Australia floods larger than France, Germany strand 200,000

(AP) — Military aircraft dropped supplies to towns cut off by floods in northeastern Australia as the prime minister promised new assistance Friday to the 200,000 people affected by waters covering an area larger than France and Germany combined. Residents were stocking up on food or evacuating their homes as rising rivers inundated or isolated 22 towns in the state of Queensland. Prime Minister Julia Gillard toured an evacuation center in the flood-stricken town of Bundaberg on Friday and announced that families whose homes had been flooded or damaged would be eligible for disaster relief payments of $1,000 per adult and $400 per child.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year from Daily New Zealand News

Fiji to import NZ cows after brucellosis

Fiji says it will import 300 cows from New Zealand next year to replace the ones lost to brucellosis and flooding at the beginning of the year. The Agriculture Ministry says part of the 800,000 US dollars set aside by government for the rehabilitation of the dairy industry will be used for the importation of these cows. FBC News says a memorandum of understanding for the importation of the cows will be signed next week. More then 300 cows were culled following the brucellosis attack on the dairy farms this year.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Pair on course to complete 365th game for charity

Two men who have played golf at a new course every day this year for charity are concluding their sporting odyssey on Friday. Michael Goldstein and Jamie Patton's last game of 2010 is at Cape Kidnappers in Hawke's Bay on New Year's Eve. The pair have played courses in New Zealand, Australia, Europe, the United States and the Middle East to raise funds for charity The First Tee, which aims to affect the lives of young people by promting character development though golf. Mr Goldstein says they have lived and breathed golf this year and it is surreal that their adventure is all but at an end. Michael Goldstein and Jamie Patton say they have raised between $35,000 and $40,000 for the charity.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Tonga PM appoints ordinary citizen as deputy

The Tongan Prime Minister, who is a noble, has appointed an ordinary citizen as deputy prime minister. Lord Tu'ivakano says he has selected two members of the nobility and nine ordinary people, or commoners, for the cabinet so far. Former Minister of Justice, Samiu Vaipulu, will be deputy prime minister. The leader of the Democratic Party Group, Akilisi Pohiva, has been appointed Minister of Health. His fellow party member, Isileli Pulu, is the Labour and Commerce Minister. As required by law, a noble is the Minister of Lands, Lord Ma'afu, while the Agriculture Minister is Lord Vaea. The Prime Minister says he is bringing Clive Edwards in as Minister of Public Enterprise and Revenue.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Quitline expects heavy demand

Quitline is putting on extra staff tomorrow to cope with an expected flurry of calls. Market Research Manager, Bruce Bassett, says normally the helpline doesn't operate on New Year's Day, but this year they think there'll be more people wanting to quit smoking as a 10% increase on tobacco tax kicks in. Mr Bassett says calls to Quitline usually increase around the New Year anyway, but the increased cost will be an added motivation for people to stop. He says a pack a day smoker spends around $4,500 a year on tobacco, which is a huge drain on the family income.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Six new knights and a dame in honours

There are six new knights and one dame in the New Year honours. Sir Bob Charles, already a knight, has been added to the Order of New Zealand, the highest honour possible. Alison Holst, a cook whose books are on the shelves of most New Zealand kitchens, has become a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. New Zealander of the year Ray Avery is a Knight Grand Companion for services to philanthropy, while Court of Appeal Justice David Baragwanath is a knight companion. Michael Hill becomes Sir Michael for his work in business and the arts, and is knighted along with Waikato businessman Bill Gallagher, writer James McNeish and Professor Tamati Reedy.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Pleasant weather for New Years Eve

A calm, settled New Year's Eve is in store for most parts of the country tonight. www.weatherwatch.co.nz head weather analyst, Philip Duncan, says while there's plenty of cloud about, rain shouldn't be an issue for most parts. "It's going to be a nice warm evening, a little wind around, a few breezes in Wellington and around Taranaki, but overall it looks like a very calm, settled evening for most places." He says popular tourist destinations are looking like the best spots to see in 2011, "Places like Queenstown people will have some fantastic weather. Nelson won't be too bad, there could be a few clouds about but hopefully nothing too bad. Taupo looks good, so does Coromandel and northern parts of Northland."
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Police warn of card-skimming scam

Police in Northland are warning of a sophisticated Eftpos card-skimming fraud which may have been used elsewhere in New Zealand. The scam involves an individual posing as a courier driver who delivers a package but demands a small payment for delivery. A shop owner in Kerikeri was targetted on Christmas Eve and several thousand dollars have since been withdrawn using a duplicate copy of the card. The offender was wearing a green shirt with the company logo NZ Transport Ltd. Three similar incidents were reported in Whangarei on Wednesday in what police say appears to be a carefully planned scam.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Mass evacuations in flood-hit Queensland

Evacuations are continuing in southern and central Queensland, which is awash with record flooding. More than 1000 people have already been evacuated reports the ABC. Up to 80% of Emerald is expected to be inundated when the Nogoa River peaks at a predicted 16.2 metres on Friday. In the city of Bundaberg, 45 homes were evacuated on Thursday and the Burnett River peaked at 7.9 metres on Thursday morning. The BBC reports the previous high water record for the Burnett River was about 7.2 metres in 1954. Some houses are nearly submerged and whole communities are isolated. In Rockhampton emergency crews have had more than 100 calls as the Fitzroy River rises and it's expected to peak at 9.4 metres early next week, a metre higher than first predicted. The cost of the damage is expected to top AU$1 billion, including big losses of sunflower and cotton crops.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Sounds residents face third day without electricity

As many as 20 homes in the Marlborough Sounds are without power for a third day on Thursday. Marlborough Lines says heavy rain and winds this week brought down power lines throughout the region. The company says about 7000 customers lost power on Tuesday morning. Operations manager Brian Tapp says there are still a few remote areas where power has not yet been restored. Mr Tapp says tourists and bach owners arriving for New Year celebrations could find more properties without power.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

National's support slips but it's still out on its own

By Audrey Young
National would have enough support to govern alone if an election were held today, a Herald-DigiPoll survey shows. In the last political poll for 2010, National has the support of 52.4 per cent of decided voters while Labour has 37.2 per cent. The Greens are the only other party above the 5 per cent MMP threshold, on 5.3 per cent. National's rating is down from the last DigiPoll survey of 56 per cent in February, and Labour's is up from 34 per cent.

New Zealand a top destination in 2011

New Zealand's luxury lodges have been singled out as one of the reasons why CNN considers New Zealand to be a top the place to be in 2011. We're second on the list of top 10 destinations, after New York. CNN consulted three travel experts who recommend New Zealand's most fantastically luxurious lodges, including The Farm at Cape Kidnappers, Huka Lodge and Otahuna Lodge. They say next year's Rugby World Cup will add excitement to an already popular destination. The Peruvian Amazon comes third followed by Barcelona and Norway.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Call to make Vitamin D tests affordable for everyone

The Ministry of Health is being urged to ensure tests for Vitamin D deficiency are priced so they are affordable for everyone. A University of Harvard study of more than 900 New Zealand children found that a deficiency of the vitamin contributes to the risk of respiratory infections. New Zealand's rate of the respiratory infection bronchiolitis is about twice that of the United States. Lead scientist Carlos Camargo says everyone needs an adequate supply of Vitamin D for all-round good health. Vitamin D comes mainly from sunlight, but Dr Camargo says with New Zealand also having a world leading rate of melanoma (skin cancer), the answer lies in taking a supplement.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

David Hasselhoff heads to New Zealand

Knight Rider and Baywatch star David Hasselhoff is coming to New Zealand next week to promote a new ice-cream. The international celebrity who inspired the saying "don't hassle the Hoff" is heading to Mount Maunganui's main beach on January 6 to promote a new Streets ice-block. The Bay of Plenty Times reports the Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club has been paid a fee to host Hasselhoff, and will offer uniformed lifeguards as security. The club plans to take advantage of the 3000-strong crowd expected by fundraising with a bucket collection.
NZPA

Stranded whale rescued near Kawhia

A killer whale (orca) was rescued after stranding itself at the estuary near the small Waikato town of Kawhia yesterday. Kawhia Constable Perry Griffin said it appears the young female orca became stuck after chasing stingrays. Griffin said a group of about 20 locals and holidaymakers helped keep the whale damp until it could be re-floated with the tide. A group of five or six other orca were swimming nearby. Griffin said it was eerie working in the water with the other orca about, but whale experts said those involved in the rescue would be fine. "Still, you don't know if a group of orca were coming at you if you'd want to stand your ground, but everything went fine and the whale was able to be re-floated and rejoin the pod," he said.
Source: ONE News

Exhibition breaks records

The Ron Mueck exhibition has attracted more than 70,000 visitors making it Christchurch's most popular paid-for exhibition since the city's first public art gallery opened in the 1930s. By 5pm on Tuesday, a record 72, 716 visitors had seen the Christchurch Art Gallery exhibition since it opened on October 2. The record had previously ben held by the Buried Army of Qin Shihuang, which showed at the former Robert McDougall Gallery in 1986 attracting 71, 345 visitors. The Ron Mueck collection of 13 uncannily life-like sculptures has attracted more than twice the new gallery's previous record of 29,000 visitors for the Cecil Beaton: Portraits exhibition. Nearly two-thirds of those going to the Ron Mueck exhibition have been from Christchurch or Canterbury, one in five have come from other parts of New Zealand and 16 per cent have been from overseas.
The Press

EQC sacks assessors for 'lack of empathy'

