A weed control firm which bluntly said "wimpy" job seekers were not suited to their summer vacancies has pulled the ad from Trade Me after more than 42,000 hits.

The gay marriage bill nearly has the numbers to pass its first stage, despite New Zealand First's attempt to derail it.

An anti-gay marriage website has had a few teething problems - it crashed shortly after launch and a US band is appalled one of its songs has been used without permission.