Peoples Times

Homosexuals, bisexuals and those who identify as heterosexual but who have had same-sex encounters are more likely to have experienced negative events in childhood, a new University of Otago, Christchurch, study shows.

The Commerce Commission is urging New Zealanders not to fall for a scam in which people are being phoned and told they are eligible for a refund for overcharges on their credit card, but they have to pay the scammers money in order to receive the payment.

The Mental Health Foundation - in association with the Foundation’s Out of the Blue depression awareness campaign and Like Minds, Like Mine - is now seeking applications for the 2010 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grants.

New resources have been released to promote and support Māori language in the community, with the theme ‘Te Mahi Kai – The Language of Food’ for this year’s Māori Language Week (26 July to 1 August). Representatives from government, Māori business, research and academic communities will also gather this month to discuss the Māori food sector.

In addition to 17 regional hui, the Kia Tutahi-Standing Together steering group is now consulting with New Zealand communities online at: http://bangthetable.com/kiatutahi.

A new website named VolunteerNet has been launched to help connect volunteers with event-based volunteering opportunities, while at the same time providing a free online volunteer recruitment and management tool for event organisers.

New Zealand Girl Guides hope to stretch the world bra chain record of 166,000 bras end on end later this year.

Police say new powers that came into effect in July give them more opportunity to make a difference to families suffering violence.

The Ministry of Fisheries is seeking submissions from the public on the management of the kahawai fishery. Kahawai are a traditional food source for customary Mäori fishers, a very popular fish for recreational fishers, and a target species for commercial fishers.