Daily New Zealand News

Joint cabinet meeting to take place today

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 13:12:49 PST

The second ever joint cabinet meeting between New Zealand and Australian ministers will be held in Melbourne today. The first was held in Sydney in 2009 and it's understood today's meeting will see an agreement reached to make it a regular occurrence. Better data sharing of people's information, a push by New Zealand to make it easier for Kiwis to get residency across the Tasman, climate change and the economy are all on today's agenda.
© 2012 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Thousands of NZers could get Australian residency

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:11:05 PST

Prime Minister John Key has signalled up to 100,000 New Zealanders living in Australia could be made permanent residents of that country. He says a change in policy being considered by Australia could result in up to 100,000 New Zealanders being made permanent residents of that country.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand

Plans for regulating therapeutic products

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 23:06:29 PST

The first steps are being planned for a new trans-Tasman body to regulate therapeutic products. Over a five-year period, the Australia New Zealand Therapeutic Products Agency will replace both Medsafe and its Australian counterpart. Ministers have today met in Melbourne and decided to get an information website with advice on adverse reactions to medications up and running by the end of June. They also agreed that the current bodies will over the next 12 months deliver a common recalls portal and early warning system for therapeutic products.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd

3000 people turn out for The Hobbit casting

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 21:17:48 PST

Police estimate about 3000 people turned out on Saturday afternoon for a casting for Sir Peter Jackson's movie The Hobbit. The casting caused a back-log of traffic and some trouble on State Highway 2 in the Belmont area in Lower Hutt which led to the film's production company closing its doors early. The film's production company, 3 Foot 7, was expecting about 1200 people to turn out for Saturday's casting. Those who didn't make it into Saturday's casting session and are still hopeful can apply online.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

Cricket - NZ Black Caps dismiss Zimbabwe

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:55:28 PST

The Black Caps (NZ) have dismissed Zimbabwe for their lowest ever total in test cricket. Zimbabwe's been rolled for just 51 on day three of the one-off test in Napier, in reply to New Zealand's 495 for seven declared. The Black Caps seamers, Chris Martin, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell and Tim Southee, took two wickets each, while Daniel Vettori also chipped in with a wicket. Malcolm Waller top scored for Zimbabwe with 23 and was the only batsman in his side to reach double figures. The 51 eclipses Zimbabwe's previous worst of 54, achieved against South Africa in 2005. The Black Caps have enforced the follow-on.
© 2012 NZCity, NewsTalkZB

Summer snow hits Central Otago

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:53:07 PST

By Adrien Taylor
Central Otago's erratic summer has struck again, with a wintry blast that left behind snow-capped mountains. Temperatures around Queenstown began plummeting last night from the mid-20s and fell down to sub-zero in some parts this morning. Local children could not wait to get among the rugged Central Otago ranges, coated with a layer of snow. It is the second freak dumping in just two weeks. The unseasonal snowfall caught mountain bikers ready for sunshine unprepared, but their only complaint was not bringing a snowboard and skis. The weather forecasters say residents’ wishes for warm weather tomorrow are set to come true.
3 News

Record dairy production gives rise to unexpected trade surplus

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:39:31 PST

By HAMISH RUTHERFORD
Record dairy production led to New Zealand running an unexpected trade surplus at the end of 2011, a sign of continued overseas demand, despite fears of a meltdown in key markets. Statistics New Zealand said exports climbed 4.3 per cent in the three months to December 31, boosted by a double-digit increase in dairy products being shipped overseas. Imports were slightly lower than economists had expected, meaning New Zealand recorded a trade surplus of just under $700 million in the December quarter, and a $1.1 billion surplus for 2011. Statistics NZ said New Zealand had now recorded trade surpluses in seven of the last eight quarters.
- © Fairfax NZ News

NZ dollar predicted to rise further

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:36:01 PST

The New Zealand dollar is continuing to appreciate and some analysts say it could fly higher in the next week if a resolution is reached on the Greece's debt talks. The kiwi broke a three month high on Thursday against its US counterpart after the US Federal Reserve said it would keep interest rates low until the end of 2014. Investors reacted by selling the greenback and buying up the kiwi because of its higher yields. By Friday morning the New Zealand dollar had risen above US82 cents, its highest level since September.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand

Maori children over-represented in drowning figures

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:34:10 PST

Water Safety New Zealand says it's a huge disappointment that such a high number of pre-school children, half of them Maori, drowned last year. Last year 123 people died in the water, the worst toll since 2003. Seven of the 14 victims aged under five were Maori. He says Asian, Maori and Pacific ethnic groups are all disproportionately represented in drownings, with Maori making up 20% of the total number of deaths.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

