at reducing emissions in the agricultural sector, compared with other areas such as energy and transport.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Ailing Kapiti emperor penguin rescued

LATEST: Conservation Department staff and penguin specialists have taken Happy Feet from Peka Peka beach and are transporting him to Wellington Zoo in a chilled box. DOC biodiversity manager Peter Simpson said veterinarians and Massey University penguin specialists had decided to move the emperor penguin after his condition deteriorated. A cordon had earlier been put up around the penguin keeping people about 40m away. The juvenile emperor penguin, which stands about a metre tall and weighs about 10 kilograms, was first spotted on Peka Peka Beach on Monday afternoon. It was this morning lying on its stomach with its head on the sand. Returning the bird to Antarctica was not feasible because there was no transport there in winter and experts advised that large birds could suffer trauma if transported long distances, penguin expert Associate Professor John Cockrem from Massey University said. It is only the second recorded incident of an emperor penguin on New Zealand shores.
The Dominion Post and Stuff



Increasing number of obese patients at Waikato Hospital

By GARY FOX - NewstalkZB
The increasing number of extremely obese patients has forced Waikato Hospital to open rooms to cater to their needs. Some of the patients weigh more than 300 kilograms. The hospital's new $48 million acute services building opens next month. Its corridors can fit three beds, have wide doorways, and some beds that can take up to 370 kilograms. Six rooms can cater for people whose health or abilities are affected by their weight.



Thursday, June 23

Snow falls on Mt Ruapehu

Staff at Mount Ruapehu are smiling as the snow has finally arrived. Around five to six centimetres has already fallen this afternoon and it looks set to stay. Marketing Manager Mike Smith says it's long overdue. "It's been a while since we've had any snowfall to jump up and down about," he told Newstalk ZB. "Really good timing obviously with the Ruapehu Mountian Mardi Gras on Saturday and 8,000 people in town."
By Juliette Sivertsen



Govt offers to buy most quake-damaged properties

The Government has offered to buy the most damaged properties in earthquake-hit Christchurch. The region has been crippled by two major quakes: on 4 September last year and the fatal quake on 22 February in which 181 people died and much of central Christchurch and many suburbs badly damaged. Prime Minister John Key on Thursday made an initial announcement about whether certain areas can be rebuilt or not. Maps released have divided the city into four residential zones - red, orange, white and green. The red residential zone represents the worst affected area that cannot be rebuilt on for many years. These properties are located in the east of Christchurch, along the Avon River, in the north-east of the city such as Brooklands, and in the beach area of Waimakariri District, such as Kairaki Beach. Insured owners of the 5100 properties in the residential red zone can sell to the Government at the 2007 rateable value, or they can sell their land only to the Government and continue to deal with their insurance company to get their house replaced. An offer is expected to be made within eight weeks and home owners will have nine months to decide. The future of this abandoned land is yet to be determined. The offer to buy 5100 red zone residential properties is expected to cost the Government between $485 million and $635 million.
The money will come from the Government's Canterbury Earthquake Recovery fund.
People can go to the website www. landcheck.org.nz to see which zone their property falls into.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



University plans multimillion-dollar Chch building

The University of Otago reportedly has plans to construct a multimillion-dollar building in Christchurch. Plans for a multi-storey building near the existing Otago School of Medicine building at Christchurch Hospital have been approved by the university's council, Stuff reports. The new building, scheduled to go up in the next five years, is likely to house laboratories, hospital-based departments and office space. The existing building will be refitted to meet the needs of teachers. The dean and head of campus of the University of Otago, Christchurch Professor Peter Joyce, said plans for a new building had been in the pipeline for almost 10 years. No agreements had been signed, he said, but the St Andrews Wilson Parking car park, on the corner of Oxford Tce and Tuam St, was the preferred site, though there were other options.
© Allied Press Limited 2007.



Longitudinal study of graduates

By Matthew Haggart
New Zealand university graduates will be the focus of a world-first comprehensive study, which aims to determine the ongoing effects of how university education shapes and influences lives. The large-scale survey of about 14,000 graduates from New Zealand's eight universities will be carried out during the next decade by the National Centre for Lifecourse Research - a multidisciplinary group which has its headquarters at the University of Otago. Research project leader Prof Richie Poulton said the survey would provide the most detailed picture, to date, about what happened to graduates after they left university. Known as the Graduate Longitudinal Study New Zealand, the survey draws together research partnerships from universities around the country and has attracted core funding of about $650,000 from the Tertiary Education Commission, he said. • Students will complete online questionnaire this year, and will be approached for follow-up surveys in 2013, 2016, 2021.



