Parliament spells out district's name dilemma

An amendment in Parliament should end confusion on whether it is Wanganui or Whanganui. A change to the Statutes Amendment Bill clears the way for the gazetting of both Whanganui and Wanganui.

This means "either, or both, can be used in official documentation", Annette Main, the Mayor of Wanganui/Whanganui, said yesterday. There was no plan to change the name of Wanganui District Council.

Heated exchange over minister and shares

A war of words between Phil Goff and Murray McCully stepped up yesterday. Defending lawyer Peter Kiely, who owned issues related to shares in Sofrana shipping line when he was advising on the sale of Pacific Forum Lines, Cabinet minister Tony Ryall said Mr Kiely alerted Mr McCully about July. Mr Goff asked why Mr McCully could not remember, and Mr McCully said Mr Goff should apologise or be sacked.

Mallard masterclass on marriage

He's an unlikely heart-throb, but Labour's Trevor Mallard has received two marriage proposals lately. The overtures came via Twitter – strangely, one from a follower who was seeking advice on how to pop the question to her boyfriend. The Hutt South MP says he has a very good reason for declining both proposals – although separated, he's still married.

Games held up as example for Christchurch rebuild

Post-earthquake construction in Christchurch should mirror the standards set by Britain's Olympic construction, the Business, Innovation and Employment Ministry says.

Safety and regulatory services deputy chief executive Lesley Haines said the ministry had added another team of inspectors to "have more presence and a deterrent effect". The rebuild should mirror the safety achievements of Britain's Olympics builders.

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