1The Auckland City Council has held an emergency meeting to discuss the Queen Street riots. They have decided to proceed with a planned outdoor New Year's Eve concert, but with strict security measures. Police are meanwhile defending their officers against allegations of racism against rioters.

2There has been an outbreak of gang-related violence in the main street of Wairoa.

3Former Minister of Justice Dr Martin Findlay has been named to enquire into industrial relations at the troubled Marsden Point expansion site.

4Arab hijackers holding a Kuwaiti airline at Tehran Airport have freed more hostages today.

5Technical experts are examining the site of this week's disastrous gas leak at the Bhopal Union Carbide plant for the first time. Aid for the surviving victims is being sent to Bhopal from the United Kingdom, along with two eye surgeons.

6Artificial heart recipient William Schroeder is continuing to surprise his doctors with his rapid progress back to health.

7Sunday shoppers in Wellington and Petone were confronted by union pickets, unhappy that two markets were remaining open for Sunday trading.

8Seven people have been killed on New Zealand roads this weekend.

9A call for public submissions on proposals for a second hydro-dam on the upper Clutha River is expected this week.

10An Australian honeymooning couple, both of whom are blind, are still finding ways to enjoy New Zealand's most scenic tourist spots.