The school encompasses five research centres that are at the forefront of increasing expertise and understanding of the impacts of alcohol, tobacco, illicit drugs, non-communicable diseases such as asthma, industrial and occupational diseases and cancers, as well as health issues that impact most severely on particular populations groups, such as Maori and Pacific Islanders.

The centres all focus on research but also provide supervision for doctoral students and others seeking postgraduate qualifications.

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More significantly, the proportion of internet users using broadband has risen to 82% by September 2009, up from 67% in 2007, with dial-up use declining.

The finding indicates there must be a lot of sharing going on.

The most recent data released by the Commerce Commission, after polling telcos and ISPs, found that New Zealand had 981,000 broadband connections, as of June 2009 - a 7% increase over the past half year.

That works out to 23 broadband connections for every 100 people, putting New Zealand in the middle of the OECD’s rankings.

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Cabinet has signed off the roll-out and work is expected to start on the infrastructure early next year.

The Government is providing $48 million towards the $300m cost and will put a levy on the industry to deliver the rest.

Telecom says its earnings will be hit by costs of $56m a year, and its shares have plunged to a record low.

Federated Farmers chief executive Conor English said last night the Government’s plan was “progress in the right direction” but it was just the first step.

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The New Zealand Energy Quarterly, published today by the Ministry of Economic Development, said diesel demand rose to 27.5 petajoules (Pj) in the December quarter from 26.2 a year earlier. Petrol demand was up 2 percent to 28.8Pj.

“This diesel demand increase may well indicate a significant rebound in economic activity as it follows two quarters where consumption was well below the previous year’s level,” the report said.

“The commercial vehicle fleet and also off-road uses in agriculture, mining and construction is responsible for most of New Zealand’s diesel use.”

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The World Internet Project survey also reveals Asian New Zealanders have the highest level of internet usage in New Zealand.

Broadband usage leapt to 82 per cent by September from 67 per cent in 2007, as the number of Kiwis on slower dial-up connections dropped to 16 per cent from 31 per cent.

How New Zealand compares with the 27 other countries surveyed will not be known until the end of the year at the earliest, but 2009 figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development put the number of broadband accounts in New Zealand at 22.8 per 100 people – about average.

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Communications and information technology minister, Steven Joyce, said: “As a result of this plan we are confirming today, 97 percent of [rural] households will have access to broadband services of at least 5Mbps with the remainder reaching at least 1Mbps. For many remote and not-so-remote rural areas this will be light years ahead of where they are today.” …

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ATII bought the shares at NZD 1.00 (USD 0.70) apiece, or the par value of its stocks, with internally generated capital, it informed. The balance out of PFNZ’s 2 million outstanding shares is by Henry Studholme, who is acting as trustee for HC & JW Studholme Trust, Philippine Daily Inquirer reports.

New Zealand’s second main smoked salmon processing company, PFNZ, is the first venture of ATII apart from its core tuna business. This acquisition will grant the tuna giant a controlling interest in a thriving brand in the profitable regional market,Business World reports.

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“New Zealand is very appealing for corporates, especially internationals, with its favourable exchange rate, ‘safe’ reputation and excellent venue and accommodation infrastructure,” says Alan Trotter, CEO Conventions & Incentives New Zealand (CINZ).

“This year the MICE market is showing promising signs of recovery and New Zealand is looking to build on that opportunity, with both the local and international markets. While Australia remains our biggest overseas market we are looking further afield to attract business from North America, Asia and India.”

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As New Zealand industries evolve, employers are looking for IT professionals with new and varied skills sets. This conference is significant as it will encourage further collaboration between the tertiary education and commercial sectors to ensure the skills shortage gap is addressed.

“The conference is aiming to ensure that future programmes and courses at MIT match industries need for multi-skilled employees both within NZ and internationally,” says Brett O’Reily, CEO for NZCIT. …

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Communications and Information Technology Minister Steven Joyce said that the majority of rural homes will gain access to speeds up to 5Mbps, with speeds for more remote areas expected to sit around 1Mbps. Schools will achieve higher speeds under the plan, which aims to provide 97 per cent of schools with at least 100Mbps. The remaining 3 per cent of schools would be able to access speeds of at least 10Mbps. …