Conservationisis earlier thought that he was dead, but he was spotted about two weeks ago in the Auckland suborn of Glendowie–which is about 30 kilometers from where he disappeared.

The rare male kokako reportedly disappeared from his pest-proof home at the Ark in the Park sanctuary in the Waitakere Ranges in 2012.

Duncan was reportedly identified because of the I.D. band tied to his foot. Staff from the Department of Conservation (DoC) had problems tracking him because of a malfunctioning transmitter. According to a spokesperson, it would have been more risky if he lived in Glendowie, because there are many cats in the streets.

A Kōkako (Callaeas cinereus) Head in closeup. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The DoC continues to do their research and management for the rare species. Their “research by management” programme (comparing kokako survival and productivity) has given positive results. “Intensive management of introduced mammals can result in rapid expansion of kōkako populations,” said the report.
According to the Kaharoa Kokako Trust, one of the biggest reasons for the kokako’s decline is predation by possums and ship rats. “These animals attack females on the nest and destroy their eggs and chicks. The only way to ensure the survival of kokako is to protect them from these predators during the nesting season so chicks can fledge,” the report said.

Find out more at www.kokako.org.nz

The kokako are endemic to New Zealand. They belong to the Callaeidae–New Zealand wattlebirds. The Department of Conservation says that it’s the only member of its family that still survives in the mainland today.

“The bird is not particularly good at flying and prefers to use its powerful legs to leap and run through the forest.” (http://www.doc.govt.nz/conservation/native-animals/birds/land-birds/kokako/)

According to One News, Duncan is one of only about 750 pairs left in the North Island.

Duncan is now home in the Waitakere Ranges.

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An Armed Offenders Squad call out prompted the lockdown of Kristin and Albany Junior High schools after a report of a domestic incident, where there was sight of a possible gunman on school grounds.

Inspector Peter Raynes said that police have been investigating a family violence in an Albany Highway home. According to Inspector Les Paterson, the man–who is in his 30s–may have had something to do with a domestic incident that happened last night. They believed that he was upset and was carrying a firearm.

Reports say that the man allegedly tried to point a gun to his partner, and then threatened that he will harm himself.

A member of the public reported that there was a man running across school grounds, carrying what looked like a rifle.

“Police didn’t know if it was linked to their search, but the sighting was very close by,” Raynes said.

The two schools were locked down for over three hours, while officers surrounded the home. Both schools assured that the students were in safe rooms. “It was kind of scary as the teacher yelled and the bell rang and the helicopter flew around,” said one student.

Albany Junior principal Mike Jackson said that the children were “safe and happy and relaxed”.

People in nearby establishments–like ABC Educare and Hells Pizza–also had to stay indoors for a while.

Students and other people from the other affected establishments have since been allowed to leave. Police thanked the public for cooperating.

Authorities found the man hind in Waiake Beach near Browns Bay, where he was hiding amongst tree roots. No firearms were found.

Video from One News: http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/explosions-in-auckland-schools-lockdown-drama-video-5435800

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Prime Minister John Key has recently released the new figures that would be needed for rebuilding–the estimate has now reached $40 billion, he revealed at the National Party Conference in Hanmer Springs.

“No Government in the world has undertaken this kind of recovery…these estimates will continue to be updated from time to time but they do not change the Government’s commitment to Christchurch and Canterbury,” Key told reporters.

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This rebuild has been referred to as one of the “largest and most complex single economic project in New Zealand history.”

The recent increase includes costs of things like housing, social infrastructure, and commercial development. “The Budget will also show that the estimated net fiscal cost of the earthquakes to the Crown will rise from around $13 billion at the half-year fiscal update last December, to around $15 billion,” Key added.

The Prime Minister makes it clear that they will continue to make updates, and would not change the government’s commitment and responsibility to the city.

About 80 to 90 percent of the costs for the restoration would reportedly go to the private sector, Christchurch mayor Bob Parker told The New Zealand Herald. “It’s a good sign, it shows that people are ready to reinvest and there are a lot of opportunities for investment here,” he added.

Meanwhile, Stuff reported that there were a number of protesters (from Keep Our Assets Christchurch) outside the conference venue, erecting a toll booth with a sign saying “privatised bridge.

According to member Steve Howard, the booth was well-received: “Of course we weren’t in a position to receive money off people, that’s not what we’re about, so we said ‘no thank you’,” he said, adding that some motorists even offered to pay toll, while others found it funny and amusing.

