Wellington, Jan 11 NZPA - The man who allegedly injured a police officer as she tried to stop him driving away from a Christchurch checkpoint in her patrol car was today granted a registrar's remand without a court appearance.

After the over-indulgences of the festive season, many of us will resolve to get fit and healthy and to shed those excess kilos with the help of "detox diets".

At 4.10am today a 28 year old, male Police Officer was shot several times outside a house in Buckingham Crescent, Papatoetoe.

Lumino The Dentists has acquired four more high quality practices bringing the number of outlets for the burgeoning national dental health care provider to 48.

Wellington, Dec 11 NZPA - Wellington Phoenix can claim the A-League record for unbeaten matches at home on Saturday with a win or a draw over Sydney at Palmerston North.

Auckland, Dec 3 NZPA - New Zealanders are visiting the doctor and exercising less this year than in 2008, a survey has found.

Bob the Builder, Pocahontas and Buzz Lightyear are all helping children at Waikato Hospital to remain calm before surgery.

The cartoon characters are part of a new collection of movies, purchased with eight portable DVD players for children going into theatre at Waikato Hospital.

Wellington, Nov 30 NZPA - Public hospitals are improving the way they report serious blunders, aiding the health system's ability to learn from its mistakes, an official report says.

The Phoenix Foundation will have a new album in early 2010, but first they're releasing a Christmas EP called MERRY KRISKMASS! It will be available both physically and digitally from December 7.

Christchurch, Nov 25 NZPA - A psychiatric report has now been ordered for a man charged over a bizarre home invasion in which a police officer and a police dog were stabbed.