Sarah Mason pulled off a colossal upset by eliminating world champion Stephanie Gilmore from the world surfing champs in Taranaki.

NZ's pioneering female surfer seems certain to venture into troubled waters off her beloved Taranaki coast this weekend.

Telecom shares sank to new a low on the NZ sharemarket today, while rises in Fletcher Building, Contact Energy and other leaders helped carry the market higher.

The Taranaki District Health Board is investigating claims that the Department of Conservation showered its own workers with 1080 poison during an aerial drop.