Upgrade for Buller port

By ALAN WOOD
An Australian company plans to spend "tens of millions" on upgrading Westport's port. Perth-based Bathurst Resources says it wants to improve the coal-handling facilities at the Buller port as an alternative to Lyttelton, which continues to be hit by earthquakes. Bathurst is partnering state-owned Solid Energy in developing coal exports from the Denniston Plateau and managing director Hamish Bohannan said the company would spend tens of millions of dollars on the port wharf and coal-handling infrastructure if it got the required consents for the Denniston project.



Kiwis have 'neurotic' view on economy - academic

New Zealanders behave like American comedian Woody Allen, with an attitude to their economy that is "a bit depressed and neurotic" when in fact "by every possible metric, New Zealand is a success," a visiting US academic has told a top level seminar on the country's economic imbalances. Viewers of Allen's movies soon realised "the whining is not fully justified", even if there are "certain traits that could be improved on," said Professor Sebastian Edwards from the University of California, Los Angeles and the US National Bureau of Economic Research. "As Woody, many New Zealanders worry a lot," he told the two day seminar, jointly organised by The Treasury, the Reserve Bank, and Victoria University, who commissioned Edwards and two other highly regarded international economists to analyse New Zealand's economic weaknesses. "They worry about the economy and about the country's position in the world. New Zealand is "at the very top" of the World Bank's rankings for "doing business", has one of the strongest educational systems in the world, and is one of the least corrupt countries.
Source: BusinessDesk



First international Pacific literature conference gets underway in NZ

A three day conference - Reading and Writing in the Pacific - the first international Pacific literature conference to ever be held in New Zealand, starts in Wellington today. “The organiser, Victoria University’s Dr Alice Te Punga Somerville, says it’ll bring together established and emerging writers and scholars from the Pacific and beyond .” These include Albert Wendt, Patricia Grace, Kalo Mila and the Reverend Mua Strickson-Pua. Dr Te Punga Somerville says the public’s invited to performances tonight at Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, in Wellington.
Dr Te Punga Somerville of Victoria University.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Wednesday, June 22

Australian defence focus on oil, gas

More warships and combat aircraft could be based in western and northern Australia to provide frontline defence against terror or pirate attack on the booming oil and gas industry. Defence Minister Stephen Smith said a new review of the defence force's posture would ensure the Australian Defence Force (ADF) was geographically positioned to meet emerging security and strategic challenges. That included the rise of the Indian Ocean rim powers, the need to be able to respond to regional humanitarian disasters and the emerging challenge of energy security. Smith said there was a prospect that more ships and aircraft would be based in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and northeast Queensland.
Source: AAP



Anderton launches free dental care proposal

A proposal to gradually introduce free dental care to the entire country has been released by Progressive leader Jim Anderton. Free dental care is provided to children, but Mr Anderton wants it extended first to vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and those over 65. The policy would cost $1 billion, but Mr Anderton says that would be paid for through a levy similar to ACC levies. Mr Anderton is leaving Parliament at this year's election, but the policy is supported in part by Labour.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Rugby - First players called into All Blacks camp - but no Donald

The All Blacks coaches have called together 25 players not needed in Super Rugby this weekend for the first of two pre-Tri-Nations camps in Wellington next week - with the notable omission of the Chiefs pivot Stephen Donald.
The players invited to the first camp next week are as follows:
Jimmy Cowan, Tom Donnelly, Jarrad Hoeata, Colin Slade, Ben Smith and Adam Thomson head north from the Highlanders, while Aaron Cruden, Hosea Gear, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Neemia Tialata, Victor Vito and Piri Weepu join camp from the Hurricanes and Ben Afeaki, Hikawera Elliot, Richard Kahui, Brendon Leonard, Liam Messam, Mils Muliaina and Sitiveni Sivivatu arrive from the Chiefs, along with injured players Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava and Tony Woodcock will also take part in the two-day camp. The second camp will also be held in Wellington in early July, with the All Blacks Tri-Nations squad to be named on Sunday July 10th.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Boat owners book in for Rugby World Cup

Yacht and launch owners are inundating Auckland's downtown marinas with bookings in a bid to get in early for the Rugby World Cup. The Viaduct Harbour Marina is booked to 80% capacity for September to October, compared to the usual occupancy of 40% in that period. Viaduct superyacht manager Luke Wigglesworth says there are some beautiful boats coming down. However, he says many boating customers are struggling to get tickets for the Cup.
By Natasha Burling



