Latest fromAustralasia

Concern over TPP Pharmac threat
New Zealanders' access to safe and affordable medicines could be limited under a massive trade deal being secretly negotiated, opposition parties say.

Aussie treasurer wants NZ tax regime
Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey has hailed New Zealand's tax system as a potential model for Australia’s economic growth.

Child sexual abuse: Enough evidence for 1000 hearings
The head of an Australian royal commission into child sexual abuse says he has uncovered enough material to justify public hearings on more than 1000 institutions where child sexual abuse has been alleged.

Concern over leaked TPP premature
Alarm at the provisions of a leaked draft of the investment chapter of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement is premature to say the least, says Stephen Jacobi.

Wrong way bus driver charged
Police have charged an Auckland bus driver with careless driving after he took his passengers on a shortcut on the wrong side of the road yesterday morning.

NRL: Foran's big deal news to Toovey
A stunned and angry Kieran Foran last night surrendered months of careful planning surrounding his exit strategy from Manly when it was revealed he had agreed to join Parramatta on a four-year deal worth a stunning A$4.7 million ($4.9 million).

College Sport: New artificial turf given a real workout
Westlake Boys' High School's new cork and rubber-based FieldTurf NZ artificial turf is one of the first to be installed in New Zealand and the recent opening event was a fitting tribute to mark the celebration of this milestone in Westlake sporting histor

Racing: Adore Me among winning chances
Mark Purdon says he has no regrets about turning his back on a possible $500,000 payday with Adore Me tomorrow.

Wheeler criticises Auckland 'nimbys'
Building height restrictions and NIMBY attitudes in inner Auckland are standing in the way of an response to Auckland's housing shortage, the Reserve Bank governor says.

Sex-claim driver wins compo case
A truck driver sacked for allegedly sexually harassing and stalking staff at a restaurant he delivered to has been awarded almost $20,000 for unjustified dismissal.

Foo Fighters' surprise NZ show
Dave Grohl, frontman for US rockers Foo Fighters, is a man who likes surprises - and he's just sprung one on his band's Kiwi fans.

Kiwis aboard ship trapped in Antarctica
Twenty-six crew members on board an Australian-flagged fishing boat are trapped by ice in Antarctica, sparking a rescue bid by a New Zealand fishing vessel.

Kiwi veteran receives prestigious French honour
The 94-year-old Wellington veteran received the honour at French Ambassador Laurent Contini's home in Thorndon tonight.

Hobbit films put Tolkien fans off
Die-hard fans of J.R.R. Tolkien's novels have been turned off by Peter Jackson's three-part film adaptation of The Hobbit, according to Kiwi researchers trawling through responses from viewers.

New head Currie has open-door policy
Campbell Burnes sat down with College Sport chief executive Dave Currie, who has been in the job just a few months. This is part one of a two-part interview; read the second in next week's College Sport.