Navy operation
HMNZ ships Wellington and Manawanui are deploying to the Solomon Islands and Kiribati, on an operation that will locate and dispose of explosive remnants left over from World War 2. Operation Pukaurua is a multinational explosive ordnance disposal operation involving personnel from Australia, France, Kiribati, New Zealand, Solomon Islands and the United States. The team is accompanied by an NZ Army explosive detection dog.
Library budgets
The Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) is challenging local authorities to think about the long-term future of their communities before cutting library budgets. LIANZA president Heather Lamond urges councils to consider the implications of reducing library budgets and staff. She says, "The value of public libraries must not be underestimated; they are a major asset to the community with studies showing that for every dollar spent on library services, the community receives up to $4 in benefit."
Ballance reductions