The Earthquake Commission has revealed it has fired assessors after claimants complained about being treated poorly. EQC chief operating officer Lance Dixon said yesterday the a small number of New Zealand and Australian loss adjusters and estimators had been sent home after not showing the expected empathy when dealing with quake victims, The Press reported Several quake-hit residents said they were in tears after their homes were inspected. Hornby resident Georgia Travis said the Australian assessors were rude and threatening and one suggested she had falsified her claim. "I was on the verge of crying while he was yelling at me," she said. Another assessor told her many cracks in her house pre-dated the September 4 quake and should not be covered by insurance, she said. The EQC had assured Travis that there was no problem with her claim. Dixon said all complaints were taken seriously, and some had resulted in dismissals.
A complaints form has been set up on the EQC website.
NZPA

Cricket - England retain Ashes

Australia's hopes of regaining the Ashes ended with England's massive victory by an innings and 157 runs in the fourth Test at the MCG on Wednesday. Set 415 to make the tourists bat again, Australia resumed on day four at 6-169 and were bowled out for 258 after the injured Ryan Harris didn't bat following the fall of No.10 batsman Ben Hilfenhaus for a duck at 11.53am. England claimed a 2-1 advantage in the five-match series to retain the Ashes. The knives will be out for the under-performing Australia captain Ricky Ponting, whose tally of 113 runs at 16.14 for the series continues his poor form, averaging 37.86 in 25 matches over the past two years. Speculation swept the MCG on Wednesday the skipper would quit. It's the first time England have retained the Ashes in Australia since Mike Gatting's side in 1986-87.
Source: AAP

Thousands ready for New Years festival

Gisborne is in a festive mood today as the Rhythm and Vines music festival gears up for its opening performances. The festival, at Waiohika Estate on the outskirts of the city, gets underway this afternoon with more than 20,000 festival goers look forward to the three days of music, lights, lasers, pyrotechnics and the dozens of acts that make up this eighth edition. After two days of warm up concerts on the beach our reporter, Murray Robertson, says party-goers are raring to go. So far police say there's been no problems and everyone's having a good time.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Kiwis want to lose weight and fatten wallet in 2011

New Zealanders' top New Year resolutions have been revealed - with shaping up and sorting finances coming in neck and neck, according to the latest Fly Buys Poll. The survey found that 58% of Kiwis plan to increase their savings in 2011 and 55% plan to exercise more. Reducing debt and waistlines tied at third place, with 49% of Kiwis wanting to do both. "Losing weight is the classic New Year resolution, but it's interesting how popular saving money and reducing debt has become. It really shows that we are in a new era of how we spend our money," Walker said. The poll also found that only one in five of New Zealanders considered 2010 to be a great year.
Source: ONE News

Oral history challenged by new research

New research, which suggests New Zealand was first colonised around the mid-13th century, is challenging some Maori oral histories, which say Maori have been here for 1000 years. History Professor Paul Moon of Auckland University of Technology says the findings, published in the American journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could impact on the debate about Maori land rights and possibly on settlements at the Waitangi Tribunal. The research, which used radiocarbon dating, shows Maori settled here about 300 years before Europeans arrived. Professor Moon says the new research throws oral histories into confusion and could impact on claims at the Waitangi Tribunal.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Military enlisted to evacuate Queensland residents

The Australian military is helping airlift all residents of the Queensland township of Theodore to safety, as evacuation operations are put into action in a number of regions across the state. Powerlines have been dismantled to allow helicopters to land and remove Theodore's 350 residents after the Dawson River passed its 1956 record of rising 14 metres overnight. Emergency services officials say the situation is dire in a number of communities, some of which are experiencing their worst floods in more than 50 years. Towns facing washouts and evacuations include Wowan, Warwick, Chinchilla, Dalby, Mundubbera, Gayndah, Alpha, Jericho, Pittsworth, Grantham, Killarney and Allora. Conditions in Emerald and Rockhampton are being closely monitored, as waters there are expected to peak in the coming days. There could also be evacuations in the next 24 hours in Bundaberg.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Clean-up begins after major storm

Councils are assessing damage, police are urging drivers to be cautious and campers are mopping up as a storm that battered many parts of the country at the peak of the summer holiday season abates. State Highway 1 is closed at the Rakaia Bridge in Canterbury and a detour is in place, State Highway 73 through Arthur's Pass is closed due to a bridge washout, and flooding has closed State Highway 6 from Renwick to Nelson. Roads on the West Coast are also closed. Caution is also advised on a number of North Island roads. Golden Bay at the top of the South Island was badly affected by the storm, particularly around the Aorere River, while in Marlborough the Wairau River has flooded. Around 40 trampers are stranded on the eastern side of the Heaphy Track in Golden Bay, due to the high river levels. The worst hit areas in Marlborough region are the Rai Valley, Canvastown, Northbank and the Marlborough Sounds. Power is out in some of these areas and many roads may remain closed for several days.
Source: NZPA/ONE News/Newstalk ZB

Death of Arts and Letters Daily creator

A New Zealand-based academic who created one of the world's most highly regarded websites has died. American-born Denis Dutton was 66. In 1998 Professor Dutton created the Arts and Letters Daily website, which had carefully selected links to essays, articles and book reviews. Denis Dutton was an internationally recognised academic, author and media commentator and was publishing right up until last year when his book The Art Instinct received widespread international praise. Up to shortly before his death, Professor Dutton was a professor of philosophy at Canterbury University.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Jump in library use since Auckland council merger

New figures show patronage at Auckland libraries rose by 9% in November, when the region's councils merged to form a supercity. There are 55 libraries in the supercity catchment area and Aucklanders do not now pay fees for reservations and the late return of children's books. The manager of libraries and information, Alison Dobbie, says borrowing of requested books increased by 67% and children and teens' borrowing rose by 10% last month. She says that may be because borrowers can choose from a larger collection and have the convenience of using facilities near where they work, go to school or socialise.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Shakes worse than original quake - GNS

The shaking in Christchurch city from the aftershocks on Boxing Day was more severe than the original earthquake in September. The quakes damaged 115 buildings. Glass, bricks and masonry lay in the streets afterwards. The strongest was magnitude 4.9 at 10.30am, at a depth of 12km. GNS Science says that although the shaking did not last as long in places, it was more violent than the original earthquake on 4 September. Dr Ken Gledhill says the shaking was so severe because the aftershocks were within 5km while the September quake was 40km away. He says clusters of aftershocks will continue for months, but will happen less often as time goes on. Twenty two quakes have been recorded since early on Sunday. Most were within 5km of Christchurch.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Cost of Queensland flooding $A600 million

Queensland Emergency Services Minister Neil Roberts says the cost of the flooding in the state is $A600 million already. The ABC reports the state government has declared a disaster in the towns of Chinchilla, Dalby, Theodore, Alpha, Jericho and Warra. Mr Roberts says the damage bill will continue to increase as councils and agencies get out and about to inspect the damage. He said "much more rain and much more flooding" are expected across various parts of Queensland. "The damage bill will be very, very extensive," he said.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Sharapova arrives for tournament

Maria Sharapova is in Auckland for the women's classic tournament. The three-time Grand Slam winner is ranked 18th globally by the Women's Tennis Association. Sharapova, 23, is the world's highest paid female athlete. Classic director Richard Palmer extra security has been enlisted to protect her. The women's tournament begins next Monday with the men's open the following week.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Pacific colonisation more recent than earlier thought

New research shows East Polynesia was colonised by humans more recently, and faster, than previously thought. Findings published in the American journal, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, show the earliest dispersal happened between AD 1025 - AD 1120 in the central Society Islands. The second wave, including to New Zealand, took place from AD 1210 - AD 1385. Previous estimates of when New Zealand was first settled, go back 1000 years. More than 1400 radiocarbon dates from 47 Pacific islands were analysed in the study.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Civil Defence on alert in Nelson

By student student - NewstalkZB
Civil Defence services have been activated in the Nelson - Tasman region in response to record flooding levels from heavy overnight rain. There are fifty-year floods on the Aorere and Anatoki rivers and the Maitai River is at a seven-year flood level. The Aorere River is running at 8.2 metres which is 0.5 metres higher than the previous maximum since records began being kept in 1977. Regional Civil Defence controller Jim Frater says it will be a difficult and damp time for campers. "We are continuing to monitor river levels closely. The forecast is for the rain to ease." Multiple road closures are in place and people throughout the region are being advised to keep away from waterways. For more information go to www.nelsontasmancivildefence.co.nz

Cricket - England consolidate unassailable Test position

Jonathan Trott's second century of the series has placed England in a virtually unassailable position after two days of the fourth Ashes Test against Australia. Having dismissed the home side for just 98 on the first day, the visitors finished the second day at 444 for five, a first-innings lead of 346. Paceman Peter Siddle took the wickets of Alistair Cook, Andrew Strauss and Kevin Pietersen to give Australia a glimmer of hope in the crucial match, and Paul Collingwood and Ian Bell went cheaply. But Trott pulled the innings together with a commanding 141 not out, the fifth century of his brief Test career; he and wicket-keeper Matthew Prior had put on 158 for the sixth wicket by the close. If England win in Melbourne they will retain the Ashes, as they need only draw the five-match series, which is currently tied at 1-1.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Head to higher ground

By KAYE ALBYT - NewstalkZB
Campers in the Nelson-Tasman region are being warned to head for higher ground with heavy rain expected tonight. MetService has issued a severe weather warning. From six o'clock tonight until 10am tomorrow, up to 300 millimetres of rain is expected about the ranges of northwest Nelson. Up to 100 millimetres will fall else where, particularly in the Bryant Ranges, north of Nelson. The rain is expected to be heavy, with downpours of up to 30 millimetres an hour overnight. River and stream levels are expected to rise rapidly and drivers may strike problems with surface flooding and poor visibility.