Thousands affected as ash cloud grounds flights again

The travel plans of thousands are disrupted once again with Qantas and Jetstar suspending all New Zealand services this morning because of volcanic ash in the atmosphere. Jetstar has cancelled all trans-Tasman and domestic flights until at least midday. Qantas has also suspended all trans-Tasman services from 7am until further notice. Qantas services to and from Auckland will be suspended from 11am and Qantas flights to and from Wellington, Queenstown and Christchurch will be suspended from midday until further notice. At this stage Air New Zealand is still flying but the airline says it is closely monitoring the situation. The Civil Aviation Authority expects the cloud to reach the North Island sometime this morning.
Source: ONE News



Tonga considers China offer to turn US$60 million loan into grant

Tonga is considering an offer from China to change a huge loan into a grant. China provided more than 60 million US dollars three years ago to help pay for the rebuild of the capital, Nuku’alofa, which had been destroyed by riots in 2006. MPs are now trying to trim the budget as Tonga confronts a multi-million dollar deficit while also contemplating how to meet annual repayments of nearly six million US dollars from 2013. The deputy prime minister Samiu Vaipulu, has told parliament China has offered to make the loan a grant. Our correspondent Mateni Tapueluelu says many Tongans fear the trade-off will be easier access for Chinese wanting to settle in Tonga.
Mateni Tapueluelu
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Tuesday, June 21

Cricket - New Black Caps captain named

Ross Taylor has been appointed as New Zealand Cricket captain, replacing Dan Vettori who stepped down from role after the World Cup earlier this year. Taylor, who has played 30 tests and over 100 one-day internationals, edged out wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum who was also interviewed for the role. Taylor has been vice-captain of the Black Caps for the past year, replacing McCullum who lost the job amid suggestions he was a bad influence on younger members of the side.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Emperor penguin makes rare Kapiti Coast visit

Kapiti Coast residents have been treated to a rare visit by an emperor penguin. There is only one other recording of an emperor penguin in New Zealand, at Southland’s Oreti Beach in the 1967. The Department of Conservation advises that people should not disturb the penguin and ensure that dogs are kept on leads in the area. Penguins can give vicious bites if they feel threatened. If left alone it is expected that the bird will eventually swim back out to sea. It is not known why these birds that reside in the Antarctic would visit New Zealand shores.
If you see this emperor penguin at another beach or to report unusual or injured marine animals contact the DOC HOTline: 0800 362 468
3 News



Warning puts diabetes drug under review

By STACEY KIRK
A common diabetes medication is under review in New Zealand as a possible link between the drug and bladder cancer has European pharmacists hurrying to pull it off shelves. The drug Pioglitazone, more commonly known as Actos or Pizaccord, has been removed from the market in Germany and France in the past week. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is also warning consumers of the risk of bladder cancer if the drug is used for more than a year. More than 4500 people in New Zealand are on the medication. New Zealand's Medsafe and the Medicines Adverse Reaction Committee (MARC) has confirmed the drug here is under review, but is urging people who are on it not to stop taking it.



Shortest day looms, but where's winter?

By PAUL GORMAN
The thermometers are saying what the plants already know and the snow-free slopes confirm – winter has yet to arrive. With the shortest day of the year tomorrow, New Zealand is heading for its warmest June on record. National average temperatures for the month are between 2.3 and 2.4 degrees Celsius above normal at 10.7C. No wonder the lawns keep growing and spring bulbs are in flower. The previous warmest June nationally was in 2003, with an average temperature of 10.2C, 1.8C higher than normal. Tomorrow is the shortest day, with the winter solstice at 5.16am and only eight hours, 56 minutes and 24 seconds in Christchurch between sunrise and sunset. Thursday will be three seconds longer and Friday seven seconds longer than that.
- The Press



Kiwi kids not sure about RWC victory

Bad news for the All Blacks - thousands of kids don't expect the team to win the Rugby World Cup. Twenty four thousand students aged between 8 and 17 from around the country were surveyed online. 83% of respondents believe the team will make the final, but only half of them think they'll win. Most think South Africa will be their opponent in the big game on October 23.
By Blair Cunningham



Blizzard hits southern Australia

Thousands of homes are without power as gale force winds and blizzard conditions bear down on southern Australia. The State Emergency Service has received hundreds of calls for help amid the stormy conditions, ABC reports. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a severe weather warning for much of Victoria as damaging winds with gusts of up to 120km/h are forecast to hit several parts of the state on Tuesday. In Melbourne, fallen trees have blocked roads. The weather bureau says heavy rain and thunderstorms have also struck the state's south-west at Casterton and Portland. The weather bureau has also forecast blizzard conditions and destructive winds for the Australian Capital Territory and southern New South Wales.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Ash cloud drifting toward NZ again

