Today's Top Scoop Stories - News Summary

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New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark provides a wrap-up of the most significant achievements at the Pacific Islands Forum in Nadi, Fiji. She says the Forum was successful despite a tense beginning highlighted with the clash between Australia, Solomons, Papua New Guinea. To hear what was achieved on a regionalised Pacific, NZ's labour scheme for Pacific peoples, and security moves, see…

Scoop Audio: Helen Clark Summarises Pacific Forum 2006. [1] ALSO:

Audio: Selwyn Manning On BBC - The Australia/Melanesia Stoush. [2]

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Fisheries: Minister Urges Public Not To Lift Crays, Paua -

[1] - Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton has today launched 'Poaching is Theft', a joint initiative between the seafood industry, government and recreational fishers, which aims to raise public awareness about the impact of the theft poaching of paua and rock lobster (crayfish). "Everyone is entitled to their fair share of these resources and everyone can play their part to ensure the sustainability of New Zealand's valuable fisheries. See... Anderton launches Poaching is Theft campaign [2]

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- Speaking at Barnardos New Zealand’s Annual General Meeting today, Children’s Commissioner, Dr Cindy Kiro, outlined her vision for New Zealand children and a proposal to archive this through the introduction of a systematic approach to monitoring child development and supporting families. “My vision is that every child in New Zealand is safe, nurtured, educated, healthy, and has hope for the future,” said Dr Kiro. See... Children’s Commissioner details future vision [1] ALSO:Barnardos - Barnardos celebrates a successful year [2] Family First - Kiro’s proposal ignores parents [3]

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- Archives New Zealand today released a review of its systems and processes for managing Ministers’ papers and security classified information. Archives New Zealand commissioned the report by former Ombudsmen Mel Smith, following the accidental release by Archives New Zealand earlier this year of some of the late David Lange’s Ministerial papers. See... Report into management of Ministers’ papers [1]

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- Union members from the Public Service Association and the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union have overwhelmingly rejected a revised pay offer from TVNZ and will start rolling industrial action targeted at high profile New Zealand-made programmes. See... TVNZ offer rejected – action on high profile shows [1]

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- An anti-drug operation spanning New Zealand and Australia yesterday resulted in the arrest of two men for conspiring to smuggle approximately 27 kilograms of cocaine on board two cargo ships bound for Australia. Thanks to an earlier drug seizure by the New Zealand Customs Service, the Australian Federal Police (AFP), NSW Police and Australian Customs yesterday swooped on a number of locations in Sydney and on the Central Coast. See... Transtasman Teamwork Sinks Major Cocaine Syndicate [1] ALSO:Customs Service - Praise for Customs Officers in Major Drug Seizure [2]

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- The Official Cash Rate (OCR) will remain unchanged at 7.25 percent. Since our September Monetary Policy Statement, there has been a significant improvement to the near-term inflation outlook, mainly as a result of the recent decline in oil prices. We expect lower fuel prices, together with the recent rebound in the exchange rate and Statistics New Zealand's reweighting of the CPI, to give an unusually low December quarter CPI increase. See... Reserve Bank: OCR unchanged at 7.25 percent [1] ALSO:Newmarket Business Association - Dr Bollard right not to increase interest rates [2] Wgtn Chamber of Commerce - Chamber Welcomes RBNZ Decision [3] Statistics NZ - Housing, Household Utilities Drive CPI [4] Statistics NZ - Food Prices Rise [5] CTU - Lower CPI should impact on Reserve Bank [6] Infometrics - Falling house prices good news for Reserve Bank [7]

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- Consumers have been given a reprieve with the announcement of a six-month delay of a final decision on the fortification of all bread with folic acid, Green Party Health and Safe Food Spokesperson Sue Kedgley says. See... Greens welcome six-month folate reprieve [1] ALSO:Aust/NZ Food Regulation Ministerial Council - Ministers Protect Health, Support Innovation [2] NZ First - Delay In Bread Fortification Sensible [3] SOIL and HEALTH Assn of NZ - An organic exemption from folic? [4]

Tony Ryall's ill-informed attempts to discredit the MeNZB campaign are unworthy of him, Health Minister Pete Hodgson said today. "Mr Ryall's 'revelation' that there have been 33 treatment injury claims associated with MeNZB accepted by ACC since the beginning of 2005 is entirely within anticipated outcomes. See... Ryall panic merchant wrong on vaccine [1] ALSO:National - Ministry U-turn on meningococcal vaccine [2] ACT - Meningitis Vaccine Saves Young Lives [3] Greens - Ministry needs to be upfront on MeNZB [4] Ron Law & Barbara Sumner Burstyn - MeNZB Facts Speak for Themselves [5] Immunisation Advisory Centre - Have we missed the MeNZB™ point? [6] Ministry of Health - Response To Norwegian MeNZB Doco [7] Ministry of Health - Medsafe stands behind the quality of MeNZB Vaccine [8] Ron Law - Meningococcal Vaccine Fails International Tests [9] TV2.no - Norway MENZB Doco: Exported Controversial Vaccine [10]