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Tuesday, September 30

Australian marriages in 2007 highest in 20 years

CANBERRA - The number of couples who tied the knot last year was the highest in almost two decades, new statistics show. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, more than 116,000 marriages were registered last year, up two per cent from 2006. This was the highest number of marriages registered in a single year since 1990. More than 60 per cent of couples chose to have their marriage certified in front of a civil celebrant rather than a religious minister last year. The most popular month to get married was March, with more than 15,000 marriages in that month.
AAP



Two Dunedin landmarks get national heritage status

Carisbrook was one of two Dunedin landmarks given national recognition today by the New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT). Along with the Dunedin Athenaeum and Mechanics Institute , the city's international sports ground got board approval for a Category 1 registration status. Trust Otago/Southland area manager Owen Graham said the move underlined the importance both sites had in Dunedin's heritage. "Carisbrook has worldwide recognition as a sporting venue. The Athenaeum, which opened in 1870 in The Octagon, is one of the oldest surviving main centre athenaeums still used for its original purpose
NZPA



Call to boost number of trained doctors in NZ

New Zealand needs to increase the number of doctors it trains by 100 over the next four years, the Government has been told. The government-appointed Medical Training Board released its first report on the state of the medical workforce on Tuesday. Medical schools in Auckland and Dunedin are training 365 doctors a year. However, the board, chaired by former government statistician Len Cook, says that is nowhere near enough to meet the country's needs over the next decade. The board says New Zealand must hold on to doctors trained here, reduce the heavy reliance on overseas-trained doctors and ensure that more New Zealand doctors specialise in general practice.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



The Prodigy, Arctic Monkeys to play BDO

The Prodigy and Arctic Monkeys have been named as the headliners joining Neil Young at the next Big Day Out. Young's involvement in the January 16 festival was revealed by Aussie media earlier this month. Promoter Campbell Smith says Neil Young is a huge coup and he expects him to draw an older crowd. He says you do not have to be 18 to go to a Big Day Out - and you may even discover a new band you like. Also joining the ageing rocker are British pop duo The Ting Tings, and US bands TV on The Radio and My Morning Jacket. The New Zealand acts include the reformed Headless Chickens, Tiki Taane and The Black Seeds - while The Living End and Sneaky Sound System cross the ditch from Australia. Tickets cost $125 plus booking fee and go on sale on Friday, October 10 from www.ticketmaster.co.nz.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Concerns raised over fake driving licences

NZPA/Ross Setford
Waikato police are concerned school students do not realise the seriousness of producing and using fake driving licences after taking action against 130 people, most of them under-aged. Constable Murray Macdonald, of Hamilton Police Liquor Licensing Team, said people can be jailed for 10 years for producing fake licences and fined $2000 for using them. Police believed those involved had no idea how much trouble they could get in for producing someone else's licence as identification. "It's fraud and not only can the person presenting the fake identification be prosecuted but the owner as well".



Baby blip to flood schools

By JOHN HARTEVELT - The Press
New Zealand's primary schools need another 559 classrooms to cater for the biggest "baby blip" in 36 years. A new report by the Ministry of Education says data from Statistics New Zealand significantly underestimated the 16,650 registered live births in the year to June 2008. It was the highest number of birth registrations for any June quarter and the most live births in a June year since 1972. Queenstown Lakes was identified as a population hot spot in the report with a projected increase of 52.9 per cent extra five-year-olds in the region by 2013. Central Otago and Nelson are the second and third-ranked regions behind Queenstown in the forecast boom of five-year-olds by 2013, up 33.2% and 30.6% respectively more than double the national average.



Powerful quakes hit Kermadec Islands

Two strong quakes struck off the Kermadec Islands, north of New Zealand, early today. A tremor measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale hit 1040km north-east of the Bay of Plenty at a depth of 33km at 4.19am, GNS science reported. Nearly an hour later a 5.3-magnitude aftershock was registered by the United States Geological Survey. There were no immediate reports of damage and no tsunami alert was issued. GNS Science said the first quake might have been felt on the eastern side of the North Island. Earthquakes and volcanic activity are common in the area, which is part of the "Ring of Fire" where the Pacific plate of the earth's crust meets other continental plates.
NZPA



Govt to tighten controls on seasonal scheme

The Government is to tighten controls on a scheme which brings Pacific Island seasonal workers to New Zealand, after a review of its first year of operation. Under the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme, 4641 workers have come to New Zealand to work - nearly 80% of them from Pacific Forum countries. The review - obtained by Radio New Zealand under the Official Information Act - found the scheme was generally working well but that more needs to be done to look after the workers. Immigration Minister Clayton Cosgrove says some employers have acted shamefully and there will be changes to the scheme to require better care for workers.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Tightening job market forces young bankers home

The tightening job market for bankers and financiers is forcing young New Zealand and Australian expatriates back home from New York and London. A multinational recruitment firm says it had a 27% increase in the number of inquiries from people wanting to return to Australia and New Zealand in August, compared to the same month last year.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Monday, September 29

International freepost cards boost search for overseas voters

Twenty-five thousand innovative postage-free cards are the latest tactic in the campaign to find tens of thousands of missing New Zealand voters living overseas. People in New Zealand can send the cards free of charge to any overseas address, reminding Kiwi family and friends of their right to vote in New Zealand's General Election on 8 November. The cards are available from Wednesday 1 October on the retail counters of 157 PostShops throughout New Zealand. The cards are free of charge, and include international postage to anywhere in the world. New Zealand citizens are eligible to vote from anywhere in the world if they have been in New Zealand at any time in the three years before election day. Enrolling and voting from overseas is simple. Eligible voters can enrol online and download their voting papers online, and return the paperwork by fax or post. There is no need to visit an Embassy or Consulate to enrol and vote. Overseas voters can download their ballot papers online beginning Wednesday 22 October. The website www.everyvotecounts.co.nz has all the information overseas voters need to enrol and vote.
NZPA



More older people now employed

Research shows that a whopping 40% of men over 65 and 25% of women are still employed and going about their daily grind. Over the last 20 years things have changed dramatically. Back in the 80s, around 73,000 people over the age of 60 were working but now it's more like 200,000 people - three times the number. The main reason for more Kiwis retiring later compared to previous generations can go back to changes in national superannuation in 1992 by the then National government. Ruth Richardson, who was the Finance Minister, began the move to raise the age of eligibility for national superannuation to 65 - a process that was completed by 2001.
Source: ONE News



NZ and Korea agree on film partnerships

South Korea's culture minister today signed an agreement with Prime Minister Helen Clark to make film partnerships between the two countries easier. Korean Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism You In-chon and Miss Clark signed the co-production agreement at Parliament. New Zealand film Black Sheep was a joint venture with Korean investors and other Korean films such as Silmido, Old Boy and Laundry Warrior were filmed in New Zealand. Miss Clark said there were several promising productions in development.
NZPA



Kiwibank customers targeted by scammers

Kiwibank customers have become the latest New Zealanders targeted by internet scammers trying to get their account information. A fake email has been sent out claiming $20,000 dollars has been deposited into a Kiwibank account. The link on the email leads to a mock up of the Kiwibank homepage where people are asked to enter their account and pin numbers. This gives the scammers access to the account from which they quickly withdraw money. Kiwibank spokesman Bruce Thompson said the email was a "disturbing" scam because it looked real and people would "conjure up a reason" why they might have received $20,000. Kiwibank hoped to have the website of the latest scam shut down by today, he said.
NZPA



Time running out to enrol to vote

The hundreds of thousands of people not yet enrolled to vote are being urged to get a move on. The enrolment cut-off date to be on the printed electoral roll and be sent an EasyVote card in the mail is looming, with just ten days to go. The enrolment centre says 36,000 people have enrolled or updated their information since the election date was announced, but there are still 235,000 who have not. Murray Wicks National Manager of the Electoral Enrolment Centre says everyone enrolled by Wednesday, October 8, will get a pack in the mail with the information they need to vote, which will make it quicker and easier at the ballot box.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Weather closing in

Indoor activities may be on the cards for the first week of the school holidays as the weather closes in. TRN's weather analyst Philip Duncan says a number of fronts are due to race across the country this week as a huge pool of low pressure sweeps in from the Southern Ocean bringing gales and heavy rain. The most exposed regions will be Southland, coastal Otago, Canterbury, Wellington and Wairarapa.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Clark pledges pay rise for school support staff

Labour leader Helen Clark received a standing ovation from hundreds of teachers at a Wellington conference on Monday for her promise to boost pay for school support staff. She told members of the education union, the NZEI, that Labour would provide additional funding to give a "pay jolt" for low-paid school support staff, including secretaries, librarians and teacher aides. Helen Clark also listed what she called the government's achievements in education over the past nine years, including a 38% increase in teachers' pay and the 20 free hours child care policy for three and four year olds.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Retailers should not display tobacco, says committee

The Health Select Committee is recommending legislation to make retailers move tobacco products out of sight of customers. The majority of the Committee wants the Government to introduce legislation forcing retail outlets to take the so-called "power walls" from view. In a report released on Monday it says the location of display units can create a false impression of the safety, social acceptability and prevalence of tobacco use.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Commercial production of fuel from tallow planned

An Auckland biofuel company plans to have a commercial-scale production plant producing biodiesel from tallow by May 2009. Ecodiesel has been running a pilot plant producing biodiesel from tallow, which is animal fat rendered down from meat processing. Chairman Lindsay Ferguson says legislation setting compulsory minimum levels for biofuel use in New Zealand has provided the incentive to move into commercial production. He says the fuel produced by tallow available in New Zealand could replace 5% of the transport sector's current consumption of fossil based diesel.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Shoppers prefer kiwi-made

Loyalty is high on the list for many people when they hit the shops. A Research New Zealand poll of more than 500 people shows nearly two-thirds of consumers try to buy New Zealand-made products and 59 percent make a point of buying New Zealand-made goods. An additional 13 percent say it depends on the product. Research New Zealand Director, Emanuel Kalafatelis, says it shows that, despite increased globalisation, many New Zealanders still feel a loyalty towards locally-made products.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Hawke's Bay resists anti-pollution rules

By BERNARD CARPINTER - The Dominion Post
Hawke's Bay councils are clashing with Environment Minister Trevor Mallard over the estimated $40 million cost of implementing air pollution rules. Napier Mayor Barbara Arnott says residents should refuse to comply with new regulations that are expected to ban open fires and old wood-burners, and Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule has called the rules "ludicrous". Hawke's Bay Regional Council staff say meeting the Government's new standards by the 2013 deadline would mean fire bans in the two Bay cities, forcing home owners to spend at least $2000 on a heat pump or a new burner. The council is lobbying for a relaxation of the standards. "A hundred and fifty thousand people in Hawke's Bay should say they're just not going to comply with this stupid legislation," Mrs Arnott said. Only some parts of Napier suffered air pollution and it was only a few days a year that they failed to meet the new standards, she said.



Sunday, September 28

Women warned of talcum-cancer link

Women have been warned to immediately stop using talcum powder around their genitals in the wake of research which suggests particles may travel to the ovaries and trigger a process of inflammation that allows cancer cells to flourish. Although previous studies have raised concerns over talc, the latest findings from the United States suggest women who use it are 40 per cent more likely to get ovarian cancer – a much greater risk than first thought – the Telegraph newspaper reported. The findings, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, apply only to talcum powder used around the private parts, not on the rest of the body Experts from Harvard Medical School in Boston studied more than 3000 women and found using talc merely once a week raised the risk of ovarian cancer by 36 per cent, rising to 41 per cent for those applying powder every day.
NZPA



Penguin trust wins international conservation award

The Yellow Eyed Penguin Trust has become the first New Zealand organisation to win a prestigious international award for innovative conservation. The Dunedin-based trust has been given a Birdlife International Conservation Achievement Award at a conference in Argentina. A field officer for the trust, David McFarlane, says it is a tremendous accolade. He says when the trust was established in 1987, it was a pioneer because it was very rare then to have community groups involved in conservation. He says that is now a common and successful model.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Rugby-Wellington retains Ranfury Shield

Wellington have retained rugby's Ranfurly Shield, eventually winning 26-20 after a spirited challenge by Tasman at Westpac Stadium in the capital on Saturday. Wellington came back in the second half, after Tasman held a slender lead 6-3 lead at half time.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



A quarter of young voters not enrolled

The Electoral Commission says a quarter of younger voters still have not enrolled to take part in this year's general election. Polling will take place on Saturday 8 November, and eligible voters can enrol until the day before then. Across all age groups 92% have enrolled, but among 18 to 24 years olds just 75% have done so.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Saturday, September 27

More sea turtles found

More and more sea turtles are being found in New Zealand waters because of the warmer temperatures. Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World in Auckland is launching the Turtle Topia exhibition today to promote the mysterious marine animals. Curator Andrew Christie says the stars of the show are three endangered sea turtles which are currently being rehabilitated after getting into trouble. He says some of the turtles have been caught in nets and had near drowning experiences. Mr Christie says once the turtles have recovered, they will be released back into the wild.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Antipodeans celebrate Toast

New Zealand, Australian and South African expats in Britain are raising glasses this weekend at the Toast festival, their big annual bash celebrating all things Antipodean. The sounds, smells and tastes of home are exciting festival-goers in Kensington, west London, where up to 5,000 expats a day will party. The three-day event is an occasion where they can taste the food, wine and beer they miss and see some well-loved rock stars, rugby players and comedians. The Toast festival has been running for eight years. Originally purely a New Zealand event, the Australia day is in its fourth year and a third South African day has been added for 2008.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



No elections for Fiji

Fiji's prime minister has told the United Nations he wants to rebuild his country, and confirmed no elections will take place early next year as promised. Commodore Frank Bainimarama, who seized power in a bloodless coup in December 2006 and appointed himself prime minister, has addressed the UN General Assembly in New York. He told the meeting he had expected the world to rally behind his plans for Fiji, but so far, this has not happened.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Dance festival begins

Whether you prefer backward baseball caps or ballet slippers, there will be something to get your feet tapping at New Zealand's Festival of Dance. Tempo begins in Auckland tomorrow with a dance display up Queen St and a public Body Jam class in Aotea Square. Organisers say the street will be flooded by dancing bodies, led by a drumming troupe. The festival boasts more than a thousand performers, 17 venues and 122 events. Tempo artistic director Mary Jane O'Reilly says dance is everywhere and New Zealanders love it. Tomorrow's festivities will finish up in Aotea Square, where there will be a free giant public body jam class - and salsa lessons. The full programme for the festival can be found at www.tempo.co.nz.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Wintry blast affecting travel on school holiday weekend

A snowy, wintry blast in the South Island has delayed travel over Lindis Pass on the opening weekend of the school holidays. State Highway 8 is closed from the western settlement of Forest Range through to the Omarama side of the Pass. The road remains closed while road contractors utilise snow ploughs to clear the snow, and it is not yet known when the road will be open again. A large backlog of traffic is affected by the road closure and police are urging motorists to consider delaying travel plans to or over the Lindis Pass because further delays can be expected this afternoon. The Milford road is also affected by snow and police say extreme caution should be taken when driving in wet, icy or snowy conditions in and around the South Island.
Copyright © - TVWorks Limited - All Rights Reserved



Orca beaches at Papamoa Beach

Several hundred people have turned out to Papamoa Beach on the Bay of Plenty coast where a killer whale has stranded. The orca is well-known to local conservationists, who have nicknamed him Nobby. It is not the first time the marine mammal has thrown itself onto the beach. Katrina Knill from the Department of Conservation says despite washing up at 6am, Nobby is in good shape and it is hoped there will be a good outcome. Volunteers are helping to keep the whale wet and comfortable. A second attempt to herd Nobby back to sea will be made on high tide around 5:30 this evening.
LATE NEWS: Nobby was successfully refloated at high tide.

Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



NZ pilot injured in Indonesia - report

A New Zealand pilot, identified only as Samuel, has undergone emergency treatment for head injuries after his helicopter crashed on an Indonesian archipelago. The pilot crashed at Kobisonta village, Seram Island, in the Maluku islands, when his helicopter fell about 60m. Antara news agency reported he was being treated at Bula General Hospital, "for a serious wound on his head".
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



"Bird mother" wins top Wearable Art Award

A second time entrant has won the Supreme Award at the Montana World of Wearable Art Awards Show in Wellington. The show, in its 20th year, displayed 189 garments, with entries submitted from all over the world. The Supreme award, worth $20,000, went to Wellington designer Nadine Jaggi for her leather creation Ornitho Maia, which translates as "bird mother". Margarete Palz from Germany was runner up.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Friday, September 26

Hamilton Zoo bred first kea chick in 15 years

NZPA/Philippa Stevenson
Hamilton Zoo has bred its first kea chick in 15 years, after being given permission to boost the numbers in captivity. Only 100 kea are kept in captivity throughout the country in a managed breeding programme, and when Hamilton was given the nod to put first-time parents, Tane (15) and Kowhai (9) to work, numbers had fallen to 89. The pair laid three eggs. Kea pairs bond for life and are the world's only alpine parrot, with fewer than 5000 remaining in the wild in the South Island's high country.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Free off-peak travel with Supergold Card

The country's half a million SuperGold Card holders are to get free off-peak travel on publicly-funded buses, trains and ferries. The initiative will cost the Government $18 million a year. Transport Minister Annette King says most regional councils around the country are ready to roll out the travel concession from next Wednesday. Travel will be free from 9am until 3pm, as well as after 6.30pm during the week. All travel will be free during weekends and public holidays.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Rugby World Cup 2011 deal - Emirates first sponsor to sign up

By Grant Bradley
The first big sponsor for the 2011 Rugby World Cup has been named at a function in Auckland this morning. Dubai-based airline Emirates says it will be the "world wide parter" for the tournament, which is being held in New Zealand. Prime Minister Helen Clark, who was at the announcement, said the sponsorship deal was "a significant milestone" and a major step for the tournament. Emirates is a big sponsor of major sporting events around the world, having been part of the FIFA World Cup, Team New Zealand's America's Cup challenge and the ICC Cricket World Cup. It is also the main sponsor of the Melbourne Cup.



High risk of tropical cyclones for NZ

By MICHAEL FIELD - Fairfax Media
Climatic conditions this summer give New Zealand an increased risk of being hit by a tropical cyclone, NIWA says in a forecast. "There is just over a four out of five chance of an ex-tropical cyclone passing within 500 kilometres of the country sometime between November and May, with the highest risk districts being Northland and Gisborne," NIWA says. "By the time such systems reach New Zealand they are no longer classified as tropical cyclones, but can still cause strong winds and heavy rainfall." The most common months for ex-tropical cyclones to affect New Zealand are January to March. New Zealand is at an increased risk because of the neutral El Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions.