NZer may be unplanned crew member on errant yach

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:32:00 PST

The fugitive Norwegian yachtsman Jarle Andhoey is now headed for Antarctica on his yacht, Nilaya, with a New Zealander who may be onboard by mistake. Mr Andhoey is trying to find traces of his support vessel, Berserk, which sank last February with three crew, during his bid to reach the South Pole. The adventurer has told a Norwegian Broadcasting Service journalist via satellite phone that Immigration Service staff boarded the Nilaya, in Auckland harbour last Monday and told him he was to be deported. The journalist, Tormond Strand, told Radio New Zealand Mr Andhoey said to him the vessel then left in a hurry, taking a Maori man, who had been repairing an anchor and did not have time to get off. "Andhoey didn't know that he was still on the boat but he discovered this when they were setting off from the harbour. They couldn't then go ashore again and they said to me that this man is happy to be on the ship."
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand

PNG leader wants early poll to solve power struggle

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:30:00 PST

The Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, Peter O'Neill, says he will move to dissolve parliament next month and go to early polls to end the current political impasse. The veteran politician, Sir Michael Somare, claims to be the legitimate prime minister based on last month's Supreme Court ruling. But key institutions have opted to keep backing Mr O'Neill as the head of government and he has the backing of the majority of MPs. Mr O'Neill came to power after Sir Michael was ruled to have missed too many sessions of parliament, while he was out of the country receiving medical treatment.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand

Cricket - Play abandoned in Napier

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:10:40 PST

Rain in Napier means there will be no further play on day two of the one-off cricket test between New Zealand and Zimbabwe. The teams left the field for an early lunch with the hosts 392 for five in their first innings - and play's now been abandoned for the day. The Black Caps captain Ross Taylor was forced to retire on 122 after suffering a calf injury. It's Taylor's sixth test century. BJ Watling and Doug Bracewell are the batsmen - Watling is on 52 and Bracewell 11 after a near miss - he was dropped at short cover when he was on just two.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

Govt to install Crown Observer at council

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:07:28 PST

By Newstalk ZB staff - NewstalkZB
The Government is installing a Crown Observer at the Christchurch City Council. The announcement comes following an hour-long meeting between Ministers Nick Smith and Gerry Brownlee with warring councillors. Council CEO Tony Marryatt has also just announced he's going to turn down his $68,000 pay rise.

Teens to face tougher driving test

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:37:11 PST

Source: ONE News
The practical driving test for young drivers is about to get a lot harder. The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has been working for several months to develop a longer and more challenging restricted driving practical test. The move aims to improve the safety of novice drivers as part of the Safer Journeys road safety strategy and the new test will come into effect on February 27. The NZTA says "a substantial amount" of supervised practice will be needed to pass the harder test. Chief Executive Geoff Dangerfield said the more challenging test has been designed to encourage learner drivers to clock up 120 hours of supervised practice before they sit the test.
Source: ONE News

NZ able to weather financial shocks, says Bollard

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:24:33 PST

The New Zealand economy has the resilience to weather the twin shocks of the European debt crisis and the Canterbury earthquakes, Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard says. In a speech to the Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce in Christchurch, Dr Bollard said economic events abroad are having an impact on export prices, currency and funding of New Zealand's foreign debt. However buffers are in place to ensure the banking system has adequate access to funding, meaning the country is better prepared than it was before the 2008 global financial crisis. Dr Bollard said New Zealand was in the fortunate position of being able to rely on the insurance sector to fund most rebuilding of Christchurch following the earthquakes.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

Kiwis warned of risk in PNG

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:25:01 PST

New Zealanders are being warned that there is "some risk" to their security in Papua New Guinea due to growing political unrest. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has advised New Zealanders to limit travel around Port Moresby after soldiers loyal to ousted Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare raided barracks in the capital. The ministry has updated its travel advice as political tensions may increase over the next few months with elections scheduled in June.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd

Russia's foreign affairs minister to visit

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:23:18 PST

Russia's foreign affairs minister will arrive on Monday for a two-day visit as the relationship between the countries gets closer. Sergey Lavrov will meet with John Key and his counterpart Murray McCully - the pair will sign a plan to formalise increased cooperation between the countries over the next two years. Mr McCully says the visit comes at a high point in New Zealand-Russia relations, with three rounds of Free Trade Agreements completed and other initiatives in the pipeline.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd

