(Pics available at www.nzpaimages.co.nz)

Wellington, March 15 NZPA - Weta Workshop has unveiled a miniature of a sculpture, which has been proposed as a centre piece for Wellington's hosting of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

This has been a successful week for Wellington with sporting, scientific and creative successes all having a beneficial impact on the economic development of the region according to the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Do you know Pencarrow Lighthouse's two New Zealand firsts and why people on Tinakori Road used to go without dinner?

Wellington, March 10 NZPA - Wellington mayoral candidate Jack Yan says he has dobbed in the city's plans for a "Wellywood" sign near the airport at Miramar to two Los Angeles bodies with intellectual rights over the iconic "Hollywood" sign being imitated here.

The focus on the Wellington region's readiness for Rugby World Cup 2011 was given a high-profile boost today, with the launch of WellingtonNZ2011.com, a new online portal or one-stop-shop for anyone wanting to know anything about RWC 2011 in the region.

On Monday 1st March, an Environment Court hearing regarding the Owhiro Bay Quarry land is being held in Wellington, 10 years to the day since the controversial coastal quarry was closed and became a public park area.

Wellington, Feb 28 NZPA - Leisure activities around New Zealand were disrupted today by a nationwide tsunami alert.

The alert was sparked by an 8.8 magnitude earthquake which struck with devastating and deadly force last night.

Wellington, Feb 28 NZPA - An official tsunami warning has been issued for the entire east coast of New Zealand after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile overnight, with a GNS scientist hopeful the wall of water will not cause severe damage.

Wellington, Feb 28 NZPA - A mass nude photo shoot planned for Wellington's Breaker Bay beach this morning was cancelled as a result of the tsunami warning in effect.

(adds Pignata quotes)

By Daniel Gilhooly of NZPA

Wellington, Feb 22 NZPA - Wellington has confirmed its status as the capital of New Zealand soccer and a deathbed for visiting A-League teams in the eyes of Wellington Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert.