Snapshot of NZ
It's that day every five years when we each reveal all to allow the folk at Statistics New Zealand to create a vast snapshot of who is in New Zealand, what we are doing and where we are living. Expect the first results on May 28. For further information call 0800 80 2001 or visit the department's website at www.stats.govt.nz
Fletcher vote
Fletcher Challenge shareholders gather in the Newmarket Room of the Ellerslie Convention Centre at 2 pm to vote on a proposed company separation. The meeting will decide the future of all three Fletcher divisions - Building, Forests and the high-performing Energy - in a vote that many analysts say is too close to call.
Shellfish advice
The Auckland District Health Board has lifted its health warning for all shellfish except tuatua and toheroa. Gut of crabs and crayfish should be avoided. The warning covered the coastline from South Kaipara Head to the mouth of the Waikato River, including Manukau Harbour.
Roadworks
The State Highway 1 Gillies Ave off-ramp, southbound, will be closed from 9 pm to 5 am for repairs to the sign gantry. Motorists are advised to use the Market Rd exit.
Arts strategy
After two years in the making, the Auckland City Council launches its first arts and culture strategy with a function at the Civic Wintergarden from 4.30 pm to 6.30 pm.
Minimum wage
The adult minimum wage is now $7.70 an hour, an increase of 2 per cent. The age of eligibility has dropped to 18. The hourly rate for workers aged 16 and 17 has increased to $5.40 an hour and will increase again in March next year. If you are receiving less than these levels contact the NZ Council of Trade Unions (04) 385-1334 or e-mail ctu@nzctu.org.nz
Eidul Adha
Auckland's Muslim population will gather at the Auckland Showgrounds in Greenlane at 8.30 am for prayers to mark the beginning of Eidul Adha (pronounced eed-al-odd-ha), the festival of sacrifice, which celebrates the end of the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Also today ...
The US government wasn't impressed when scientist James Wright accidentally dropped boric acid into silicone oil and made goo that stretched, bounced, collected lint and copied any newsprint it touched. The goo was a party favourite until Wright met an ad-man who bought the production rights today in 1949 for $147. "Silly putty" turned Peter Hodgson into a multi-millionaire and was even used on Apollo 8 to stop the tools from floating around.
E-mail: info@nzherald.co.nz
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