Daylight Savings starts Sunday

Daylight Saving starts this weekend, with clocks going forward an hour at 2am on Sunday. This means you will have to get up an hour earlier, but for most people this will give you more exposure to bright sunshine, and seemingly longer daylight hours. It runs through to Sunday April 5 next year, when clocks will be put back.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Parliament sitting for final day

Parliament is sitting for the final time today as MPs prepare to hit the campaign trail. The final debates are taking place before the parties officially launch the beginning of the campaign. While Parliament is not being dissolved for another week, today is the final day MPs will be in the House. They are working through a raft of legislation, including debating the Independent Police Conduct Authority and the Holidays Amendment Bill. Some of the minor parties are due to hold their campaign launches next weekend, while National and Labour are both likely to hold theirs in Auckland on October 12, four weeks out from the election.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Seasonal work scheme recognised as successful

After some initial teething problems, the Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers Association says the first year of the recognised seasonal employers scheme turned out to be very successful. The scheme came into operation in September last year. It is designed to overcome labour shortages in the horticultural and viticultural industries by allowing growers to hire workers from the Pacific Islands. Executive officer Diane Vesty says the 26 employers in Hawke's Bay who joined the scheme, employed nearly 1800 people.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Gathering of seafood banned

The gathering of seafood on beaches in Auckland and Thames will be banned from mid-October. The Ministry of Fisheries says people are collecting well-above the legal limit there. The ban of cockle, pipi and other shellfish will take affect from 16 October until 30 April at Cockle Bay in Howick and Umupuia beach in Thames. Honorary fisheries officer Keith Ingram told Nine to Noon the ban is necessary to ensure these food sources are not lost to the areas.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Top breaks to be national parks?

By PHIL HAMILTON - The Press
Six of the country's best surf breaks are just a short ride away from getting national park status. Under the Department of Conservation's proposed coastal policy, the six surf breaks of national significance Shipwrecks in Ahipara, Raglan, Stent Road in Taranaki, White Rock in the Wairarapa, Mangamaunu near Kaikoura and Papatowai in the Catlins would become protected surfing reserves. McCarthy said New Zealand trailed Australia which had already established surfing reserves in New South Wales and Victoria.



Radio NZ International celebrates 60th anniversary

NZPA/Ross Setford
State broadcaster Radio New Zealand will celebrate 60 years of international shortwave broadcasting on September 27. On Dominion Day in 1948, New Zealand's first international short-wave service was launched by Prime Minister Peter Fraser. Today the service broadcasts as Radio New Zealand International, providing a link between New Zealand and its Pacific neighbours. In 2007 the service won the prestigious International Radio Station of the Year Award at the Association for International Broadcasting (AIB) Media Excellence Awards in London.



Thursday, September 25

WOW…NZ’s biggest fashion art event is 20

The largest art event on New Zealand's cultural calendar, the Montana World of WearableArt (WOW) Awards show is about to explode on stage with a spectacular 20th birthday extravaganza. The unique show renowned for its dazzling difference is now listed on the international cultural calendar and attracts entries and an audience from all over the world. Described as "Mardi Gras meets Haute Couture" and "Le Cirque du Soleil on tour with Alice in Wonderland" WOW sees fashion and art collude and collide in a show like no other in the world. This year's WOW features nine performances from September 25 to October 5.
click HERE for The World of Wearable Art



Niue Premier asks why New Zealand officials are stopping the release of allocated aid funds

Niue’s Premier says he’s concerned that New Zealand aid money allocated for crucial development projects remains unused. Toke Talagi launched a scathing attack on New Zealand aid officials during his Budget speech earlier this month claiming they dictate to Niue how aid money should be spent and how the island should pursue development. Mr Talagi, who says the actions of the New Zealand officials are often undemocratic, wants to know why 2 million dollars allocated for tourism over the past three years is yet to be spent. A staff member in the office of New Zealand’s Prime Minister Helen Clark, who is acting Foreign Minister, says they are working to resolve the Niue’s concerns.
© RNZI 2008



Research to begin into Easter Island population collapse

NZPA/Wayne Drought
A New Zealand-led group of scientists plan to try and solve the mystery of the sudden collapse of the population on Easter Island in pre-European times. The group, led by environmental scientist Troy Baisden of GNS Science and plant ecologist Mark Horrocks of Microfossil Research Ltd, want to test a hypothesis that the Easter Island population "over-shot" the carrying capacity of their aged and weathered volcanic soils. If the same situation occurred today, Dr Baisden said the population would either migrate from the island or top dress with industrial fertilisers. But the Polynesian inhabitants didn't have that luxury and paid a heavy price.



Fieldays generated $870m benefit - survey

The economic impact from the 2008 National Agricultural Fieldays at Mystery Creek is estimated at $870 million. The figure from the Waikato University Management School includes actual sales and associated benefits at the three day event, which drew a record attendance of 131,000 people. The estimates are based on a survey of 1000 exhibitors. He says the National Agricultural Fieldays is a proven significant economic event.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



New apprentice numbers up

The number of people taking up the modern apprenticeship scheme has risen by 25% in the last year. The Government says an extra 3,500 people took up the programme between June 2007 and June 2008.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Mix-up lands tourist in wrong country

An Argentine tourist got the wrong continent when she used the internet to book a holiday to Australia. Monique Torres Aguero from Buenos Aires wanted to travel to the city of the harbour bridge and Opera House, but instead ended up in the former coal and steel mill town of Sydney in Nova Scotia. The mix-up became evident when she boarded a small propeller plane in Halifax to take her on the last leg of her journey, the ABC reports. It is not the first time Canada has welcomed tourists intended for Australia - in 2002 two Britons also mistakenly landed in Nova Scotia.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



50 stranded by Milford slip

Around 50 people are stranded after a major slip on the Milford Road in Fiordland National Park on Tuesday. Destination Fiordland says a tale of a very lucky escape has emerged. Two women were walking near Mount Underwood when they heard a loud roar and saw trees and mud crashing towards them. The agency says they had to run for their lives. It says the stranded people are on the Milford side of the Homer Tunnel. They are mainly workers and residents. The slip has closed the Milford Road, State Highway 94, which is unlikely to reopen before the weekend. Aircraft are still able to use the Milford airfield.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



170 jobs to go at Telecom contractor

A big Australian engineering firm which contracts to Telecom is set to make 170 workers here redundant. Staff of Transfield Services are being given the news at meetings in Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch, Hamilton and New Plymouth. The company has 1400 staff in its New Zealand telecommunications division, and there are fears hundreds more jobs could go.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Receivers wade into Whisper Cove

By Anne Gibson
A $250 million development beside a former Salvation Army camp at Snells Beach has collapsed, leaving a partly built luxury housing estate and many angry buyers. Whisper Cove was to be a 160-residence 16ha waterfront development. It was started by Tim Manning, who built many of Auckland's largest leaky-house complexes. But just 36 units were built and the site has been abandoned for months after big money problems, leaving a string of subcontractors, builders and others owed more than $2 million. Whisper Cove, which Mr Manning sold two years ago to Canterbury-born Lance Hodgkinson of Australia for $215 million, is in receivership owing $36 million to Westpac and $17 million to other financiers. This is the second big housing subdivision north of Auckland to go to the wall lately, after news emerged this week of the collapse of $450 million, 750-house Kensington Park.



TB checks at hospital after death of patient

The Auckland District Health Board is testing hundreds of staff and patients after a woman died from a rare case of tuberculosis. The woman was in hospital for several weeks before the disease was diagnosed. Chief medical officer David Sage told Nine to Noon that 240 staff, included some medical students, have been linked to the woman. However, the number of patients is less than 20. He said the woman's case was not diagnosed because she had a very unusual response to a rare form of the disease - so the usual signs of TB were not present.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Wednesday, September 24

"Masterpiece" by Evelyn Page attracts huge interest

A rare "masterpiece" of New Zealand art to be sold by auction next month has attracted huge interest from art investors. Renowned artist Evelyn Page was 74 when she painted the oil on canvas, entitled Nude in a Doorway. It was her last major nude before arthritis began to affect her painting. The painting was expected to sell for between $150,000 and $200,000 at an auction of important, early and rare New Zealand art at the International Art Centre in Auckland next month. But director Richard Thomson said that since the sale catalogue had been published there had been huge interest and it could sell for $250,000. Another rare painting, a water colour of Gallipoli after New Zealand and Australia troops landed in 1915, would sell for between $25,000 and $35,000, Mr Thomson said. The painting was by Horace Moore-Jones, the artist who did the famous painting, Simpson and his Donkey, of the Australian medic who brought wounded troops down from the front lines at Gallipoli.
NZPA



Good start in rare kiwi's breeding season

Twenty-eight rare kiwi eggs have been removed from the Okarito kiwi zone this spring, stunning the Department of Conservation (DOC), which collected three this time last year. The Okarito brown kiwi, or rowi -- the rarest species of kiwi in the world -- was considered to be on the brink of extinction with 300 birds left. Three years ago, DOC began removing eggs from the South Westland forest to hatch in captivity, away from predators. Last year, DOC staff retrieved three eggs for safe hatching at Willowbank, in Christchurch and this year, of the 28 collected, 19 were waiting to hatch at Willowbank.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Kiwis support Obama for president

NZPA/Ross Setford
New Zealanders don't get to vote in the United States presidential race, but if they did Barack Obama would win in landslide. UMR Research's latest poll asked New Zealanders who they would vote for in the presidential election -- two thirds (65 percent) said they would back Mr Obama compared to just 11 percent for John McCain. Labour voters (69 percent) were slightly more in favour of Obama than National voters (63 percent), those in white collar jobs (74 percent) were significantly more likely than blue collar workers (58 percent) to support the Democrat nominee.