Tough conditions ahead for Sydney to Hobart race fleet

Updated at 12:12 pm monday
Wild Oats XI leads the Sydney to Hobart yacht race ahead of Wild Thing as the fleet prepares to face the toughest conditions of the race. Bob Oatley's boat was on track to finish on Tuesday evening, over 12 hours behind her existing mark. Wild Thing, which won line honours in 2003 as Skandia, was over 20 nautical miles behind the leader. The ABC reports all but one of the 87 starters were still racing more than 18 hours after the race commenced. Jazz Player pulled out around 8pm (AEDT) on Sunday following mainsail damage.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

SPCA over-run with unwanted animals

SPCA offices throughout the country say they are over-run with unwanted pets. In Auckland, the SPCA has been receiving more than 100 animals per day since the start of this month - the highest recorded number last week was 118 in one day. In Wellington, the SPCA is also experiencing above average drop-off numbers, with up to 35 animals left at the centre per day. Christchurch is dealing with around 30 unwanted pets every 24 hours. National SPCA chief executive Robyn Kippenberger is shocked by the numbers. She says one of the reasons for so many animals being left at this time of year, is that people go away without making alternative accommodation plans for their animals.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

526-page bill won't simplify legal system - UK QC

A leading British lawyer says a bill to simplify the criminal justice process in New Zealand is likely to do the opposite. James Richardson QC founded the Association of Commonwealth Criminal Lawyers. He says the Government's criticism of the current system as being too costly, too complex and too slow is exactly the same as was used to simplify civil procedure in Britain 11 years ago. Mr Richardson says at 526 pages, the Criminal Procedure Bill could tangle the criminal justice process in litigation for years to come, as has happened in Britain. He also says the bill also has the potential to turn the presumption of innocence upside down.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Cricket-Opening day all England's at the MCG

Australia have been humbled on the first day of the Boxing Day Ashes cricket Test against England in Melbourne, bowled out for 98 then having to watch as England easily made 157 without loss. England captain Andrew Strauss won the toss and then the day, with the hosts' vice-captain Michael Clarke's 20 the highest score for Australia. The Australian captain Ricky Ponting made just 10, but that was the fourth-equal highest score as his side recorded the lowest score against England at the MCG since 1877. Strauss is not out 64 while fellow opener Alastair Cook is 80 not out, the tourists seemingly set to retain the Ashes if they can stay on top. The series is all square at one match apiece in the fourth Test.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Still raining in Queensland

Some towns in Queensland are expected to be cut off for several days as heavy rain continues. Townsville, Mackay and Rockhampton had heavy falls in the past 24 hours, while the town of Theodore, west of Bundaberg, remains isolated. Hinchinbrook Shire deputy mayor Andrew Lancini says floodwaters are expected to keep Ingham in north Queensland cut-off for several days. Rockhampton Mayor Brad Carter says the Fitzroy River in central Queensland is also continuing to rise. Theodore, Gladstone, Baralaba and Bundaberg are expected to receive the heaviest falls on Monday. The weather bureau says south-east Queensland will be next.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Latest Christchurch quakes had big impact - police

Police in Christchurch say a series of tremors felt in the city on Boxing Day had a big impact because of their shallow depth and closeness to the CBD. The strongest was magnitude 4.9 at 10.30am, at a depth of 12km. Power was cut to around 40,000 premises, but Orion says services were restored to all of them within an hour. Road closures in Oxford Terrace and Colombo Street were lifted on Sunday afternoon. However, Christchurch City Council says a cordon remains in place in Lichfield Street, Hereford Street, City Mall and Gloucester Street between Manchester and Latimer Square. Twenty buildings are known to have been damaged.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Spies infiltrate Muslim community

The latest Wikileaks cables to emerge featuring New Zealand reveal the United States has been keeping an eye on the Muslim community here. The documents show diplomats have been looking out for signs of extremist behaviour and even visited a mosque to listen to a preacher's teaching. Though the mosque visits, quiet dinners with members of the Muslim society and meetings with Islamic scholars failed to reveal signs of a local al-Qaeda cell, the cables still warned the White House to beware of future extremism.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Cricket-Record crowd expected at MCG

A record crowd of 91,000 is expected at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Boxing Day Ashes Test against England. Australia won in Perth to level the five-match series at one-all. Australian captain Ricky Ponting will play despite fracturing a finger during his side's win in the third Test in Perth last week.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

TradeMe gift listings up

Trade Me says there's been a large jump in the number of Christmas gifts being listed for resale. Almost 12,000 items have been listed since 4pm on Saturday, an increase of 20% on last year. The most listed item is women's clothing, either because it's the wrong size or the wrong colour. Trade Me says there are also many chocolates and plenty of cosmetics and jewellery. Trade Me says people seem to be listing things quickly so they can get some cash.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Weather forecast not good

Bad weather is forecast across the country from Monday. MetService says a series of fronts are expected to move onto the lower South Island on Monday and then sweep northwards on Tuesday. There will be heavy rain on the west of the South Island from late Sunday to Tuesday, and also in the central and southern North Island during Tuesday. Severe northwest gales are likely in many areas of the North Island on Monday and possibly Tuesday.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Rugby-$210k bet placed on ABs to win World Cup

By Frances Morton
A confident punter has wagered nearly a quarter of a million dollars on the All Blacks taking out the Rugby World Cup next year. The New Zealand team may have a history of choking when it counts in the tournament, but the cashed-up mystery gambler is clearly unfazed. The £100,000 ($210,000) bet was placed with British betting agency Ladbrokes, causing the company to trim its odds to 4/5. That means that someone who bets on the All Blacks to win, at these odds, won't even double their money if they confound history and come through victorious. With New Zealand ranked as favourite, Ladbrokes has picked Australia as the next best bet, returning odds of 3/1. South Africa is rated 6/1. Georgia, Japan, Namibia and Russia share the longest odds, all on 5000/1.

Quakes waken Christchurch residents

Two nasty jolts have rattled Christchurch residents in the early hours of this morning. The first measured 4.2 on the Richter scale and happened at seven minutes past two. The second was a 3.7 magnitude shake almost half an hour later. So far there are no reports of damage although emergency services in Christchurch have taken a lot of calls. GNS duty seismologist John Ristau says there have also been several smaller and less noticeable quakes.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Taxpayers fund scheme to teach job-hunters how to scrub up

JONATHAN MARSHALL - Sunday Star Times
The Government is spending thousands to show Far North beneficiaries how to use deodorant and stand up straight - an initiative that could be rolled out nationally. The grooming-for-job-seekers scheme is being run in Northland regions Kaitaia and Kerikeri, with Work and Income New Zealand (WINZ) referring dole earners to a private company that is earning thousands for makeup, cellphone etiquette, personal hygiene and body language courses. The company billing WINZ for the service - a maximum of almost $150,000 annually - was set up by a former beneficiary using a WINZ grant. Kaitaia has an unemployment rate of 12.25% (compared with the national rate of 7.3%) and an average income of $17,250; it's a town where you have more chance of getting work as a labourer than anything else. In November there were 2684 unemployment and domestic purposes benefit (DPB) recipients in Kaitaia and Kerikeri. The course, developed last year by former catwalk model and one-time beneficiary Rachel Parsons, 40, had 76 clients go through in its first year of operation. WINZ said 28 of those found jobs.

Heavy rain in Queensland

Tropical cyclone Tasha has left heavy rain and flooding in its wake over a large part of northern Queensland. The Bureau of Meteorology says the cyclone, which made landfall on Saturday, is over, but has left behind a broad area of rain. Flooding is expected near Ingham, when the Herbert River peaks. The Weather Bureau says the heaviest rainfall is moving into Central Queensland.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Tsunami warning cancelled

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has cancelled a warning issued on Sunday morning following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake, centred near Vanuatu. The center says sea level readings confirmed a tsunami was generated, but the wave measured only 15cm higher than normal. The earthquake occurred at 12.16am local time on Sunday. The US Geological Survey said was 12.3km deep and centred 145km west of Isangel, on the island of Tanna in the Vanuatu archipelago.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Queens Message encourages sport

By Bruce Russell - NewstalkZB
The importance of sport is a focus of this year's Christmas message to the Commonwealth from the Queen. Her annual message refers to the benefits to be gained by communities taking part in sporting activities. Her Majesty says sport can relieve the tensions of everyday life. All members of the Royal Family are keen on sport. Polo has been a prominent activity for the Duke of Edinburgh and Princes Charles, William, and Harry. In her message the Queen praises those who give up their spare time to encourage children to get into games. This year's message has been recorded not at Buckingham Palace as usual but at Hampton Court Palace.

Merry Christmas from Daily New Zealand News

Daily New Zealand News is taking a Christmas break. We return tomorrow, 26th Dec.

