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Wednesday, February 29

Questions asked over welfare reform effectiveness

Questions are being asked over the effectiveness of the Government's welfare reforms. Labour MP Jacinda Ardern has quizzed Social Development Ministry bosses over how changes to DPB (single parent benefit) obligations have affected beneficiary numbers. She says latest figures show there are 114,000 on the Domestic Purposes Benefit while back in September 2010 when Future Focus was introduced, it was 112,765. Ms Ardern wants to know why more people are on the DPB now given the reforms were supposed to get people off it.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Niue dengue cases prompt awareness campaign

Health authorities in Niue have issued calls for the public to help eliminate mosquito breeding grounds after the discovery of dengue on the island. The chief medical officer, Dr Eddie Akau’ola, says three dengue cases have been confirmed with two people hospitalised and the third being treated as an outpatient. Dengue is not often found on Niue - there were no cases last year. Dr Akau’ola says they have launched an awareness campaign using local television and radio.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



NZ must prepare for explosion in Pacific population - report

A population explosion predicted in the Pacific Islands could have a major impact on New Zealand, according to an official report. In a bid to better manage employment and immigration issues, the Australian and New Zealand Governments have commissioned a report into population growth in the Pacific region. The Pacific population was around 10 million in 2010, but will swell to 18 million by 2050, according to the Population Movement in the Pacific: A Perspective on Future Prospects report. Authors Richard Bedford and Graeme Hugo have warned politicians, planners and policy-makers of Australia and New Zealand to consider how best to deal with increasing urbanisation in the region, especially in Papua New Guinea, Solomon islands and Vanuatu. TV ONE's Breakfast heard today the authors are advising immigration officials to be ready over the next two decades for a flood of visa applications from Pacific Islanders desperately seeking work.
Source: ONE News



Welfare reforms take next step

The next step in the Government's far-reaching welfare reforms will involve those on the sickness and invalids benefit. The first stage was released this week, targeting young people and solo mothers. Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says later in the year there'll be changes for those who are unwell, including getting some people with low level mental illnesses into some form of work. "There are some with low level mental illnesses that we may be able to work with more effectively to help them have a more fulfilling life and we're really keen to do that but it's not about pushing people off benefits." A health and disability panel is looking at the issue.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Sex addicts wanted for Massey study

By MICHAEL FORBES
If you are addicted to sex – be it risky, online, or paid for – then Massey University might be able to help. Psychology student Karen Faisandier is looking for 20 Kiwi males, over the age of 18, to take part in her doctoral study on how best to treat out-of-control sexual behaviours, or OCSB. Ms Faisandier defines such behaviour as a difficulty regulating sexual thoughts, feelings or behaviours, to the extent that they cause distress or negative consequences on you or those around you. Treatment is commonly approached in the same way you would a drug addiction, through group therapy and 12-step models. But Ms Faisandier hopes her research will uncover new methods. If you are a man, aged 18 or older, who thinks he has OCSB and can attend 12 one hour-long appointments in either Auckland or Palmerston North then contact OCSB@live.com.
- © Fairfax NZ News



Young doctors flock to Christchurch

By JO MCKENZIE-MCLEAN
Two British junior doctors are among hundreds taking up the challenge of working in post-earthquake Christchurch. About 420 junior doctors are now employed by Canterbury District Health Board, with another wave of recruits joining in August, Chief Medical Officer Nigel Millar said. The hospital had launched a recruitment campaign called, "Are you up for it?" following the February earthquake to provide a "balanced" view of what new recruits would be signing up for, he said. "[The campaign] is honest about the challenges the city and the health system face, while at the same time presenting the positives," Millar said. "We aim to make it clear that things have changed in Christchurch especially, but that we still do have a lot to offer.



Hauora Maori scholarship applications open

Health scholarships for Maori students are now open. The Ministry of Health receives more than 800 applications a year for the Hauora Maori scholarships. Associate Health Minister Tariana Turia says the Maori health workforce is facing great pressure and it is pleasing to know the putea, or fund, will help to meet the demand. There are 11 scholarship categories, including community health workers, dietitians, dentistry and nursing. Applications for the scholarships close on 6 April. Details can be found on the Ministry's website: www.maori.health.govt.nz To be eligible to apply students must be enrolled in tertiary or college courses accredited by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Millions in NZ aid to Pacific spent on Air NZ flights

Millions of dollars of New Zealand aid money to the Pacific has been spent on underwriting Air New Zealand flights to the islands. For the past two financial years, the Cook Islands has spent half the $3 million of New Zealand aid money it receives for tourism annually on its underwrite arrangement with Air New Zealand. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says a total of $3.8 million in aid money went towards the Samoan and Tongan Governments providing a temporary underwrite to the airline between 2009 and 2011.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Fossilised bones reveal giant prehistoric penguin

After millions of years buried in a hillside, then decades gathering dust in geological displays, the fossilised bones of a giant penguin have been pieced together to reveal a goliath of the bird world. The 1.3 metre bird - much taller and slimmer than modern penguins - inhabited New Zealand 25 million years ago, scientists say. Scientist Dan Ksepka of North Carolina State University, who is involved in the project, says most of New Zealand was underwater at the time the bird existed, leaving isolated, rocky land masses that kept the penguins safe from potential predators and provided them with lots of food.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Tuesday, February 28

PM's jobs record under fire

The Prime Minister's performance on jobs is under fire. Labour MP Jacinda Ardern is challenging him over the record his Government has had since its 2009 Jobs Summit. "National employment indicator figures released today show there are fewer jobs now than when the summit was held and almost 40,000 fewer jobs since he took office."
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



World wide push to protect Ross Sea

Leading scientists and environmentalists have launched a world-wide campaign to get the Ross Sea in Antarctica protected by the end of this year. The Antarctic Ocean Alliance is asking for 3.6 million square kms of the Ross Sea and surrounding areas to be protected, with 19 specific marine reserves. The alliance wants to influence the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Resources, which signs off on all matters to do with the water protection of the icy continent. It has reviewed proposals put forward by New Zealand and the United States, and has almost doubled the size of the area they suggested should be protected. The alliance, which began its campaign in Wellington, says the increase is to ensure endemic species are not wiped out.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Aus travel writer says NZ tourism is better

An Australian travel writer says New Zealand beats its trans-Tasman rival hands down when it comes to tourism. The Daily Telegraph's Anthony Dennis says that's because Kiwis care more about the industry and it shows in the welcome, the service and the product, whether it's accommodation or tours. There's a lot Australia could learn from its near neighbours when it comes to tourism.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



What makes Kiwis happy

By James Williams - NewstalkZB
UMR has just released its 'What makes New Zealanders happy' survey and lists life factors which we strongly associate with happiness. Having a good work life balance was the strongest factor followed by life achievements, being involved in the community and satisfaction in your physical fitness. Also on the list was being politically right wing. Other findings include 23 percent of Kiwis believe they're better looking than the average person, while only 28 percent of us are very satisfied with our weight.



South Island ski field gains expansion consent

Resource consent has been granted to a $500 million plan to expand a Canterbury ski field, including a proposal for the country's first ski-area gondola lift. In a decision released on Monday, Environment Canterbury has given the go-ahead to the Porter Heights ski field in Crystal Valley due to open in 2015. The ski field's director of development, Mike Sleigh, says the full project which includes an alpine village and hot pools would take at least 10 years to complete.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Otago Rugby Union to go into liquidation

The Otago Rugby Union has confirmed it will go into liquidation by Friday. The South Island club has debts of $2.35 million. The New Zealand Rugby Union says the Otago Union's debt is too much for it to bail out, and further losses were expected in 2013. The NZRU says despite the injection of hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of time and money from the national body, the Otago Union's debt has grown to an unsustainable level. The organisation says the decision does not affect the Highlanders franchise, as it is a separate legal entity contracted by the NZRU. However, it says Otago may not be able to field a side to play in the ITM Cup, as there no money to pay players.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Monday, February 27

Competition drives drop in Pacific remittance fees

A website set up three years ago to compare the costs of Pacific remittance services has found that transfer fees have fallen by up to 60 percent. Data released by SendMoney Pacific shows that the cost of sending money from New Zealand to Tonga and Samoa has fallen by more than 60 and 40 percent respectively. Both Vodafone and Digicel have launched mobile-based remittance servcies within the past year. SendMoney Pacific is funded by the governments of New Zealand and Australia.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



McKenzie wins Oscar for best song

New Zealander Bret McKenzie has won an Oscar for best song at the Academy Awards. The 84th Academy Awards ceremony is being hosted by Billy Crystal at the Kodak theatre in Los Angeles on Sunday. The actor, singer and songwriter won for Man or Muppet, which features in the latest Muppets movie. There were only two songs nominated. The dry-witted Wellingtonian is best known as one half of the Flight of the Conchords and has appeared in the Lord of the Rings films. "I grew up in New Zealand watching The Muppets on TV; I never dreamed I'd get to work with them and I was genuinely star-struck when I finally met Kermit the Frog," he said when accepting his award.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