The new amount will reportedly included in next month’s budget. “We will do what it takes to rebuild our second largest city, and that commitment will be unwavering,” assured Key.

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The Customs department found over 500 tablets of the Class B controlled drug in one parcel from Germany, and approximately 570 in another package. There were also three smaller packages containing ecstasy, cocaine, and Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

Customs and police reports believed that the illegal drugs were ordered online. According to reports, more and more illicit drugs are being linked to overseas trading websites like Silk Road, an online black marketplace for buying and selling illegal substances.

Stuff.co.nz estimated that the street value of the drugs is between $14,000 and $28,000. The report said that the police have searched the young man’s home. “We believe that he has been importing these drugs for the purpose of supply,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Sheridan.

“Today’s arrest is a great example of our collaborative work with Police to detect such packages and link them to the people involved. It serves as a warning to anyone who thinks they can buy illegal drugs online and get away with it,” said Customs Acting Group Manager Investigations and Response Shane Panettiere.

Sheridan reassures the public that they will pay close attention to cases like these. “We will continue to use every tool and piece of legislation we have available to us to come down hard on those who peddle drugs,” he told The New Zealand Herald.

According to the New Zealand Herald, the maximum prison sentence for importing Class B drugs to the country is 14 years, while the maximum sentence for importing Class A drugs is life imprisonment. The 19-year-old will appear in the Palmerston North District Court tomorrow to face charges for both.

The police said that the he can face more charges after further investigations.

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• Improve your landscape.

Let’s start outside. Your garden will be one of the first things that people will see, so it should always look beautiful. You can add native plants of different colors, put up lanterns, have a small set-up for hanging out and barbecues, build a water feature like a small fountain, and so on. These small changes will add charm to your outdoor space, and give out a good first impression to visitors and buyers.

• Tidy up the bathroom.

The bath is one of the main things that buyers look at, so make sure that it looks good and functions well. Change the lights, remove the clutter, and if the main fixtures are old, replace them. If you only have one in the house and think that there can be space for one more, consider adding an extra bathroom. These might require a lot of work (you need to hire an expert if you’re doing a complete bathroom overhaul), and you’ll have to shell out a hefty sum, but consider these as investments.

• Fix / Replace the roof.

Inspect the condition of your roof–you can hire a professional or you can do it on your own. Are there any broken shingles, do you see any cracks and tears? Are the gutters clogged? Buyers won’t buy a house with a roof that’s not in good condition, so before selling, you need to make sure that it’s in top shape.

• Add energy-saving features.

Look for this logo when considering your new roofing materials (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

More and more people are starting to practice environment-friendly lifestyle. Many buyers look for houses that would make them cut down on energy costs. Solar panels could be very expensive, especially if you hire a company to do the installation for you, but it’s a great long-term investment. Energy Star-rated windows will make you save hundreds of dollars a year in cooling and heating.

• Fix your kitchen.

This is another area that buyers pay close attention to. Give your kitchen upgrades by painting the walls, refacing or replacing the cabinets, organizing the storage areas. Little improvements will go a long way.

Also, remember that the quality of the kitchen should match the rest of the house–some make the mistake of making the cooking and dining area look so luxurious, that they stand out and look so out of place. There should be harmony in all the rooms of the house.

• Paint the rooms.

Painting is one of the most affordable activities you can do to your space. A new coat of paint can instantly give your home a new look, so look around and see which parts you can brighten up–walls, cabinets, tables, chairs, decks, roof, sheds, etc. You can either hire a professional painter, or you can go DIY and do the work yourself (there are many tutorials available online for this).

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Buying life insurance for the first time could be a bit tricky. There’s too many companies to look into, a lot of different offers to choose from, a variety of different policies being offered, and so on. This article will give you some tips on how to go about the process smoothly–provided below are some of the most important things that you need to keep in mind before you get a life insurance.

1. Do your research – Know the meanings of insurance terms.

Before you start talking to agents and insurance companies, you need to have a background on the basic insurance terminologies so you’ll be able to understand all the things that they will explain to you. You can start off by getting to know the definitions of insurance terms like “premiums,” “deductibles,” “receivables,” and “net premiums” (these could be easily found on the internet). Being familiar with the common terms will allow you to make sense of the policies that your agent will explain to you, and allow you to think of different questions that you can raise during your meetings.

2. Know the amount of coverage that you need.

Don’t just dive in and purchase the first life insurance policy that is recommended to you. You need to be sure that what you’re getting has the right coverage that you need. You can ask the insurance agent to do the computation for you, or you could use different online calculators that will instantly let you know how wide your coverage should be. In evaluating coverage, some of the questions that you need to answer are:

- What is my current income and how much of my family income do I provide?

- How many people in the family depend on me?

- Will my family need to pay some of the debts, mortgage, and other expenses I’ve left behind after my death?

- Will my family have enough money to cover all my funeral expenses?

3. Look for the policy that will suit your needs.

After you’ve figured out the coverage, it’s time to look for the policy that will fit your (and your dependents’) needs. Do you want Whole Life / Universal / Variable insurance and have a big, comprehensive coverage where you can have cash value / investment component, or would you rather get Term Life, which has a relatively cheaper premium for a limited period of time?

4. Find a good company.

This is one of the reasons why you need to take your time and shop around before you settle. Look at different companies and choose the one that has a good reputation, has excellent customer reviews, and has stable investments. You could either go online and look for their customers’ evaluations, or you can also talk to different agents and get to know different choices. If you live in New Zealand, why not start with a well established New Zealand owned insurance company like AA Life.

5. Get it while you’re young.

Insurance policies get more expensive as you age, so if you’ve just graduated college (this is usually the age when your parent’s insurance will no longer cover you) or in your mid twenties, it’s time that you start looking for a policy that will fit your needs. The younger and healthier you are, the more affordable life insurance will be.

Preparing for death, illnesses, and emergencies isn’t exactly the most exciting thing in the world, but we have to face the inevitable. Life insurance is one of the most important purchases you’ll ever make, so choose wisely–let these tips guide you in choosing the right policy for you and your loved ones.

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Don’t just use your smartphone for social networking websites and games. This device is one of the most revolutionary technologies created in our time, and if you just look closely and explore the vast smartphone universe, you’ll find so many helpful features that will make you do your job faster and more efficiently. This article will focus on applications that will make students more productive–take a look and see which fits your lifestyle best.

1. MyHomework – One of the most famous student planners in app markets today, MyHomework will remind you about your assignments, class schedules, and other school activities. It’s also capable of tracking your homework and other responsibilities such as projects and tests.

Available in: Android, iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire, Windows 8

2. Dictionary.com (Dictionary and Thesaurus) – You don’t have to carry a separate dictionary/thesaurus book anymore–if you need to look for definitions, synonyms, word origins and history, sample sentences, and audio pronunciations, all you need to do is type it in your phone and you’ll get instant results.

Available in: Android, Blackberry, iPhone, iPad, Nook, Kindle Phone, Windows Phone

3. Mint – This app is usually used by those who have to take care of big money-related matters like investments and numerous bank accounts, but it will also be very useful to students, because it can help you with budgeting, as well as give you advice on how to manage your savings wisely–mint will allow you to keep track of your accounts and funds, and help you reach your financial goals.

Available in: Android, Android tablets, iPhone, iPad

4. Evernote – Taking down notes during class is still necessary, but if you don’t want to miss anything, this app will allow you to create text into image and audio/voice forms. You can sync these notes with your other devices like laptops or tablets, and you can share them with your classmates using social networking sites (Facebook and Twitter).

Available in: Android, Blackberry, iPhone, iPad, Windows Phone

5. Instapaper – This app bookmarks everything that you want to read online. If you don’t have time to immediately read an article, Instapaper will download and save the unread text for you so you can read it later, even without internet connection. Some of its best features are: adjustable font and text size, an English dictionary, and folders where you can organize your articles.

Available in: Android, iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire

6. Dropbox – This is arguably one of the best free file-sharing technologies we have today. Say goodbye to making attachments–this service sends and receives files (photos, videos, documents) easily, and will allow you to bring them everywhere–you can access your account form different devices such as your phone, tablet, laptop, or desktop computer.

Available in: Android, Blackberry, iPhone, iPad, Kindle Fire

7. LinkedIn Mobile – This app is created for professionals, but if you’re a college student who wants to start early and connect with experts and accomplished pros, this is where you’ll find them. You can also get to know companies using this app–having an idea of what they do will allow you to find the professional path you may want to take in the future.