Corby may get early release

Australian drug smuggler Schapelle Corby may be granted an early release from prison, a spokesperson for her family says. Corby is serving a 20-year sentence in Bali after being caught carrying cannabis at an Indonesian airport in 2004. Guy Pilgrim says there is a chance she may be released, or granted a reduction in her sentence, for Christmas, but says she has not been told anything yet.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Scott Base celebrates Christmas early

Christmas will be celebrated at Scott Base in Antarctica tonight. Lieutenant Commander David Washer is the Services Supervisor for Antarctica New Zealand and the senior military officer for the Defence Force. He said Christmas will be a stand down day and even the chefs get a day off. Lieutenant Washer says Christmas dinner will be held tonight with 38 people attending. But he said the aircraft with all the food for the Christmas meal was delayed so the chefs are extra busy today preparing for tonight.
Source: Newstalk ZB

Sharks basking in warmer seas

By Alexia Russell - NewstalkZB
Warmer sea temperatures could be the reason for earlier than usual shark sightings. Mt Maunganui beach was closed yesterday and hundreds of swimmers were forced to flee the water after one had a close encounter with a shark. Department of Conservation shark expert Clinton Duffy says it's not just the Bay of Plenty where sharks gather, but Manukau, Kaipara and Waitemata Harbours also have sharks at this time of the year. However, he says the animals are not as much of a problem as they are across the Tasman. "We're not likely to see shark attack statistics as they see in Australia.

Willie Telavi the new prime minister in Tuvalu

Tuvalu has a new prime minister with Willie Telavi winning this morning’s vote by the narrowest of margins, 8 to 7. This followed a no confidence motion in the former prime minister Maatia Toafa earlier this week. Mr Toafa was only elected to the post in late September, but Mr Telavi, his home affairs minister, withdrew his support. It’s reported that Mr Telavi had been promised the top position if he joined the opposition.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Sinking survivors arrive in Bluff

The bodies of five seaman and the 20 survivors from the sinking of the Korean fishing boat Insung No 1 in the Southern Ocean arrived in Bluff last night. The Insung No 1, with a crew of 42, sank in icy seas 2700km southeast of Bluff about 6.30am on December 13. Five bodies and 20 survivors were found by nearby fishing ship No 707 Hongjin, while 17 crewmen are lost at sea. Insung No 7 was carrying the bodies of two Koreans, two Indonesians and one Vietnamese. It was not yet known how the ship sank but the vessel's owner has said it sank within 30 minutes, possibly after hitting an iceberg. Police would interview survivors today as part of a coroner's inquiry, Inspector Olaf Jensen said.
NZPA

US envoys were bullies: Clark

By Audrey Young
Former Prime Minister Helen Clark says concerns by the US Embassy over the screening of Michael Moore's film Fahrenheit 9/11 for a Wellington Central Labour Party fundraising event showed "outright bullying" and "unprofessional" conduct by officials. And former Defence Force chief Sir Bruce Ferguson says the embassy staff member who linked New Zealand's humanitarian mission to Iraq to deals for Fonterra in one of his diplomatic cables must have been "smoking dope". The cables are among the 1500 from New Zealand which have been part of 250,000 US diplomatic cables from around the globe leaked by WikiLeaks.

Earthquake ravaged street reopens

A Christchurch street has finally reopened after being shut for more than three months following the Canterbury earthquake. The turning lane at the intersection of Hereford and Manchester Street was blocked off while the earthquake-damaged Manchester Courts building underwent demolition. Mayor Bob Parker says it's great to see the cordon pushed back. "It's been a very frustrating, very difficult demolition process. It's impacted on businesses in Manchester St and it's impacted on the lives of a lot of people in that area. So every step forward is going to be very well-received."
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Pilgrims scaling 'holy mountain'

Twenty-four followers of The Aetherius Society will scale Mt Wakefield in Aoraki Mt Cook National Park today as part of a sacred pilgrimage. The journey commemorates a climb undertaken by the group's spiritual leader, the late Dr George King on Christmas Eve 1960. Dr King came back from his journey with the belief that the rock on the slopes of Mt Wakefield had become 'charged,' making the mountain one of 19 holy mountains in the world. The Aetherius Society, which was founded in 1955, believes that UFOs will help the earth to enter the New Age.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Last minute Christmas rush underway?

By Alexia Russell - NewstalkZB
Retailers' much hoped for Christmas rush today could well be taking place. Shoppers who have left it until the last minute to cater for Christmas dinner have been streaming into shops since they opened early this morning. Strawberries, chocolates, alcohol and bakery items are popular and queues at checkouts are growing.

Meerkats arrive at Hamilton Zoo

Hamilton Zoo has welcomed some new arrivals just in time for Christmas. Four meerkats have arrived at Hamilton Zoo from Auckland Zoo making them the first of the species to ever be housed in the city. Hamilton Zoo director Stephen Standley said the gang, Chiku, Chima and Themba, and Nuru, is settling well into their new home. "Our team worked closely with staff from Auckland Zoo to make sure everything was in place for their arrival and as a result their transfer went extremely smoothly. The group seem very content with their new surroundings and are making themselves right at home," said Standley.
Source: ONE News

Final storm before Xmas

MetService has issued a severe weather warning for tomorrow as the last cold front before Christmas moves quickly across the country. Spokesman Bob McDavvit says the front is likely to bring a brief return of stormy conditions to southern and central New Zealand with rain on the West Coast and northwest gales in the east from Otago to Hawke's Bay, including Wellington. Most of the bad weather should have passed in time for a relatively fine Christmas Day. "The west and far south of the South Island might see more cloudy than clear skies, though, with westerlies and the odd shower. Overall, there's a perfectly timed day or two of settled conditions." However it turns to custard again for many areas on Boxing Day, with heavy rain and strong winds predicted from late Sunday through to Monday and Tuesday.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Weather patterns lead to mass bird deaths

Thousands of seabirds are expected to die this summer as a result of unusual La Nina weather patterns. The Department of Conservation (DOC) said penguins, petrels and other seabirds were already dying in large numbers and the summer weather was likely to cause the deaths of thousands of birds. The La Nina weather pattern led to a reduction in fish stocks on which they fed, DOC vet Kate McInnes said. Dead penguins had been washing up on northern beaches for several weeks and autopsies had shown they starved to death. "Its not just penguins. All seabirds are struggling to feed their chicks or get into breeding condition as a result of the La Nina climate pattern," she said. "It's sad but it's a natural event. It all points to a lack of small fish on which all these species depend to raise their chicks. Grey-faced petrels, sooty shearwaters and gannets have all been affected. Ms McInnes said the La Nina weather event was the biggest event of its type since 1975 and characterised by stationary anticyclones east of New Zealand bringing calmer weather in spring. She said the calm seas reduced the feed for fish which went elsewhere, reducing the fish and food stocks for the birds.
NZPA

Swearing-in cold shoulder upsets media

The new government in Tonga is under fire for failing to invite all media to cover the swearing in of Prime Minister Noble Tu'ivakano at the king's private residence. Just state-controlled media, the Matangi Tonga website and the Taimi O Tonga newspaper were invited. The editor of the Kele'a newspaper, which has strong links to pro-democracy leader Akilisi Pohiva, was one of those not allowed to cover yesterday's event. Mateni Tapueluelu says the excluded media operators are upset because they thought attitudes would be different now the country is supposedly more democratic.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Ham is Kiwi's favourite Christmas dinner

Ham will take pride of place on the Christmas table for most Kiwis on Saturday. The latest Fly Buys survey shows that for 30% of New Zealanders, ham is their favourite Christmas dinner. Turkey is in second place at 19%, followed by lamb at 14%. The survey has also found Christmas tastes are changing with 10% of people picking seafood as their favourite Christmas meal.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Warning issued over Papua New Guinea boat protests

The Australian Immigration Department has warned a group of Papua New Guineans against crossing Torres Strait as part of a campaign to be given Australian citizenship. Papua Australia Plaintiff United Affiliates wants Australia to recognise that Papuans were not given a choice to remain as Australians when PNG became independent in 1975. Its leader Jonathan Baure says 120 people in 12 dinghies have left Daru Island for the 150 km trip to the Australian mainland. He says another 20 boats are set to leave the island in the coming days. Australian authorities say the group could face a range of enforcement measures, including interception by Customs and Border Protection, the seizure of their vessels, refusal of entry and removal from Australia.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Carter astronomer dismisses famous UFO sighting

An astronomer who worked at the Carter Observatory when the country's most famous UFO sighting occurred has dismissed it as a weather event. The New Zealand Defence Force on Wednesday released about 2000 pages of reports from the past 60 years including witness accounts of sightings. The most significant documentation is of the 1978 Kaikoura incident in which a television crew captured footage of a cluster of bright lights off the coast. But Allan Gilmore, who was an astronomer at the Carter Observatory then, says the lights were the result of an unusual weather pattern which caused irregular radar reception and many mirage events. Mr Gilmore has investigated many possible UFO sightings since and says none was credible.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Maori focus for campaign against shaking babies

A new campaign warning parents not to shake babies has a particular focus on Maori. A Starship paediatrician, Patrick Kelly, says 20 babies a year are admitted to hospital with serious injuries from shaking. Four or five will die and the others are likely to have permanent brain damage. And for every reported incident, Dr Kelly told Waatea News, there may be as many as 150 other cases. The problem, he says, is particularly serious among Maori. Dr Kelly says mothers need to be wary of leaving their babies in the care of men who have a tendency to lose their tempers.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Kayak adventurer notches up 1000km

Tim Taylor has notched up almost 1000-kilometres on his epic attempt to become the first person to complete a solo circumnavigation of New Zealand in a kayak. The 24-year-old winemaker started his journey 25 days ago near his Tauranga home in the Bay of Plenty on the North Island, and by Wednesday had paddled 937-kilometres to Cape Palliser, at the bottom of the North Island. Taylor has been paddling for about 12 hours each day, before coming to shore to set up camp for the night. Along the way, he has been followed by dolphins and has spotted seals swimming around him.
Source: AAP

