1A strong sense of identity and a desire for self-help has emerged on the first day of the Maori Economic Summit, with delegates suggesting both traditional and Pakeha ways of improving the Maori social position.

2Auckland workers in the Kohanga Reo Programme have had mixed reactions to the Government's grant for the new language nest. They are disappointed that there has been no additional funding for existing kohanga reo, which are struggling to stay afloat.

3Comments by National Party MP for Selwyn Ruth Richardson about the National Party leadership are at odds to electorate opinion, and are said to have caused a spate of resignations party members.

4The Labour Caucus has been asked to adhere to the Government's policy of consensus and allow South African women to play tennis in New Zealand.

5Tight security measures have been introduced at Otorohanga railway station following a series of mailbag thefts.

6Police have found the man suspected of committing a meat cleaver attack on two Te Awamutu women four days ago.

7The old, established ship building yard of Miller and Tunnage at Port Chalmers was gutted by fire overnight.

8The Combined State Unions (CSU) are attacking the spate of tax free payouts by public companies before the Budget. They are especially singling out Doug Meyers of Lion Breweries, who attended the Economic Summit Conference.

9New Zealand is raising a $3.5 billion loan from the United States in order to take advantage of lower short-term rates in the American domestic market.

10The transplant of the heart of a baby into a baby in California is creating controversy, with animal activists threatening repercussions if a similar procedure should be undertaken again. It has also emerged that a suitable human heart was available on the day of the transplant.

11The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) nations have decided to cut back on oil production as a way to shore up falling oil prices.

12British consumers are confused as to why eight tonnes of fruit and vegetables from famine-stricken Ethiopia have been flown to London to be sold to the British public. Meanwhile, donations to the Save The Children fund continue to pour in for Ethiopian famine victims.

13France may have set off another underground nuclear explosion at Mururoa Atoll.

14The Plunket Society believes the problem of child sexual abuse in society is far greater than most would believe, and that it is concerned at a "conspiracy of silence" surrounding child sex abuse in New Zealand.

15The appeal to send the New Zealand Olympic team to the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, almost raised its entire $2 million target, despite fundraising hiccups. However, now Games officials are preparing for another fundraising drive.

16Christchurch newspaper journalist Doug Hodge, whose work was banned by colleagues when he resigned from the New Zealand Journalists' Union, has decided to take early retirement.

17With only a week until the United States Presidential election, polls suggest that President Ronald Reagan has increased his lead over his Democratic challenger Walter Mondale.

18French customs officials have seized a record ten tonnes of hashish worth nearly $40 million.

19Thirty three drug smugglers have been hanged in Iran for their role in drug trafficking.