PM and ministers head to Australia for talks

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:12:01 PST

Prime Minister John Key and several of his ministers fly to Melbourne on Friday for joint talks with their Australian counterparts, as economic turmoil in Europe threatens the trans-Tasman economic recovery. Mr Key says the ministers will hold a joint Cabinet meeting on Sunday and top of the agenda will be discussions about how the two countries can manage the economic threat. Finance Minister Bill English, who will also hold talks with Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan, says close economic integration with Australia is helping New Zealand through tough economic times. Mr English says ministers will talk about how the two countries can respond to the economic turbulence, and continuing efforts to harmonise the two economies is part of that.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

Italian officials seek advice after Rena disaster

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 02:27:41 PST

Environment Minister Nick Smith says agencies in Italy working on the Costa Concordia disaster have been in contact for advice following this country's experience with the Rena grounding. The Italian cruise liner sank off the Tuscan coast earlier this month. Dr Smith says how this country responded to the Rena grounding is being recognised overseas. "I have had contact from agencies in Europe who are openly impressed at the response to the Rena disaster, and sought advice about some of the steps that have been taken, particularly around both the oil spill and the wildlife recovery effort." Dr Smith says the information will help the Italians deal with what is ahead for them when the recovery operation starts on the cruise liner.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

Riot police to Julia Gillard's rescue

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 01:56:14 PST

Police have had to bundle Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition leader Tony Abbott away from a rowdy protest in Canberra. The protesters were angry about comments Mr Abbott made earlier on Thursday about the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. The Prime Minister stumbled as she was rushed to an awaiting vehicle and was helped up by security officials who were confronted by the protesters. It appears the mob was incensed by remarks made by Mr Abbott earlier in the day in which he said he thought it was probably time to reconsider the relevance of the Aboriginal Tent Embassy, the ABC reports. About 200 protesters gathered outside a restaurant near Old Parliament House where Ms Gillard was handing out medals to emergency services representatives. The two leaders, protected by police and security officers, escaped out a side door after about 20 minutes. Ms Gillard says she is angered that indigenous activists disrupted an awards ceremony to honour emergency services representatives.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand

Auckland population to hit 1.5 million mark next week

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:11:39 PST

Auckland's population will be pushed over 1.5 million next week, Statistics New Zealand says. And it's likely that will be a literal push, with the 1.5 millionth person likely to be a new baby. "The 1.5 millionth person could be a migrant coming from overseas or from within New Zealand but it is most likely to be a new baby," population statistics manager Andrea Blackburn said. "That's because births add more than net migration to Auckland's population growth." Auckland boasts the fifth-highest population in New Zealand and Australia, below Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth but above Adelaide.
- APNZ

Malaysia beef trade starts to recover

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:57:34 PST

The beef trade to one of New Zealand's important Muslim markets, Malaysia, is starting to recover after being largely blocked for six years. Malaysian religious authorities delisted New Zealand beef processing plants in 2005 after deciding that their halal slaughtering practices didn't comply with their requirements. But the Ministry of Agriculture (MAF) says the trade is gaining momentum again with 14 plants now approved to process beef as well as sheepmeat for Malaysia, under a new halal certification agreement.
Copyright © 2012 Radio New Zealand

Much demand for NZ property by French Polynesians, says agent

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 19:54:39 PST

A New Zealand company supporting overseas investors into the country says there is huge interest from French Polynesians wanting to buy property in New Zealand. The company Domaines which helps foreigners buy property in New Zealand is holding a real estate fair in Tahiti this weekend to meet potential investors. Its founder Jean-Michel Hauter says up 500 French Polynesians invest in New Zealand properties each year.
News Content © Radio New Zealand International

Lonely Planet encourages support for Chch

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:11 PST

Travellers are being encouraged to support the rebuild and re-emergence of Christchurch, by Lonely Planet. The travel bible has released its new chapter on the earthquake-hit city as a free online download. Travellers are advised to eat amid the emerging Addington restaurant scene and listen to the best up-and-coming bands at the new Dux Live and Darkroom. The guide refers to such figures as the cost to repair the Arts Centre and maps showing the current central city red zone, and it talks about the resilient attitude of the locals.
Copyright 2002 - 2012, TelstraClear Ltd

NZ milk powder exports to China keep rising

noreply@blogger.com (NZ News) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:52:52 PST

Trade figures show New Zealand whole milk powder exports to China continue to grow, despite China reducing its demand for imported powder. New Zealand increased its market share for whole milk powder in China to 93% last year. China spent $US1.19 billion on whole milk powder imports last year, along with $US456 million dollars on skim milk powder imports. They increased by 47% last year. New Zealand also supplied more than half of that product.
Copyright © 2012, Radio New Zealand