Auckland, Jan 19 NZPA - A hearing to decide whether a woman should stand trial for killing a three-year old boy in her care opened in Papakura District Court today.

"The reintroduction of export subsidies for dairy products by the European Union (EU) is deeply unsettling," says Philip York, economics and commerce spokesperson for Federated Farmers.

Manukau residents have significantly increased their recycling in the last six months - with volumes increasing 32 per cent.

This is well ahead of the target of 15 to 25 per cent Manukau City Council set when introducing the new recycling service on 30 June 2008.

Christchurch, Jan 19 NZPA - An appeal to keep a name suppression order in place has been filed by a 35-year-old Christchurch woman who has admitted having sex with a 15-year-old boy.

19 January 2009 - Nominations are sought for a new member of the Eden/Albert community board following the resignation of sitting member, Elinor Harvey earlier this month.

A by-election will take place on Thursday, 9 April 2009.

19 January 2009 - One of the world's top Ikebana artists - Seiseki Yoshiro Umemura - will provide the crowds at the Ellerslie International Flower Show with twice daily demonstrations of the Japanese art of flower arranging.

Christchurch, Jan 19 NZPA - Witnesses have told of hearing a woman's scream below them in a block of flats in Upper Riccarton, Christchurch, on the night the crown says Ashley Donald Peach murdered cats protection worker Kerry Leigh Downey.

Wellington, Jan 19 NZPA - A Fijian-Indian man arrested after a spate of aggravated robberies in Wellington over the past week has been remanded in custody.

Wellington, Jan 19 NZPA - Three men have been arrested over the alleged sexual attack of a woman in Matamata on Friday.

A 20-year-old woman was raped about midnight, Detective Sergeant Rod Carpinter said.

Wellington, Jan 19 NZPA - A compensation scheme for crime victims proposed by the Government has been welcomed by victims' advocates.

Every person convicted in court would have to pay a $50 crime tax toward compensating victims under a proposed law National plans to introduce.