New solution to avoiding traffic

A new traffic system has been launched by the AA to help motorists beat congestion. The real time system provides motorists with information on traffic flows for all state highways and arterial roads across New Zealand. "There's been nothing like this in New Zealand to date," said AA traffic spokesman Phil Allen. "Up until now we've only ever done traffic event data, which means telling people about incidents and accidents. This now tells you about the actual travel, the flow on the actual roads." Traffic flow and congestion information is updated every five minutes using data collected from thousands of vehicles around the country. The data is processed and published on the AA's website and TomTom navigation devices. If a road is green, then traffic is flowing freely; orange means it is moderately slow, red means very slow and black indicates traffic is at a standstill.
Source: ONE News

TVNZ to launch new channel for 15-24s

TVNZ is to launch a new channel targeted at 15 to 24-year-olds next year. The new channel, which will also have an online element, will be a commercial operation and will replace the current advert-free TVNZ6. Meanwhile, news and factual channel TVNZ7 will stay publicly funded and advert-free until at least mid-2012. It will take on some of TVNZ6's current shows including programmes for young children. A name for the new channel will be announced early next year and the changes will take effect in March.
Source: ONE News

Free WiFi in Niue from next month

The free broadband WiFi service on Niue should be rolled out to the last of the island’s 14 villages in January. The company Rocket Systems, which provides support systems for the service administered for the people of Niue by the charitable foundation, IUSN, says it’s expanded the network to three more villages this year. The company’s owner Emani Fakaotimanava-Lui says the final four villages should be online by January, despite the difficulties of connecting the service to tiny remote villages. He says they’ve also been increasing bandwidth by installing a second satellite dish, which is improving the service for businesses.
© Radio New Zealand International

Enrolment for adults tightens

O GILBERT - The Press
Adult students seeking admission to Canterbury University next year are facing extra scrutiny. Vice-chancellor Rod Carr said the university had started meeting first-time applicants aged over 20 and without university entrance qualifications. "We are sitting down with them in advisory meetings to make absolutely sure Canterbury University is where they should be in 2011," he said. The 20 to 25 age group is attracting special attention as it has had a disproportionately high failure rate at Canterbury.

New geothermal plant approved

A new geothermal power plant near Taupo, which will produce enough electricity to power almost 250,000 houses, has been granted resource consent. Contact Energy's Tauhara Two project will collect hot geothermal water and steam from around Mount Tauhara and feed it to a 250 megawatt power station. The application for the $1 billion project was sent directly to a Board of Inquiry, following changes to the Resource Management Act in 2009, allowing such projects to be fast-tracked. Environment Minister Nick Smith says the consent approval is a timely decision which will help New Zealand achieve the goal of 90% renewable energy by 2025.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Camping a popular holiday choice

Camping is proving to be a popular choice for holiday-makers this season. Many holiday parks around the country are reporting strong bookings through to the end of January. Holiday Parks Association chief executive, Fergus Brown, says there are good numbers of New Zealanders booking in and people staying for quite a good length of time. He says most of the beach parks are pretty full but there are some spaces available for people who have left it to the last minute.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Kiwi kids spread cheer at Heathrow

Kiwi kids have spread a little Christmas cheer to those stranded at Heathrow. The combined choir of Westlake Girls' and Boys' High Schools in Auckland have been touring Europe for three weeks. Brian Wilson's daughter's on the trip, and he told Newstalk ZB the students had to wait outside the terminal at Heathrow for three hours, in sub-zero temperatures, so "they thought they would sing Christmas carols to cheer up all the angry and frustrated travellers that were out there." And the reaction was said to be positive, drawing the attention of media covering the Heathrow delays. The students made it on to a flight and are on their way back to New Zealand.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Divisive imam leaves NZ, denying he preached jihad

MICHAEL FIELD
A senior imam of New Zealand's biggest mosque has left for his Pakistan homeland strongly denying he taught jihad or holy war in the four years he was in this country. Imam or mufti Abdul Qadir Siddiquei said he was leaving New Zealand having cleared his name of allegations made against him. "I am not a terrorist, I do not believe in terrorist things," he said just before leaving on a Bangkok-bound flight yesterday. He said he was of the Islamic Sufi branch and its members were being killed in Pakistan by terrorists. He denied he was being forced out of New Zealand with his large family. Last Thursday night, police intervened in tense scenes at Auckland's Jamia Musjid Al-Mustafa mosque as about 200 Muslims battled over Mufti Siddiquei.

Defence lifts lid on Kiwi X-files

STACEY WOOD - The Dominion Post
Thousands of secret files on New Zealand's UFO reports are set to be made public, nearly 32 years to the day after our most famous sighting. The files include every witness account of unidentified flying objects reported to authorities since the early 1950s, including the 1978 Kaikoura mystery. They had been held by Archives New Zealand, which was to make them available in February after requests from the public, but the Defence Force stepped in, saying it needed to remove personal identification to comply with the Privacy Act. The Defence Force promised to release the files by the end of this year and is due to make them public this week. More than 2000 pages of files will be issued in 12 volumes.

Clark laughs off US spy cable

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark has laughed off a leaked US diplomatic cable suggesting that United States spies on senior United Nations officials such as herself. The cable, issued by Wikileaks, revealed that the US was seeking to obtain intelligence on UN officials, including credit card details. Miss Clark, who now heads the UN Development Programme, says senior UN officials enjoy diplomatic immunity, and the organisation takes a dim view of such matters. But, she says, her life is an open book and has been for sometime.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Tuvalu’s parliament dissolved after no-confidence vote

Tuvalu’s parliament was dissolved yesterday after a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Maatia Toafa was successful, by a slim majority. The motion was passed in Tuesday’s session of parliament after Foreign Affairs Minister Willy Telavi crossed the floor. A Radio Tuvalu news editor Silafaga Lalua says the majority vote 8 to 7 among the 15 MPs was unexpected. “It really did come as a surprise especially with just over two months of this new governemnt and nobody expected it to be like this.”
© Radio New Zealand International

Technology helping newborns

Advanced technology is providing new mothers with more up-to-date information about their babies. Plunket has teamed with Microsoft to introduce new software and applications to improve how it serves new mothers. The software is now up and running, allowing Plunket staff to get information like birth weight and height to where it's needed in real time. Microsoft spokesperson Claire Deevy says originally that would have taken up to four weeks filling out and faxing forms.
Ed note: Plunket is the largest provider of support services for the development, health and wellbeing of children. These services are available free to New Zealand families. They also have an excellent website. CLICK HERE to visit.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Niue leader says NZ diplomats too dominant for Niue

Niue’s premier, Toke Talagi, says interference from diplomats in Wellington is a key factor in holding the island back. A New Zealand parliamentary committee report, which says Niue is fragile and economically unviable, has called for major changes in the relationship. The committee says 40 years of aid has produced little, the public service is too great a burden and having 20 MPs is an abuse of trust and responsibility. Mr Talagi contends the island is viable and will be more so with a flourishing tourism industry. But he says foreign affairs officials in Wellington are stalling progress. “That has been part of the problem we are faced with. We have business plans, great. [But] who actually does the rationalising in Wellington. It isn’t the Department of Tourism, it isn’t the Department of Fisheries for fisheries issues, it isn’t even the Department of Economic Development. It is the diplomats.
© Radio New Zealand International

US businessman's $1m gives rare birds a chance

The Department of Conservation plans to re-establish colonies of rare seabirds in Hawke's Bay, thanks to a major financial grant from an American businessman. Julian Robertson, who established the largest privately owned wildlife sanctuary in New Zealand on Cape Kidnappers station, has donated almost $1 million to DoC for the project. DoC Hawke's Bay Manager Jan Hania says half the money will be used to relocate Cook's, grey-faced and mottled petrels from offshore islands to a predator-free sanctuary inland from Lake Tutira. He says money will also be spent on developing breeding populations of threatened species such as kiwi, kaka, kokako and kakariki, in selected sites across Hawke's Bay.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Record number of visitors from China

The number of Chinese people visiting New Zealand last month was the highest ever for the month of November. Statistics New Zealand says Asian visitors are offsetting a slump in those coming from Europe. Almost 15,000 people from China came for short-term visits in November, exceeding the previous high three years ago. Annual visitors from China surpassed 120,000, but Radio New Zealand's economics correspondent says that's still below the previous peak of 125,000, set two years ago. Overall, the annual number of visitors from Asia is above 450,000, up nearly 15% on a year ago. But the number of visitors from Europe, who tend to stay for longer, fell by 4% to 462,000.
Overall, the annual number of visitors from Asia is above 450,000, up nearly 15% on a year ago. But the number of visitors from Europe, who tend to stay for longer, fell by 4% to 462,000.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Rugby-Wallabies to open 2011 against Samoa

The Wallabies will play their first afternoon Test on Australian soil for six years when they host Samoa at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on July 17. The return to a daylight Test, with a 2pm kick-off, was announced today as the season opener in a year when the Wallabies will also campaign for a third Rugby World Cup title in New Zealand over September-October. ARU boss John O'Neill said the early kick off initiative for the Samoan Test was aimed at ensuring the rugby community could welcome the start of the international season in a family-friendly atmosphere. "Having a Sunday afternoon kick-off for the first time since 2005 is designed to give families a real opportunity to enjoy a day out at a Test match, the first in a World Cup year, he said.
Source: AAP

