Peoples Times

The leaky-building crisis is New Zealand's most expensive catastrophe, but it will enrich the Government by at least $2 billion, says a study commissioned by the North Shore City Council.

A preliminary study by New Zealand company Plant & Food Research shows that natural chemicals from blackcurrants may help breathing in some types of asthma.

A willingness to embrace new technology has led to production gains for the Brier family, the winners of the Massey University Discovery Award at the Waikato Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

See it in full at:www.stuff.co.nz

Cabinet has signed off plans for the rollout of high speed broadband in rural areas - signifying what the Government has labelled a "major step change" in rural broadband.

The Government will not be supporting a bid to host the Commonwealth Games in Auckland, Prime Minister John Key said today.

In an historic move, peak bodies of Trans Pacific trade unions have called for a new and fairer framework for trade and investment agreements. The unions are from countries which are due to begin negotiations in Melbourne this week to extend the Trans Pacific Partnership Trade Agreement.

The Nelson Arts Festival is on the hunt for a new sponsor to back the annual Masked Parade.

A recent study by the Ministry of Women’s Affairs has revealed that only one year after entering employment an income gap of up to six percent develops between men and women with a bachelor’s qualification or above.

Six New Zealand start-up companies will fight it out for the chance to win $70,000 worth of business support at a competition being held at the Planet 2010 conference in Auckland on Saturday.

See it in full at:www.ted.com

As we reboot the world's economy, Geoff Mulgan poses a question: Instead of sending bailout money to doomed old industries, why not use stimulus funds to bootstrap some new, socially responsible companies -- and make the world a little bit better? Click the TED link above to watch the video.