Cairns, August 06, 2009 - Climate change poses an existential threat to the Pacific Island countries and may further aggravate conflicts over increasingly scarce resources, a high-level panel warned today at the Pacific Island Forum in Cairns, Australia.

Rodney District Council has collaborated with a host of sponsors to create New Zealand's newest hospitality awards, which will focus exclusively on businesses in the Rodney District.

A media briefing on today's searches by Waikato Police of a number of properties in the greater Auckland region will take place this afternoon in the Manukau Room of the Counties Manukau Police District Headquarters building at 3pm.

Pacific countries will only fully achieve the development goals discussed at this week's Pacific Island Forum Leaders' meeting if they address one of the gravest human rights violations in the region - violence against women, Amnesty International said today.

"The quality of trades education, and ultimately the safety of the public, are is under threat as a result of recent moves by the Plumbing, Gasfitting, Drainlaying & Roofing Industry Training Organisation (ITO)," says TEU president Tom Ryan.

Work towards the realignment of Muldoon's Corner on the Rimutaka Hill Road has commenced thanks to an additional $142.5 million in funding announced in February as part of the government's Jobs and Growth plan.

The search is continuing for survivors of the sinking of the inter-island ferry Princess Ashika, near Nuku'alofa, Tonga, late yesterday.

So far, a total of 53 people have been picked up safe and well by rescue vessels, leaving 26 people unaccounted for.

The upcoming Australia-New Zealand Business Climate Change Conference is an opportunity for the two countries to develop a common voice on climate change issues, say Trans-Tasman Business Circle chief executive John Weiss and General Manager of the Australia and New Zealand Sustainability Circle

6 August 2009

SILNA discussion document released by MAF

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) has released a discussion document titled SILNA Forests: Review of the 2002 Policy and the Implementation Package.

Taking a short break from sea training with personnel from the Naval Volunteer Reserve embarked onboard, the Navy's principal survey vessel, HMNZS RESOLUTION, will make a port visit to Wellington from Friday 7 August to Monday 10 August 2009.