News briefs: Entries open for 30th anniversary New Zealand Masters Games in Whanganui

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Entries to New Zealand's largest multi-sport event open at 8am today.

Early bird registrations to the 30th Anniversary New Zealand Masters Games in Whanganui next year offer inducements to those entering early for the February 1-10 event.

If people register today, they will be one of the first with the opportunity to claim a limited 30th Anniversary VIP upgrade packages.

The 2019 participant packages include:
■Official 2019 Accreditation Pass
■Entry to the exclusive Games Village and nightly entertainment
■Official 2019 Sports Bag
■Souvenir Games Guide
■Souvenir 30th Anniversary photography courtesy of CMG Sport
■Exclusive access to promotions and offers from our event partners

Bus crash probe
Investigations are continuing into the cause of the fatal bus crash at Turoa on July 28. A Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL) bus, carrying 31 passengers from Turoa skifield, overturned at the 9km mark on Ohakune Mountain Rd in Tongariro National Park. Eleven-year-old Hannah Francis, of Auckland, died and 18 other passengers were injured.

Quiz winners
The results have come in and Awa are the inaugural winners of the Whanganui High School house quiz. Over 500 students participated in the event that took place at Jubilee Stadium on Friday. Awa received a trophy designed by head of technology Craig Adam for their victory. Its design incorporates the school's four house names and the meanings behind them. The overall placings were: 1st - Awa, 2nd - Maunga, 3rd - Moana and 4th - Whenua.

Jury trial chosen
A man has pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing cannabis for supply, aggravated robbery and injuring with intent to injure. Alexander Robert Coe elected for a trial by jury in the Whanganui District Court on Tuesday. He will next appear for a case review hearing on October 9.

Clarification
In an article in Tuesday's Chronicle - "The modern tyranny of metrics ... " - Peter Lyons said having a SMART goal was now a requirement for all teachers as specified by the Teachers' Council. The Education Council has asked us to point out it does not set goals for teachers, though it does want to know schools have a good appraisal process in place.