Entertainment
Humour: Have a last laugh for 2011
What happens when you have: 1) nothing to do 2) a sharp knife 3) a large lime 4) a patient cat 5) too much tequila 6) and it’s football season? Scroll on down
Month: December 2011
World
Death of Kim Jong-Il
The death of Kim Jong-Il is a major development in North Korea and potentially for the wider Asian region. The Korean peninsula is among the world’s most heavily armed regions, and a potential flashpoint. North […]
New Zealand
The safety and protection of children must come first
Social Development Minister Paula Bennett today released the Ministerial Inquiry into the abuse of a nine year old girl and other matters relating to the welfare, safety and protection of children in New Zealand. “The […]
New Zealand
Big earthquake rattles Christchurch again
A magnitude 5.8 quake has struck in the sea near Christchurch…at a depth of only 8km. There are reports of minor injuries, and ground liquefaction, but the biggest impact is psychological. The tremor also continues […]
Australia
Chinese man jailed for attempting to import pseudoephedrine – 16 December 2011
A 21-year-old Chinese national, Mr Jie Wang has been sentenced to two and a half years imprisonment for the attempted importation of two kilograms of pseudoephedrine into Victoria. In July 2011, Customs and Border Protection […]
New Zealand
NZ, Norway to work on Antarctic preservation project
Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the Norwegian Government’s decision to work with the New Zealand Antarctic Heritage Trust on the Cape Adare preservation project. Following a bilateral meeting with Mr Key today, Norwegian Prime […]
New Zealand
21st Century IT System for Immigration
A significant Government investment in Immigration New Zealand’s IT system is a further step in increasing immigration’s contribution to the economy, says Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman. Dr Coleman today announced the Government is contributing $75 […]
New Zealand
Prime Minister welcomes Royal visit
Prime Minister John Key has welcomed the news of a planned visit to New Zealand by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall next year. “I am pleased New Zealand will be able […]
New Zealand
UK Green Police raid home of climate blogger, seize computers
British police have raided the home of a climate sceptic blogger and seized his computers, in the wake of the Climategate 2.0 scandal that broke late last month. The story has been confirmed by US-based […]
New Zealand
Natural insect sprays may be as toxic to children as lead paint – Study
“Natural” insect sprays may be as dangerous to children as lead paint By Ian Wishart Insect spray dispensers have become ubiquitous in homes around New Zealand and Australia – we all use them, and ads […]
New Zealand
Chris Kahui attempts to block Coroner’s report release
Lawyers for Chris Kahui have filed proceedings for a High Court judicial review of the Coroner’s report into the deaths of his twins. Preview copies of the Coroner’s report have been released to affected parties […]
New Zealand
Minister Offers Condolences on Death of Journalist
Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman says he is shocked by the sudden death of Radio New Zealand journalist Phillip Cottrell over the weekend. Dr Coleman today offered his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of […]
Investigate
Defeated Cunliffe keeps options open on further leadership tilt
Defeated Labour Party leadership contender David Cunliffe told journalists today he was throwing his full support behind new leader David Shearer, but with the implied proviso, ‘for now’. “I am pledging complete and total support […]
New Zealand
David Shearer wins NZ Labour leadership
Former UN official David Shearer is the new leader of the New Zealand Labour Party, with Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson as his deputy. Shearer was considered the favourite with the public, and after news […]
New Zealand
National-Maori Party Accord and Agreement announced
National Party Leader John Key today announced the Relationship Accord and Confidence and Supply Agreement negotiated with the Maori Party, which focuses on lifting Maori achievement. “I am pleased with this agreement with the Maori […]
New Zealand
Key’s cabinet lineup revealed
Prime Minister John Key today announced the incoming National-led Government’s new Ministry. “National’s line-up is a very strong one, with a mixture of fresh talent and experience,” says Mr Key. “There has been a revamp […]
New Zealand
Nats and Maori Party sign agreement to govern
National-Maori Party Accord and Agreement announced National Party Leader John Key has confirmed a Relationship Accord and Confidence and Supply Agreement negotiated with the Maori Party, which focuses on lifting Maori achievement. “I am pleased […]
New Zealand
New Kopu Bridge opens
The official opening of the new Kopu Bridge today will come as a huge relief to both holiday motorists and those who rely on the route more regularly, says Transport Minister Steven Joyce. “Work on […]
New Zealand
Durban climate treaty draft packs world government punch
By Christopher Monckton of Brenchley in Durban, South Africa, for Climate Depot DURBAN, South Africa — “No high hopes for Durban.” “Binding treaty unlikely.” “No deal this year.” Thus ran the headlines. The profiteering UN […]
New Zealand
Norwegian Prime Minister to visit New Zealand
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg will arrive on Sunday for a six-day visit to New Zealand and Antarctica, Prime Minister John Key announced today. Prime Minister Stoltenberg is visiting Antarctica as a guest of the […]
New Zealand
UK Air Passenger Duty hike disappointing – PM
Prime Minister John Key today expressed his disappointment at the British Government’s announcement overnight of an increase in passenger duty for air travellers to New Zealand. The British Government has announced that the UK Air […]
New Zealand
First of new NH90 helicopters arrive for RNZAF
Two new NH90 helicopters will arrive at Ohakea at 9.30am, after being airlifted from France on board an Antonov AN 124 transport aircraft, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp said today. “These helicopters will provide a quantum […]
Uncategorized
Emissions trading to fund Europe govt bailouts?
New reports tonight suggest taxes imposed on NZ households in the name of climate change could be raided to bail out debt-ridden foreign governments and banks. Australia and New Zealand have announced plans to synchronise […]
Climate Change
NZ, Australia sleepwalk to climate suicide
By Ian Wishart New Zealand and Australia have gone against the world trend by promising to beef up their emissions trading schemes at a bilateral meeting in Durban. Both nations have taken a drubbing in […]
New Zealand
NZ public sector tops world integrity list
State Services Minister Tony Ryall says New Zealanders will be proud their public sector continues to lead the world in integrity. Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2011 was released today and New Zealand is […]
New Zealand
One in three New Zealanders believes in little green men
ONE IN THREE NEW ZEALANDERS BELIEVE IN UFOs A third of New Zealanders (33%) believe that Earth has been visited by UFOs from other planets, according to a new poll by UMR Research. – 34% […]
New Zealand
RNZAF chopper replacements arrive
Two new NH90 helicopters have arrived at the ROyal New Zealand Air Force Ohakea base today, after being airlifted from France on board a Russian Antonov AN 124 transport aircraft. “These helicopters will provide a […]
New Zealand
Immigration scandal sinks David Cunliffe’s leadership hopes
Labour party leadership hopeful David Cunliffe could find his hopes for the top job sinking for the same reason Shane Jones didn’t stand – their links to a major immigration scandal. Cunliffe – now standing […]
Investigate
Bryan Bruce gets critiqued
TV’s Investigator Bryan Bruce is left facing questions as his latest book “Jesus: The Cold Case” gets a critical pasting. We investigate the legacy of the Rena oil spill, follow THE HUNT, re-investigate the Schapelle […]
New Zealand
Immigration scandal sinks David Cunliffe’s leadership hopes
Labour party leadership hopeful David Cunliffe could find his hopes for the top job sinking for the same reason Shane Jones didn’t stand – their links to a major immigration scandal. Cunliffe – now standing […]
New Zealand
Minister saddened at loss of DOC ranger
Minister of Conservation Kate Wilkinson says she is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Department of Conservation ranger William MacRae in a helicopter crash overnight. “My thoughts and condolences are with his partner, family […]