Greens warn over controversial food colouring

Green MP Sue Kedgley is calling on food regulators to turn down an application that would potentially allow a controversial food colouring back into children's food. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is considering an application from crafts business Golding Handcrafts to relax restrictions on the dye erythrosine so it can be used in icings for home cake decorators. At present the pink dye it is banned from all New Zealand food except preserved cherries. Ms Kedgley said erythrosine was an endocrine disruptor that altered thyroid hormone levels to the extent it was found to cause thyroid tumours in laboratory tests. She said it could also cause rashes, hyperactivity and mood swings. Ms Kedgley said if restrictions were relaxed it would lead to a return to its use in a wide range of foods consumed by children.
NZPA



Antarctica death of astrophysicist remains a mystery

The death of an Australian astrophysicist while spending the winter at the South Pole remains a mystery at the conclusion of a coroner's inquest. Australian Rodney David Marks, 32, died in May, 2000, from methanol poisoning, while working with 49 others at a research base operated by the United States' National Science Foundation (NSF). But it is unclear how he came to ingest the methanol and Christchurch Coroner Richard McElrea has recommended that the Government consider means of ensuring full investigations of deaths in Antarctic territory. Dr Marks had been employed at the base by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, working on the "Antarctic Submillimeter Telescope and Remote Observatory" project. Today Coroner Mr McElrea delivered a formal finding that Dr Marks's death was unintended and he died on May 12, 2000, at Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station as a result of acute methanol poisoning.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Kiribati lawyers want to put a stop to sharing wigs

The legal fraternity in the Pacific island of Kiribati wants to put an end to sharing their limited supply of lawyers' wigs and is seeking New Zealand's help. A small country with little money, Kiribati has a growing number of qualified lawyers and not enough wigs to go around. They are keen to maintain traditional court dress, but none can afford the $1000-plus to buy a wig. In recent times they have been sharing -- exchanging wigs in court between hearings. "This is not at all dignified nor conducive to a traditional atmosphere," said Kiribati Chief Justice Robin Millhouse. The call has now gone out, through the latest issue of the New Zealand Law Society magazine Law Talk, for lawyers here to sell or donate wigs they no longer want to keep.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Elections 08'-Students most reluctant to enrol to vote

Images of university students as placard-waving political idealists are not borne out by statistics, which show they are slow to enrol to vote. While 92.2 percent of all eligible voters have enrolled for the November election, only 75.3 percent of 18-24 year-olds have signed on. Of 245,000 eligible voters not enrolled, 100,000 are in that age group. And if you think politically aware and well-educated tertiary students are more likely to enrol than others of their age, you'd be wrong. Electorates with a high student flatting population trail the national field. Auckland Central is the worst, with only 45.7 percent of its 18-24 year-olds enrolled.
NZPA



Mystery picnic maker was stood up

The mystery surrounding an abandoned picnic found at Rotorua's Blue Lake last week has been solved. Today a very embarrassed Rotorua man, who will stay anonymous, visited police to explain what happened. Detective Sergeant John Wilson says the incident can best be described as an 'aborted romantic interlude'. "It was a planned liaison with a female. He had been out there at about 2 o'clock last Tuesday afternoon to set it all out, in the hope of later meeting her there . . . and unfortunately she didn't make the appointment. He simply failed to return to pick everything up." But Mr Wilson says the two have since been on another date and the mystery has ended happily ever after.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Politicians swansongs take place today

Several retiring politicians are due to give their valedictory speeches in Parliament today. The Government is using the next and final three days of debate before the election to pass through several key pieces of legislation. The Central North Island Forests treaty settlement bill is progressing through the House this morning, while one of the more significant Bills to pass this week will be the Walking Access Bill. It will allow the establishment of laws easing restrictions on where people can walk through private land. National's outgoing MPs are due to give their valedictory speeches this afternoon, among them will be Katherine Rich, Mark Blumsky, and the eagerly anticipated farewell speech by outspoken Tauranga MP Bob Clarkson.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



UK training facvilities availble before London Olympics

New Zealand athletes have been offered the use of British training camps in the lead-up to the London 2012 Olympic Games. The British tourism board says it has 15 accredited high performance facilities available for use by foreign competitors. NZOC secretary general Barry Meister says he thinks it's a terrific opportunity which will put New Zealand athletes in good stead. He hopes the offer may extend to a permanent base for athletes so they can compete in other European sporting events with greater ease.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



More changes to wording on cigarette packets

Tobacco companies have agreed to remove the words "light" and "mild" from cigarette packets, after the Commerce Commission decided they could be breaching the Fair Trading Act. The Commission says the use of these words could deceive people into believing that they are less harmful than full strength tobacco products. Director of fair trading, Adrian Sparrow says all major suppliers have agreed to remove the words by mid-October.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Mercedes Benz confiscated over extra cockles

An Auckland woman has had to forfeit her husband's $70,000 Mercedes Benz after being caught with more than 14 times the limit of cockles. Miaolan Hu was convicted in the Manukau District Court after pleading guilty to possessing more than three times the daily limit of cockles. She was also ordered to pay a fine of almost $1000 and the Mercedes Benz stationwagon was forfeited to the Crown. She was found to have more than 700 cockles in the vehicle, which was stopped at a routine check at Cockle Bay in Howick. The daily limit per person is 50.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



USA dairy industry worried by NZ farmers

American farmers have already started dictating terms of any Free Trade Agreement between the US and New Zealand. The US National Milk Producers Federation is demanding full exclusion of Kiwi dairy products. The United States has agreed to begin free trade talks in March with the P4 nations, comprising New Zealand, Singapore, Chile and Brunei. American farmers are seeking the exclusion because of what they call our dairy industry's unique structure and excessive manipulation of the dairy markets globally and in the US. Spokesman Jerry Kozak says this manipulation will drive down dairy farmer income in America, force farms out of business and create a ripple effect swamping dairy plants and other rural business.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Vintage cars stall over deco parade

By MARTY SHARPE - The Dominion Post
Vintage car owners are threatening to boycott Napier's Art Deco weekend because of a move by organisers to charge them to take part in a street parade. The Hawke's Bay Vintage Car Club is at odds with the Art Deco Trust over who should run the event's vintage car parade. More than 340 cars swoop on Napier for the three-day event, recently voted New Zealand's best by travellers' bible Lonely Planet. The cars are a main attraction of the weekend, which draws about 10,000 visitors. The car club has been involved in the art deco weekend since its inception 21 years ago.



Failing students a costly burden

By JOHN HARTEVELT - The Press
Troublesome students cost the education system 10 times as much as others, a government report on the state of New Zealand's schools reveals. The annual report into the compulsory schools sector in New Zealand, tabled by Education Minister Chris Carter in Parliament yesterday, highlights marginal students as a leading concern. "One of the most pressing issues our education system faces is supporting students considered to be at risk of educational and societal failure," the report said. "Many of these students exhibit behaviour difficulties." The public cost of services for children with severe conduct problems was about 10 times that for children of the same age without conduct problems.



Low corruption ranking for NZ

New Zealand has maintained its rank as one of the least corrupt countries in the world. It shares top spot with Denmark and Sweden on a list of 180 countries ranked by Transparency International's 2008 Corruption Perceptions Index. The index draws on opinion surveys measuring perceived levels of public sector corruption. According to the index, Somalia is the most corrupt country.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Tuesday, September 23

Bus company loses contract

More than 100 years of providing bus services in Napier and Hastings is about to end for a Havelock North company. Nimon & Sons Limited has lost a contract with the Hawke's Bay Regional Council for the supply of urban services. The company began business 103 years ago. The council has awarded a five year contract to a Hamilton based company which has also won the tender for school bus runs in central Hawke's Bay. Go Bus will start providing services in Napier and Hastings next February.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Gales moving up the east coast

Strong winds are being recorded in the South Island as northwesterlies move up the east coast. The Transport Agency is warning of high winds on several inland roads. Drivers of campervans and other high sided vehicles are advised to take extreme care. MetService says a gust of 148km an hour was recorded inland from Gore, and winds are now gusting at gale force in exposed places on Banks Peninsula. Strong gusts are expected for Wellington and Wairarapa on Tuesday afternoon.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



John Key "still to make transition"

A suggestion John Key still has to make the transition from money trader to politician. The National party leader is under attack after grudgingly admitting he owned twice as many Tranzrail shares in 2003 as he had earlier said he did. This was at a time when he was the party's transport spokesman. Political editor Barry Soper says Mr Key needs to make the switch from the secrecy of the trading room to the transparency of politics. He says unless he can deliver straight answers, he is always going to look shifty.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Michael Hill's luxury yacht collects prices

NZPA/Ross Setford
Jeweller Michael Hill has received international recognition for his luxury yacht, picking up three prizes at the World Yacht Awards in Cannes. Mr Hill's 34m superyacht came first in the Best Motor Yacht, Best Interior and Best Functionality categories, The New Zealand Herald reported. The onboard luxuries of the yacht include a main bedroom suite and two staterooms, a formal saloon, a bar, a gymnasium, an outdoor dining area and a cinema. The yacht also won a World Superyacht Award in Venice this year.



