1Politicians will sort out next year's roading budget tomorrow and Auckland's motorway plan is only two thirds completed. This is adding to the traffic snarls.

2Prospecting licences have been granted to Gold Mines New Zealand Limited in the Coromandel area, north of Whitianga, but this is bringing protests from anti-mining groups.

3In Rotorua a campaign is under way to restore the Blue Baths.

4Torrential rain has hit Auckland, causing over 500 emergency calls to the Automobile Association (AA), three times their normal workload.

5Cesarean births in this country are increasing and a support group has been started to help new mothers who have given birth this way as it is believed that not enough help or information is given.

6An American nutritionist is giving lectures in New Zealand and thinks New Zealand could be the healthiest nation in the world but is worried as she sees more overweight people, more smoking and more drinking since she was here last.

7Former Whangamata doctor Ian Duncan is being sued for $90,000 by a patient, Gordon Henry, who had details of his heart condition released.

8Good news for some Northland farmers as dairy production looks to be hitting an all time high.

9Members of the public helped in the arrest of a man who smashed the window of Walker and Hall's shop in Queen St last night.

10Waikato Hospital has a shortage of nurses as some have been lured by better wages in Australia which devaluation in New Zealand has made even more attractive.

11The waterfront dispute may delay Christmas mail from overseas as clearing containers is being held up.