Ruling on events from 135 years ago?
New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands ::: A News Blog ::: est 2004
NZers owed $106 billion in personal debt at the end of last year. Almost 16% had debt which is greater than their assets. Approx 80% of the $106b debt is in mortgage lending.
MP's were awarded a pay rise today. The PM's salary goes up 4% to $317.200, and the deputy PM Michael Cullen up to $226.700, an increase of $8700. The basic salary of a backbench MP is set at $113,300 an increase of 3%.
New Zealand has been found the 2nd least corrupt country by Berlin based Transparency International. Finland was first with Denmark and Iceland joining NZ in the top 4. Australia comes in 9th. Most corrupt were Bangladesh,Nigeria and Myanmar.
An as yet unidentified NZ woman has been killed in a road accident in Tanzania.
While visiting an engineering plant in Bombay India, New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clarke was told by staff the company manufactured nuclear weapons. PR executives said the weapons were sold to Sweden and Russia. Senior managers later categorically denied this. The remarks caused a flurry of activity from New Zealand Foreign Affairs officials and journalists.
Britain is to revisit the rules for working holidays. It is expected to return to the older and more restrictive system.
The PM's visit to India is the first by a New Zealand leader in 20 years. During her visit she will meet the Indian President,Prime Minister and the leader of the ruling congress party (Sonia Gandhi). Although the high level visit is designed to foster trade links it is thought she will also encourage India to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
Christchurch wizard, Ian Brackenbury has decided to retire from wizardry and move to Oamaru, Nth Otago. The 72 year old wizard said he wants to be closer to his family.
Labour MP John Tamihere has stood down from his ministerial posts following allegations he did not pay tax on a 'golden handshake' of almost $200,000 when he left the Waipareira Trust. Mr Tamihere worked for the Trust for 10 years before entering parliament.
Former Auckland Mayor,John Banks appears to have been defeated in the mayoral race by Dick Hubbard not because of his performance in the job but because of his aggressive,confrontational and sometime rude style. At times he appeared to be no more than "a cliche wrapped in bombast".
New Zealand has been voted favourite holiday destination for the first time in the UK Telegraph travel awards.
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