1A Maori land claim erupted in violence at the Civic Centre in Tauranga today when two police dogs were set alight, police officers and fire fighters were spattered with paint and a protester was badly burned. Police Minister Peter Tapsell has condemned the Maori protestors as "misguided" and "an irresponsible rabble".

2Police Minister Peter Tapsell has declared that the police presence in Raupunga on the East Coast will be increased following the burning of the sole constable's home.

3A drought sale, aimed at bringing some relief to drought-stricken North Otago farmers, attracted poor prices. At the same time, officials in Wellington were formulating a relief package for North Otago farmers. However, for those worst affected, it could come too late.

4Harbour workers will strike over their wage claim and their demarcation dispute with watersiders for 48 hours from tonight.

5Production at dairy factories around New Zealand returned to normal today after dairy workers called off their industrial action, opening the way for pay talks to resume next week.

6Two Grey Whales, trapped in the Arctic ice in Alaska have finally swum to freedom tonight, thanks largely to two Soviet icebreakers.

7In a bombshell announcement, the Soviet Union has promised to free all political prisoners within ten weeks. However, the definition of a political prisoner and the number of detainees involved remains unclear.

8Segregated local elections in South Africa appear to be delivering a double blow to President P W Botha and the ruling National Party. Ultra right wing White supremacists have seized control of manty municipal councils as White voters reject Botha's gradual power-sharing plan, and Black voters boycott the elections in protest.

9Dozens of survivors off a Philippines ferry that sank during Typhoon Ruby, have been found washed up on a string of islands. However 350 people remain unaccounted for.

10Israeli jets have pounded two Palestinian bases in Lebanon, reducing them to "bloodstained rubble" according to witnesses.

11The ANZ Bank has predicted a positive future for the New Zealand economy, but says it will be a long, drawn-out process.

12Improvements are being made at National Women's Hospital following the Cartwright Inquiry into cervical cancer treatment. A special committee says it is confident that the improvements recommended in the Cartwright Report are being made .

13Politicians from both sides of the House today joined a lunchtime rally condemning Malaysia's policy of detention without trial.

14The Eden Express, a restaurant in California is staffed almost exclusively by people with physical or intellectual disabilities.