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Flight of the Conchords has received an Emmy nomination for best comedy series.

One half of the comedy duo, Jemaine Clement, has also been nominated for best actor in a comedy.

30 Rock picked up a leading 22 primetime nominations, including best comedy, best actress for its star and creator Tina Fey, and best actor for Alec Baldwin who all took home Emmys last year.

Nominations for United States’ television’s highest honours were announced overnight, with Tina Fey comedy 30 Rock and 1960s period drama Mad Men leading the list.

Another AMC show, Breaking Bad, was also among the drama and best actor nods.

But in a list that reflected the move of some of TV’s best writers to cable channels, last year’s winner Mad Men on AMC seized 16 nominations, including best drama, best actor and four of the five picks for writing.

“We don’t repeat ourselves, which every season gets a lot harder,” he said.

Mad Men creator Matt Weiner told that his writing staff worked hard to take the characters to deeper human levels each season.”

The number of nominations was expanded this year, allowing new contenders like the HBO polygamy series Big Love, AMC’s Breaking Bad, CBS comedy How I Met your Mother and HBO’s Flight of the Conchords to grab a piece of the Emmy action in a contest often criticised for getting stale. “You try to bring in new stuff and in a weird way, we’re getting better at it all the time.

“There is so much good work, we have really recognised the diversity on television today,” said John Shaffner, chairman and CEO of the Television Academy, which gives out the Emmys. . Broadcaster NBC earned 67 nominations, followed by ABC (55), CBS (49) and Fox (42).

Among networks, cable channel HBO lead with 99 nominations, while Showtime had 29 and AMC 23. But the fresh faces meant some old favourites were snubbed.

OUT WITH OLD, IN WITH NEW

The Academy said 41 of the 83 nominations for comedy and drama programs for the June 2008-May 2009 season were different from the previous year.

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Kiefer Sutherland of 24 got a single miniseries acting nomination for Fox’s 24: Redemption special, while Katherine Heigl of Grey’s Anatomy (ABC) got nothing despite supporting actress recognition for co-stars Sandra Oh and Chandra Wilson

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The death of a forestry worker in the Waikato tonight is the second workplace death in the area in 24 hours, police say.

Te Kuiti sub-area manager Senior Sergeant Rob Van Kalken said police and ambulance staff were making their way to a remote location in the Rangitoto Ranges, east of Te Kuiti, after reports of a forestry worker being killed about 5pm.Mr Van Kalken said police hoped once preliminary investigations were completed the body could be taken back to Te Kuiti and identified.There was little radio and cellphone coverage in the area and police were attempting to establish what had happened.A contractor working on a sewage line replacement was killed about 24 hours earlier after the trench he was working in collapsed.The dead worker’s name would not be released until next-of-kin had been notified. .Piopio father of three Mark Williams, 43, was digging a trench with colleagues on Williams Street, Te Kuiti, when the trench suddenly collapsed, burying him chest-deep in dirt about 5pm.Mr Van Kalken urged workers in the area to ensure their safety while working.Department of Labour inspectors were at the trench site today carrying out an investigation.”Obviously these incidents are unrelated, however we don’t want to be facing any similar tragedies and we’re asking people to ensure safety is their number one priority.”

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An inquest into the death of a loader driver on a Taranaki farm has been adjourned after the coroner took the unusual step of urging the Department of Labour to reconsider laying charges.

The inquest into the death of Paul Edwin Orin Robinson, 36, of Tapawera, 58km south-west of Nelson, was due to be heard in the New Plymouth Coroner’s Court yesterday.

She told the court she was “surprised” no charges had been laid by the department and put Mr Robinson’s former employers, Nelson-based South Pacific Movements Ltd, as well as the owners of the land where the fatal accident happened “on notice” that they might need to take legal advice. .

Forestry workers jumped into the water in an unsuccessful attempt to save their trapped colleague.

Mr Robinson died after his machine tumbled off a farm bridge and into the Mohakatino River, near Mokau, in June last year.

Ms Nagara said she was not prepared to proceed with the inquest, given the amount of evidence she had in front of her, and was concerned that proceeding with the hearing could prejudice the case.

