As per the media reports, under a Government initiative announced on Thursday, over 1800 Maori will be getting training in a wide range of industries.

According to Maori Affairs Minister Pita Sharples, "The signing of an agreement with InfraTrain, the industry training organization for the civil infrastructure industry, is a step towards Maori receiving training in industries with strong employment prospects."

He continued that at least 20% of the intake will be new employees by InfraTrain, who would also be aided into higher level training.

Manukau's Mayor Len Brown has piped Auckland City Mayor John Banks in a poll aimed to see who Aucklanders would like to lead the new super-city.

Nearly 482 Aucklanders were instructed by the UMR Research poll to make a direct comparison between Mr Banks and Mr Brown.

After the results, it was seen that there were 35% who preferred Mr Brown, and 34% who preferred Mr Banks.

It has been confirmed by John Banks that he will run for the mayoralty, while Len Brown expects to make a decision within a few weeks.

It has appeared that the New Zealand dollar rose near yesterday's 9-1/2-month high against the greenback; however, thereafter it plunged very quickly.

The kiwi was purchasing US65.71c by 8am, from US65.95c at 5pm yesterday. According to data by Reuters, it hiked at US66.26c.

ANZ specified in its morning briefing notes that the positive equity market in the United States inspired moves for the NZ dollar overnight.

But the kiwi failed to break new ground, after which most gains were reversed.

Following reports that Exxon Mobil Corp. will become the second major shareholder to put its stake in New Zealand Refining Co. up for sale; the operator of the nation’s sole oil refinery fell in Wellington trading.

For the first time in six days, the stock plunged, following the Independent newspaper reports that Goldman Sachs JB Were Ltd. has been hired by Exxon, in order to find a buyer for its 19 percent stake in the plant, related storage facilities and 183 New Zealand petrol stations.

With the aim to aid parents protect their children from the dangers of technology, three organizations -Telecom, police and Net Safe - are joining hands together in an initiative called Keeping Kiwi Kids Safer in Cyberspace. Their target would be to make sure that young people are aware of how to stay safe online. It is through text messaging that all schools are receiving their ‘net safety’ notes.

Haystac, which is Australia's premier strategic brand PR agency, recently confirmed its expansion into New Zealand and Singapore.

This will be followed by co-location of the New Zealand branch in Auckland with parent company, Mitchell Communication Group.