1Picton is celebrating the Government's announcement that the Interislander ferry terminal will remain in their town rather than be moved to Clifford Bay.

2Labour Leader David Cunliffe is calling the Government "morally repugnant" for not compensating the Pike River families.

3Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson has told Parliament that he finds it unacceptable that Alan Reay, the designer of the CTV Building in Christchurch, has still not been held to account. 115 people died when the building collapsed in the February 2011 earthquake. Parliament also debated whether or not to scrap the Coat-Tailing Clause (or 'cup of tea' clause) which allows an MP to win an electorate seat and bring in extra MPs, despite having a very small proportion of the overall vote.

4A contingent from the New Zealand Air Force is now on its way to the Philippines. Desperation in the Philippines is turning deadly, with reports of gunfire, and the crushing to death of eight people as a huge crowd of survivors rushed a Government rice depot. Millions of survivors are still without vital supplies and some are being forced to take matters into their own hands. A United States aircraft carrier has just arrived in the Philippines where it is expected to make a huge difference to the Typhoon Haiyan relief effort, however, the task ahead even dwarves the United States' military might.

5The New Zealand Transport Authority has announced it is putting together an expert panel to investigate cycling safety.

6There sentencing of Kaitaia businessman and Mormon church leader Daniel Taylor to five years and seven months jail for sexually abusing young boys has been met with disbelief and anger by victim's families.

7Speculation is mounting that nearly a quarter of Air New Zealand's shares will be on the market within the next couple of weeks, but there is outrage that the sale could proceed before the results of the National Asset Sales Referendum are known.

8The State Housing area of Pomare in Lower Hutt is to receive a Government revamp.

9Wikileaks has exposed the inner workings of the proposed Trans Pacific Partnership free trade deal, showing clashes between new Zealand the United States over some of the most controversial aspects of the deal, such as Pharmac and copyright laws.

10The Pink Star Diamond has been sold for a world record price of $100 million.

11Former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has made an emotional resignation from politics.

12A Bill that would have allowed same-sex marriage in New South Wales has been defeated in the Upper House by just one vote.