Airlines are closely monitoring volcanic ash that is once again approaching New Zealand. The Puyehue volcano in Chile began erupting on 4 June and ash is now passing over Australia for a second time on Tuesday, affecting flights in and out of Adelaide. Last week, flights were cancelled in several countries including New Zealand due to the danger posed to aircraft, affecting thousands of passengers. The Civil Aviation Authority says it is unlikely flights in New Zealand will be affected by the ash cloud expected to arrive on Wednesday.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Monday, June 20

Cannes films to have NZ premieres

A record-breaking number of Cannes award winners will have their New Zealand premieres at this year's film festival. The New Zealand International Film Festival opens in Auckland on the July 14, then tours the country in July and August. Festival Director Bill Gosden says this is the largest haul of Cannes award-winners in the 43-year history of the Festival. He says New Zealand audiences will be the first outside Europe to see such a swathe of this year's official selection from Cannes.
By Natasha Burling



Military welcome for Key, ahead of historic speech

Prime Minister John Key has been welcomed to the Australian Federal Parliament with a 19-gun salute and a military guard of honour, ahead of an historic address to the parliament. As his motorcade arrived on the Parliament's forecourt, a military guard of honour waited at attention. A 19-gun salute rang out over Canberra to mark the visit of a foreign head of government; 21-gun salutes are reserved for heads of state. After inspecting the guard of honour, Mr Key and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard headed inside the Parliament for a one-on-one meeting and talks with senior ministers. Mr Key then made an historic address to the Australian Parliament, with his speech the first by a New Zealand leader to the Parliament in Canberra. He is only the eighth leader of another country to make such an address. Mr Key took the opportunity as expected to underline the strength of the trans-Tasman relationship and thank Australians for their support through recent disasters.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Dame Edna creator signed for the Hobbit

The Australian actor behind the outrageous television and stage character Dame Edna Everage will play the part of the goblin king in the Hobbit movies. Sir Peter Jackson, who is directing the films, has announced on his Facebook page that Barry Humphries, best known for his purple haired housewife persona, has taken the role. The goblin king will be based on the same motion capture technology that produced the character of Gollum for the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Sir Peter says first block of filming for the first of the Hobbit films has finished and he is now location scouting for the second block.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Prize-winning Pacific history book reframes traditional view

The author of a new account of the Pacific’s 19th century history says it deviates from the traditional approach by focusing on the lives of specific historical figures. Islanders: the Pacific in the Age of Empire, which came out at the end of last year, was recently awarded the internationally prestigious Wolfson History Prize. Nicholas Thomas says his book highlights how much more cosmopolitan the Pacific was at that time than historians generally acknowledge. He says Pacific people took advantage of as well as suffered from the effects of European colonisation.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



NZ poor children excel in OECD test

New Zealand children from disadvantaged families are more likely to do well in reading, maths and science than disadvantaged children in almost any other English-speaking nation, according to the OECD. The report says 36.7% of New Zealanders from disadvantaged backgrounds managed to achieve at high levels in an international test of 15-year-olds. In the English-speaking world, only Canada did better than New Zealand, with 39.2% of its disadvantaged 15-year-olds achieving well in the Programme in International Student Achievement (PISA) tests. Australia managed 30.7% and the United Kingdom 23.8%. Among all nations belonging to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, New Zealand's result puts it eighth. The OECD report says good results are associated with regular attendance at school and children having confidence in their ability to do well. The figures come from new analysis of the 2009 PISA tests.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Last day to share

Today is the last chance for Christchurch residents to submit ideas for rebuilding the earthquake-hit city. Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker said the city council had received 78,000 ideas from people of all ages, including professionals, community groups and school pupils. The ideas would be categorised into key themes and trends and would be considered for the Christchurch City Council's draft central city plan. The draft plan would be released for public consultation from mid-August, he said. "Being able to take the community with us on this journey, as we plan for the future, has proved to be a very fruitful exercise. I genuinely appreciate the time, effort and thoughts people have shared."
The Press



Business incubator produces good results

A Wellington business incubator that helps kick start new companies is producing great results. Creative HQ says 22 companies that have come through its doors are generating sales of about $168,000 per employee and most are profitable. Business correspondent Roger Kerr says a couple of the better-graduated companies are now earning $500,000 sales revenue per employee. He says they calculate for every one dollar of funding from the incubator, they are producing $20 in revenue.
By Natasha Burling



