1Investors in the failed Goldcorp company have welcomed news of the arrest of its former Chairman, Ray Smith in the United States.

2Fire swept through a Levin clothing factory early this morning.

3Police have arrested a 28-year old Ruatoria man, but say the charges are not related to a recent spate of arsons in the town.

4Auckland Defence staff have been shocked to find they face massive rent increases to the market rate.

5Emergency services are having difficulty recovering the body of an Australian woman killed on Mt Hutt this afternoon while skiing.

6A massive sand barge has become stuck fast in the treacherous mouth of the Parengarenga Harbour in Northland. It may become a permanent fixture as removal is likely to be too difficult and dangerous.

7The South African Government is warning of a further crackdown on anti-apartheid protesters. Thirty protesters were arrested today protesting the World XV rugby team's presence in Cape Town.

8The Australian Government is considering bringing in charter aircraft and crews from overseas to move passengers left stranded by the pilots' pay dispute.

9In the small Southland town of Tuatapere, a world record was broken today - that of skinning possums.

10A triathlon with a difference was held ion Christchurch today - to test the "real Sheila's and the real Blokes".