The nine finalists for the 2009 Roger Award for the Worst Transnational Corporation Operating in Aotearoa/New Zealand are (in alphabetical order): ANZ, BNZ, Infratil, Newmont, Rio Tinto Aluminium NZ, Rymans, Telecom, Transpacific and Westpac.

Water restrictions have come into force this December in Akaroa and Takamatua to get ready for the warmer weather and the predicted increase in population over the summer months.

After a year of planning and investigation and months of public consultation, the Council's Surface Water Strategy was adopted by Council this week (26 November 2009).

Intriguing and rarely seen early maps, including the meticulous cartography of Abel Tasman's early discoveries and Captain Cook's explorations from the First and Second Voyages, are on exhibition at Our City O-Tautahi.

The Council's Public Open Space Strategy is now open for public consultation.

Formal identification of a body in a house destroyed by fire in the Banks Peninsula settlement of Little Akaloa yesterday, could take days, say Christchurch Police.

Senior Sergeant Stu Munro says that a body has been removed and formal identification will likely take several days.

Anniversary celebrations at Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture will kick off with the official opening of the school's new award-winning building.

Lyttelton and Banks Peninsula are proving popular hosts to events in this year's Beca Heritage Week which runs until 26 October.

Seven of the events over the next week will be happening on and around the Peninsula, offering a great choice of walks, talks and exhibitions.

Christchurch, Oct 2 NZPA - A defence bid to have Patrick Allan Daken sentenced to less than a life term for murdering his brother was rejected by Justice Graham Panckhurst in the High Court at Christchurch today.

The Ministry of Fisheries is reminding recreational fishers that new rules come into effect tomorrow (01 October 2009) within the Akaroa Taiapure (Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsula).