POWER CUT - Around 90 households in central Otago are still without power four days after high winds and snow brought
down powerlines. The residents will not get compensation as the power cut was due to an act of god.
DROUGHT AND SNOW - The snow in the south will give new hope for grass growth in the spring for farmers. Meanwhile it is
mud, mud, mud for Northland farmers after weeks of rain.
SIS - The PM has won her battle to safeguard SIS documents from disclosure in the Aziz Choudry court case. The Appeal
Court has accepted assurances from Mrs Shipley that the documents should be kept secret to guard national security.
HEROIN - A man has been sentenced to a 15 year jail sentence for importing 10 kg Heroin, possessing it for supply and
trying to re-export it.
ELLIS CASE - The Court of Appeal is looking at the amount and quality of expert evidence heard in the Peter Ellis case.
YOUTH - CYPFA says simply locking up a 13 year old boy involved in a Home Invasion case would not help him and build a
bigger problem in a few years time.
FLU - Middlemore Hospital says flu has been partly responsible for up to 100 deaths in the last month.
KASHMIR - India says it will keep pressure on the Kashmir region as Pakistan says it will help to persuade the militants
to pull back.
ALGERIA - Islamic Militants in Algeria have been granted an amnestty from prison in an attempt by the Government to end
the civil war
ROYAL JELLY The bee industry has won a battle with health officials over the labelling of products with health warnings
on royal jelly and pollen.
TAKAKA - The Takaka Hill Road remains only partly open after a large slip.
LANDFILL - The Christchurch City Council says a Darfield site for a landfill is only one proposed.
SPEED LIMITS - A row is brewing on the East Coast over speed limits in Tolaga Bay.