Labour bill to stop state asset sales

TRACY WATKINS
Labour will introduce a bill preventing the sale of key strategic assets without a clear public mandate, says Labour leader Phil Goff. Goff said the bill would require any future proposal to partly or wholly privatise a State-owned enterprise or Crown entity to gain support from 75 per cent of Parliament, or from a majority of voters in a referendum. "Assets like our power companies were built through the blood, sweat and tears of New Zealanders and paid for by Kiwis over generations," Goff said. "They are not National's to sell." The National government says it will campaign on selling off a minority stake in state-owned energy companies after the next election. Goff said National was ignoring the fact that at least two-thirds of New Zealanders strongly opposed the sale of community-owned assets. Assets would include electricity generation and transmission companies, NZ Post (including KiwiBank), Landcorp (including its extensive holding of farmland) and Solid Energy. It also includes other strategic assets like Radio New Zealand, Television New Zealand and the Crown research institutes.
Stuff



NZers to participate in Gaza flotilla

Auckland activist Harmeet Sooden flies to Greece today to board a ship that will try to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip. Sooden is accusing the New Zealand Government of failing to take a stance in support of the flotilla or protection of its citizens. When Israel prevented the first flotilla from reaching Gaza a year ago, nine people died and more were injured in a confrontation. The latest flotilla intended to carry humanitarian aid to Hamas-controlled Gaza. Mr Sooden, who made world headlines when held captive in Iraq in 2006, intended to be aboard the 25-metre Canadian vessel Tahrir, along with New Zealand-born Vivienne Porzsolt, who was part of an Australian group.
NZPA



NZ rowers shine at Hamburg regatta

New Zealand's rowers have made an emphatic start to the 2011 season, claiming five gold, three silver and a bronze at the Hamburg World Cup regatta. The men's and women's pairs, the men's heavy and light double and single sculler Mahe Drysdale all won their finals, while women's single sculler Emma Twigg claimed a close second place. Drysdale demolished a field that included Sweden's Lassi Karonen.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Pharmaceutical industry links with senators revealed

The pharmaceutical industry has given millions of dollars to 28 United States senators lobbying for an overhaul of Pharmac in trade talks with New Zealand. The revelation comes as new leaks show American negotiators are set to take a hard line on the New Zealand Government's drug-buying agency in TransPacific Partnership trade talks. In May, the senators wrote a letter to US president Barack Obama demanding changes to Pharmac who have received $6.5 million in donations from the pharmaceutical industry over the past five years. The senators want Pharmac, which has a set budget and tries to find the best value drugs on the market, to pay more for medicines that come from American pharmaceutical companies.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Sunday, June 19

Ash cloud threat receding, though may return

The Civil Aviation Authority says New Zealanders' travel plans are unlikely to be affected by volcanic ash clouds during the next few days. The eruption of a Chilean volcano that caused flights to be cancelled in several countries, including New Zealand, is continuing. The authority's meterology manager, Peter Lechner, says however that they are closely monitoring ash clouds north and south of New Zealand and they don't pose an immediate threat. As long as the volcano is erupting, though, it's possible there could be problems further on in the week. Mr Lechner says flights in and out of the South Island are most likely to be affected, because of where the ash clouds are moving.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Tasman Sea turns out to be teeming - times 10

Scientists say new data reveals the Tasman Sea contains 10 times more marine life than was previously thought. Information collected in eight years during joint New Zealand and Australian research has been released, and it suggests there could be 100 million tonnes of living creatures in the Tasman. Graham Patchell, a scientist with the Sealord company, whose vessels have helped collect the data, says the research will help shed new light on global warming. As it continues, he says, scientists will be able to determine the importance of the biomass in taking carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere, and that will provide clues to the impact of climate change.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Christchurch casting net wide for builders

By Adam Hollingwort
The reconstruction of Christchurch is a huge, yet urgent job and there simply aren't enough Kiwi builders so construction companies are casting their net wider. “We're looking at all countries and we're evaluating them against a number of criteria, obviously speaking English is not a bad place to start,” says Fletcher Construction CEO Mark Binns. Until four years ago Ireland was the ‘Celtic Tiger’ because of its property boom, now Europe has bailed the country out and unemployment is nudging 15 percent so there are plenty of qualified Irish builders looking for work. “I don't think I'm wrong to say that I'm sure there are some Irish people who've emigrated to be part of this effort already,” says Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee.
3 News