Farm owner Ben Hutchinson was cleared in December of any blame, following an investigation by the Department of Labour, while no charges were laid against South Pacific Movements Ltd.

“The features of this case are such that I’m surprised that charges were not laid.

“I don’t consider I would do Paul any justice if I was to rush it [inquest] through,” she said.

Mrs Gichard then asked if the coroner had fresh evidence that the department was not in possession of.”

Department of Labour health and safety inspector Gail Gichard responded in court by telling the coroner that the case had been extensively peer reviewed before the decision not to lay charges was made.

“My concern is very much to do justice to Paul and get to the bottom of what happened,” she said, before adding that it was a difficult decision to adjourn the case, knowing that a number of Mr Robinson’s family had travelled from Nelson.

Ms Nagara responded that she was not prepared to discuss that in open court.

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Mrs Robinson said she did not want to comment on the coroner’s decision until after the case was closed.

Barbara Robinson, Paul’s mother, said after the adjournment that she “just wanted closure” to the case.

“The next step will be to discuss a number of issues with the coroner, and that’s pretty much as far as I can go,” he said.

Department of Labour Taranaki manager Brett Murray was also reluctant to talk about the decision.”

South Pacific Movements Ltd director Anthony Bamford, of Nelson, was not available for comment. “I don’t really want to say any more until I’ve discussed it with her.

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New car rescue method tested

Monday, 16 February 2009

Crash victims trapped in cars could have a better chance of survival, with the fire service testing a new method of pulling wrecks apart.
Five fire stations in Hawke's Bay, Wairarapa and Porirua areas with some of the highest front-impact-crash rates are involved in the trial.
It involves anchoring the wreck to a tree or truck before chains attached to the fire truck's hydraulic system pull away sections of the vehicle as its roof and door pillars are cut with the jaws of life.
Masterton station officer and trial coordinator Garry Nielsen said the rescue method was revolutionary.
A Masterton firefighter was sent to Norway last year to learn the new technique, which was tested in Wairarapa last week at a bad car crash. This is ground-breaking. "In the past, the techniques we have used could take up to an hour or more to free someone. We can have them out in 15 minutes. Every second is critical. For every 10 minutes someone is trapped, there is 10 per cent less chance of survival. ."
On Wednesday, Greytown firefighters used the chains to free a 74-year-old woman trapped in her car after it crashed into a bridge on Cape Palliser Rd close to Ngawi.

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If the trial is successful, it will be rolled out nationwide at a cost of about $500 per set of chains for each rescue fire-truck

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Murder accused Xue back in court

– Tuesday, 03 February 2009

The man accused of murdering his wife then dumping his daughter in a Melbourne railway station will be forced to give a dna blood sample in 10 days time.
Nai Yin Xue, 55, is in custody awaiting trial for the murder of his 27-year-old wife An An Liu in September 2007.
Xue went on the run in the United States for more than four months but was captured in February last year and returned to New Zealand.
Her body was found in the boot of the family car outside their rented house in Mt Roskill, Auckland, four days after he allegedly abandoned his daughter, Qian Xun Xue – dubbed Pumpkin by Australian police.
Xue did not oppose the order, which would be carried out on February 13.
He appeared in the High Court at Auckland yesterday after the Crown sought a suspect compulsion order that would force Xue to provide a dna blood sample. .
The Crown was also seeking permission to allow hearsay evidence on the state of Xue’s relationship with his wife, and to allow overseas witnesses to give evidence via video link.

