Press Release – Wellington City Council
Pedestrian and vehicle safety in the central city will be improved with the permanent closure of Bond Street at the Willis Street intersection to all through traffic from this weekend. Read more »

News from NZ Labour Party
The Capital and Coast District Health Board’s decision to keep Kenepuru Hospital’s overnight Accident and Medical service open is the right move for the community, Labour MP for Mana Kris Faafoi said today. Read more »

BusinessDesk report by Pattrick Smellie
The chief executive of Industrial Research Limited, the Crown Research Institute being folded into the new advanced technology institute, has announced his resignation after six and a half years spent restoring the once-ailing science body’s financial performance. Read more »

Report by Tom Frewen
Although Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully publicly announced the appointment of his friend, Sky TV lobbyist Tony O’Brien, to the Antarctic New Zealand management board on Wednesday, he kept quiet about appointing another media friend, former Dominion editor Richard Long, as chairman of the New Zealand-France Friendship Fund in February. Read more »

Press Release – Department Of Internal Affairs
A suitably immense subject is the opening public programme for the newly refurbished National Library building on Wellington’s Molesworth Street. Read more »

Press Release – Wairarapa’s Future
The three Wairarapa district councils will begin joint public consultation on their preferred option of a single Wairarapa council next week. This follows endorsement of a council working party report and recommendations by Masterton, Carterton and South Wairarapa district councils last Friday. Read more »

by Lindsay Shelton
Timing is everything. While most of Wellington was recovering from the Hobbit celebrations, Parliament yesterday passed the controversial Local Government Act. And the PSA’s Brenda Pilott, who watched the debate, said the new law was unwanted, undemocratic, just plain bad … “a grim day for communities.” Read more »

Press Release – Massey University
Former Reserve Bank Governor Alan Bollard was awarded an honorary doctorate from Massey University at a graduation ceremony today. Read more »

Press Release – gen-i
Gen-i has today announced the company will build new greenfield data centres in Wellington and Auckland. This follows its recent investment in a new Christchurch data centre, currently being developed in partnership with Christchurch International Airport. Read more »

Press Release – Mitre 10
After nearly forty years of providing the country with the tools for DIY, the country’s largest home improvement and garden retailer is marking its Kiwi heritage with the launch of a commemorative book and embracing change with the appointment of a new board member. Read more »

Press Release – RIANZ
A Wellington duo has taken one of the three finals berths for New Zealand’s Best Folk Album of 2013. Wellington’s duo French for Rabbits joins Auckland-based solo artist Brenda Liddiard and alt-country group Great North in the line-up, announced today by the Recording Industry Association of New Zealand (RIANZ). Read more »

Press Release – Southern Cross Healthcare
A new survey on health and wellbeing has found that Wellington is the nation’s least worried city. The survey also found that retired New Zealanders are more worried than any other group – including those living in Christchurch. Read more »

Press Release – TEDxTeAro
TEDxTeAro is set to launch this weekend off the back of the excitement of The Hobbit premiere in the Capital. Wellington is primed and ready for the launch of TEDxTeAro. Tickets sold out in just 30 minutes and the team have been blown away by the amazing support over the past 2 months. Read more »

Statement from KiwiRail
“Interislander can confirm that mediation with the Aviation and Marine Engineers Association (AMEA) and Merchant Services Guild (MSG) has concluded and a settlement has been reached,” said KiwiRail’s chief executive Jim Quinn. Read more »

News from NZ Police
A Wainuiomata family escaped from a fire in their house in Wise Street, Wainuiomata, which occurred around 12.15am on Wednesday. Read more »

Press Release – Kapiti Coast District Council
Council animal control officers seized two dogs yesterday after two women were attacked in Ōtaki. Both women suffered serious bites in the late afternoon attack and were taken to Palmerston North hospital by ambulance. Read more »

Press Release – Greater Wellington Regional Council
The Greater Wellington Regional Council, local councils and Regional Public Health are urging river users to protect themselves and their dogs from toxic algae, with an increase of algal growth detected in the Hutt River this week. Read more »

Press Release – Project Crimson
Four winning schools have been selected to receive a Treemendous School Makeover in 2013 – a joint initiative between the Mazda Foundation and Project Crimson Trust. Read more »