Key to address Australian Parliament

Prime Minister John Key flies to Canberra this afternoon, where he will become the first New Zealand Prime Minister to address the Australian Parliament. Key is expected to use the occasion to reinforce the bonds between the two countries. His speech will recall how Australia was ready to help during the earthquakes and the Pike River mine disaster. Key will tonight meet with Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce before attending a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He addresses parliament tomorrow afternoon. Gillard became the first foreign leader to address New Zealand's parliament when she visited in February.
Source: ONE News/Newstalk ZB



US pastor to reap NZ crop

He's going to sell out the 10,000-seater Vector Arena two nights in a row – but you've probably never heard of him. Greg Laurie, a Californian pastor, has a mega-church in the United States and he's bringing his brand of mega-worship – mega-conversion – to Auckland next week. The scale of the operation is huge – two stadium shows with an expected 20,000 devotees, rock bands, light shows, mass prayers and Laurie. The man at the centre of it all is used to such numbers – his Harvest Christian Fellowship at the All Saints Episcopalian Church in Riverside, California, is attended by about 12,000 people. Laurie has been to New Zealand twice before and his shows in Christchurch and Wellington garnered such praise in the Christian world that a group of Auckland pastors decided to bring him out for a third time. The list of Auckland churches involved runs to more than 170, from Albany Baptist to Yedarm Presbyterian. The "harvest", as the events are known, will be translated into Korean and New Zealand sign language.
Sunday Star Times



Call for extending whooping cough vaccinations

An infectious diseases specialist at Wellington Hospital, Tim Blackmore, is suggesting extending whooping cough vaccinations to some adults. Dr Blackmore says newborns are vulnerable to the disease before their first immunisation, so certain family members should get shots to protect babies in their first six weeks. He told Radio New Zealand's Insight programme the extra shots would provide what's called cocoon protection for the newborns, who can get very sick with whooping cough. Dr Blackmore says it's thought 30% of all adult coughs that last for more than three or four weeks are whooping cough.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



It's Winter Festival time - but where's the snow?

Queenstown skifield operators are worried a lack of snow could mar the Winter Festival due to begin on Friday. The festival, which began in 1975, has grown into an international tourism attraction, with events at both the Coronet Peak and Remarkables ski areas. Normally both fields would be open by now and readying for the festival, but the gates are still closed. The company that operates the fields, NZSKI.COM, says they've been hit by a peculiar weather pattern: it was the warmest May on record, and June is tracking that way as well. In the past six weeks, the company says, only three nights had air temperatures at the optimum minus two degrees required for snow-making machines to operate.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Australia to build two major solar power stations

The Australian Government has announced threequarters of a billion dollars in funding for two major solar power stations. They will be built in Moree, New South Wales, and Chinchilla, Queensland. Energy Minister Martin Ferguson says the two plants will have the capacity to power more than 115,000 homes at any one time - and the technology developed there will be able to be sold around the world. "What you've got is a growth in energy demand throughout the world at the moment and renewables are being sought after," Mr Ferguson says, "so investment in this is potentially investment is a new export opportunity." Construction is due to start next year.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Saturday, June 18

The Southern Women

Dunedin's new stadium is being touted as a possible venue for netball tests. The state of the art Forsyth Barr Stadium is due to open in August, and will initially host rugby World Cup games. But Netball New Zealand CEO Raelene Castle says the roof at the stadium and the configuration means they could hold a match there as one of the stands can be moved around to make it half the size of a rugby field. Castle says they've had early discussions with stadium officials about the possibility of the Silver Ferns playing matches there.
Source: NewstalkZB



Canterbury University to offer new quake course

Canterbury University students who have helped out earthquake-affected people in the region will soon be able to put their service towards passing a new course. Up to 500 students will be able to take the service-focused university course, called Rebuilding Christchurch, next semester and during summer school. The course co-ordinator, Billy O'Steen, says the course could contribute points towards their final degree. He says the students will have weekly readings to encourage them to reflect on how their service relates to the specific disciplines they are studying.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Volunteers needed for RWC opening ceremony

The hunt is on for up to 2,000 people,especially big burly men,for the opening ceremony of the Rugby World Cup. It takes place on the 9th of September at Mt Eden Stadium. Head choreographer Shona McCullagh says anyone who's 17 or over can apply. She says people of all shapes and sizes can audition, but big burly men are especially in demand. Applications officially close tomorrow, but Shona McCullagh says latecomers can be squeezed in until next Sunday.



