600 tempted to booze, 1200 opt to do right thing

Christchurch youth were quick to turn to social networking sites to tell their stories after a 7.1 earthquake hit their hometown in the early hours on Saturday morning.

Some of NewsWire reporter NICOLE BENNIK’s friends were out early with their video camera to record the chaos.

The first New Zealand national merchant navy day was celebrated by a service held at the Wellington National War Memorial, reports MICHELLE COOPER.

Campaign against the bill will carry on, say organisers.

Paratrooper finds adrenaline and death in Afghanistan.

Increasing numbers asking Problem Gambling for help.

10,000 children get their chance on Wellington stages.

Premier one winners St Pat’s Silverstream set new goals.

Council rolls out plan to preserve older parts of Wellington.

US Christian dance group right at home in the Capital.

Councillor – ‘without walking, we’ll have dead, dangerous places.’

RWC organisers want people to walk to matches.

Commuters late on job just part of working week in capital.

Proposal to restrict Te Moana Rd parking is rejected.

Wellington arcade gets more than its fair share of tagging.

80,000 fabric daffodils being stuck on lapels.

Late night study saves family from tragedy.

Wellingtonians are evenly split over whether the SAS should be withdrawn from Afghanistan.

But a clear majority thinks the Kiwi reconstruction team should stay in Bamiyan Province, according to four NewsWire polls conducted over the past three weeks.

Street survey shows backing for work in Bamiyan.

Polytech council backs CEO’s handling of student body.

Greengrocer family honoured for long tradition of service.

Residents’ dismay as sand recedes and gravel takes over.

‘People will shift their cars around, making more traffic problems.’

Photos show Mapp and Mateparae with NZ troops.

Camera on neighbouring tower gives real time views of project.

Students suggest new measures for their association.

Beer, public transport top student’s election strategy.

People affected by the 90-day rule told their stories.

Chilton St James School students know how to count to 38,600 – that’s how many aluminium drink can tabs they have, reports ANITA DE MUTH.

NewsWire has carried detailed coverage of the events surrounding revelations that the Whitireia Independent Students’ Association’s financial affairs got into a mess last year.

Turn to this page to get links to our stories:

# Auditor: student body books ‘a big mess’.
# Polytech says it’s there to help students.
# Problems with NZ student groups common.
# Onus on association to be transparent.
# Whitireia head yet to see student accounts.
# We want our money back, say aggrieved students.
# Student body mess a ‘tragedy’ for Whitireia.
# No milk, no sugar…no hope.
# Student association inquiry may take months.
# Acting president not giving up on crippled association.
# Student exec member felt ‘out of the loop’.

St Pat’s student focused on making it to top.

New look at city’s property encroachment charges.

Businesswoman’s dream launch of children’s book series.

More than 20,000 revelled in Petone, despite the cold.

Tanvi clear in her goals after work placement during her final year.

Angry residents go online to get carpark holes filled in.

But more Eastbourners will be encouraged to hitch a ride.

Whitireia Community Polytechnic is distancing itself from a scandal that has erupted over funds and assets missing from the polytech’s student association.

CEO Don Campbell points out that the students’ association is an independent body over which the polytech has no direct control.

Hutt rugby was ‘the winner on the day’ at Sunday’s final.

Hutt man has ultimate OE in the ‘Budhouse’ Youtube reality show.

Complaints about beauty therapy clinics and nail bars may see Wellington City Council add them to its inspection regime.

Enquiries by AARON VAN DELDEN reveal incidents involving infections and pests, and put the issue on the council’s radar.

Wellingtonians paid their respects at service for Tim O’Donnell.

Author switches from animation to words for her adventure

Making the case for visually impaired to enjoy waterfront.

Meet the youngsters of competitive go-karting at Kaitoke.

Waikanae board confident it can support local causes.

Project will cost $1 million over next three years.

People urged to put names forward for local elections.

Coastal-inspired paintings will stand out in a crowd.

District council spending $25,000 on a dozen new seats.

New Zealander awarded for address to international audience.

Patty Kilpatrick thought finding a birthday present for husband John’s 50th would be hard – he wanted a kiwi, reports KATE MELZER.

Best 30 works will tour the country after judging.

Four city buses have no black smoke coming out their back ends, all because of a new kind of fuel developed in the Hutt, reports KATE MELZER.

The only team undefeated at the World Cup returned to an hysterical welcome in Wellington.

An anti-congestion suggestion that came from the mayor.

Figures show parents prefer nan/pop for informal childcare.

They can’t go to worlds after national body rejects them.

Daily water usage must reduce by 14 litres per person.

A small group of Karori volunteers runs a practice activation.

Council will offer interest free loans for water tanks.

Plimmerton Fire Brigade is having a ball to raise money for new gear.

Just one Kiwi features in the Australian surfing movie, Flux.

Wellington design student fascinated by trees and ’stuff’.

Speed reductions billed as improving pedestrian safety.

Berhampore retiree reaches out via web, video and email.

Kapiti Coast property owners will pay 6% more this year.

Search for a safer Mt Vic tunnel hasn’t hit bedrock yet.

Junior rugby players got to train with All Black superstars.

Disquiet at idea of dispensing painkillers from a machine.

Show at Wellington gallery tells a strong story

Vampires, alcohol and celebrities inspire some dog names.

But older shoppers prefer personal service over machines.

At four, Hutt youngster Charlotte Ross just loves to run.

Danyon wins novice cyclocross race at first attempt.

Coastal land locals fought for is now to be saved.

Fresh spate of tagging makes mark on Karori properties.

‘Mission Possible’ forum focuses on success stories.

‘His parking needs some work,’ the fireman said to JOSIE GLASSON after her neighbourhood peace was broken by a crash.

Council runs out of time to review fire bylaw – so no permits.