New work rules for sole parents

KATE CHAPMAN AND DANYA LEVY
New laws requiring beneficiaries with children to look for work will be introduced next month. Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced today that the first stage of National's welfare reforms will get underway in March. Legislation will be introduced requiring sole parents on the Dependent Purposes Benefit with children aged 5 and older to look for part-time work. Those whose children are 14 or older will be required to look for full-time work. These expectations will also apply to those on the Widow's and Women Alone benefits, and partners of beneficiaries with children. Sole parents on a benefit who have additional children will be required to work part-time when their baby is one. Changes affecting unemployed youth and teen parents will also be included in the first role-out of the welfare reform. Essential costs such as rent and power will be paid directly. Other money, to cover the likes of groceries, will be put on a payment card. Youth will be able to increase their payments through an incentive scheme, for example young parents will be able to get $10 extra a week after completing a parenting course.
© Fairfax NZ News



Labour launches organisational review

The Labour Party is to hold a series of nationwide meetings for members and supporters as it embarks on a wholesale review of its organisational structure. Party leader David Shearer says Labour is failing to connect with many voters, and the party will take a fresh look at areas including campaigning, party communications and, potentially, how the leader is elected. Mr Shearer says a review of the party policy Labour took to last November's general election will be a more of a long-term process. Regional meetings will start next week and people will also be able to contribute to the consultation online.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Julia Gillard wins leadership vote

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has held onto the leadership of the Labor Party, comfortably beating her challenger Kevin Rudd in a caucus ballot. The party's returning officer announced that Ms Gillard was was reaffirmed as Prime Minister with 71 votes to 31 for Mr Rudd. The margin is the biggest win in a Labor leadership ballot in 30 years. The leadership was decided at a meeting of 102 caucus members in Canberra's Parliament House on Monday. Mr Rudd, who had resigned as Foreign Minister in Washington last week, has said he would not challenge again before the next election and would happily sit on the backbench. Mr Rudd was dumped as prime minister in June 2010 after an internal party coup led by Ms Gillard.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Australia moves on inactive super accounts

The superannuation industry is going through big change in Australia, under which inactive accounts are to be consolidated with existing accounts. After 20 years of compulsory superannuation, Australia now has the fourth biggest pension pool in the world. However a new report estimates a quarter of the nation's 28 million individual super accounts are now inactive. Most of these come from short-term jobs undertaken by young people who in many cases don't realise they have superannuation owing to them, a correspondent in Sydney for Radio New Zealand reports. Under a new plan by the Federal government, inactive accounts, many containing only a few hundred dollars, will be consolidated with members' existing accounts using a streamlined national administration system.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Govt warned refugees see NZ as 'soft touch'

By Derek Cheng
New Zealand has a reputation as a "soft touch" for refugees and has previously been the target of boatloads of asylum seekers, Cabinet papers say. "New Zealand is at risk of experiencing a mass arrival," says a paper dated August 2010, released under the Official Information Act. "We know this because [withheld] and some boats are already known to have previously targeted New Zealand. "There may be a perception offshore among potential illegal migrants that New Zealand is a 'soft touch'." The paper, which has had most of the details blacked out, outlines options for the Government's new strategy for dealing with a mass arrival of asylum seekers.



Fry praises NZ despite broadband debate

The English actor who sparked a debate about the speed of New Zealand's broadband has written a blog praising nearly every other aspect of the country. Stephen Fry vented his frustration with the Telecom broadband service he was using on Twitter last week. In his latest blog, the actor says he was surprised his stream of tweets sparked the national debate it did. He adds that New Zealand roads are as good as any country he's ever visited, the coffee's better, the food's generally exquisite, the wine-making outstanding and the public transport system is a good as it gets.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Sunday, February 26

Tougher tests will fail unprepared drivers: NZTA

Young and novice drivers should expect to fail the new practical driving tests coming into force tomorrow if they haven't done the required practice - that's the message from the NZ Transport Agency. The new tougher practical tests have been specifically designed to improve safety by encouraging learner drivers to clock up at least 120 hours of supervised practice before they sit the test. And drivers should not expect to pass the new test unless they had put in that amount of preparation says NZTA Chief Executive, Geoff Dangerfield. Young drivers who complete 120 hours of supervised practice on their learner licence have a solo-driving crash rate 40% lower than those who only complete 50 hours says the transport agency. Learner drivers who have already booked tests but are worried about failing the tougher tests are being given the option of cancelling or rescheduling the booking without cost.
Source: ONE News



Welfare reform announcement expected tomorrow

The Government is set to announce its first tranche of sweeping welfare reforms tomorrow, ONE News has learned. More than a third of current beneficiaries will be caught up in the first stage of welfare reforms. The benefits set to be affected by tomorrow's announcement include the sole parents and women on Domestic Purposes Benefits, as well as youth benefits. Changes to the widow's benefit will also be announced, and ONE News understands steps are being taken to abolish that benefit altogether. The changes would see sole-parents forced to seek part-time work once their youngest child reaches five, and seek full-time work once their youngest turns 14. Those currently receiving the Sickness Benefit would be required to look for part-time or full-time work, but with some temporary exemptions for those not work-ready. The Unemployment Benefit would also be replaced with a 'Jobseeker Support' benefit.
Source: ONE News



Jonah Lomu back in hospital

By Kurt Bayer
All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu is back in hospital on dialysis, his wife and manager Nadene has revealed. In a text to TVNZ, she said: "Jonah remains on dialysis and is doing OK at the moment. "He's fighting a great battle in relation to his kidney but I'm there to support him every step of the way." Lomu, who scored 37 tries in 63 Tests for the All Blacks, was first diagnosed with the serious kidney disorder nephrotic syndrome in 1995. The giant winger underwent his first organ transplant in 2004, which effectively ended his glittering international rugby career. He was taken to hospital in Auckland during the Rugby World Cup last September. Lomu, 36, told a women's magazine earlier this month that he needed a new kidney and is searching for a new donor. He says he's lost 30kg since last September.



Gillard set to win Labor leadership ballot

Julia Gillard is set to win the Australian Labor party's leadership ballot on Monday, but challenger Kevin Rudd has voiced MPs' fears it won't be the end of the instability dogging the minority government. The prime minister has urged the 102 caucus members who are voting to end what she says is the destabilisation campaign run by Mr Rudd and his backers. However, Mr Rudd fears speculation about the Labor leadership could remain despite him promising to go to the backbench and not challenge Ms Gillard a second time before the next election. The Rudd side is claiming between 30 and 35 votes, while the Gillard camp is claiming just under 70 votes, with four votes undeclared and one absentee.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Thousands at Bays event

Twelve thousand people have turned out in Wellington for the city's annual Round the Bays event. Two thousand athletes competed in the half marathon, with another ten thousand taking part in the seven kilometre fun run and walk. Event Director Craig Ireson says the event ran smoothly, and there were no major disruptions for motorists in the area. Kenyan Kip Kemei won the men's half marathon in a time of one hour seven minutes, and London Olympics hopeful Mary Davies won the women's event with a time of one hour thirteen.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



New gas plant opened

A $A1 billion domestic gas plant has been officially opened in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Apache Energy's Devil Creek Gas Plant and Hub is 45km south-west of Dampier. The ABC reports the project is the third domestic gas plant in WA. It will have the capacity to increase gas production in the state by 20%.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Charter school in Christchurch not wanted by union

The Post Primary Teachers Association wants a moratorium on a plan for a pilot charter school in Christchurch. An earthquake recovery group set up by the association met in Christchurch on Friday to discuss the ongoing effects of the earthquakes to teachers, students and schools. PPTA member Brigid Raymond says the pilot is an experiment that is not needed when there is already so much uncertainty in the region. Ms Raymond questioned why a charter school would be put in an area where 5000 families have been red-zoned and are moving out. She says the Government should support the recovery of existing schools.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Antarctic base destroyed

Two military personnel are missing and another is injured after an explosion at Brazil's research station in the Antarctic. The blast was caused by a fire in a machine room at the Comandante Ferraz base, on King George Island, near the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula. The Brazilian navy said the fire had destroyed the entire station and was still not under control. More than 30 people were evacuated to a Chilean research station nearby.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Saturday, February 25

Quake claims more victims as rare birds die

By Jeff Hampton
The Christchurch earthquakes have claimed more victims after thousands of birds have died of a disease that has gripped wetlands around the city. Tests are still being done but it is suspected a disease called avian botulism is responsible for the deaths and the problem is being blamed on the earthquakes which badly damaged the sewerage systems in Christchurch's east. And now the sewage levels have risen in the wetlands in Christchurch's east where the birds live, and also in the nearby council oxidation ponds. Among those species hardest hit are the paradise shelduck, of which more than 1400 have died totaling 85 percent of the population there. Half the mallards that live there have also died as well as smaller numbers of the royal spoon bill and pukeko.



