CATCHING UP: We take a fresk look at stories from around the region

Anglers head out and hook into new season
There were fishy tales aplenty as the opening of the trout fishing season last week saw thousands of anglers flocking to Bay of Plenty lakes.
Fish and Game New Zealand regional manager Steve Smith reckons the October 1 opening day was the busiest in years.
``The weather was superb and the lakes got busier and busier as more boats headed out during the day,'' he said.
``In most seasons a lot of the smaller boats get blown off the lakes by mid-morning but the weather was so good on Friday that most anglers held on and made a day of it.''
Mr Smith said while the fishing had not been easy, most anglers managed to hook something and enjoyed a great day on the lakes.
Fish and Game New Zealand staff surveyed catches on Lakes Tarawera, Okataina, and Rotoiti and up to 1000 anglers were spoken to during the opening day.
``The most encouraging aspect of the day was the excellent fish being caught on Lake Rotoiti,'' Mr Smith said.
``It was also pleasing to see good numbers of anglers on Rotoiti, as use had plummeted in the last two seasons following the summer algae blooms.''
Mr Smith said the biggest recorded catch of the day was a 5.8kg brown trout caught at the Ohau Channel.
Four rainbow trout over 4kg were also caught during the day _ two from the Ohau Channel and one each from Lakes Rotoiti and Tarawera.
``This is the first time that we have seen fish of this size from Rotoiti and Tarawera during our opening day survey, which is a fantastic result.''
Mr Smith noted the Ohau Channel had made a habit of producing the largest fish of the day but big fish from the other two lakes were a particularly encouraging sign for the season ahead. Matthew Torbit
Help for Iran
A western Bay couple who left for Iraq in April to carry out humanitarian work will be unable to fulfil their aim to help rebuild the war-torn community because the danger is still too great.
Joe and Chanel Medwin are now on their way to Iran, with other Operation Mercy aid workers, to help redevelop Bam after the city's devastating earthquake 10 months ago.
They are currently in Tajikistan, Central Asia, and once in Iran they will work in the ancient city of Bam where an earthquake claimed 43,000 lives and left 75,000 homeless in December 2003.
The Medwins will spend up to six months in Bam.
They were originally destined for Iraq so they could carry out aid work but the danger remains too great.
"The team has decided to stay out for the next six months to a year ... things are just too crazy," they wrote in an email to the Bay of Plenty Times. - Anna Bowden
Mystery men
An appeal by police working a sex crime inquiry to help identify two mystery men in a photograph taken 15 years ago has netted two responses from the Bay.
The Bay of Plenty Times ran photos of two men featured in a group shot taken at the Oceanside Hotel Can Bar, in Mount Maunganui in January 1989.
Police national headquarters in Wellington said six responses, including two from Bay of Plenty, had been recorded after newspaper articles and television items featured photos of the two men.
Police believe the two men may be able to help them with an investigation into an alleged 15-year-old sex attack.
The duo were aged in their 20s at the time and were in a group of about 10 at the bar in January 1989. Both are thought to be Pakeha men, who are likely to be in their 40s.
Police have not said whether the men are regarded as suspects or potential witnesses. It is understood other people in the photograph have been unable to identify them.
- Kristin Edge
Stabber sought
Investigations are continuing in the hunt for the person who viciously stabbed a Tauranga man as he was waited for a taxi in Mount Maunganui last month.
Matt Coker 22, was standing on Adams Ave, just outside the pool complex, on Saturday, September 21, when two strangers approached him before one stabbed him narrowly missing vital organs.
The two male attackers then fled in a blue Nissan.
Tauranga police Detective Pete Blackwell said he was certain the offender was from the Wellington region.
"The file has gone down there for a Wellington detective to look at," he said.
"Matt was very lucky. He got stabbed close to vital organs but recovered well and was discharged from the hospital soon after he was admitted."
Wellington police are now continuing the inquires and an arrest was hoped to be made soon. - Justine Turner
Festival's payoff
The Tauranga Garden and Artfest 2004, the biggest yet to be held, will inject possibly millions of dollars into the Bay of Plenty economy, says festival co-ordinator Tricia Legg. With tickets sold to people from as far away as Nelson and the Far North, demand has been heavy since tickets went on sale a month ago.
``We are very happy with ticket sales so far. We've had a lot of enthusiasm from all over the country - heaps from Auckland - and inquiries from Nelson,'' Mrs Legg said.
She said busloads of art and garden enthusiasts would be arriving from Kaikohe, Kerikeri, Gisborne and further afield for the November 8-14 event.
As well as the cost of tickets for the event, other money would be spent on accommodation, food and souvenirs as well as artwork from the gardens.
"Real estate agents love it too - as do the refreshment stops included in the programme.
"It has an enormous impact locally."
Mrs Legg said most in-demand were the three-day passes but lots of weekly passes had already been sold.
More gardens and art than ever will be showcased at this year's event with 119 art stops and gardens between Waihi Beach and Paengaroa. - Lesley Staniland