Hekia Parata’s decision to bring forward the closure and merger date for schools in Christchurch is causing more unnecessary stress and uncertainty for pupils, parents and staff says Chris Hipkins, Labour’s acting Education spokesperson.

A second trans-Tasman internet cable is positive for New Zealand’s interconnectivity but will not address the monopoly Telecom currently has on connectivity to the rest of the world, the Green Party said today.

Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson says a public meeting on proposals for changing the earthquake-prone building policy system will be held in Christchurch this evening.

The Neonatal Trust is holding one of the biggest fundraising events ever in New Zealand; the Ride4Life charity road cycle ride!

NZD

The NZD/USD has traded fairly quietly over the past 24-hours to sit around 0.8450 currently.

The role travel plays in transforming lives formed the third and final keynote address at the annual Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) held at Lincoln University last week.

Nelson Marlborough District Health Board’s (NMDHB) new Chief Executive (CE) Chris Fleming is pleased to find strong partnerships in the district’s health sector and says the major challenge ahead is to maintain quality services within the funding available.

OUTLOOK

CURRENCY: Minutes from the RBA and BOJ are the focal points of the Asian session. Overnight German ZEW sentiment, US NAHB housing and Canadian Wholesale sales will drive currencies. Overall currency trends look set to continue.

If the sale of TelstraClear to Vodafone increases both broadband penetration and mobile network coverage, then Federated Farmers will welcome it.

Legendary musician Eric Clapton has announced the release of his brand new studio album, Old Sock, on 22 March.

The multi award-winning international sensation SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW storms into New Zealand for a limited season playing at ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland from 10 to 14 July 2013. Tickets are on sale from Monday 25 February.

The future of New Zealand rowing will converge on Lake Karapiro this weekend (22 and 23 February) when over 1460 rowers from 65 North Island schools take part in the annual Mighty River Power Junior regatta.

Renown for its Pinot Noir, the wine village of Martinborough will be introduced to a variety of new complex flavours this April thanks to the inaugural Greater Wellington BrewDay.

Finalists Australia and West Indies contribute a total of six players to the ICC Women’s World Cup India 2013 team of the tournament, which was announced today in Mumbai, with Player of the Tournament, New Zealand’s Suzie Bates named as captain.

A new community space in Hamilton’s Garden Place Library will be launched in March.

Named Kootuitui - a Maori word meaning "connect" - will be formally opened by Mayor Julie Hardaker on March 12, and will operate from Monday to Friday.

Team secures 114-run victory over West Indies at Brabourne Stadium to become Number One in the Reliance ICC Women’s ODI Team Rankings

Australia’s Jess Cameron Player of the Final; New Zealand’s Suzie Bates named Player of the Tournament

Keynote speaker Professor Regina Scheyvens addressed the role of corporate social responsibility in the tourism industry, as the annual Council for Australasian University Tourism and Hospitality Education (CAUTHE) conference entered its second day (Wednesday 13 February) at Lincoln University la

Android has been the geeky, not known for its looks, member of smartphone family for a long time now.

Breastfeeding rates are declining across Asia Pacific, despite new research estimating that 830,000 babies could be saved globally each year if new mothers around the world breastfed immediately after giving birth.

Data released today by the Real Estate Institute of NZ ("REINZ") shows there were 45 more farm sales (+12.7%) for the three months ended January 2013 than for the three months ended January 2012.