Technology helping newborns

Advanced technology is providing new mothers with more up-to-date information about their babies. Plunket has teamed with Microsoft to introduce new software and applications to improve how it serves new mothers. The software is now up and running, allowing Plunket staff to get information like birth weight and height to where it's needed in real time. Microsoft spokesperson Claire Deevy says originally that would have taken up to four weeks filling out and faxing forms.
Ed note: Plunket is the largest provider of support services for the development, health and wellbeing of children. These services are available free to New Zealand families&They also have an excellent website. CLICK HERE to visit.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Cherries split in Marlborough and Hawke's Bay

The rain has spoilt Christmas for cherry growers, splitting the fruit in many orchards in Marlborough and Hawke's Bay. Marlborough grower Bernie Rowe says the season was looking to be the best it had been in years, but the rain has now spoiled it. He managed to harvest 70% of his crop before the rain came, but says what is left on the trees has split and softened. Central Otago, the biggest cherry growing region, is not affected. Growers there say the crop still looks to be a bumper one this season.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Noble Tu’ivakano elected Tonga PM

The Noble Tu’ivakano is Tonga’s new Prime Minister after winning with 14 votes in the 26-member parliament. The other candidate, ’Akilisi Pohiva of the Friendly Islands Democratic Party, won 12 votes. The Interim Speaker, Lord Tevita Tupou, made the announcement to the House which was carried live on Radio Tonga. The result was made public after he had returned from informing King George Tupou V who, under the constitution, had to be the first person to be advised of the outcome of the vote. Lord Tupou informed the House that the King will officially appoint the Prime Minister designate tomorrow.
© Radio New Zealand International

Baby boom at Waitakere hospital

There is something of a baby boom in Auckland. The maternity unit at Waitakere Hospital in Henderson had its busiest day ever last Thursday: 24 babies were delivered there in 24 hours. The hospital says the norm is seven births per day. Waitemata District Health Board says it has no explanation for the number of births, but speculated that hot temperatures may have had something to do with it. The board says December as a whole has been busy.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

All that glitters may not be white gold

Shoppers are being warned they may be disappointed with jewellery made out of white gold. The Commerce Commission says it's common practice for white gold to be rhodium coated, to enhance the colour and provide a scratch resistance surface. But enforcement manager Greg Allan says it deteriorates within 12 to 18 months and may need regular re-plating. He says the commission has no problem with it being coated in rhodium, but the buyer should be told so they can make an informed choice whether to buy it. He says retailers risk breaching the Fair Trading Act if they don't tell consumers about the implications of rhodium plating.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Online Citizens Advice a hit

The Citizens Advice Bureau has gone virtual launching a website for client enquiries. It's already attracting up to 12,500 visits a week, with that number growing by 15% a week. CEO, Kerry Dalton, says there was a spike in client enquiries in 2008 when the recession first struck, and demand hasn't let up since. She says people are struggling with redundancies, employment issues and are in need of emergency food assistance. Ms Dalton says the next step is to introduce an online chat function where a bureau interviewer can communicate directly with anyone, anywhere in the country.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Multi million dollar cruise berth in Lyttleton

A $13.7 million purpose-built cruise berth is going to be built at the Port of Lyttelton next year. More than 70 cruise ships are forecast to visit in the 2011/12 season, resulting in an estimated $32 million injection into the Canterbury economy. The development will be funded by a passenger development levy as agreed by the Port, Cruise New Zealand, and cruise lines to New Zealand.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

NZ to maintain police presence in East Timor

The Government says New Zealand will maintain its police presence in East Timor, even if the United Nations scales back its police mission there. The UN could halve its presence, from its current level of 1500 officers, including 10 from New Zealand. But Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully says a request by East Timor for New Zealand police officers to remain has been approved in principle, even though it will mean the cost falls on New Zealand, rather than the UN.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Full lunar eclipse expected tonight

The man in the moon may seem to blush on Tuesday night. A full lunar eclipse is expected to turn the moon a reddish hue as it rises. The phenomenon happens only about twice a year and sky watchers hope the weather will be clear enough for them to enjoy it. Astronomer Alan Gilmore from Canterbury University's Mount John Observatory says those living on the east coast should get the best view, but the weather could block out the display completely.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Some UK flights get through

Winter weather in parts of Europe has eased sufficiently for an Air New Zealand flight to take off from Heathrow airport in London. Flight NZ-One to Auckland via Los Angeles departed on Monday night (NZT), about 20 hours later than scheduled. Many other flights are still cancelled. Two other Air New Zealand services have landed in London in the past few hours. One flew via the United States and the other via Hong Kong. Another Auckland-bound Air New Zealand plane is also due to leave London on Tuesday morning. However, about 120 Air New Zealand passengers stranded at Los Angeles, have been told it could take up to 10 days to get a flight to London.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Lonsdale Cup for Silver Ferns

The Silver Ferns netballers have been awarded the Lonsdale Cup for 2010. The Silver Ferns gold medallists after the women's netball final at the XIX Commonwealth Games in Delhi. The Lonsdale Cup is the New Zealand Olympic Committee's most prestigious award. It goes to the athlete or team that has made the most outstanding contribution to an Olympic or Commonwealth Sport each year. The Silver Ferns were named this year's recipient after their win in double extra time against Australia in the final event of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Two Australian soldiers wounded in Afghanistan

Two Australian soldiers have been wounded in separate bomb blasts in Uruzgan province in Afghanistan. The ABC reports the Australian Defence Department as saying that both incidents, involving improvised explosive devices (IEDs), occurred on Sunday while the men were on patrol in the Baluchi Valley region. It says one soldier is in a serious condition with blast and fragmentation wounds, while the other is said to be in a satisfactory condition with suspected internal injuries. Both soldiers, who were from Australia's Mentoring Task Force Two, are being treated in the Kandahar medical facility.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

NZ Post inundated with letters to Santa

New Zealand Post says it's a record year for Santa letters. In the last few weeks things - in its words - have gone a bit bonkers, with more than 125,000 letters pouring in. The communications manager for New Zealand Post, John Tulloch, says Santa's elves are working furiously to reply to each one. He says some of the requests make them laugh - such as the one from Jack the dog's owner asking for breath freshener and some tennis balls to chase - and one or two are quite moving, such as the one from a prisoner asking for a drug-free 2011. Mr Tulloch says the deadline has now passed for people to write and get a reply from Santa before Christmas.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Severe weather warnings pre-Christmas

Rain and galeforce winds are set to batter many parts of the country over the next few days. A severe weather warning has been issued for the central and lower North Island and parts of the south. A cold front is expected to sweep across the central and southern areas, bringing heavy rain and gale force winds over the next two days. A further 60 to 80mm of rain is expected in the already sodden Bay of Plenty before 9pm tonight. Heavy rain is forecast to fall in Mount Taranaki, the Tararua ranges, Nelson, Marlborough Sounds, Buller, Westland, Fiordland, Canterbury and Otago from later tonight until Wednesday. The MetService says trampers and climbers in those areas should prepare for severe weather conditions on Tuesday, with gale force winds in the mountains and very heavy rain. It warns that rivers could rise very quickly especially near the Southern Alps.
Source: ONE News

Commission website now live

The official website for the Royal Commission on the Pike River Coal Mine Tragedy is now live. The Royal Commission is chaired by Graham Panckhurst - a sitting High Court judge, based in Christchurch. Justice Panckhurst says the website will provide a range of information including details about the terms of reference, the commissioners, contacts and hearings. The website is www.pikeriver.royalcommission.govt.nz
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Cricket-Wright replaces Greatbatch as Black Caps coach

The former Test opener John Wright has been appointed coach of the New Zealand cricket team, replacing Mark Greatbatch, who has been sacked less than a year into the job. Wright, who has previously coached the Indian national side, will take up the job immediately. His first Black Caps assignment is a Twenty20 game against Pakistan in Auckland on Boxing Day. Greatbatch has been appointed chairman of a new selection panel that no longer includes captain Dan Vettori.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Where is New Zealand's cheapest home?

New Zealand's cheapest house in the past year was sold in Southland town Mataura for $7000 while the most expensive was an Auckland mansion, which went for $15 million, according to Quotable Value (QV). A Kana St home, complete with 1012sq m section, sold for $7000 last December while a home in the upmarket Auckland suburb of Remuera was snapped up for 2143 times that in May. It is the third year in a row Mataura has claimed the unofficial cheapest house title, with another Kana St home selling for $7500 in February last year and in 2008 a Hope St home sold for $5000.
NZPA

Latest-UK travel at your own risk - airlines

People wanting to fly to Britain are still being advised that travel is at their own risk, with airlines unable to guarantee their flights will get to London. Snow storms have closed the main airports there - Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted - with scores of flights cancelled, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers. Air New Zealand says two flights left on Sunday night, but warns that if weather conditions do not improve, passengers may get only as far as Hong Kong and Los Angeles. Qantas says it's awaiting an update from Heathrow, which is expected shortly, before deciding whether its scheduled flights for London will leave Australia on Monday.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Prime Minister a popular drinking partner

It appears John Key is the person New Zealanders would most like to ring in the New Year with. The Mud House wine survey asked who people's preferred choice would be to share a glass of wine and a chat. Nearly one in three selected the PM, then men went for All Black coach Graham Henry and women went for actor Robyn Malcolm. TV star Jaquie Brown is the next popular choice.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Floods wreak havoc in Australia

Two consignments of food, water and other supplies are on the way to flood victims in the towns of Carnavon and Gascoyne Junction in Western Australia. The worst flooding in 50 years has stranded the two communities. Supermarkets are already out of basics like bread and milk. 120 people - many of them tourists - spent last night bedding down in an evacuation centre. A rare monsoonal trough, similar to those seen on the sub-continent, is to blame.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

IRD gets tough on student-loan debtors

AMANDA FISHER - The Dominion Post
Inland Revenue will make an example of selected student-loan absconders living overseas, who are collectively $191.4 million in repayment default, under new provisions that allow the immediate recall of their entire debt. Though no student has been prosecuted for outstanding debt, the IRD would look at making about 10 test prosecutions in the new year against "serious non-compliers" in Australia. Previously, debtors were liable only for outstanding loan repayments, but a new provision, in a supplementary order paper last week, would allow the IRD to recall the entire balance of their loans. Overseas borrowers, who are expected to make regular loan repayments unless they opt for a three-year repayment holiday, have a collective debt of more than $2 billion. Student loan borrowers forfeit interest-free provisions when they go overseas, taking on 6.6 per cent interest annually.