Shearer attacks Govt again over land, asset sales

Labour leader David Shearer says his party will do what is best for New Zealanders - not what will benefit foreign investors or other economies. Mr Shearer used a speech on Friday to again attack the National Government over land sales to foreigners and its plans to partially sell some state assets. Mr Shearer told a meeting of North Shore Grey Power members on Friday that he wants a new kind of politics, pragmatic and attentive to what works and not tied up in the squabbles of the past. Mr Shearer says politicians should be prepared to accept ideas according to whether they work, not where they come from. He says he intends to create a new destiny for New Zealand, not to sell its assets and land and hope the buyers will act in the country's interests. He took a swing at National's campaign slogan 'For a brighter future' - saying: "You can't sell your way to a brighter future".
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



More cases of dengue fever detected in NT

More cases of dengue fever have been detected in Australia's Northern Territory. The disease can be fatal. The NT Centre for Disease Control says there were 34 cases in January and February, compared with 29 last year. All were detected in travellers returning from trips to south-east Asia, including Bali and East Timor. Dr Peter Markey says the incubation period is about a week and many people realise they have the disease only when symptoms arise at home. The ABC reports about half of the cases required hospitalisation. Symptoms are fever, headaches and muscle and joint aches and pains.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Derelict house demolition meetings being held

Niue's minister of health is holding a series of meetings in Auckland, New Zealand, to get the absentee owners of rundown properties on the island to allow the government demolish them. Vegetation and vermin have overtaken dozens of houses abandoned when their owners moved to New Zealand. Joan Viliamu says the first of four meetings in Auckland takes place on Sunday, when families will be shown photographs of their derelict houses.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Friday, February 24

Rugby - Crusaders narrowly beat Blues

The Crusaders have opened the Super Rugby season with a nailbiting 19-18 win over the Blues in Auckland. The Blues scored two tries to the Crusaders' one, all in the first half at Eden Park on Friday night. The Crusaders led 16-12 at half-time and kicked one penalty to the Blues' two after the break. Crusaders' rookie No 10 Tyler Blyendaal kicked four out of six penalties, while Blues' replacement first five-eighth Piri Weepu had a dropkick narrowly charged down in the 82nd minute.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Rudd confirms challenge

Kevin Rudd has confirmed he is challenging Julia Gillard for the leadership of the Australian Labor Party. Australian Prime Minister Gillard has called a leadership ballot for Monday. Mr Rudd says he wants to finish the job he was elected to do in 2007.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Australian GG to visit NZ

Australia's Governor-General is to grace our shores. Quentin Bryce arrives this weekend and will visit Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown. She'll catch up with John Key on Tuesday and both of them will attend a state dinner at Government that evening with our Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae. Quentin Bryce goes home on Thursday.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Niue may bury asbestos waste after New Zealand refuses to take it back

The Premier of Niue, Toke Talagi, says his government has made a decision, in principle, to bury asbestos waste on the island. There have been concerns about asbestos on Niue since Cyclone Heta eight years ago wrecked a large number of buildings and left quantities of the toxic material littering the island. Efforts have been made to clean it up, with the possibility it might be shipped to New Zealand but Niue has been advised that New Zealand won’t accept it.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



International Arts Festival begins

The New Zealand International Arts Festival begins in Wellington on Friday night with a Stravinsky double bill. It's not quite bigger than Ben Hur but it's close: four opera singers, two choirs and the NZ Symphony Orchestra. The festival runs for 24 days with about 900 acts from around the world. They range from circus acts to Shakespeare and music from salsa to Stravinsky. It's the third and last programme selected by the artistic director Lisa Toomey, who returns to Australia once the festival is over.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



NZ minister calls for Pacific parents to take greater role in kids’ education

The Minister of Pacific Island Affairs says Pacific communities need to take more responsibility for their children’s education and teaching their languages. Hekia Parata, who is also the education minister, says she wants urgent, measurable improvements in Pacific children’s achievement. But she told a meeting of Pacific leaders in Auckland, yesterday, the government can not achieve that on its own - and needs Pacific communities to be an active partner. Ms Parata says Pacific parents need to get on school boards and enrol their children in new Pacific language preschools the Government is funding.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Researchers identify useless diet foods

Otago University obesity researchers have identified a list of 49 foods they say contain lots of energy but are essentially bereft of nutritional benefits. While the list contains the usual suspects of fatty foods and soft drinks, it also throws up some surprises, such as fruit juice, honey, and even muesli bars which can be more fattening than toffee pops. The list names the generic food, and suggests a healthier replacement, or none at all for foods such as ice cream, cakes, chocolate, doughnuts, jam, pies and pastries. "Muesli bars are a classic example of how overweight people can be misled into thinking they're eating healthy food," Dr Elmslie said. "Most muesli bars are high in calories, and fat and sugar, with minimal nutritional value. Essentially they are just another form of biscuit."
NZN



Thursday, February 23

Two western journalists killed in Homs by Syrian war criminal Assad

Two western journalists have been killed by shellfire in the Syrian city of Homs. American foreign correspondent Marie Colvin of the UK Sunday Times and French photojournalist Remi Ochlik died when a house from where they were reporting in the Baba Amr district was shelled by government forces.



Public asked to submit views on courts

By Newstalk ZB staff - NewstalkZB
The Law Commission is asking for public submissions on an overhaul of the courts. Suggestions include uniting the country's 63 District Courts under one national District Court, establishing specialist judges' panels within the High Court especially when it comes to commercial law, and ways to curb vexatious and wasteful litigation. The Commission says there should also be more transparency around the appointment of judges. Users of the Family Court are also being urged to submit their views on how to improve its services. The review of the court closes at the end of the month. Justice Minister Judith Collins says it's the country's second busiest court and it's being reviewed to ensure it meets people's needs and that we're getting best value and outcomes from the court



NZ extends free tuition for Pacific seasonal workers

Free tuition offered to Pacific Islanders coming to New Zealand under the Recognised Seasonal Employer programme is to be extended. This follows a two-year pilot of the training programme, which is known as Vakameasina. Through the scheme the New Zealand Aid Programme will now pay for tuition in English, maths, finance, computer literacy and health issues for up 500 of the workers each year. During the two year pilot 580 workers got 20 hours of free tuition. More than 5,000 Pacific Islands workers are coming to New Zealand each year under the RSE.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Govt buys over 2,000 Chch homes

More than 2,000 Christchurch homes have been bought by the Government under its compensation offer to homeowners in the city's red zones. The numbers are revealed in a quarterly report on special powers exercised by authorities during post-quake recovery work. It shows 1,694 property owners have chosen to sell their land to the Crown and deal with their insurers over compensation for their homes. Just 526 have gone with the other option, allowing the Crown to buy their land and home at its 2007 ratings value.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Rain stops southern flights

Heavy rain in the South Island has caused flights out of Dunedin airport to stop indefinitely. The airport says rain has been pooling on the runway, making it too dangerous to land or take off. MetService has issued a severe weather warning for heavy rain in southern and western parts of the South Island along with eastern Bay of Plenty. It says the rain should begin to ease this evening.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



NZ pupils shine in Cambridge exams

By Elizabeth Binning
Eight of the 10,000 New Zealand students who sat exams in the internationally recognised Cambridge Examinations are celebrating a rare feat - receiving 100 per cent in a subject. So the fact that four of them came from ACG Strathallan College in Karaka has left principal Robin Kirkham feeling incredibly thrilled. "These are the results principals dream of," he said. "I couldn't quite believe it when I was first told." Mr Kirkham said the four scholars also picked up awards for topping their subjects - both in the world and in New Zealand. The school is one of around 50 which offer Cambridge Examinations, an alternative to our NCEA.



Third Lady Gaga show confirmed

Lady Gaga has expanded her New Zealand tour again. A third and final show has been confirmed after the first two sold out. The concert dates are June 7, 8 and 10 at Auckland's Vector Arena.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Wednesday, February 22

Kevin Rudd resigns as Australia's Foreign Minister

Kevin Rudd has resigned as Australia's foreign minister, ramping up speculation he will challenge Julia Gillard for the leadership. Rudd made the announcement during a press conference in Washington DC. Rudd said he will return to Brisbane on Friday and will make a full statement on his future before Parliament resumes on Monday after consulting with family and colleagues. Rudd's decision comes after four days of frantic speculation he was threatening Prime Minister Julia Gillard's authority. Senior Labor figures had on Wednesday urged Gillard to bring the leadership issue to a head.
Source: AAP



Christchurch to host Maori performance event in 2015

The country's biggest Maori performance event is coming to Christchurch in 2015. Te Matatini National Festival - featuring elite kapa haka performers - is to be held in Hagley Park, the scene of Wednesday's public earthquake memorial service. It's only the second time the show will be held in the South Island, since the first festival was held in Rotorua in 1972. The festival is expected to attract 30,000 performers and visitors to Christchurch.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



1000 asylum seekers arrive in Australia since start of year

Immigration officials say 14 asylum-seeker boats carrying more than a thousand people have arrived in Australian waters since the start of the year. Customs and Border Protection officials intercepted two boats carrying 200 people off Australian Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island Tuesday night. A boat carrying 147 people arrived on Monday night.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Pacific Forum labelled a drain on region in leaked NZ government email

A former New Zealand diplomat who is now a government MP has told Foreign Minister Murray McCully he is right to think New Zealand gets precious little for the tens of millions of dollars in aid it spends in the Pacific. The New Zealand Herald newspaper reports these comments are part of a private email from John Hayes to the minister which have been leaked to the TV3 network. Mr Hayes, who is a former high commissioner to Papua New Guinea and now parliamentary assistant to Mr McCully, says the Pacific Islands Forum, which is presently chaired by New Zealand, is too big a drain on the resources of the region. And he says a meeting of the Secretariat of Pacific Community he was at in Noumea cost over 200,000 US dollars but yielded almost no results.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



