8 Jan 2009

Summer Report: local papers

7:52 am on 8 January 2009

Thursday's papers: export earnings down 7.4% in December; no power price cuts despite full hydro dams in the South Island; 233 formal complaints made against teachers last year.

The New Zealand Herald

Export earnings fell by 7.4% last month as most of the commodities that New Zealand exports, fetched lower prices.

Protests are planned on Thursday against an Israeli tennis player at a tennis tournament in Auckland. Global Peace & Justice is seeking her withdrawal from the tournament in protest at the Israeli attacks on Gaza. The player concerned says she thinks sport can help solve a lot of problems.

The Dominion Post

Last year was the worst on records for allegations made against teachers: 233 formal complaints were laid with the Teachers Council. Forty of these in the last four years went on to formal proceedings and 26 teachers were struck off.

A Wellington bar which claimed to be the largest in New Zealand when it opened six months ago, has closed. The Temperance bar is now in the hands of a receiver.

The Taranaki Daily News

The operator of a campground at Opunake says he was punched in the head during a rampage by about 20 youths.

A mother and two girls are pictured in the water with surf lifesavers saying beachgoers are getting the water safety message

The Press

Power companies say there will be no price cuts, despite water spilling from full hydro dams in the South Island.

English rugby.. teaming up with romance publishers Mills & Boon to produce steamy fiction around rugby players. There's a mock up of a front cover featuring Todd Blackadder with the title Conquered by the Crusader.

The Otago Daily Times

Otago District Health Board chairman Richard Thomson has been asked to go to Wellington to explain to Health Minister Tony Ryall the background to a recent fraud case.