If nothing else, Sars has provided Zespri with some positive Asian publicity for the humble kiwifruit.
A how-to-survive-the-virus article in Taiwan's Star News carried the headline: "Eating two kiwifruit every day helps enhance system's resistance".
The article quoted two professors saying a nutritionally healthy diet would boost the body's immune system, reducing susceptibility to the virus.
One professor recommended kiwifruit because of its high levels of vitamins C and E, beta carotene and nutrients.
* * *
Economic growth is a fragile thing.
Witness the latest report on the state of the Auckland regional economy, which was launched amid a fanfare of politicians and a montage of celebrities in the Auckland Town Hall last night.
On page 4 of the report Auckland's growth next year is forecast as 2.7 per cent, but by page 13 it has slipped to 2.5 per cent.
Then on page 8 an introduction cites national growth last year as 4.2 per cent, but in the table underneath, it slips to 4.1 per cent.
At that rate, by the time anyone reaches the end of the 27-page report the country could be in recession.
* * *
After the royal commission comes the fire sale. The end of the marathon inquiry into Australia's biggest corporate disaster, HIH, means the commission is selling up, and everything must go.
"HIH Royal Commission Total Clearance" screams the advertisement in the Australian Financial Review.
Yes, all the furniture, fittings and computer equipment used by the commission are going under the auctioneer's hammer in Sydney on Friday.
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