US, UK send quake anniversary condolences

Condolences have been sent from the United States and Britain on the first anniversary of the February earthquake. Members of the US-NZ Council have gathered in the United States capital, Washington DC, to remember the February earthquake. Many of them were among the 120 diplomats and government officials attending the fourth US NZ Partnership Forum in Christchurch on the day the quake struck. The council has sent its condolences to the people of Christchurch and thanked them for the help given in the aftermath of the quake. British Foreign Secretary, William Hague, has offered his condolences to the people of New Zealand on the anniversary of the Christchurch earthquake. In a letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Murray McCully, Mr Hague says his thoughts are with all those affected by the tragedy, especially the residents of Christchurch.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Quake victims remembered

By Cullen Smith of The Star and Kurt Bayer of APNZ
An emotional memorial service has been held this morning for the bereaved families of the 185 Christchurch earthquake victims on the first anniversary of the February 22 disaster. Hundreds of friends and family of the fallen filled Latimer Square in the heart of the broken city for the poignant service. One year after the magnitude-6.3 earthquake changed the city's landscape forever, Mayor Bob Parker welcomed the gathering to what was going to be "a heavy day." The service opened with a mihi whakatau Maori welcome followed by an introduction from Mr Parker.
- APNZ



DHB pays staff to lose weight

By ANGELA CUMING
The Waikato District Health Board has confirmed it has spent $41,580 to send about 100 staff to Weight Watchers. The Ministry of Health had funded the programme to the tune of $60,000, or roughly 200 workers. The DHB signed up to the Weight Watchers on-site programme last June. Health Waikato chief operating officer Jan Adams said a healthy workforce was a good workforce. "If you have got healthy staff who feel good about themselves, it should, and probably will, translate to lower sickness and absenteeism," she said.
© Fairfax NZ News



Free course for parents and teens

Parents who want to build a better relationship with their teenager are being offered a free course by researchers at Auckland University. The programme for parents with children aged between 12 and 15, runs over eight sessions. Doctoral student Joanna Chu says 20 families have been through the programme so far, with many reporting positive results. "We're still recruiting for around 70 to 80 families at the moment and the group sessions will be held in the central areas as well as the west Auckland areas." Ms Chu says the course covers common parenting traps, skills to develop good relationships, managing difficult behaviours and planning for high risk situations.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Heavy rain warning for much of South Island

A heavy rain warning has been issued for much of the South Island, including Nelson. MetService forecasts 150 - 250mm rain about the ranges west of Motueka but 100 -150mm elsewhere, in the 18 hour period from 11am Wednesday to 5am Thursday. Heavy rain is also forecast for Mount Taranaki, with heavy falls expected from late Wednesday morning. Heavy rain is expected to spread to the Tararua Ranges, Marlborough, Buller, Westland and the Canterbury high country on Wednesday afternoon and to develop in Otago overnight Wednesday.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Tuesday, February 21

US investigates fishing boat slave labour

By Charlotte Shipman
Two of America’s largest grocery chains are investigating whether slave labour is rife on commercial fishing boats operating in New Zealand waters. This comes just ahead of the release of a New Zealand Government report which looks into human rights abuses on foreign fishing boats operating here. Wal-Mart and Safeway are both reviewing the New Zealand fish they import after a six-month investigation by the news agency Bloomberg reported Indonesian crew were physically abused, over worked and not paid. Slave Free Seas Trust lawyer Craig Tuck has spoken to dozens who back up the claims, and says the issue is “about fighting the business of modern slavery” and protecting the rights of workers on fishing boats.
3News



NSW outlaws smoking in public places

The New South Wales Government is ban smoking in most of the state's public places, from parks to bus stops. NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner says legislation will be introduced in coming months to prohibit smoking in sports grounds, swimming pools, entrances to buildings and public transport stops. "A series of places where children and families congregate more frequently," Ms Skinner says. Smoking will also be banned in commercial outdoor dining areas but not until 2015, the ABC reports.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Turia heartened by increase in Maori midwives

The Associate Health Minister says it is exciting that more young Maori women want to become midwives. Turiana Turia was in Hastings today to officially open the new national office for the Maori Midwives Collective Nga Maia. The collective, which was established in 1993 by a small group of midwives, now has about a 120 members all over New Zealand. Tariana Turia says it is very heartening that the number of Maori midwives continues to increase as there is a huge need for their skills.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



US rescue leader returns for anniversary

The man who led the United States response team after last February's earthquake says the team will never forget the sense of community, as Christchurch residents pulled together in the wake of the disaster. Al Dwyer, from the office of the United States Foreign Disaster Assistance, led 72 American search and rescue professionals to help with emergency services. Mr Dwyer, who has returned for Wednesday's commemoration services, will accept a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the US team from the Christchurch City Council. He says the team responds to disasters around the world but the people in Christchurch made last year's efforts different to any other he had experienced in his career.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Refining NZ plans $400m Marsden Point upgrade

Refining NZ plans to spend up to $400 million to replace its ageing petrol-making plant at Marsden Point, near Whangarei. Chief executive Ken Rivers says the work would enable the refinery, the only one in New Zealand, to produce an extra two million barrels a year. The new plant could be operating in late 2015.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



International Arts Festival starts Friday

The tents are going up, the artists are in town and the last-minute props are being collected. Wellington's preparing the final touches ahead of this years New Zealand International Arts Festival. Artistic director Lissa Twomey says around 900 artists have travelled from around the world to take part in the festival, starting Friday. The festival runs through until March 18.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Alcohol key lead in to smoking

Alcohol is being tipped as a key lead in to smoking. A group of self-defined social smokers has been involved in a research project by the University of Otago into social smoking. Lead author professor Janet Hoek says those surveyed said they only smoke after consuming large volumes of alcohol. She says they told researchers they were therefore not making good decisions. Professor Hoek says an extension to smokefree areas outside bars is a possible answer to the problem. She says people were drinking with friends for company, or because they didn't want to be left alone in the bar.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Rescued Samoan fishermen well despite two weeks lost at sea

Three Samoan fishermen, missing for two weeks, have arrived in American Samoa, after being rescued yesterday by the cruise ship Seabourn Odyssey. The men, 25-year-old Oli Faavae of Falefa, 34-year-old Sailigi Simi of Sataua, and Tuitea Talavou from Vailele, had left the Aleipata area in an alia on February the 6th with plans to return the following day. Searches involving the New Zealand Air Force and the United States Coast Guard were called off after a week.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Multi-million dollar donation for Abel Tasman Park

One of New Zealand's most iconic national parks is set for an ecological overhaul thanks to a multi-million dollar donation from an anonymous philanthropist. The Abel Tasman National Park will get a projected $25 million budget boost to help restore birdlife and bush; something the donor believes the conservation department could not afford. The extensive 30-year project aims to enhance native forest and wildlife over close to 80% of the 22,500-hectare park by 2042.
Source: ONE News



South Island could become 'quake school'

By MIKE CREAN
The South Island could become a study venue for geology students from Europe, University of Geneva professor Guy Simpson says. The former South Canterbury man led a 10-day tour for 16 PhD students to study South Island tectonic plate movements. The students returned to Switzerland last week. Simpson said the students were both alarmed and delighted by the jolt they felt from an earthquake in Christchurch. They were impressed by other evidence of seismic action around the South Island. They hoped the tour would become a regular event. United States groups had made similar visits but Simpson thought this was the first by students of European universities. He would like to lead more tours and to establish a scheme for basing some students in the South Island for longer periods and linking them with local universities.
© Fairfax NZ News



Things looking up for economy

There are predictions of a more settled economy for this year. Figures from the BNZ forecast growth of 3.5 percent this year and nearly four percent in 2013. BNZ Head of Research Stephen Topliss says the economy grew almost two percent last year. He says it's certainly cause for optimism. He says it's driven by the housing market, construction, employment and retail sales.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



German research shows manuka honey to be safe

New research from Germany has confirmed that the compound in manuka honey that gives it its anti-bacterial properties does not pose any dietary risks. Professor Thomas Henle of the Institute of Food Chemistry at Dresden Technical University was responsible for identifying methylglyoxal as the antibacterial compound. He is in New Zealand to outline the results of further research. He says his research found that methylglyoxal is not absorbed into the blood stream when a someone eats manuka honey. Professor Henle's research has also revealed more about the honey's potential to fight mouth, throat and stomach infections.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Monday, February 20

Cricket - Poor form pushes Ponting out of one-day squad

Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has been dropped from his country's one-day squad due to poor form. National selector John Inverarity says there are no guarantees that Ponting will continue playing test cricket either. The 37-year-old has averaged 3.6 runs per innings in the current tri-series with India and Sri Lanka. Mr Inverarity says the team will not be the same without him, but moving on from the omission of players who have been outstanding over a long period of time is the nature of elite sport. He says the door is never closed on anybody, but dropping Ponting from the squad is a strong indication that his time in the 50 over game may be up, the ABC reports. Ponting's dumping makes way for the return of vice-captain Shane Watson, who has been recovering from injury.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Govt to give $1m to Queen's Diamond Jubilee Trust

The Government is pledging a million dollars to a trust set up to mark the 60th anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne. Prime Minister John Key says the charitable trust will focus on enriching communities in the Commonwealth by funding housing and water projects. He says the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust was endorsed by the Commonwealth heads of Government last year. Mr Key says Sir Don McKinnon has been appointed to promote the trust in New Zealand.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Severe thunderstorm warning for North Island