New Wairau Hospital being opened

A new hospital is being officially opened in Blenheim on Saturday morning by the Health Minister, Tony Ryall. The redeveloped Wairau Hospital has 91 beds, and some wards built in the 1940s have been replaced. Other new facilities include the latest in digital operating theatres, a new emergency department and a six-bed acute assessment unit. Mr Ryall says the new hospital not only provides streamlined services for patients but is much better for staff.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Labour slumps to historic low in Australian poll

As Julia Gillard approaches her first anniversary as Australia's prime minister, a new poll shows support for her government at an historic low. The Nielsen poll predicts that if an election were held today, after all ballots had been accounted for in Australia's preferential system, the Opposition coalition would win by 18%. On a two-party preferred basis the coalition now leads Labor 59% to 41%, even more than when Kevin Rudd was overthrown as Labor leader - and prime minister - nearly a year ago. According to the poll, Labor's primary vote has fallen four points to 27% - the lowest for a major party in Nielsen's 39-year history. The poll finds that 60% of Australians prefer Mr Rudd as Labor leader over 31% for Ms Gillard.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Friday, June 17

Maori Party opposes any expansion of casino

Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples says the Maori Party will oppose any expansion of Sky City's casino operations. Dr Sharples says he has told Prime Minister John Key of his strong opposition to a deal being proposed in exchange for the company building a new convention centre in Auckland. He told Waatea News he does not accept Mr Key's argument that having more pokie machines and gaming areas will not worsen problem gambling. Dr Sharples says he has been trying for years to get a combined convention and Maori cultural centre built on Auckland's waterfront.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Basic services information for Christchurch quake residents

On Thursday, 16,552 properties were still without water supply but fewer than 100 customers had no electricity, following significant tremors at the start of the week.
CLICK HERE for information about essential services. More details can be found on the Christchurch City Council website CLICK HERE.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Heavy rain expected for parts of NZ

MetService has issued a series of severe weather warnings for parts of New Zealand. Heavy rain is expected on Saturday for Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Marlborough due to a deepening low in the north Tasman Sea which is moving southwards. MetService says rainfall totals of up to 140mm are expected for the Bay of Plenty and in Nelson on Saturday, and 60 to 90mm is forecast about the Richmond Range in Marlborough. Further rain or showers are forecast for these areas on Sunday.
Source: ONE News



Pacific islands population to hit ten million this month

Research by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community is predicting the total population of the Pacific Islands will reach 10 million by the end of the month. The SPC says the population of 22 countries and territories in the region will continue to rise, and is expected to reach 15 million by 2035. The data shows the fastest growing of these are Guam, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, which are experiencing high birth rates. In contrast, the populations of Niue and Tokelau have been declining due to continuous emigration to New Zealand. The research also shows that Polynesia and Micronesia have large populations of young people.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Pie recipe fetches thousands at auction

The crowd-pleasing pies were world famous in Hororata - but the aftermath of September's devastating earthquake has forced the Canterbury town's pub to give up their secret. The Hororata hotel was so badly damaged in the quake it couldn't be repaired, and is destined for demolition. On Thursday, patrons got the chance to bid for the pub's chattels, with everything from stags' heads to beer kegs. Also under the hammer was the 30-year-old pie recipe. Auctioneer Bryan Andrews says the $4400 selling price stunned everyone. The buyers premium of 15% took the price to about $5000. He says it came down to a bidding duel between two people, with a Christchurch man the eventual winner.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Natural health products regulator to be established

A deal has been struck between the Greens and National to set up a regulator for natural health products. Green MP Sue Kedgley says it'll be a stand alone agency with the Ministry of Health responsible for overseeing the natural health products industry in New Zealand. The concept's been worked on since the collapse of trans-Tasman therapeutics legislation four years ago. Ms Kedgley says the aim is to have a New Zealand based regulator. The system while it would assure consumers that their products are safe, would not be heavy handed and put small New Zealand innovative natural health businesses out of business." She says legislation setting up the agency will be introduced to Parliament before the election but won't become law until the next term of Government.
- Newstalk ZB



Marriage rate drops to historic low

The marriage rate in New Zealand has dropped to an historic low. In 2010, there were 12.5 marriages per thousand unmarried adults. That's less than a third of the peak rate recorded in 1971. The falling marriage rate is being put down to the growth in de facto unions, a general trend towards delayed marriage, and more New Zealanders remaining single. Statistics NZ estimates that just over a third of couples who married in 1971 had divorced by 2010.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Film Festival set to open with a Kiwi film