Police marvel over abandoned picnic

NZPA/Ross Setford
Rotorua police are scratching their heads in bewilderment over an abandoned picnic. The fully laid-out picnic, complete with blanket and food, was found abandoned on the beach of a Rotorua lake last week. Detective Sergeant John Wilson told The Daily Post said police received a call on Friday morning from someone who had found the picnic near the carpark between Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Rotokakahi (Green Lake). Police found a red blanket laid out, a wicker basket, two small bottles of Coke, a packet of chips, a relish container, chicken caesar salad, three apples, two bags of sweets, a barbecue lighter and a copy of the Daily Post. A police search and rescue team searched the tracks around the lake and made inquiries at the camp ground on the opposite side of the lake but could not find the owners of the picnic.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Highest paid British presenter made his name in NZ

NZPA/Ross Setford
A British television presenter, who made his name on a New Zealand children's show, has signed a golden deal worth $NZ132,800 for every hour he is on the screen. Phillip Schofield, 46, will pick up the massive pay cheque for fronting the show Dancing on Ice on ITV, The News of the World reported. At the age of 19 he moved to New Zealand where he made his first TV Appearance presenting a children's music programme called Shazam! in 1982. After three years he moved back to Britain where he first appeared on UK television presenting BBC children's show From The Broom Cupboard in the 80s and then Going Live! for many years.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Sixth Emmy award for NZ TV host

New Zealander Phil Keoghan has won a sixth consecutive Emmy. The producer and host of the American travel TV gameshow, The Amazing Race, won the award for best reality or competition programme again on Sunday in Los Angeles. He has done so every time since the category was introduced in 2003. Keoghan told Morning Report he believes the show highlights the human spirit and gives people with ordinary qualities the chance to do something amazing.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



More oil to be found in Taranaki region?

Oil companies feel there is more oil and gas to be discovered in the Taranaki region. New Zealand exported oil worth $2.8 billion in the year to July, mostly from the Tui fields offshore from Taranaki. Last night, Government agency Crown Mineral, allocated nine onshore petroleum blocks for exploration to a range of exploration companies including three new players. Petroleum Exploration and Production Association of New Zealand says it underlines the industry's importance, despite recent policy favouring renewable energy.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



John Key "uncomfortable" over shares

There were signs of panic in National last night after John Key conceded owning more Tranz Rail shares than he had previously admitted to. Political editor Barry Soper says the National party leader looked uncomfortable when he was was forced to correct himself about the number of shares he owned when he was associate transport spokesman for National. Charges of conflict of interest rang out from the Government benches last July when Mr Key's share portfolio in Tranz Rail was revealed. He admitted to a parcel of 50,000 shares but a Labour Party researcher did some digging and found he owned twice that amount. Labour is using it as ammunition against Mr Key, saying he cannot be trusted.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Bumper crop for olive oil producers

A 20% increase in olive oil production is likely to present a marketing challenge for the country's olive growers. Grower organisation Olives New Zealand says groves in Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa, Kapiti, Nelson and Marlborough performed better than those in Canterbury and the Far North, mainly because of variable weather conditions. Executive officer Alastair Bridge says production is steadily increasing as groves mature and trees produce more fruit. He says about 230,000 litres of oil have been pressed this season, most of which will be sold in New Zealand where it will compete against cheaper oils from Europe.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Rugby-Ranfurly Shield victory parade

A Ranfurly Shield victory parade will be held in Wellington on Tuesday. In beating Auckland on Saturday night by 27-0, the Lions won the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in 26 years. The parade is due to begin about 12.45pm and will move along Lambton Quay and Willis Street before finishing in Civic Square. The first challenge for the shield is by Tasman on Saturday.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



$1b benefit seen in latest trade talks

The Employers & Manufacturers Association says free trade talks with the United States would be worth $1 billion a year to the New Zealand economy. The US has announced it will start negotiations with the P4 group, which consists of Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore. Trade ministers are to meet in New York on Tuesday to formally signal the start of negotiations. Association chief executive Alasdair Thompson says it would be New Zealand's most important trade agreement since the Closer Economic Relations deal with Australia in 1983, which phased out trans-Tasman tariffs.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Rangitoto bach wins UN award

A bach (small holiday house) on Rangitoto Island in the Hauraki Gulf has won a United Nations heritage award. 'Bach 38' has been fully restored by volunteers under the guidance of conservation architects and professional builders. The wooden property was built in 1928 and is now a museum and information centre giving visitors a glimpse of bach holidays from the 1930s to the 1960s. It has secured an Honourable Mention in this year's UNESCO Asia-Pacific heritage awards. Top awards went to Herat old city in Afghanistan and Stadium Merdeka in Malaysia.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Monday, September 22

Pacific Blue start Melbourne flights

Pacific Blue launches its new daily service to Melbourne on Monday. It will be the first low cost carrier to fly there from Auckland and the move is likely to spark a price war for the route. The first flight left Auckland Airport at 6.30am.
Source: Newstalk ZB



Nudist concerns crash council's email system

Complaints flooding in over a proposal to allow nude bathing at Kapiti Coast beaches north of Wellington crashed the district council's email system. Submissions close on October 24 on the draft beach bylaw which has generated a record response from residents. Councillor Tony Jack said he believed it had been the hottest issue the council had to face for some time. It had generated about five times the discussion sparked earlier this year when a community board member wore a Ku Klux Klan costume to a council meeting, he told The Dominion Post. The hundreds of emails the council received on the topic had crashed its email system.
NZPA



New regulation to reduce costs of sending money to the Pacific

The Government is to add a regulation to reduce the cost of sending money to Pacific countries. Prime Minister Helen Clark and Pacific Islands Affairs Minister Winnie Laban today said Cabinet had approved a new regulation under the Financial Transactions Reporting Act to reduce the high costs of sending money between New Zealand and the Pacific. An estimated 75 percent of Pacific people living in New Zealand sent money home and faced costs between 15 to 25 percent of the amount they were sending. The Pacific Island Affairs Ministry led work with the Reserve Bank and Justice Ministry to reduce that to between 5 and 7 percent by next year.
NZPA



Phil Goff heads to America

Trade minister Phil Goff leaves today for a seven day trip to the United States that will include a commemoration service for his nephew. US army captain Matthew Ferrara was killed in Afghanistan last year and a service will be held at West Point in New York for him. He is being posthumously awarded a Silver Star for his part in a combat action that took place shortly before his death. Mr Goff will also hold bilateral meetings in New York and Washington with his counterparts from the US, as well as members of the new economic partnership being formed between New Zealand, Brunei, Chile and Singapore.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Concern heart disease being ignored

Alarming new research shows 74 percent of New Zealand women are unaware heart disease is by far their leading cause of death. On average 7 Kiwi women die from heart disease every day. Heart Foundation medical director Professor Norman Sharpe says the results shows the majority of women mistakenly believe breast cancer is their leading cause of death. He says women are a little more difficult to diagnose with heart problems and when they are diagnosed, they tend not to get the same aggressive treatment as men. Professor Sharpe says there is a gender inequality and unfairness here that they want to correct. He is advising all women over 50 to have a heart health check.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Delivery kids told to get on their bikes

The Manawatu Standard is looking at getting rid of 165 paper delivery kids in favour of adults on scooters. In a letter sent out to all deliverers on Friday, the company says it is reviewing the current delivery positions to establish a more efficient distribution network. Manawatu Standard acting general manager Grant Hatton says they are looking into using 12 adults on scooter to deliver papers throughout Palmerston North. Mr Hatton says it has come down to the health and safety of the children delivering papers on their bikes. He says the company cannot provide a safe environment for their deliverers which is required under legislation.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Government chips in for Carter Observatory

The redevelopment of Wellington's Carter Observatory is getting a helping hand from the Government. It has allocated $39,000 for the project via the Tourism Facilities Grant Programme. The Wellington City Council has already allocated $3 million over 10 years to support the Carter Observatory's future.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



$450m housing project crashes

By Anne Gibson
The company developing a $450 million mega-housing project at Orewa has gone into receivership. The construction project is the largest and most advanced in New Zealand to go under. Kensington Park Properties had planned to build 750 houses on the former Puriri Park camping ground in Orewa. Only about 60 have been built. Patrick Fontein of Kensington Properties, the developer's parent company, admitted a few weeks ago that problems existed, and blamed the state of the housing market. Most of the site is a construction zone, and its future is now uncertain.



New Plymouth in the running for 'best city in the world' title

New Plymouth is vying to win the title of the best place in the world to live in. The Taranaki city is one of nine -- with population of between 20,001 and 75,000 -- shortlisted in the International Awards for Liveable Communities. New Plymouth comes up against competition from Canada, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland, England, Poland and China. "Basically this says that out of all the countries in the world, New Plymouth District is one of just nine cities that could receive the ultimate accolade as the best place to live," Mayor Peter Tennent said.
NZPA



Save energy - eat your dog

By DAVE BURGESS - The Dominion Post
Eat your dog - because its carbon footprint is bigger than a Toyota Corolla's. That's what Wellington city councillors have been told by Victoria University research fellow Brenda Vale, who is an authority on sustainable architecture. Her latest co-authored book, Time to Eat the Dog, investigates ways to modify behaviour to save energy. It will be published next year. She told a city council briefing last week that all pets should be edible because their carbon footprints - or pawprints, as the case may be - contribute to global warming. Acting mayor Ian McKinnon said she explained that "a big dog can have a carbon footprint that is the equivalent to a small car and therefore the best way forward, if you are going to have a pet, is to make sure it is edible".