Thunderstorms and heavy rain with the potential to cause flooding are expected to lash the central North Island from this afternoon. MetService says heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms, which could become severe, have developed to the west and south of the central plateau this afternoon. The storms are expected to affect the central North Island from Taranaki to the Hawke's Bay and further south in Manawatu until this evening. Hail is possible and rainfall rates could reach 40mm an hour. MetService's media and communications meteorologist Daniel Corbett said Otago and the West Coast of the South Island will see heavy rain from tomorrow.
Source: ONE News



Rare Cooks artefact fetches well above estimate at auction

A rare centuries’ old artefact from the Cook Islands has achieved well above its estimated sale price at an art auction in the United States. The Atiu pole-club or akatara was the highlight of the San Francisco sale, the first devoted to Oceanic art by auction house Bonhams. The two metre high ceremonial piece was expected to fetch one hundred thousand dollars and went under the hammer for 146 thousand five hundred dollars. A rare shield from Papua New Guinea fetched more than 10 thousand six hundred dollars.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Korean ship detained at Lyttelton

A Korean owned fishing vessel berthed at Lyttelton Port in Christchurch has been arrested by the High Court, after claims its workers are being abused and underpaid. The arrest of the Melilla 201 on Monday morning follows the seizure of its sister ship the Milella 203 in December last year. The move means the ship must not leave port while the arrest order is in place. The action was initiated by the Slave Free Seas charitable trust. Trust spokesperson Craig Tuck says workers on the Milella 201 are owed about $1.4 million under New Zealand law. He says the non payment or under payment of wages is considerable, and there are also concerns about the way some of the vessels are operating.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Korean ship detained at Lyttelton

A Korean owned fishing vessel berthed at Lyttelton Port in Christchurch has been arrested by the High Court, after claims its workers are being abused and underpaid. The arrest of the Melilla 201 on Monday morning follows the seizure of its sister ship the Milella 203 in December last year. The move means the ship must not leave port while the arrest order is in place. The action was initiated by the Slave Free Seas charitable trust. Trust spokesperson Craig Tuck says workers on the Milella 201 are owed about $1.4 million under New Zealand law. He says the non payment or under payment of wages is considerable, and there are also concerns about the way some of the vessels are operating.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Korean ship detained at Lyttelton

A Korean owned fishing vessel berthed at Lyttelton Port in Christchurch has been arrested by the High Court, after claims its workers are being abused and underpaid. The arrest of the Melilla 201 on Monday morning follows the seizure of its sister ship the Milella 203 in December last year. The move means the ship must not leave port while the arrest order is in place. The action was initiated by the Slave Free Seas charitable trust. Trust spokesperson Craig Tuck says workers on the Milella 201 are owed about $1.4 million under New Zealand law. He says the non payment or under payment of wages is considerable, and there are also concerns about the way some of the vessels are operating.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Dramatic rise in infectious disease admissions

Hospital admissions for infectious diseases have jumped dramatically over the past two decades, research shows. An Otago University study has found admissions increased by 51% between 1989 and 2008. Lead researcher Michael Baker says Maori and Pacific people are more than twice as likely as the European population to be admitted with a serious infectious disease. The study, based on the analysis of five million overnight admissions to hospitals, shows admissions for non-infectious diseases rose by only 7%.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Iodine in bread has positive effect on kids

A new report suggests iodine fortification in bread has had a significant positive effect on children's health. Regulations were introduced in 2009 making it mandatory to replace non-iodised salt with iodised salt in all breads except organic and unleavened. A Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry report says the percentage of children estimated to have inadequate iodine intakes has now dropped from 38 percent to four percent. New Zealand-grown fruit and vegetables are naturally low in iodine because our soil doesn't contain much of the nutrient. The World Health Organization says iodine deficiency is the world's greatest single cause of preventable brain damage and mental impairment.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



NZ top performer in education report

By Katie Bradford-Crozier - NewstalkZB
New Zealand has been named a top performer in an international report looking at whether a country's wealth had an effect on achievement at school. The OECD programme for International Student Achievement found greater national wealth or higher spending on education doesn't guarantee better student performance. It found New Zealand had better than average results, despite our comparatively low gross domestic product.



Clark calls for Africa food crisis funds

The head of the United Nations Development Programme, Helen Clark, has urged the world to step in to stop starvation in Africa's Sahel region. Speaking in northern Niger, the former New Zealand prime minister said immediate help is needed to prevent the situation getting worse. Ms Clark says she has seen badly malnourished children and very weak mothers. The UN has appealed for $US850 million but Ms Clark says only a fraction of that has been raised so far. She says poor harvests caused by recurring drought have created severe food shortages, leaving an estimated 10 million people across eight countries in urgent need of assistance.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Rare birds released on pest-free island

By MICHAEL FOX
One of New Zealand's rarest and most endangered birds has been released on Motutapu Island. There are only around 200 New Zealand shore plovers, or tuturuatu, left in the wild and the Department of Conservation said the release of 17 of them onto the pest-free island yesterday aimed to bring them back from the brink of extinction. Shore plover were once widespread around the coast of the North and South Islands but their population was decimated by rats and cats. Breeding programmes have helped bring the numbers up since a low of around 130 in the early 1990s but DOC ranger Hazel Speed said they remained critically endangered. Members of the public are asked to keep an eye out for the birds which may fly to Auckland's mainland.
Anyone who sees them should contact DOC.
- © Fairfax NZ News



NZ pension portability for Cook Islands off the table

Cook Islands pensioners who have waited 19 years for a New Zealand government decision on superannuation portability will now have to wait even longer. The New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully says the proposal is off the table indefinitely. The Cook Islands news reports Mr McCully, who has been in the Cook Islands saying that the superannuation proposal would not be considered until New Zealand has digested the cost of the Christchurch earthquake.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Sunday, February 19

Growing talk in Australia of push to reinstall Kevin Rudd as Prime Minister.

The Federal Independent MP Andrew Wilkie says he is convinced there will be a leadership challenge within Labor while another MP, Darren Cheesman, has said publicly Julia Gillard should stand down. Other MPs who favour a change in leadership have been speaking to the media off the record. The ABC reports that Kevin Rudd insists there is no leadership challenge underway although he has used a Sky News interview to explain how he has changed since being dumped as Prime Minister. ''I've certainly reflected a lot on the last several years and you'd be a mug if you didn't learn something from the past,'' Mr Rudd said.

Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Turei lashes out at John Key

Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei today lashed out at Prime Minister John Key and his Government for selling out employment, gambling, and ACC law to big corporations at the expense of ordinary New Zealanders and businesses. In her keynote address to the Greens' policy conference in Palmerston North Ms Turei contrasted the "astounding" degree of welfare and largesse extended by Mr Key's Government "with their penny pinching towards those who need genuine support". "You can be sure of a Government hand-out if you are a movie studio, a profitable casino or an irrigation company" she said. "But if you are a sole parent on the DPB trying to get a degree but needing just a little bit of help to cover childcare then don't expect anything." Ms Turei said plans to open up the ACC to private competition, allow private prisons, allow privately run charter schools to access state funding, and the "carving off" of Work and Income job services to private companies were examples of the Government's approach.
By Adam Bennett



Veterans gather in Darwin to commemorate WWII attacks

The people of Darwin and visitors from around Australia and abroad are gathering at the city's cenotaph to begin commemorations of the 70th anniversary of the day the city was first bombed in WWII. The largest commemoration ever held in the city will begin shortly before 10am (1.30pm NZT) sounding of an air-raid siren at the same moment it was heard on February 19, 1942, less than a minute before Japanese fighters and dive bombers began their destruction of the city. The raid was the first of two on that that day and the first of 64 air raids on Darwin between then and November 1943. It was also one of about 100 attacks on towns in the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia by Japanese aircraft. Almost 250 were killed in the two raids on Darwin on February 19, including 89 American sailors on the USS Peary that was moored in Darwin harbour.
Source: AAP



Nationwide keruru count launched

Forest and Bird is asking for the public's help in recording sightings of the kereru, or New Zealand wood pigeon. Forest and Bird says kereru can be found throughout New Zealand, but their numbers are falling. The survey aims to identify the areas where kereru are found so predators can be targeted. The organisation is asking people to note when and where they see kereru between 19 and 27 February and enter the details on the dedicated website, kererucount.org.nz.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



NZ summons Syria representaties for talks

The New Zealand Government has summoned representatives from the Syrian embassy in Canberra for talks as international concern grows over the violence in the country. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs says it is not known at this stage when the meeting with the official will take place. About 100 Syrian protesters gathered in Auckland's Aotea Square on Saturday to call on the international community to intervene. One of the protesters, Ali Aqil of the Syrian Solidarity movement, says the group wants the New Zealand Government to send aid, especially medical supplies, to the country. Last week, the UN General Assembly demanded an immediate halt to Syria's brutal crackdown on dissent, which human rights groups say has cost more than 6000 lives in the past 11 months.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Fracking the new 'nuke-free'

