Wellington, Dec 1 NZPA - A Whitianga teenager who hacked into a United States university computer says he would ultimately like to start his own company and become the next Bill Gates. Owen Thor Walker told TV3's 60 Minutes programme he would never again hack illegally.

1 December 2008 - The Mayoral summit held in Manakau City today facilitated by Len Brown along with his deputy, Gary Troop and Councillor Dick Quax could well be a launch pad to deal with the P and other drug problems which are a scourge on the greater South Auckland communities, according to Met

Christchurch, Dec 1 NZPA - A woman passenger on an Air New Zealand flight during an alleged hijacking told a court today she believed the plane was going to crash.

1 December 2008 - IHC is raising its profile on social networking websites to find young people who want to get to know someone with an intellectual disability.

1 December 2008 - Waitakere City is now operating a new user pays inorganic rubbish collection service.

1 December 2008 - According to a new study from the University of Otago, Christchurch, published in the December issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, there is a small association between abortion and mental health but the researchers say that their findings point to a "middle-of-the-road"

1 DECEMBER 2008 - Environment Southland has suspended its oil spill response to the sinking of the tourist vessel "Waverley", with minimal environmental impacts observed.

1 December 2008 - Quick action and lack of concern for his own well-being won Gerald Phillips the 2008 Beaurepaires Highway Heroes Award.

1 December 2008 - Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve the prospects for survival of newborn babies exposed to HIV, according to an international report released today by UNICEF and other UN agencies.