The Auckland leg of this year's film festival will open with a New Zealand film. The New Zealand International Film Festival begins in Auckland on the 14th of July. Florian Habicht's film Love Story, which explores love and lust in New York City, will kick off the festival. It's his fifth feature length film to premiere at the festival. Festival Director Bill Gosden says the energy and delight flowing from Florianâs film will be a great way to set the festival buzzing this year.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Mobile surgical bus to add diagnostic services

The mobile surgical bus that takes hospital health services to rural communities is adding diagnostic equipment to its luggage. The bus travels through New Zealand on a five-week cycle, operating at 22 different rural locations. General manager Mark Eager says the service has been very successful, performing low-risk day surgery on more than 13,000 people over the past 10 years. Mr Eager says they will now be taking diagnostic services to rural areas too, including ecocardiograph procedures.
Copyright © 2011, Radio New Zealand



Flights resume, but more disruption possible

The volcanic ash plumes that have disrupted air travel in New Zealand are moving away from the country but there is a possibility that more could arrive within days. The ash cloud from a volcano in Chile has caused major disruption to flights since Sunday, though most services are expected to resume on Friday. Civil Aviation Authority meteorological manager Peter Lechner says both the high altitude and low altitude ash clouds should have cleared the country ty the afternoon, but there's a chance of another plume, sitting just south of Australia, tracking this way. Mr Lechner says it should become clear over the weekend whether that will happen.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Thursday, June 16

Rise in number of doctors working in NZ, says council

The Medical Council says there are an extra 475 doctors working in New Zealand compared with a year ago. The figures are contained in the council's medical workforce survey for 2010 released on Thursday. The council says the number of doctors increased by 3.5% to 13,883 and there are increases in all categories, except in general practice and as house officers. The proportion of doctors who obtained their first medical qualification overseas is still climbing, however, with international medical graduates comprising 41% all doctors. But there is a suggestion New Zealand may be set to retain doctors better, with 93% of doctors who graduated in 2008 still working in the country two years later.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand



Free bus shuttles to Wellington games

Rugby World Cup goers will have access to free shuttles to and from Wellington's Westpac stadium on pool game days. The Greater Wellington Regional Council is planning to provide the shuttle services from Courtenay Place and Upper Willis Street, starting 90 minutes from kick-off. Ticket-holders will be shuttled back into the central city after games. Greater Wellington chairwoman Fran Wilde hopes the free shuttles will help traffic and people to flow freely around the CBD on game days. On quarter-final days, the shuttles will be free for everyone.
By Sophie Lowry



La Nina leaves but warm winter still expected

The strong La Nina event that has dominated the Pacific for several months has faded out. But NIWA's latest outlook for winter indicates temperatures will remain mild nationwide. Temperatures are likely to continue above average in many regions, near average in the west and south of the South Island, and above average for the northern North Island. Seasonal rainfall is also likely to be near normal in the north and east of both Islands, and normal or below normal over western regions of both Islands.
Source: ONE News



Flavoured milk not all bad

Flavoured milk may be getting a bad rap in the US, but the Heart Foundation here says it's not all bad. The drink's been banned in an American school district as part of moves to combat childhood obesity. Foundation nutritionist Andrea Bidois says banning the milk in New Zealand isn't necessary. She says it's about choosing the right type, and watching portion size. "There are tick choices that are lower in fat and you've got to remember that milk is actually a good source of nutrients but I suppose the thing to be mindful of is filling up on milk." Ms Bidois says nutrients should come from a wide range of foods, not just one type.
By Juliette Sivertsen



Cathedral could be demolished

Some, or even all, of ChristChurch Cathedral will have to come down after the rose window and most of the west wall fell victim to Monday's aftershocks. But Dean Peter Beck says the cathedral will be rebuilt. He says the priority right now is focused on accessing the destroyed building. "The most important thing for us at the cathedral in terms of the building at the moment is to make it safe enough to get out the really important things inside like the organ and the beautiful woodwork so we've got those kept and safe for the future." Dean Beck says they simply can't put a timeframe on decisions regarding the future of the cathedral.
Copyright 2002 - 2011, TelstraClear Ltd



Mass evacuations as rain continues in New South Wales

Mass evacuations are under way across the flood-affected Australian state of New South Wales on Wednesday after one man died and three were hospitalised as rivers rose in the torrential rain. More than 1300 residents of the mid-north coast and Hunter regions have been affected by flooding after three days of heavy rain that has closed schools and roads and caused millions of dollars worth of damage, AAP reports. The areas of Clarence Valley, Upper Hunter, Bellingen Shire and Kempsey have been declared natural disaster zones.
Copyright © 2011 Radio New Zealand


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