By NEIL REID
As pressure grows for an immediate halt to fracking in New Zealand, the government says it isn't "aware of any reason" stop the controversial oil exploration technique. On Wednesday the Kaikoura District Council became the third local body to call for an urgent moratorium on fracking. The council also voted for an immediate stop to offshore oil drilling and will put their views in writing to Energy and Resources Minister Phil Heatley. The Christchurch City and Selwyn District councils also want fracking banned. Gisborne district councillor Manu Caddie wants his local body – which is considering drilling consents from a Canadian joint-venture – to follow suit.
© Fairfax NZ News



Malaria drug passes first clinical test

A malaria treatment that being developed with the help of a New Zealand laboratory has passed its first pre-clinical study. The treatment was first developed at Industrial Research Ltd in Lower Hutt. The company's principal scientist, Gary Evans, says the new treatment effectively starves to death the parasite responsible for malaria within seven days. Dr Evans says hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved if the drug makes it through all the clinical trials. Dr Evans says malaria kills about a million people worldwide each year.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Saturday, February 18

Festival for NZ music fans

New Zealand's largest kiwi music festival is under way in the capital. Homegrown features 42 bands and DJs across six stages, entertaining a sell out crowd of 17,000. Set along Wellington's waterfront, the show has sold out for the fifth consecutive year. "I think kiwi music is strong and kiwis are passionate about the music that is coming out of the country...it's a testament to the bands that are here and a testament to all the different genres," events director Mark Wright said. This year the festival features a new free to the public stage and a new collaborative stage.
Source: ONE News



West Coast-Buller happiest place in NZ

By SHANE COWLISHAW AND SOPHIE SPEER
West Coast-Buller ranks as the happiest place in New Zealand in a new survey – in spite of the tragedy of the Pike River mining disaster. Christchurch, unsurprisingly, ranked as the third least happy place in New Zealand in the wake of devastating earthquakes. But it seemed Wellingtonians needed to cheer up as they barely trumped Christchurch people in the happiness stakes. The Happiness of New Zealand report, published by UMR Research, asked a group of 750 Kiwis on 35 separate occasions to rate their happiness levels on a scale from zero – being very unhappy – to 10. Ethnicity-wise, Pacific Islanders are the most cheerful, closely followed by Maori. Asians were found to be the unhappiest.
- © Fairfax NZ News



NZ's Syrians to protest in Auckland

Syrians living in New Zealand are calling on the government to take a stand against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. A solidarity protest is being held in Aotea Square at 2pm today following the Russian and Chinese veto of a UN Security Council resolution asking al-Assad to give up power. His regime is accused of killing thousands of its own people during a bloody 11-month uprising. Protest spokesperson Ali Akil says the veto gave the wrong message to the Syrian government. “They have seen the veto as a green light for them to kill more and to end the revolution by escalating violence,” says Mr Akil. He says the Syrian people need the support of the New Zealand people and government to help stop the killing.
RadioLIVE



Friday, February 17

Anti-slavery group makes civil arrest on ship

A Korean-flagged ship is being accused of not paying wages and committing human rights abuses. There has been a civil arrest on the Melilla 201 in Lyttelton Harbour this afternoon. Slave Free Seas says it instigated the arrest. Trust spokesman Craig Tuck said it is the second Korean Fishing ship that has been arrested in New Zealand. He said vessels like this are attracting attention as modern day slave ships. Tuck says as many as 2000 foreign men are currently working in New Zealand and many are being exploited.
Source: Newstalk ZB



Thousands stranded in Australian budget airline collapse

Administrators are trying to save an Australian budget airline which has collapsed leaving thousands of passengers stranded. Air Australia was placed in administration in the early hours of Friday morning when it could not pay for fuel at an airport in Thailand. The administrators have grounded the airline, affecting 4000 passengers in Australia, Thailand, Bali and Hawai'i. Some 300 jobs could be lost, the ABC reports. Qantas and Jetstar are offering to fly stranded passengers back to Australia for the same price as the Air Australia fare.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Henry to mentor coaches before London

Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry is to mentor Olympic and Paralympic coaches in the build up to the London Games and beyond. He's taking on a part-time role with High Performance Sport New Zealand will work with a range of coaches, starting with Yachting New Zealand. Sir Graham says hopefully he can offer advice on strategy and planning. The contract is for two years, but it's hoped he will stay on until the Rio Olympics.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Japan-NZ flight restrictions lifted

Restrictions on flights between Japan and New Zealand are being lifted, as the countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations. Transport minister Gerry Brownlee says for Kiwi airlines, limits on operations to and through Japanese airports outside of the Tokyo region have been removed, and reciprocal rights will be available for Japanese airlines. Our airlines have also been given the right to operate a daily service through Tokyo's Narita airport and an agreement reached on the possible future use of Haneda Airport.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Hairy Maclary's royal connection

A scruffy little dog from New Zealand has a royal connection. Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, has declared Lynley Dodd's "Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy" to be one of her favourite books. She's chosen the 1983 book to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the flagship scheme of one of her charities, Booktrust. The Duchess says it's a book she likes to read to her grandchildren whenever she can.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



New portraits of Queen released

New official portraits of the Queen and Prince Phillip wearing their New Zealand honours, have been released to mark the Her Majesty's 60th jubilee. The photos were taken by London-based photographer, Julian Calder, in the Blue Room of Buckingham Palace. They picture The Queen wearing the Sovereign's insignia of the Order of New Zealand, the New Zealand Order of Merit, Star, Sash and Badge and The Queen's Service Order. The Queen also wears the Diamond Fern brooch presented by the women of Auckland in 1953 - and the diamond Tiara she wore on her wedding day.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Thunderstorms will be 'as big as we get'

A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for Auckland, with WeatherWatch chief analyst Philip Duncan saying the storms are likely to be “as big as we get”. The thunderstorms are predicted to affect Auckland’s western suburbs and its CBD, and are part of the same weather system that caused Wednesday’s waterspout. Mr Duncan says the storms will peak between 3pm and 11pm today, and the current weather “is only going to get worse before it gets better”.
3News



Older people crowding young out of workforce

A report by the Salvation Army indicates more older people are working past retirement age and may be crowding teenagers out of the workforce. Titled The Growing Divide, the report says the number of over-65s in employment rose from 14% at the end of 2006 to nearly 20% by the end of last year. It estimates more than 40,000 teenagers aged between 15 - 19 have disappeared from the labour market. Author Alan Johnson told Nine to Noon a growing number of over-65s are taking up low-skilled jobs to stay in the labour force and young people may be missing out on jobs because of their lack of experience and skills. It is the fifth State of the Nation report by the Salvation Army.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Thursday, February 16

New Zealand commits more than US$1m to Fiji disaster management

New Zealand has allocated up to 1.2 million US dollars to help Fiji’s disaster management authorities get better prepared. Last month’s flooding in the Western Division caused millions of dollars’ worth of damage to businesses, homes and infrastructure as well as destroying the crops of thousands of farmers. The acting head of mission in Fiji, Philip Taula, says exactly how the money will be spent and the funding period haven’t been decided but it’s expected it may be a multi-year programme.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Parliament to sit for longer hours

New rules that allows Parliament to sit for longer hours will be used for the first time tonight. MPs normally rise for the week at 6pm on a Thursday, but under the new standing orders, they will sit until 10pm tonight (thursday) and again tomorrow morning. The rules were changed after the Government was criticised for it's repeated use of urgency. Attorney General Chris Finlayson says the move allows six Treaty of Waitangi bills to be progressed.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Air New Zealand to add more flights to LA

Air New Zealand says it plans to add more flights between Auckland and Los Angeles after Qantas announced it is dropping its service on the route. From May 2012 Qantas is dropping its Auckland to Los Angeles and Singapore to Mumbai routes in addition to previously announced cuts to its Hong Kong to London and Bangkok to London routes in March. In response to the announcement Air New Zealand says it plans to add further capacity on the Auckland to Los Angeles route; it says it has no plans to raise its fares.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Government misled voters - Greens

The Green Party says the Budget Policy Statement confirms the Government misled voters before the election about the gains it will make from selling shares in state-owned companies. The Budget Policy Statement predicts the sale of shares in four energy companies and Air New Zealand will make $6 billion. But Mr English says that is not even a best guess, it is just a guess. Green Party co-leader Russel Norman says he is shocked given Mr English went into the election telling voters these were quite accurate figures.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



NZ foreign ministers on pre-Forum Cooks visit

The New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully is travelling to the Cook Islands for discussions on this year’s Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ meeting. The Cook Islands is to host the meeting in Rarotonga in August, with the leaders’ retreat to be held on Aitutaki. Mr McCully says he will also be visiting some of the projects the New Zealand Aid Programme is funding in the Cook Islands.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



All the ingredients for thunderstorms

The wet weather that has been drenching parts of the country is set to continue until tomorrow, with the MetService issuing a severe thunderstorm watch. MetService weather ambassador Bob McDavitt said a trough was moving slowly over the North Island, bringing more heavy downpours and funnel clouds until tomorrow afternoon. "We continue to have the right ingredients in place," McDavitt said. "Warm, moist air, combined with converging winds in the lower levels of the atmosphere, and day time heating." Today, the MetService issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Northland, Waikato, Waitomo, Taumarunui, Bay of Plenty, Rotorua, Taupo and Taranaki. Some of the thunderstorms were likely to be severe in eastern areas, with hail.
© Fairfax NZ News



