Sharebroker, Vicki St John says we shouldn't get too excited about how the SE40 reacted. Mr Estall has revealed proposed plans for a restructuring of the fire service today. The plans axe the National Office and the eleven districts, with only eight regions running fire services across the country. Only the briefest of comments from the New Zealand First Leader at the news that one of his flock doesn't plan to stand for his party at the next election. New Zealand First MP Neil Kirton has announced that he won't be seeking renomination because his party has lost its principles.
Police say the winds are at their worst from Milton into Southland.
And if you're heading in or out of Christchurch, police say expect a slow journey because the NPC final at Lancaster Park is on Sunday. A rural fire spokesman says the fire that ripped through a Nelson pine forest yesterday is the worst to hit Nelson in 16 years. Waimea Fire Committee spokesman John Ward says about 100 firefighters are still trying to dampen down hot spots. 28 year old Jason Craig Mackrell was yesterday sentenced to preventive detention for raping two elderly Christchurch woman and killing one of them. He was also given the mandatory sentence of life imprisonment for murder.