Anchor down for more gales - MetService

The MetService is warning people from Southland to Wairarapa to brace themselves again for gale force winds set to buffet the country tomorrow. Gusts up to 120kmh gusts are forecast with heavy rain likely in the mountains in Canterbury and Otago. "The gales of spring have arrived," MetService spokesman Bob McDavitt said. "The power in these winds is sufficiently strong enough at times to damage trees and powerlines, and bring down roofs." Mr McDavitt said tomorrow's front could bring 200mm of rain in the high country of South Westland.
NZPA



More funding needed for 'dementia epidemic'

By GILES BROWN - The Press
New Zealand must act to cope with a "dementia epidemic" that could see more than 150,000 Kiwis suffering the condition by 2050, says Alzheimers Canterbury. Yesterday was World Alzheimer's Day and the group held a gathering in Christchurch to educate people about the condition, and the difficulty of caring for those affected. President Martin Brooks said New Zealand needed more government funding for people with dementia so they could stay at home longer. There was also a need for research to try and develop drugs to help or cure the disease. "One in four people over 85 is likely to have some kind of dementia but it is not a normal part of ageing. We are now seeing it hit some younger people," he said.



Cricket-Decision soon on Black Caps tour of Bangladesh

The head of the New Zealand Cricket Players Association expects a decision to be made soon on whether the Black Caps will tour Bangladesh in October. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has travel warnings in place for Bangladesh and the other sub-continent cricketing nations of Pakistan, Sri Lanka and India. Heath Mills says New Zealand Cricket's comprehensive security check is almost complete, and at this stage there is nothing that the association believes is a cause for concern. A decision on whether the tour goes ahead should be made in about a week.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



NZ babies unwell after changes made to formula

A large baby formula company says it will refund parents whose babies become unwell after drinking formula manufactured by a temporary supplier. More than 70 parents in New Zealand reported symptoms in their babies including diarrhoea and vomiting after drinking Nuture baby formulas. Heinz, which owns the brand, says it temporarily switched suppliers for its Nurture Starter and Nurture Follow-On formulas, after its New Zealand-based supplier advised could no longer supply it. The complaints are not linked to the Chinese milk contamination scandal.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



UN recognises NZ continental shelf claim

New Zealand's claim over 1.7 million square kilometres of seabed has been confirmed by a United Nations commission, Prime Minister Helen Clark says. Miss Clark says the continental shelf is the area of seabed outside New Zealand's existing 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone. Recognition of the new continental shelf boundaries will enable New Zealand to exercise its rights to the area, including exploiting resources such as minerals and petroleum. Miss Clark says New Zealand's submission to the UN was the result of a $44 million project carried out by officials and scientists. The new boundary will be binding on other countries, although the Government will negotiate with Fiji and Tonga on the continental shelf north of New Zealand.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



It's Emmy time for Conchords comedy duo

New Zealand comedy duo Flight of the Conchords are up for four Emmys for their self-titled show. The televison awards ceremony is being in Los Angeles on Sunday local time. Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement are nominated in the original music and lyrics category for two of their songs, Inner City Pressure and The Most Beautiful Girl in the Room. The programme also has nominations for writing and directing for a comedy series.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Sunday, September 21

Christchurch-Wigram Airfield enjoys last busy weekend

Christchurch's Wigram Airfield is enjoying one of its last busy weekends before being ploughed up and turned into a housing development. The Canterbury Aero Club is commemorating its 80th anniversary there, with aviation enthusiasts recalling some of the airfield's most famous occasions. It will be turned into a housing development early next year, so the Canterbury Aero Club wants to give the historic airfield one last send-off, and it just so happens this weekend the club is celebrating its 80th anniversary. It is a site with plenty of history, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith landed at Wigram after completing the first trans-Tasman crossing back in 1928. During the war it became an Air Force training base. That continued until the base closed with big fanfare 12 years ago.
3 News



500-year-old moa skeleton displayed in Melbourne

A 500-year-old skeleton of the world's largest extinct flightless bird is on show at Melbourne University. The skeleton is that of a moa which was preserved in a New Zealand peat bog for centuries. After many years in storage, the skeleton of the two-and-a-half metre bird has been put together by university staff.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Surprise finding on battery hens

By LOIS WATSON - Sunday Star Times
Controversial new government research is tipped to reveal that caged hens are generally healthier than their free-range cousins. The research by government agency AsureQuality comes at a time of heightened consumer awareness about the poultry industry and growing demand for free- range eggs, which sell for almost double the price of battery eggs. AsureQuality has compared the condition of layer hens on dozens of egg-producing farms across the country. The survey results are not due to be released until November, but industry sources told the Sunday Star-Times that early findings show that battery-farmed birds are generally healthier because the controlled conditions prevent the spread of disease. This was despite both groups receiving the same level of care.



Netball-Ferns bounce back in 2nd test

The Silver Ferns have bounced back from a first-test defeat, to beat Australia 38-31 at the Vector Arena in Auckland. New Zealand raced out to a five-goal lead and although Australia clawed back to be down 12-9 at quarter time, it was as close as they got. The Silver Ferns were led by another outstanding defensive effort from Casey Williams. Laura Langman played the entire match at wing attack. Ferns coach Ruth Aitken says they certainly felt under pressure after a poor performance in Christchurch. Aitken says the first-test effort hurt them as a group and the leadership of Julie Seymour has shown through in the past few days. The series is level at one-all. Both teams play series against England next, before meeting for another two tests, in Australia, at the end of October.
© 2008 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



Attempt to break record

A Tauranga company director hopes to crack 302 kilometres an hour in his attempt to set a new motorcycle speed record today. Paul Heard is competing in Carterton's Flying Mile competition, on his turbo-charged 1000cc Suzuki. He hopes to break the current New Zealand speed record. Paul Heard says it takes a while for his brain to get used to high speeds when he is racing. He says the centre line of the road looks like a long white dot, so he just makes sure his bike is facing it and keeps his head down.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



US debt rescue plan good strategic move - NZX boss

New Zealand Stock Exchange chief executive Mark Weldon expects a positive start to the business week on Monday, following the announcement of a $US700bn fund to tackle the US financial market crisis. The US Treasury is proposing a fund that would be used to buy back a large proportion of the bad debt in the US mortgage market. The fund would hold the debts until they can be sold off in the future. The Bush administration sent the plan to Congress on Saturday. Mr Weldon says establishing the fund is a good strategic move that will return some confidence to global capital markets, and go some way to curb share-selling in New Zealand. "It has shored up some of the more risky positions globally so that means investors who've been haemorrhaging money and having to liquidate assets including New Zealand assets will not have to do that. "So that will stop some of the selling we have seen in New Zealand over the last week." Mark Weldon says the rescue fund will also stem flow-on effects into Asian economies, which are crucial to New Zealand.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Rugby-Wellington romps away with Ranfurly Shield

Wellington has won the Ranfurly Shield for the first time since 1981. The Lions beat Auckland by 27 points to nil at Eden Park on Saturday evening. The match was also round eight of the provincial championship and another bonus points win for the capital. Wellington's first challenge is from Tasman next Saturday.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Saturday, September 20

Netball beats rugby in viewership

Netball beat rugby in the viewing count this week, with 140,000 more people watching the first test between the Silver Ferns and Australia (netball) than the final Bledisloe Cup (rugby) test. TV One said its audience for Wednesday night's netball peaked at 568,100, compared with 428,300 for rugby on Sky on Saturday.



Convert to LPG Aussies urged

By Alastair Sloane
Former GM Holden engineer and safety campaigner Dr Laurie Sparke wants Australians to convert their cars and trucks to LPG and natural gas to avert what otherwise will be a catastrophe for the country - a shortfall of transport fuels. Dr Sparke told a Society of Automotive Engineers conference across the Tasman that Australia was facing a supply crisis. He said the danger to the economy was getting more urgent and called for a massive shift to LPG and natural gas. He said oil supplies were predicted by the International Energy Agency to become extremely tight within five years. Dr Sparke said Australia had vast reserves of gas that were adequate to fuel its transport system for the next century and beyond.



Cuba offers more help to the Pacific

Cuba’s ambassador to New Zealand says cooperation between his country and the Pacific region will continue. Cuba this week met with the representatives of 10 Pacific countries at the first ministerial meeting in Havana. José Luis Robaina García says the meeting was focused on two main ideas, including issues facing small island states, like climate change. José Luis Robaina García says he will soon travel to the Cook Islands, followed by several other countries to present his credentials. (Umm...are they going to teach us to ride bicycles and live 14 to a room ?)
© RNZI 2008



New Coastal Walkway south of Whangarei opened

NZPA/Ross Setford
Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick today opened a new Coastal Walkway at Mangawhai, south of Whangarei. The 8km-long track starts as a beach walk then follows cliff tops with views of the northern Hauraki Gulf, before turning into a boardwalk through native coastal forest. "This beautiful new walkway was made possible through the generosity of the local landowner (Bill Birnie). I thank him for making the land, and the wonderful vistas, accessible for all New Zealanders to enjoy," Ms Chadwick said.



