1The snap election and speculation about possible devaluation has placed pressure on the New Zealand dollar.

2The deadline to enrol to vote ended less than hour ago, and today saw a last minute flurry of would-be voters rushing to enrol.

3Nine MPs are stepping down at this year's general election, but five former Labour MPs are trying to re-enter Parliament as independents. Rebel Labour MP John Kirk has announced that he will stand in a marginal Wellington seat in order to prevent Labour becoming the Government.

4Frantic political activity has followed the announcement that Rangiora MP Derek Quigley is to step down at this election.

5The Government is to pave the way for private television by directing the Broadcasting Tribunal to call for applications for four regional stations to cover the entire country.

6Petrol should be flowing once again from the Marsden Point Oil Refinery by the end of next week after maintenance work was completed.

7Around 100 people marched on the French Embassy in Wellington this afternoon to protest at the French nuclear testing programme.

8John Mansell, New Zealand's sole entrant in the Trans-Atlantic single-handed yacht race, has been rescued after his catamaran began breaking up.

9New Zealand's biggest peace conference since the 1960s ended in Wellington today. More than 600 people from all over the Pacific attended the Beyond ANZUS Conference to discuss security, defence and peace issues.

10More and more farmers are diversifying into mohair production by farming angora goats.