Sport: Oceania volleyball qualifiers underway in New Zealand

Fiji and Papua New Guinea will be first on court when the Asia/Oceania Continental Cup Beach Volleyball Tournament gets underway in Mount Maunganui today. The top three mens and womens pairings over the next three days will progress to the final zonal tournament in China in June, with the winner of that event qualifying for the London Olympics. Vanuatu’s men will take on Samoa before the opening women’s clash between Fiji 1 and Samoa 2. Australia and New Zealand are also competing at the tournament.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Wednesday, February 15

DOC celebrates bird numbers

The Department of Conservation is celebrating results showing stoats have had no effect on bird numbers on Kapiti Island. A stoat was first spotted on the pest-free sanctuary in 2010. That prompted an intensive trapping effort by DOC, resulting in three stoats being killed last year. Bird counts have been carried out over recent months to see if the stoats have impacted on bird numbers. But DOC says there doesn't appear to have been any reduction, supporting their own survey results indicating very few stoats, if any, remain on the island.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Importance of immunisation reinforced

The importance of getting children immunised is being reinforced as an outbreak of whooping cough lingers in the Capital. A baby girl hospitalised earlier this week is the latest to be affected. There were around 70 cases reported in January, and February's looking likely to be about the same. Plunket clinical advisor Allison Jamieson says immunisation is a proven way to protect children from 11 diseases, including whooping cough.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



70 registered for milk in schools programme

Almost 70 schools in Northland have signed so far to take part in Fonterra's milk for schools programme. The pilot programme has been launched as part of Fonterra's aim to make milk more affordable and accessible. It will start providing milk in 250mm packs to Northland school children from next month. Schools in the region have until the end of the month to register. Fonterra says it will use the pilot scheme to iron out practical details such as delivering the milk, keeping it cool and recycling the packaging before taking the programme nationwide.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Online job vacancies up

Online job vacancies rose in January after a decline at the end of last year. Figures from the Department of Labour show skilled job vacancies increased a seasonally adjusted 0.5% last month. The number of skilled jobs in the South Island, excluding Canterbury, rose 2.3% and in the North Island, excluding Auckland and Wellington, increased 2%. Healthcare, medical, construction and engineering industries showed the most growth in January.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Thunderstorm warning for upper North Island

A warning has been issued for severe thunderstorms over the upper North Island. A band of heavy showers will this morning cross Northland, Auckland and Coromandel Peninsula. MetService says there is the potential for localised downpours of up to 40 millimetres an hour, which cause flash-flooding or slips.



70th anniversary of the fall of Singapore

A wreath laying ceremony will be held at the National War Memorial in Wellington on Wednesday morning to mark the 70th anniversary of the fall of Singapore to Japanese forces in World War II. Thirty-five New Zealand airmen and 40 naval officers were among those killed in the fighting for Singapore and subsequent operations. The ceremony will be attended by two New Zealand veterans of the battle.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Tuesday, February 14

Australian cities among the most expensive

Zurich has topped Tokyo to become the world's most expensive city, as surging currencies push up the cost of living in countries like Switzerland and Australia, a survey showed on Tuesday. Five Australian cities made it into the top 20, led by Sydney and Melbourne in seventh and eighth places, according to The Worldwide Cost of Living survey, carried out by the Economist Intelligence Unit. "Exchange rates have been the greatest influence for the Australian cost of living, with the Australian dollar seeing its value to the US dollar double in a decade," said survey editor Jon Copestake in a statement. Canada's Vancouver overtook US cities to become the most expensive in North America, ranked 37th in the world. Los Angeles was the most expensive US city - equal 42nd with Shanghai - while New York came in 47th.
Source: Reuters



Vanuatu elections set for October 30th

Vanuatu’s Acting Principal Electoral Officer Gullain Malessas says the national election date is now set for October the 30th and not in November as announced earlier. Mr Malessas says the government has already endorsed the date but it has yet to advise the public. Vanuau’s parliament has 52 members and is elected every four years in multi-seat constituencies. The last election was held in early September 2008.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Poll shows strong Maori oppositon to asset sales

A new poll shows strong opposition among Maori voters to the Government's proposed sale of state owned assets. The proposal to sell 49% of the Government's shares in utilities including Mighty River Power, Genesis, Meridian and Solid Energy has faced strong opposition from political opponents. The Government has also moved to ease fears over the removal of a treaty clause, which makes it compulsory to consult Maori over the sell-off, with a nationwide round of hui. However, a poll for TV ONE's Te Karere of 1000 Maori voters released this afternoon reveals the depth of feeling against the sales. It found 88% of respondents were opposed to the move with just 8% supporting it. Only 4% had no opinion on the issue. It also revealed a lack of support for Prime Minister John Key's handling of Maori issues. Only 17% thought he provided good leadership, while 70% said he didn't.
* Te Karere is on TV ONE on weekdays at 4pm.
Source: ONE News



Website marks Diamond Jubilee in NZ

By Anna Cross - NewstalkZB
A website to mark the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen is now live in New Zealand. The site (www.diamondjubilee.govt.nz) contains a welcome from Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae, a historical feature by a senior writer with the Culture and Heritage Ministry and details of events. Later in the year the site will carry updated information about the Diamond Jubilee visit in November by Prince Charles and Camilla.
CLICK HERE for the website



Cyclone Jasmine brings flooding to Tonga

Posted at 00:22 on 14 February, 2012 UTC
Cyclone Jasmine is causing flooding around Tonga’s main island of Tongatapu. It is the second cyclone to affect Tonga in a week. Jasmine, which had been a category three storm when it passed through Vanuatu waters late last week, is now a category one. It will approach Tongatapu today with wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres an hour near its centre.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International



Severe thunderstorm watch for Bay of Plenty

MetService has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Bay of Plenty and Gisborne. It says very heavy localised rainfalls of 30-50 millimetres an hour have been occurring in far northeast Bay of Plenty northeast of Te Kaha Point and over far northern Gisborne. They've been accompanied by thunderstorms that are likely to persist for the next three or four hours.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Israeli embassy in NZ on alert after attacks

The Israeli embassy in New Zealand has been advised to be on alert following attacks on embassy staff in India and Georgia. Israel has accused Iran of being behind plots to attach bombs to Israeli embassy cars in both countries on Monday. An Israeli woman was injured when her car exploded in Delhi, but the authorities safely defused a bomb in the Georgian capital Tbilisi. An embassy spokesperson in Wellington says they have not increased security, but all Israeli embassies have been warned to stay on alert.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Monday, February 13

ANZ axes 1,000 jobs in Australia

The ANZ is axing 1,000 more jobs across the Tasman as the company shrinks its Australian workforce to adjust to weak demand for financial services. The jobs will be gone by September. The announcement comes just days before the ANZ is expected to report a first-quarter cash profit of $1.44 billion.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Company trials milk to help with sleep disorders

Canterbury dairy company Synlait is producing a new milk powder to help people with sleeping disorders. Synlait Night Milk is made from milk collected from cows during the hours of darkness and is processed at the company's new nutritional plant in Dunsandel. It is one of a number of new initiatives by the company since it opened the $100 million plant late last year. Tony McKenna, the general manager for market and product development, says cows produce a sleep-promoting hormone called melatonin at night and, just as with human mothers, that hormone is expressed in milk. The milk could be on supermarket shelves by the end of this year, he says.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



When Asian lights draw 40,000

By FRANCESCA LEE
Thousands of people attended the weekend's 2012 Christchurch Lantern Festival in Hagley Park. Asia New Zealand Foundation director John Saunders said 40,000 to 50,000 people went on Saturday night. "It's a very good turnout. It's very much family centred." Anne Chiang, 22, of Addington, said this year's festival was a major success. "I felt it was a lot nicer with everything spread out and making use of the Avon River. It was great to see all the different people from different cultures come together and enjoy a piece of Chinese culture. The friends that I went with all commented that it really felt like they were back in Asia," she said. Previous lantern festivals have been held in Victoria Square.
- © Fairfax NZ News



Samoa wins Las Vegas Rugby Sevens

Samoa have won the Las Vegas round of the IRB rugby sevens series, beating New Zealand 26-19 in the final. New Zealand had won the last two tournaments, but weren't able to take that form into the final, with the Samoans dominating possession and defending superbly. New Zealand drew level with less than 2 minutes to go, but Samoa scored the winning try after the hooter. The result still improves New Zealand's overall lead in the series to 5 points over Fiji. In the semi-finals Samoa beat Fiji 14-12 and New Zealand beat South Africa 20-7.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



MMP review underway

People are being urged to have their say on the future look of the voting system. The review of MMP was officially launched by Electoral Commission Chief Electoral Officer Robert Peden today. Six issues will be looked at as part of the government-ordered review, from the threshold for parties to get into parliament to how party lists are decided. Mr Peden is urging all interested parties to have their say from today. Submissions close at the end of May but public hearings will be held from April. The aim is for a proposals paper to go to parliament by the end of October, with recommendations in place by the next election.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



Growing pains for sea cucumber trial

A joint Maori-Chinese trial to grow sea cucumbers in New Zealand waters has suffered a setback. The first experiment in Marlborough has ended with all the sea cucumbers dying. The venture involves Yantai-based Oriental Oceans and two Maori businesses - the Whakatohea Maori Trust Board and Wakatu Incorporation. Sea cucumber is revered by Chinese people for its medicinal properties, and is an expensive delicacy in China.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Unemployment to drop below 5%

By Felix Marwick - NewstalkZB
Official forecasts are picking the country's unemployment rate will fall to below five percent by 2014. Latest data has the rate at 6.3 percent. However forecasts made by the Department of Labour in government briefing papers predict the rate will drop to 4.8 percent by March 2014. The Department predicts there'll be employment growth of around 200,000 jobs over the next five years with retail trade, hospitality, and businesses services to account for 40 percent of the increase. It says more job opportunities are expected to be available for lower skilled people but also warns high unemployment pressures for young Polynesians will remain.