Pacific Ocean mineral rush heats up

By MICHAEL FIELD - The Dominion Post
A race for almost legendary deposits of gold and copper in waters around New Zealand and nearby Pacific states has heated up with a big find off Tonga. Nautilus Minerals told the Toronto Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (Aim) that it had discovered four new high-grade seafloor massive sulphide (SMS) systems in Tonga. High grades of gold, copper, zinc and silver were present in the finds. Nautilus has pioneered undersea mining in Papua New Guinea and has exploration rights in New Zealand's exclusive economic zone running up to Tonga and Fiji.



Tests on dairy products in NZ shops

Milk products sold in Asian supermarkets in New Zealand are being tested for the contamination which has killed four Chinese babies and put thousands of others in hospital. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority said it was testing dairy and milk products for melamine, the additive which was put into Chinese milk products. Food safety inspectors began taking random samples on Thursday night from Asian supermarkets, the New Zealand Herald reported today. New Zealand did not import infant formula directly from China, but imported very small amounts of dairy products such as milk, milk powder and cheese. The checks were a precautionary measure. Most customers spoken to in three Asian supermarket in Auckland said they were not buying milk and dairy products from China and would stick to New Zealand brands instead.
NZPA



More than 800,000 sign up to KiwiSaver

The number of people signed up to the KiwiSaver scheme has passed another milestone. More than 800,000 people are now part of the retirement savings scheme. Nearly 30 percent of those who have signed up are under the age of 30. It is a trend welcomed by the Finance Minister, who sees it as a significant change in the nation's attitude towards personal savings.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Bargain hunters to flock to Fashion Week

About 15,000 people are expected to attend the public days of Fashion Week, which begin this morning. The Auckland venue opens its doors later this morning to ticket holders, after a four-day trade show. More than 40 fashion brands are represented. Designer Garage Sale organiser Paul Blomfield says 36 labels will be pedaling their wares over the weekend. He says for many it is a chance to recoup some of the money spent staging a show. The line-up includes the first ever New Zealand stall featuring Stella McCartney's underwear range.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Friday, September 19

Retailers caught in TV cigarette sting to be charged

Retailers caught on television selling cigarettes to underage buyers are to be prosecuted. One retailer was shown selling tobacco on TV3's Campbell Live show, and another retailer was caught on camera on TVNZ's Sunday programme, which was filming a Ministry of Health sting. Director-General of Health Stephen McKernan said today about 20 retailers had been prosecuted so far this year for selling tobacco to people aged under 18-years-old and another 20 were under way. Tobacco is an addictive and deadly drug that kills around 5000 New Zealanders every year."
NZPA



Ozone hole biggest on record this year - Niwa

New Zealanders have been urged to protect themselves from harmful ultraviolet radiation after the discovery of the biggest ozone hole on record over Antarctica this year. The hole, which appears each year and peaks in size in late September or early October, is already bigger than last year's, The Dominion Post newspaper reported. The ozone hole covers 27 million square km, compared with 25 million at last year's maximum size - bigger than North America. When ozone levels drop, UV radiation gets through and can cause skin cancer, eye damage and harm to the immune system.
NZPA



125 years for Auckland SPCA

NZPA/Mark Coote
A march up Auckland's Queen St by animals and their handlers next month will help kick off 125th anniversary celebrations for the SPCA in Auckland. The week-long celebration would begin on October 4 with a formal anniversary dinner at the historic church of St Matthew-in-the-City. The following day the Queen St parade begins the celebrations before a thanksgiving church service in St Matthews. It would also include a `Blessing of the Animals' service held annually to mark the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. SPCA Auckland chief executive Bob Kerridge said the society had been an integral and important part of the community since colonial times.



Asthma linked to paracetamol use

A New Zealand-led global study of more than 200,000 children has identified a link between the increasing use of paracetamol in children and the prevalence of asthma. The study found that there was a 50 percent increased risk of asthma in six and seven-year-old children who had been given paracetamol for fever in their first year of life. A dose-dependent association was also found in those who had used paracetamol in the previous 12 months. Report author Richard Beasley, of the Medical Research Institute of New Zealand, said the link was apparent in both scenarios in children tested in 31 countries. An increased risk of rhinitis and eczema was also identified with the use of paracetamol.
NZPA



Compulsory training for under 18s

All under-18-year-olds will have to be in some form of education or training from 2014, Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today. Miss Clark used a campaign trail visit to Waitakere's Massey High School to give further details of the Government's Schools Plus programme, which she first outlined in January. She also announced a four-year $40 million funding package for the initial phases of the policy. Under the programme, expected to cost $150m a year once fully implemented, all youths under 18 would eventually have to be in some form of training. Students leaving school would have to either go into other training, or if they took up a job would have to do that in conjunction with an apprenticeship or qualification.
NZPA



Taranaki dialect focus of Maori language book

The Maori Language Commission says a new book on the Taranaki version of te reo leads the way for similar revitalisation of Maori dialects. He Puuranga Taakupu a Taranaki lists thousands of words including hundreds unique to Taranaki, with definitions and examples of usage. An internet version will allow users to comment and add more words, pictures, audio and video. Publisher Te Reo o Taranaki Trust says it wants to foster speaking communities which use and extend vernacular Taranaki reo in everyday settings.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Thursday, September 18

Iconic NZ lollies (candy) Snifters being axed

NZPA/Wayne Drought
Iconic New Zealand lolly Snifters has been axed because of lack of consumer demand. Cadbury Schweppes, which owns the Pascall brand, have also chopped Sparkles and Tangy Fruit lollies. A Cadbury Schweppes spokesman said over the years the sales of Snifters, Sparkles and Tangy Fruit had "decreased significantly".



New water safety strategy targets Pacific Islanders

NZPA/Tim Hales
A water safety strategy targeting Pacific Islanders was launched by Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) today. Pacific people account for 9 percent of the average of 114 New Zealanders who drown each year. WSNZ general manager Matt Claridge said New Zealand waterways were very different to those in the Pacific Islands and "considerably more dangerous". The main issue was the high number of recreational based drownings. Mr Claridge said the Pacific Peoples Water Safety Strategy would educate Pacific people on the "very important things like wearing life jackets and checking the marine and weather conditions".



French naval ship heads to Akaroa

A French naval ship will steam into the Banks Peninsula township of Akaroa next month to take part in the annual French festival. La Moqueuse will arrive on October 10 with French Ambassador Michel Legras on board and will remain moored in the harbour throughout the festival. The festival marks the July 1840 arrival of 53 French and a handful of German settlers aboard the emigrant ship Compte de Paris. The naval ship's crew will also play an important part in the re-enactment of the arrival on October 11.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



NZ may ban Indian medicine imports

Medsafe has concerns about prescription medication imported from India. It is seeking assurances of good manufacturing practice from Ranbaxy following warnings issued by the US Food and Drug Administration. The US has slapped a temporary ban on all products from the Indian company, including a widely prescribed penicillin-based antibiotic and an antiviral drug used to treat herpes. Ministry of Health spokesman Dr Ashley Bloomfield says New Zealand is watching to see what other countries do first before following suit.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Scandal sparks fresh labelling calls

The Green Party is urging the Government to introduce mandatory country of origin labelling for food in the wake of China's milk contamination scandal. The New Zealand Food Safety Authority is in the process of checking Chinese milk imports following the San Lu baby powder contamination. Green MP Sue Kedgley says there is no evidence melamine-contaminated milk product has been imported, but warns there would be serious ramifications is it has. She says the Government would have to be held morally responsible for its continued refusal to allow country of origin labelling. Ms Kedgley believes the stance is putting New Zealanders' health at risk.



Infant mortality rate halved, welfare report reveals

New Zealand's infant mortality rate has halved in the past 20 years, according to a new government report on children's wellbeing. The research from the Ministry of Social Development says 5.1 children per 1000 died before their first birthday in 2006, compared with 10.9 per 1000 in 1998. Social Development Minister Ruth Dyson says there has been significant progress, with mothers now getting more income support and greater access to primary health services. Head of Paediatrics at the University of Auckland Innes Asher says the most cost-effective way to improve the health of children is to immunise them against childhood diseases. However, Professor Asher says 20% of children under five years old are not immunised.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Dunedin heralds the return of the Albatross

Dunedin's church bells are ringing out this morning to welcome the return of the first Royal Albatross. A 12-year-old female is the first to return, a few weeks later than in previous seasons, although this season is expected to be one of the best. DOC Ranger Lyndon Perriman says around 30 breeding pairs are expected to arrive in the coming weeks, one of the highest numbers Taiaroa Head has ever had. Bells at the First Presbyterian Church, St Pauls Cathedral and Knox Presbyterian Church will ring for one minute at 10 O'clock.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



NZ ducks test positive for type of birdflu

Wild mallard ducks in New Zealand have tested positive for a form of bird flu. The "low pathogenic" virus, known as LPAI H5N, is closely related to viruses found in the past and has been here for some time, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) biosecurity staff said yesterday. It is different to high pathogenic (HPAI) form of the bird flu virus which causes fatal severe disease that spreads quickly. The LPAI viruses may cause mild illness or no clinical disease in birds. It should not be mistaken for the H5N1 virus that spread throughout parts of Asia, Europe and Africa, killing more than 200 people and forcing the destruction of millions of birds.
Southland Times and NZPA