Mums advised not to delay births

The federal government in Australia has asked obstetricians not to help pregnant women who are trying to put off giving birth to qualify for paid parental leave. The ABC reports the scheme begins at the start of the new year and allows eligible parents to access up to 18 weeks pay. Families Minister Jenny Macklin says she has asked the Royal College of Obstetricians to ensure mothers are putting their baby's health ahead of any financial benefits. "The number one consideration I'm sure for the mothers, I'm sure for the obstetricians concerned, certainly from my point of view is that we have healthy mothers and healthy babies," she said. Ms Macklin says mothers who give birth before January 1 may still be able to get the baby bonus.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

London airport closures disrupt Air NZ travellers

More than 700 Air New Zealand travellers flying to and from England have had their Christmas travel plans disrupted due to bad weather closing London's Heathrow Airport. NZ1, which was due to depart London at 1545 on Saturday (UK time) for Auckland, was cancelled. About 370 passengers on NZ2 from Auckland via Los Angeles to London are stuck in Los Angeles until Heathrow Airport re-opens. Heathrow Airport says there will be no flight arrivals there on Sunday and it "will only manage a handful of departures as it prepares for a full re-opening tomorrow". Thousands of travellers were stranded at Heathrow overnight, and hundreds at Gatwick. The heavy snow and icy conditions are affecting airports right across the UK, and in Germany, France, Italy and the Netherlands.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Australians wait to be rescued as flood waters rise

Roads into the town of Carnarvon have been cut off by floodwaters, which are expected to peak there sometime on Sunday evening, despite the rain easing. The ABC reports 15 people have already been rescued from the roof of a property near Gascoyne Junction, and another 15 people stranded on a roof were expected to be flown out on Sunday afternoon. Two police helicopters and a plane are being used in the rescue of the residents who have been stranded for more than 20 hours. Authorities are also expected to rescue six people stranded at Yalgoo, east of Geraldton.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Academy to be attached to new stadium

Dunedin City Council has voted to attach a new Academy of Sport for the South Island to a new sports stadium for the city. The council is budgeting for the project to cost no more than $3.6 million. All councillors, bar one who abstained, supported the decision. Sport & Recreation New Zealand will contribute $1 million. The Academy of Sport South Island says 250 athletes train at the existing academy at Logan Park every day. Chief executive Kereyn Smith says attaching the new premises to the indoor stadium will bring even more athletes to the area.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

National's lead in the opinion polls intact

The National Party goes into the Christmas break with its commanding lead in the opinion polls intact. In the latest One News Colmar Brunton poll, National recorded 55% party vote support compared with 33% for the Labour Party. Support for the Green Party has dropped to 4.5% in this poll, down from 8% in September. New Zealand First scored 3.1% and the Maori Party 2.2%.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Farmers get early Xmas gift

By Bruce Russell - NewstalkZB
Farmers in Northland and some other dry parts of the North Island have got the best early Christmas present they could hope for. There has been steady rain in many areas, helping start to replenish very dry soils. Northland Rural Support Trust co-ordinator Julie Jonker says it has been a decent soaking. She says if there is some follow-up rain, it means farmers can hopefully worry less about the drought. Julie Jonker says it has certainly improved the amount of feed available to farmers. But the dry Waikato has missed out on the rain.

Leave the passport at home

By Abby Gillies
Kiwis can now go for an ocean cruise without having to find their passport. P&O's newest cruise liner, the Pacific Pearl, is the biggest to be permanently based in New Zealand. After a refit in Singapore, the 63,500 tonne liner cruised into Auckland yesterday morning to berth at Queens Wharf. As well as Pacific and Australian cruises, passengers can board the ship for three-night trips in local waters, showing only their driver's licence to buy a $579 ticket. "It's the first time we've done it in New Zealand," said P&O New Zealand manager Shannon Currie. "It gives the opportunity for people who don't own a passport to go on holiday with their family," she said. The first three-night voyage will leave on January 27.

Two mountains named after NZ scientists

By Paul Harper
Two previously unnamed South Island mountains have been named after two of New Zealand's most famous scientists. The New Zealand Geographic Board has named two prominent mountains in the Kepler Mountains in Fiordland after Beatrice Tinsley and Sir William Pickering. Mt Pickering is a 1650m mountain 20km west of Te Anau and Mt Tinsley is 1537m and 15km west of Te Anau. Dr Pickering was the director of Nasa's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena and led the development of US unmanned space exploration, including the first US satellite, Explorer 1, the first successful American around-the-moon probe, Pioneer IV, the Mariner flights to Venus and Mars in the 1960s, the Ranger photographic missions to the moon and the Surveyor lunar landings of 1966-67. Dr Pickering died in 2004 aged 93. Dr Tinsley's thesis Evolution of Galaxies and its Significance for Cosmology contributed largely to the astronomical understanding over how galaxies change over time and formed the basis for contemporary studies of galactic evolution.
Dr Tinsley died in 1981 aged only 40.

Superliner arrives in Auckland

New Zealand's first superliner has berthed in Auckland. The Pacific Pearl is now at Queens Wharf, following a multi-million dollar refurbishment in Singapore. P & O Cruises spokeswoman, Sandy Olsen, says Pacific Pearl sailed into the harbour around 6am this morning. "She weighs over 63,000 tonnes and is almost 250 metres long. Pacific Pearl's the biggest ship ever to be home ported from Auckland", she explained to Newstalk ZB. The Pacific Pearl will depart for her maiden cruise on Wednesday.Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Cricket-Rampant Australia poised to square Ashes series

The Australian cricketers look set to level the Ashes series after posting a big second-innings lead on day three of the third Test against England in Perth. Mike Hussey produced a sparkling century at the WACA to propel Australia's second innings to 309 and set England a mammoth 391-run chase with two days to play. Then Australia's pace bowlers destroyed England's top order after tea, leaving the tourists teetering at five for 81 chasing 391 for a now unlikely-looking Ashes-sealing victory. Hussey's 116, as his batting partners fell like dominoes, was the highlight of the day after opener Shane Watson again fell short of a century, out lbw for 95. England lead the five-Test series 1-0.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

More sharks spotted in Bay of Plenty

Warm waters are bringing more sharks closer to the shore in the Bay of Plenty. Campbell Carter from the Big Fish in Mt. Maunganui says bronze whaler sharks like to sunbathe in the shallow water. He says there's no need to panic if a shark is spotted but he is warning people against provoking them.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Fire ban in Southland

Months of sparse rainfall have forced Southland to declare a total fire ban. It'll be enforced from 8am Saturday morning. Principal Fire Officer Mike Grant says it means no one can light fires in the open and also stops people burning rubbish, using incinerators or cooking outdoors with open braziers, the only exception is for gas barbecues and cookers in properly constructed containers, and in safe areas. He says significant rain is needed over an extended period before the ban can be lifted. All existing fire permits have been suspended.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

NZ 'flirted' with China to curb US

TRACY WATKINS AND PHILIP DORLING - The Dominion Post
The former Labour government was seeking to curb American and Australian influence in the Pacific by courting China and France, United States embassy officials believed. The explosive claim is contained in a secret cable from the United States embassy in Wellington to senior Bush administration officials titled: "What we could not say in the mission programme plan", and obtained by Fairfax Australia journalist Philip Dorling from WikiLeaks. In the same cable, it is claimed that New Zealand's anti-nuclear legislation was driven as much by a desire to cut costs as ideology. "We have been told by retired [government of New Zealand] officials who were in senior positions in the Lange government at the time the anti-nuclear policy was instituted that one of the considerations favouring the policy was that it would lead to New Zealand withdrawing or being pushed out of Anzus, thereby lessening the country's defence spending requirements at a time of fiscal and economic crisis." The anti-nuclear legislation was the catalyst for a decades-long standoff between New Zealand and the US. Subsequent cables reflect a noticeable warming in the relationship during the Clark years and the National Government.

New hot pools to open next week

MARC GREENHILL - The Press
A $7.5 million Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve extension will open next week. The 4600-square-metre development at the Hurunui District Council-owned complex includes a second water slide and a reconfigured freshwater pool. A proposed outdoor ice-skating rink was scrapped in April after tenders indicated a $2m budget blowout. Pools general manager Graeme Abbot said yesterday that construction was behind schedule, but he expected the new features would be ready by Wednesday.