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Cop had ‘seconds’ to decide

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Aformer top policeman who led a team in one of New Zealand's most infamous gun battles has backed the police involved in a fatal motorway shootout.
As debate rages about whether the police officer who fired the shot that killed 17-year-old courier driver Halatau Naitoko should be prosecuted, former armed offenders boss Murray Forbes has urged critics to lay off the police.
Mr Forbes, who led the team that killed mass murderer David Gray at Aramoana, close to Dunedin, in 1990, said the officer who fired the shot in Auckland on Friday had only a few seconds to make a decision. It happens so quick and it's all very well us talking about it a few days later, but he only had a few seconds to make a decision.
"The officer clearly thought the gunman was a danger. It was a huge mistake and the officer has to wear that.
"It would be devastating for the police. Whether it was justified, they've still got to wear it. But he should lose his job if it was proved he was "drastically wrong"."
It would be wrong to prosecute the officer, he said. Former police inspector and MP Ross Meurant also wanted the officer charged.
Tongan Advisory Council chairman Melino Maka said that, though the incident was not premeditated, it was still an unlawful killing. "I don't see how the Naitoko family are going to get any form of justice in this situation.
"In my dictionary, that means manslaughter," Mr Maka said.
"I think most New Zealanders would like to think that a law-abiding citizen, minding their own business, could not be shot to death by police in this country. .
"He'll be feeling guilty, he'll be full of remorse, he'll be second-guessing himself and he'll be wondering what impact this will have on his family. The incident would stay with him for the rest of his life. It doesn't take it away.
"These officers are extremely highly trained, but the training only reduces the risk.
The authority is called in to investigate whenever police have caused or appear to have caused a death or serious injury while carrying out their duties."
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has started an investigation, but a spokesman said he did not know how long it would take. The chairwoman is a high court judge.
The authority is independent from the police.

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Cop had ‘seconds’ to decide

Tuesday, 27 January 2009

Aformer top policeman who led a team in one of New Zealand's most infamous gun battles has backed the police involved in a fatal motorway shootout.
As debate rages about whether the police officer who fired the shot that killed 17-year-old courier driver Halatau Naitoko should be prosecuted, former armed offenders boss Murray Forbes has urged critics to lay off the police.
Mr Forbes, who led the team that killed mass murderer David Gray at Aramoana, close to Dunedin, in 1990, said the officer who fired the shot in Auckland on Friday had only a few seconds to make a decision. It happens so quick and it's all very well us talking about it a few days later, but he only had a few seconds to make a decision.
"The officer clearly thought the gunman was a danger. It was a huge mistake and the officer has to wear that.
"It would be devastating for the police. Whether it was justified, they've still got to wear it. But he should lose his job if it was proved he was "drastically wrong"."
It would be wrong to prosecute the officer, he said. Former police inspector and MP Ross Meurant also wanted the officer charged.
Tongan Advisory Council chairman Melino Maka said that, though the incident was not premeditated, it was still an unlawful killing. "I don't see how the Naitoko family are going to get any form of justice in this situation.
"In my dictionary, that means manslaughter," Mr Maka said.
"I think most New Zealanders would like to think that a law-abiding citizen, minding their own business, could not be shot to death by police in this country. .
"He'll be feeling guilty, he'll be full of remorse, he'll be second-guessing himself and he'll be wondering what impact this will have on his family. The incident would stay with him for the rest of his life. It doesn't take it away.
"These officers are extremely highly trained, but the training only reduces the risk.
The authority is called in to investigate whenever police have caused or appear to have caused a death or serious injury while carrying out their duties."
The Independent Police Conduct Authority has started an investigation, but a spokesman said he did not know how long it would take. The chairwoman is a high court judge.
The authority is independent from the police.

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Kicking off the New Year with a baby

By CHARLIE GATES – Friday, 02 January 2009

KIRK HARGREAVES/
BUNDLE OF JOY: Rachael and John Creighton with their new son, John, who was Christchurch’s first baby of 2009.

"Everyone was having celebrations and she was having contractions."
That was how John Creighton described the New Year's Eve experienced by his wife, Rachael. He weighed in at a healthy 3.
John Creighton, named after his father, arrived three hours and 27 minutes into 2009 to become the first Canterbury baby of the year.
His Christchurch parents were enjoying a quiet evening watching a DVD when Rachael started contractions about 10.74kg.30pm. However, heavy midnight telephone traffic meant they could not get through until the third attempt.
At the turn of the year, the couple were trying to contact their midwife on her cellphone.
"We were pretty early; there were not many texts back that early," Rachael said.
Friends and relatives were told about the new arrival by text message early on New Year's Day, but many had not yet surfaced from celebrations to receive the exciting news.
"I am really tired, but feel really good," Rachael said. .
The proud parents felt New Year's Day would be a good birthday for their son, but were glad the day did not fall too close to Christmas.
The proud parents felt New Year's Day would be a good birthday for their son, but were glad the day did not fall too close to Christmas.07am.
That honour fell to Max Arthur Honey, born at North Shore Hospital in Auckland at 12.12am. Max narrowly beat a baby boy born to Wanaka woman Nicky Meissel in Dunedin Hospital at 12. Jenna Stephenson also came into the world at 12.
Half an hour later, Queenstown resident Natasha Caine gave birth to a son at Invercargill's Southland Hospital.