Netball-Australia come from behind to pip Ferns in test opener

The Australian netballers came from behind in the final quarter to edge out the Silver Ferns 53-51 in last night's first test in Christchurch. After going virtually point-for-point throughout the match, two intercepts late in the final period proved decisive. With the scores locked at 49-all, Australia's Julie Prendegast stole the ball and debutante shooter Kate Beveridge gave Australia a one goal lead. Then the Ferns looked set to strike back immediately, only for a leaping Bianca Chatfield to take a stunning intercept, giving the visitors a two goal break that they were able to ride home. Maria Tutaia top scored for New Zeaalnd with 26 from 28 attempts while Irene Van Dyk, playing goal attack made 25 from 30. The second test is in Auckland on Saturday.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Wednesday, September 17

Wet winter pushes up vegetable prices

The horticulture industry body is warning consumers to expect vegetable prices to remain high, due to a wet winter over much of the country. Food prices were 2.7% higher in August than July, the largest monthly increase for 19 years, according to latest Statistics New Zealand figures. Vegetable prices rose 14.5%, driven by higher prices for lettuce (up 33.6%) and tomatoes (up 42.8%). Over the year to August, fruit and vegetables increased in price by 19.1%. Vegetable growers throughout the country are reporting a continuing battle with too much rain, hail and low light levels.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Breakthrough fashion designer named

Watch out for Michelle Wilson and her label Michelle Yvette. She has just taken out the Verge Breakthrough prize at Air New Zealand Fashion Week in Auckland. The mentoring programme has turned out several household names over the last five years, including Cybele and Hailwood. Organiser Ian Webster says designers go through an application process, which focuses on their business model. The 25-year-old was up against four other brands; Sable and Minx, Deuchar, Emma and Ana Steele.
(See Air NZ Fashion Week in side bar link..just to the right there)
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



New netball captain for Australia

A rookie captain will lead a new look Australian line-up in to tonight's first test against the Silver Ferns. With the retirement of Liz Ellis and the injury to Sharelle McMahon, centre Natalie von Bertouch will lead the team in Christchurch. Von Bertouch says she looks on it as an opportunity. She says she will take her normal approach into the match. McMahon will join the team ahead of the second test in Auckland on Saturday, despite being out for the rest of the season.
© 2008 NZCity, NewsTalkZB



NZers "little to fear" from AIG situation

A finance commentator feels New Zealanders will have little to fear from the possible collapse of insurance giant AIG. It is in a race against the clock to find a multi-billion-dollar infusion in order to stay afloat. Commentator Richard Newell from Global Fund Services believes the problems are specific to AIG's American business, and he is expecting things to be sorted out quickly. He says if the American company does collapse, it is more than likely the New Zealand subsidiary will be bought by another insurer here. AIG New Zealand employs more than 90 people based in offices in Auckland and Wellington.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Health workers meet for conference

More than 300 health workers from around the country are meeting in Wellington for the Nurses Organisation biennial conference. Chief executive Geoff Annals says with the general election looming, they want politicians to know nurses take safe staffing initiatives and a cooperative industrial environment very seriously. He says members are keen to know what steps and initiatives political parties are going to take, to look after the provision of future health services.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Latest Sumatran tiger cubs to debut

Auckland Zoo expects its three Sumatran tiger cubs to make their first public appearance today. The 14 week old cubs have been allowed outside for the last few weeks, but away from the public gaze. The Zoo's Carnivore Team Leader, Andrew Coers, believes the cubs are now confident enough for public viewing. However, he warns zoo visitors may have to be patient. The cubs are young, and tire easily so tend to head back inside for a rest after about 20 minutes of playing outside.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



NZ one short of medal target at Paralympics

New Zealand team at the Paralympic Games in Beijing have fallen one short of their target medal haul. The team came away with 12 medals, including five golds and broke three world records. The 22-strong team won five gold, three silver and four bronze. Christchurch swimmer Sophie Pascoe, 15, won four medals alone, including three golds. The Paralympics end on Wednesday. The New Zealand team had aimed to win 13 medals at the Games. However, chef de mission Duanne Kale says it was a good result nontheless, and the team hope to do even better at the London Paralympics in 2012.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Tararua farmer fined $25,000 for illegally taking water

A Tararua dairy farmer has been fined $25,000 for illegally taking water from a stream near Dannevirke. Kevin Harris ignored repeated warnings from the Manawatu-Wanganui Regional Council to comply with the conditions of his resource consent, the Palmerston North District Court was told. Judge Gregory Ross, who sentenced Harris, says water resources as a whole are coming under increasing stress, and the level of fine should act as a strong deterrent to others.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Gas company fizzing over Southland discovery

A new gas discovery in Southland could be worth several hundred million dollars if early estimates are correct. Exploration company L & M Petroleum has hit a core of coal seam methane gas in its first well at the Goodwin 1 exploration well drilled near Ohai. The company's chief executive, John Bay, says the first core came up from the rock fizzing with gas, an exciting development as it is the first well drilled on the western Southland site. Mr Bay says L & M Petroleum has several more wells to drill before it is possible to accurately gauge the field's commercial potential, but early estimates are that it could be a similar size to the Kupe gas field off Taranaki. He says the field could be as big as 300 billion cubic metres.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Tuesday, September 16

Council urged to reopen Marineland

Friends of Marineland is urging Napier City Council to reopen the attraction while its future is debated. It remains closed following the death of its main star Kelly the Dolphin last week. Friends of Marineland chairman Cliff Church says while it was appropriate to close temporarily for staff to grieve Kelly's death, leaving it closed will have a severe impact the region's tourism. He says says with more than 55,000 paying visitors to Marineland this year, to close the doors is not a good business practice. Napier City Council is expected to put the issue out for consultation next month.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



WHO official says dengue in Pacific has become a pandemic

The World Health Organisation is calling for more funds to fight dengue fever, arguing it has reached pandemic proportions in the Pacific. Thousands of people in the region are infected by dengue, which is carried by mosquitoes and can be fatal if left untreated. Fiji, Samoa, American Samoa, and many other nations are currently experiencing dengue outbreaks. The WHO’s Pacific representative, Dr Kevin Palmer, says the region needs to adopt a multi-sector approach to fight the disease.
© RNZI 2008



Green crude oil world first, says company

A New Zealand company says it has has produced the first samples of green crude oil at a commercially competitive price. The biodiesel, made from wild algae grown on human sewage, was a world first, Marlborough-based company Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation said. The company refined the processes it had developed to create a next-generation fuel it calls "green crude", The Marlborough Express reported. Company director Barrie Leay said green crude was a manufactured form of crude oil different from earlier generations of biodiesel. Additional food crops or agricultural land were not needed and the end product was not just a fuel but could be used in products in the same way as crude oil can.
NZPA



Panic shoppers snap up saveloys

South Taranaki shoppers have stocked up on saveloys and condensed milk amid fears the foods are to be banned. The stockpiling was sparked by a misunderstood television item. Three weeks ago, TV3 current affairs presenter John Campbell announced "the death of the sav". He did explain that saveloys and condensed milk had not been banned, but simply dropped from the basket of goods used to measure inflation, because they are no longer staple food items. Since then, New World supermarket in Hawera has sold twice as many tins of the sticky sweet milk and a third more of the red sausages. Other Taranaki stores report sales have increased 10% to 15% and Nestle says Hawke's Bay condensed milk sales also seem up.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Fashion Week gets underway

For the 8th year in a row Fashion Week returns to Auckland. The four day trade show starts this morning. Helen Clark launched the festivities at a soiree last night. Stolen Girlfriend Club designer Marc Moore says the only downside to showing is that you are too busy to attend other events. He says his "must-sees" would be WORLD, Nom*D, Zambesi and Jaeha. Stolen Girlfriend Club hits the catwalk late tomorrow night.
click HERE to go to Fashion Week desktop TV
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Red Cross workers trying to help Haiti

New Zealand Red Cross workers are continuing to establish communications facilities in cyclone-ravaged Haiti. Peter Moore and Pat Maunsell are one week into their deployment. Both are members of the Red Cross's Telecommunications Emergency Response Unit. Haiti is still reeling from the double destruction that Hurricanes Gustav and Hanna wreaked across the country late last month.
Copyright 2002 - 2008, TelstraClear Ltd



Kapiti bylaw change to allow nudists on beach

A 45-kilometre stretch of beach on the Kapiti Coast could be open for nude swimming and sunbathing under a proposed bylaw. At present, only one small section of the beach is set aside for nudists. Legal advice sought by the district council found that naked sunbathing or swimming on a beach is not considered offensive behaviour in modern society. Kapiti Mayor Jenny Rowan says bylaws banning nudists could breach the Bill of Rights Act. Submissions on changes to the beach bylaw will close on 24 October.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand



Cleric Australia's first convicted terrorist

Radical Muslim cleric Abdul Nacer Benbrika has become Australia's first convicted terrorist leader after a marathon trial was told of his plans to cause mass casualties at landmark Melbourne sites. Five followers have also been convicted of being members of his terrorist cell, which discussed bombing the Melbourne Cricket Ground on AFL grand final day and killing women and children in their pursuit of violent jihad. Another four alleged members of the group were found not guilty and walked free from court on Monday. Benbrika, 48, displayed no emotion as a Victorian Supreme Court jury found him guilty of intentionally directing the activities of a terrorist organisation and of being a member of a terrorist organisation.
Copyright © 2008 Radio New Zealand


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