1Pilot error and the likelihood that he has been smoking cannabis are the reasons given for the Carterton balloon tragedy in January 2012. The Transport Accident Investigation Commission is calling for new laws for all adventure tourism operators.

2Volunteer fire fighters say they have had enough of being used as makeshift ambulance crews. Fire Brigade management and St John are negotiating a formal working arrangement that sees volunteer fire fighters being sent to non-life-threatening medical call-outs.

3Canterbury University will receive $250 million to help rebuild its earthquake-damaged campus.

4Photos have been released of the conditions the thirty crew members of the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise are being held in inside a Russian detention centre.

5Heavy rain and wind has closed roads around the Wellington region.

6Three giant mirrors have helped the Norwegian village of Rjukan to experience sunlight during the winter months for the first time.

7The Reserve bank has held the official cash rate at 2.5% but warned that interest rates are likely to rise next year. According to some in the building sector, new Reserve Bank home loan restrictions is actually making the housing crisis worse.

8Police have now spent more than a week at the scene of a mysterious car accident in Central Otago. An unknown object flew through the windscreen of a car, killing driver Rutger Hale, instantly.

9The Crown's star witness in the Rae Portman murder trial was today asked whether he killed her.

10Portugese Police are investigating a new lead in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann. They are working on the theory that she was taken by a man who worked at the resort where she disappeared who held a grudge against his employers.

11Ten year old student Brandon Hall has pushed the button that would start 'Alice', the tunnel boring machine after winning a competition to name it. Alice is beginning work on the Waterview Tunnel in West Auckland.

12Tech company Geo Op has had a dramatic first day on the share market, with its shares almost doubling in value.

13A Southland farming family are using a remote controlled drone fitted with cameras to help keep stock of their flock.