.42am, in Waikato Hospital

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Hastings millionaire mum on arrest reports

By KATHY WEBB Tuesday, 23 December 2008

Hastings millionaire Sam Kelt is refusing to comment on suggestions that he has been charged with trespassing at a Havelock North bar.
It is understood Mr Kelt was asked to leave the Diva bar in Havelock North late on Thursday night, where his staff from merchant bankers Kelt Capital were socialising after having lunch that day at the exclusive Cape Kidnappers Lodge.
Diva owner Gerald Beach refused to comment yesterday.
A witness said he saw police handcuffing Mr Kelt and putting him into a patrol car outside the bar after he tried to re-enter it.
A statement issued by Police National Headquarters in Wellington said a man, 46, was arrested in Havelock North on December 18.
Hastings police would not confirm reports that Mr Kelt had been arrested and held overnight in the cells.
The sent Mr Kelt a list of questions yesterday but his staff said he would not respond till today, except to say "the inference of the questions is either completely false or factually incorrect".
The man, who was not identified, was due to appear in court next month on a charge of wilful trespass.
Mr Kelt sponsors New Zealand's richest horse race, the $2 million Kelt Capital Stakes, run in Hastings each year.
However, they pointed out that they had a letter from the management of Cape Kidnappers Lodge saying Kelt Capital's Christmas lunch had been a pleasant affair, a "large gratuity" had been left, and they would be welcomed back. He has said he will increase the prizemoney to $3 million next year or in 2010.

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In the St Nick of time

Monday, 22 December 2008

/The
EARLY XMAS: Santa came early for Bianca White, providing some cheer before she starts treatment today that will leave her too miserable to enjoy herself on Christmas Day.

Santa came early for Bianca White, providing some cheer before she starts treatment today that will leave her too miserable to enjoy herself on Christmas Day.
The White family celebrated Christmas yesterday before the five-year-old starts a five-day round of steroid treatment to help her battle against acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. "She woke up and leapt straight into them.
Her father, Terence, said Bianca left out some fairy bread and milk for Santa on Saturday night, which must have worked, because she awoke to a pile of presents at the end of her bed.
Her parents' families in South Africa sent presents early and Bianca, who is a good reader, played Santa's helper, handing out the gifts under the tree to her parents and little sister Caitlyn."
Her favourite present was the board game Mouse Trap, which had been top of her wish list.
Lea White said her daughter's monthly steroid treatment was always a tough time, turning the sunny little girl "very grumpy and sad"..
"It's terrible . basically we anticipate none of us is going to be up to much on the 25th itself and we'd all have more fun if we celebrated early..
Families with child cancer patients in the lower North Island had it even tougher after July last year when Wellington Hospital downgraded its service after the departure of a paediatric oncologist."
Bianca's leukaemia was diagnosed two weeks before her fourth birthday.
The other specialist left in January.
The other specialist left in January.
Bianca has finished the intensive phase of her treatment but will be on daily chemotherapy tablets, steroids and monthly lumbar punctures till September.
Their arrival was too late for the Whites, who moved to Auckland in May to be close toer to specialist services.
Bianca loves school and Caitlyn, 21 months, has started daycare. Her parents are determined to give her as normal a life as possible.
Bianca has also been given permission by her doctors to begin swimming lessons and her parents plan to send her to a camp for child cancer sufferersin January. Previously, she could not mix with other children as a result of the threat she could bring bugs home to Bianca, who was especially vulnerable to infection. "You don't know what you can bear till you have to we've been privileged to meet some incredible people, doctors and nurses and other families of kids with cancer.
Mrs White said she and her husband felt grateful for how far they had come this year.