14 October 2008 - The tui has taken the lead in the first week of voting in Forest & Bird's 2008 Bird of the Year poll.

The iridescent-suited songster has taken the top spot with 129 votes since voting opened a week ago.

14 OCTOBER 2008 - The obese, the medically unwell and the elderly are undergoing lifesaving surgery they would have been refused for 20 years ago.

Tauranga, Oct 14 NZPA - A lawyer complained in Tauranga District Court today that he had no idea what evidence police had for charging his client with murder.

Greymouth, Oct 14 NZPA - One of two men charged with murdering a Korean backpacker on the West Coast five years ago, today surprised a depositions hearing in Greymouth District Court by pleading guilty.

Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - One of the men accused of murdering South Korean backpacker Jae Hyeon Kim has pleaded guilty.

Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - Wellington animal welfare activist Mark Eden is due to appear in court today charged with burglary over a raid on Turk's Poultry Farm in Foxton to "liberate" 20 hens.

Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - An unprovoked road rage attack has landed a Rotorua youth in court, police say.

Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - The number of early childhood education (ECE) centres is expanding to meet increasing demand as families take advantage of the Government's 20 hours free scheme, the Ministry of Education says.

Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - Auckland and Otago universities have slipped further down a list of the world's top universities, according to an annual rankings report.