'Expensive paperweight' fired after Facebook posts

VICTORIA ROBINSON - The Dominion Post
A former Social Development Ministry employee landed in hot water after posting a Facebook description of herself as a "very expensive paperweight", "highly competent in the art of time wastage, blame-shifting and stationary [sic] theft". The Employment Relations Authority in Auckland this week refused to uphold a complaint from Tania Dickinson, 34, that she was unfairly dismissed from her role as a prison reintegration case manager at Work and Income's Kawakawa service centre. Ms Dickinson's Facebook page also included her favourite quotation: "hey boss, can I go home sick???". The Facebook postings would not in themselves have warranted Ms Dickinson's dismissal but, combined with her past behaviour, the ministry was justified in its actions because management could not trust her, Ms King said. Last week Ms Dickinson was sentenced to four years' jail in Whangarei District Court for setting fire to her former girlfriend's home.

Kiwi women better off than Australians

Kiwi women are enjoying a greater level of equality than their Aussie cousins; They're rated fifth in the world, compared to Australia's 23rd. Maori women are also taking up tertiary studies more than their Pakeha sisters, however Women's Affairs Minister, Hekia Parata, told Newstalk ZB the Maori figures have to be put into perspective. "We still have nearly half of maori girls leaving school without an NCEA 2 qualification", she explained. "But those that do leave with the qualification are participating at a tertiary level at a far faster rate than was the case before." The level of Kiwi women in the paid workforce is high, ninth in the OECD, but there's still under representation in top jobs.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Australian police closing on Christmas Island people smuggler

Australian Federal Police working in Indonesia are reported to be closing in on the people smuggler who put passengers on the boat that was wrecked off Christmas Island on Wednesday morning. So far 30 bodies have been recovered from the sea after the boat broke up and sank in heavy seas. Forty-two people have been rescued from the wreckage but there is little hope of finding more survivors. But the Indonesian Government is reported to be saying there was no criminal element to the disaster. Police told reporters the accident occurred in Australian territory, so it is not the responsibility of Indonesia to investigate. The smuggler has been identified as an Iranian man who is based in the Indonesian capital Jakarta. He was first identified by the ABC earlier this year during an investigation into people smuggling. The ABC is withholding the name and image of the man until he is in custody.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Support for teen dads welcomed

By Jacqui Stanford - NewstalkZB
A counselor who works with teenage fathers is welcoming Government moves to help them. Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has unveiled a booklet for teen dads as part of a $700,000 package of support. Family therapist, Ron Hepworth, says his organisation, Changeworks, has run pilot schemes for young fathers, and found the best way forward is positivity. "It's about supporting them, giving them information and allowing them to draw upon the potential that they already have", he told Newstalk ZB. He says teenage dads have had far less of a profile than teenage mothers, which is unfortunate as they're an essential part of a family, not only to their children, but for the support of mothers and their wider families.

Survey suggests majority experience no crime

A newly-released survey by the Ministry of Justice finds the majority of New Zealanders are not victims of crime, and feel safe in their communities. The findings have been published in the second New Zealand Crime and Safety Survey. The survey of more than 6000 people, found that about 64% of New Zealanders experienced no crime at all in 2008, but that 6% of New Zealanders experienced 54% of all crime. The findings show the most common crimes were assaults, threats and property vandalism. Those who were victims of crime were likely to be young people, from a Maori or minority ethnic group or living in low income areas.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

NZ’s Foreign Minister to visit Cook Islands to meet new PM

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, will travel to the Cook Islands today to meet new Cook Islands Prime Minister, Henry Puna and his recently appointed Cabinet. Mr McCully says New Zealand and the Cook Islands have a particularly close relationship, underpinned by extensive personal links and our shared citizenship. He says the visit will include discussions with the new government on a range of issues affecting our two countries, and New Zealand’s programme of development assistance in the Cooks.
© Radio New Zealand International

'Granny nannies' a popular choice

By Natasha Burling - NewstalkZB
A survey out today shows over half of preschoolers get formal early childhood education. The figures come from an updated version of the New Zealand Childhood Survey 2009 which reveals informal care is also common for pre-schoolers. School-aged children are more likely to get informal care than attend a formal care facility and grandparents are the most common providers of informal care for both preschoolers and school-aged children. Labour market statistics manager, Peter Gardiner, says this confirms anecdotal evidence that grandparents are a popular choice for informal care.

Tonga’s new inter island ferry sets sail

Tonga’s new inter island ferry, the MV ’Otuanga’ofa, set sail last night with over 100 passengers on its first voyage to the outer islands of Ha’apai and Vava’u. The CEO of the Friendly Island Shipping Agency, Vaka’uta Pola Vi, told Matangi Tonga Online he’s pleased the ferry is finally sailing. The ferry, which replaces the Princess Ashika which sank last year, has been tied up at the wharf for two months after arriving from Japan because due to upgrade work on the ship and also crew selections. The MV ’Otuanga’ofa is expected to arrive at Pangai today before departing for Neiafu and returning back to Nuku’alofa tomorrow.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Travel card to be used in Auckland

Aucklanders will soon have their own intergrated travel card to use on buses, trains and ferries around the region. Auckland Transport will introduce the Snapper card early next year for the bus network. It is expected to include trains and ferries in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. About 150,000 people are using the travel card in Wellington.
Copyright © 2010, Radio New Zealand

Report suggests changes for deaf education

A report for the Ministry of Education has recommended major changes to the education of deaf children. The report says most of the nearly 3000 deaf children in the education system have cochlear implants or hearing aids and only about 300 use a form of sign language. However, it says all deaf children could benefit from sign language, even if they are also learning to speak. Kelston Deaf Education Centre chief executive David Foster says the report captures the importance of fulltime education in New Zealand Sign Language. Mr Foster says about 800 children really need education through sign language and three-quarters of them are not getting it fulltime. The report also recognises the importance of putting them in classes with other deaf students.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Fiji regime says no surprise in NZ spy revelations

Fiji’s interim government says cables revealing the New Zealand government spied on the military are no surprise. The news website Stuff reports Wikileaks cables show New Zealand has been using its Waihopai communications base to spy on Fiji’s military, passing the intelligence to the United States. New Zealand officials have always denied that they were spying. However, the cables allegedly point to the Government Communications Security Bureau being capable of listening in to Fiji mobile phones. Fiji’s permanent secretary for information, Sharon Smith-Johns, says the revelation hasn’t angered the regime, because it was common knowledge.
© Radio New Zealand International

Shipwrecked asylum boat carrying 'up to100 people'

The Australian Government now says up to 100 people may have been on an asylum-seeker boat which broke up on rocks at Christmas Island. Twenty-eight people, including several children, are now known to have died in the tragedy, the ABC reports. Another 44 are confirmed to have been rescued from rough seas near Flying Fish Cove. Witnesses described watching helplessly from nearby cliffs as the wooden boat, thought to be carrying people from Iran and Iraq, broke up on the coastline of the Indian Ocean island on Wednesday morning. Rescue crews were to preparing to resume a search on Thursday, though Australian Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the seas were very rough and the safety of rescue personnel was the first priority. The ABC said two seriously injured women, in their 20s, were flown to hospital in Perth.
Copyright © 2010 Radio New Zealand

Review of 111 system to begin

A review of the 111 emergency call system is about to begin. It follows outages earlier this year and Communications Minister, Steven Joyce, says it'll ensure a framework is put in placed to accommodate changing technologies, practices and structures. He says it'll also clarify who's responsible for the delivery of the service and each of its component parts. He's expecting a discussion document will be ready for public consultation by the June quarter of next year.
Copyright 2002 - 2010, TelstraClear Ltd

Elton John performance announced

Singer-songwriter Sir Elton John is the first major act booked for Dunedin's controversial new roofed stadium. The $200 million stadium is expected to open in August and will host Rugby World Cup games before the concert at the end of the year. It will be Elton John's first South Island visit for two decades. Promoter Phil Sprey said fans would be delighted to hear Sir Elton was coming back to the South Island for the first time in 20 years. Dunedin Venues chief executive David Davies was thrilled with the announcement.
The Press

Anniversary of First Four Ships' arrival

NICOLE MATHEWSON - The Press
The Friends of Ferrymead group are celebrating the 160th anniversary of the arrival of the first four ships in Lyttelton today with a shipwreck-themed Victorian supper. Sailing for over three months from England, the Charlotte Jane anchored at Lyttelton at 10am on December 16, 1850, followed by the Randolph at 3.30pm. The Sir George Seymour anchored at 10am the following day and the Cressy arrived on December 27. The ships brought about 800 people to populate the new settlements of Lyttelton and Christchurch. Friends of Ferrymead president Martin James said about 40 people, dressed in ``Victorian finery'', would gather for a traditional Victorian supper, sea shanties and games.
See The Press' dedicated website on the First Four Ships: www.firstfourships.co.nz

Wine by-product found to make a great sunscreen

By Jessica Rowe
Marlborough's sauvignon blanc grapes may have produced their cheekiest bottle yet. Researchers have found the grape seeds make an excellent sunscreen lotion, to protect the skin from the sun's harmful UV rays. Marlborough produces the bulk of the country's sauvignon grapes - once the wine's been made, there's an abundance of grape seeds left over. New scientific findings show the wine by-product is highly effective at preventing UV rays that harm the skin. "This is a really, really exciting result because this is the first time, this has a protective effect against UV right down at the very protein level," says Dr Jolan Dyer.
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