Sunday, February 12

New campaign starts to push breast cancer screening

A renewed push gets underway on Sunday to get more Maori and Pacific women to go for breast cancer screening. An extra 8000 Pacific and Maori women have enrolled in the Health Ministry's free BreastScreen Aotearoa programme in the last two years. But they are still lagging behind the national breast-screening rate of 70%. National Screening Unit manager Jacqui Akuhata-Brown says a new television campaign targeting Maori and Pacific women aims to close that gap within two years.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Far North mayor off to Canada to promote mining

Far North mayor Wayne Brown is going to Canada in March to promote Northland's mining potential. Mr Brown is joining a deputation from Trade and Enterprise, GNS Science and New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals to the Prospectors and Developers conference in Toronto. The mayor says the convention is a key time for deal-making in the industry and the New Zealand group will let them know that Northland is open for business.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Rachel Hunter releases trust's 100th kiwi

By Matthew Backhouse
Model Rachel Hunter has marked an important milestone for a successful kiwi conservation project by releasing its 100th kiwi into the wild. Takamoana, a 1kg North Island brown kiwi, was released into the Maungataniwha Native Forest in northern Hawke's Bay yesterday. The juvenile male kiwi was the 100th to be hatched and released into the wild by the Forest Lifeforce Restoration (FLR) Trust, which was established in 2006 with the backing of Auckland entrepreneur Simon Hall, who is the executive chairman of Tasti Foods. Hunter and Mr Hall yesterday released the kiwi into the trust-owned forest which borders the Department of Conservation-managed Te Urewera National Park and the Whirinaki Conservation Forest. The 6120 hectare private forest includes a 600ha "core area" where predator numbers have been reduced by extensive baiting.



Food flies when diner angers chef

By Russell Blackstock and Cherie Howie
New Zealand has found its own answer to foul-mouthed, abusive chef Gordon Ramsay, after an extraordinary, all-in food fight at a neighbourhood Italian restaurant in Christchurch. When a customer complained about a wrong order at Piccolo Ristorante Italiano, patrons were amazed at chef Georgio Cinderella's fiery response. After a woman complained her order was wrong, Cinderella, who said his name was spelt like the fairy tale character, stormed around the tables, swore and shouted at customers before ordering them out . The war of words turned into a brawl, with crockery, wine glasses and punches allegedly being hurled around the room by Cinderella, 61, and the aggrieved diners. Shocked patrons took to popular review website MenuMania to blast Piccolo Ristorante Italiano in Christchurch after the extraordinary outburst. One, who would be identified only as Lynley, said she was dining with six other 40-something professionals. Her friend sent her meal back a second time because the restaurant had got the order wrong, she said. "The chef came out and slammed the plate of food in front of my friend, telling her that if she had problem with his food she could just f*** off." He then told the restaurant's other stunned patrons they could "all f*** off" if they didn't like his food, Lynley said, before slamming the table in front of her friend and grabbing and shaking his chair. The chef claimed one of the male customers picked up a plate and threw it at him as he left. He also alleged another man attacked him with his fists. "The only time I got a bit upset was when that happened with the plate," Cinderella explained. "That's when all the s*** started. "Then one of the guys tried to punch me so I twisted his finger and showed him the door while another man tried to kick me in the balls as he was leaving.



NZ tipped to be developed world's 'top performer'

New Zealand will be the top performer in the developed world in 2050, according to a new HSBC Report. New Zealand will top the league table of developed countries with predictions of GDP growth of 2.9% growth in 2050, according to the report called The World in 2050. This result for New Zealand outstrips predictions for GDP growth of other developed countries including Australia at 2.6%, Canada 2.5%, Luxembourg 2.5% and Switzerland 2.3%. New Zealand is also expected to have an average growth rate of 3.1% over the next four decades, making it the only developed country to be labelled a "growth" country - those with anticipated annual growth of between 3-5% between now and 2050.
Source: ONE News



Saturday, February 11

Quake fundraiser UK New Zealander of the Year

A man who helped raise funds in the United Kingdom for victims of the Canterbury earthquakes has been named the UK New Zealander of the Year. Kent Gardner, originally from Dunedin, raised £325,000 ($618,650) by organising the Step Up 4 Christchurch event. People ran up 1037 steps to the top of the 180-metre-tall 30 St Mary Axe building in London, commonly known as The Gherkin. Mr Gardner says he is proud to be a New Zealander in London and honoured to be part of a great team of UK-based New Zealanders that are genuinely committed to supporting their country's interests while overseas.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Australia's rising mortgage rates won't repeat in NZ

By Nina Burton - NewstalkZB
Rising mortgage rates in Australia won't necessarily be repeated here, just yet. ANZ now charges 7.36 percent on variable mortgages...Westpac borrowers pay 7.46 per cent. Interest.co.nz's Bernard Hickey says the European crisis is pushing up what it costs the banks to borrow money. He says they're just passing on the extra expense to customers. Bernard Hickey says most Australians have floating home loans, so it does affect a lot of people.



Friday, February 10

Breast screening up 40,000

The number of women getting breast cancer screening has gone up by nearly 40,000 in the last two years. New figures show 344,000 women got free mammograms as part of the BreastScreen Aotearoa programme in the 24 months to October 2011. Associate health minister Jo Goodhew says Maori and Pacific women had the biggest percentage increase with 8000 more getting screened. She says that increase is encouraging because they are less likely to have breast screening. A new TV campaign starts on Sunday 12 February to get more Maori and Pacific women to go for regular breast screens.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand



Govt to expand oil and gas exploration

The Government is planning a big increase in oil and gas exploration. It wants to add 40,000 sq km of land and seabed to existing areas approved for exploration. At this stage the plan is a draft only but if approved, after regional and iwi consultation, oil could be searched for in several new regions. These areas include Southland, West Coast, Tasman, offshore Wellington and south Waikato. The Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand says oil and gas are New Zealand's fourth biggest export earner and it welcomes further expansion.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



1942 US mutiny documents uncovered in Queensland

An Australian historian has uncovered hidden archive documents which reveal that African American troops used machine guns to attack their white officers in a siege on a US base in north Queensland in 1942. Information about the Townsville mutiny has never been released to the public. The ABC reports the story came to light when Ray Holyoak of James Cook University began researching why US Congressman Lyndon B Johnson visited Townsville for three days in 1942. What he discovered was evidence detailing one of the biggest uprisings within the US military. ''For 70 years there's been a rumour in Townsville that there was a mutiny among African-American servicemen. ''In the last year and a half I've found the primary documentation evidence that that did occur in 1942," Mr Holyoaksaid on the ABC. During World War II, Townsville was a crucial base for campaigns in the Pacific, including the Battle of the Coral Sea. About 600 African-American troops were brought to the city to help build airfields. Mr Holyoak says these troops, from the 96th Battalion, US Army Corps of Engineers, were stationed at a base on the city's western outskirts known as Kelso.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



Make a date to donate this Valentine's

Forget a candlelit dinner this Valentine's Day - we're being urged to 'make a date to donate'. The New Zealand Blood Service needs your blood and is inviting couples to help out and give the gift of life. Spokesman Paul Hayes says donating blood with your partner on Valentines Day is a fun way to mark the occasion, and a more meaningful alternative to many traditional Valentines gifts. He says there's a real chance that you or your partner could need donated blood sometime in the future.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd



NZ wary of US stance on China in trade talks

Trade Minister Tim Groser says New Zealand will pull out of regional trade talks if politicians in the United States use them as a vehicle to try to contain the rise of China. The TransPacific Partnership negotiation now involve nine-countries. Mr Groser says anti-China rhetoric coming out of the US is becoming increasingly virulent. He says it seems to be coming from think-tanks and some academics, but does not think it is shared at the top levels of domestic politics. If it is, he says New Zealand would have no choice but to leave the TPP talks.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand



NZ banks going from strength to strength

By Natasha Burling - NewstalkZB
The country's big banks are going from strength to strength, despite global uncertainties. A report just out from PricewaterhouseCoopers shows ANZ National, ASB, Bank of New Zealand, Kiwibank and Westpac had core earnings growth of 25 percent in the second half of the 2011 financial year, compared to the previous six months. PWC financial services partner Sam Shuttleworth says the banks have good liquidity and strong capital bases. He says New Zealand banks are in a very good position when compared to their peers around the world.



All Blacks sweep Halberg Awards

The All Blacks have won the Halberg Supreme Award following their World Cup victory in October. The All Blacks won the Team of the Year honour ahead of 3 rowing crews and were then selected for the top award ahead of their captain and Sportsman of the Year Richie McCaw, Sportswoman Valerie Adams and Disabled Sportsperson Sophie Pascoe. Sir Graham Henry was named Coach of the Year.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand


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