Available in: Android, Blackberry, iPhone, Palm

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They say that it’s okay to make mistakes if it’s your first time to try something, but this does not really apply to purchasing a home. Being a first-time home buyer is a challenging task, as you will need to be as precise and as careful as possible to be able to get your money’s worth. This article will enumerate the specific things that you need to inspect and ask when buying a house or property. But before you start, have a quick look Mortgage Calculator NZ.
Outside the house – Location and neighborhood

Is there a grocery store nearby?
How far is the nearest hospital?
Is it accessible / Are there different transportation options?
What are the neighborhood restrictions?
(For those with children) Is it near their school? Is there a playground or a park nearby?
Are there centers for recreational activities and sports?
What’s the regular traffic during weekdays?
What’s the local crime rate?
What are the nearby attractions (ie. malls, parks)

General Areas

Are there leaks in the ceiling?
Do all the doors and windows open and close properly?
Are there cracks in the walls?
Is the attic easily accessible?
Does the house have a history with pests or other harmful insects?
What are the appliances that will be included with the purchase?

Garden / Porch / Yard

Are the roof and gutter in good condition? Are there any missing tiles or shingles? Are there any leaks during rainy days? (Inspect in both sunny and rainy days to see for yourself)
What are the best plants to have in the garden?
Is there a nearby plant nursery you can visit?

Garage

Will the garage fit all of your vehicles?
Are there any specific landscaping regulations you should know about?

Kitchen, Bathrooms, Bedrooms

Kitchen

Are the drawers and cabinets in good condition?
How’s the water pressure in the tap?
Is the sink’s drain functioning well?
Is there enough room for appliances such as microwaves, dishwashers, and toasters?
(If the house comes with a refrigerator) Does it have an Energy Star logo? Is it making strange noises even when closed?

Bedrooms

Will your bed fit?–or, if the bed is included in the purchase–is it big enough for you?
Is there sufficient lighting?

Bathrooms

Are the showers, sinks, and tubs in good condition?
How’s the ventilation?
Is there an exhaust fan?
Are all the toilets functioning properly?

Take this list and the property inspection list by realestate.co.nz when it’s time for you to inspect a property, and even add some things that you think would be beneficial to you–this way, you’ll be sure to cover all the important aspects of the property. Before you go to the house, make sure that you’ve already reviewed your questions and you already have a system on how you’d go about the inspection process. Whether you’re hiring a home inspector or not, you should take part in the job.

Asking the seller questions is always good, but you should also get the different opinions of the people who live there–go around the neighborhood and talk to the residents. Ask them about the quality of living in the area, and get some suggestions on how to get started.

Good luck, and see to it that you take your time in examining the area and the house so you won’t overlook anything.

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The modern Pullman Hotel in the heart of Toulouse! 2009! 8th floor room, facing the city! Wonderful urban design! Accor has done it, again! Enjoy! (Photo credit: || UggBoy♥UggGirl || PHOTO || WORLD || TRAVEL ||)

First and foremost – even before booking, do a quick look-up about your hotel. For example, if you looking at Quay West Suites in Auckland, you may want to read customer reviews on their site or sites like www.tripadvisor.com.

Toilet and sink – These two could be two of the filthiest spots you’ll find in your space. See if they’re well-sanitized and free from stains and nasty residues, and check if the flush and the faucet work. Turn on the faucet and make sure that the drain is working.

Shower – Move on to the shower and see if the hot and cold water knobs are working. Check the drain as well–you need to make sure that you don’t end up standing on inches of shower water when using it.

Bath tub – If your hotel has a bath tub, inspect if there are stains and if the drain is working. Check all knobs, the hot/cold water sources, and also take a look at the shower curtains–it should be intact (you don’t want to trip because of a single loose hook.

Doors – Check all the doors in your room to make sure that all locks are working. This is especially important to those who are traveling with kids.

Cabinets and drawers – There have been cases wherein people would accidentally walk into someone else’s room. One of the easiest ways to check that your room is not occupied is to open the cabinets and drawers–the most common places for storage. If you see even just one item in it that’s not yours or the hotel’s, call reception immediately.

Television – If you know you’ll be watching TV during your stay, checking this appliance is imperative. Also see if the remote is working–this is one of the most common things that people find defective in hotel rooms.

Phone – If you’re expecting or making calls, will always need assistance from reception, or need wake-up calls, see to it that the phone’s functioning properly. Many hotels are also experimenting with phone features (touch screen, wireless) that you may be not familiar with, so immediately ask reception to give you instructions on how to operate it.

Bed bugs – Last but definitely not least is to check for these little pests that could turn your trip into a nightmare. One thing you need to know about bed bugs is they could dwell even in clean places. Though bed bugs do not transmit diseases, you still don’t want them in your room (getting bitten will make it extremely itchy, and you’ll develop nasty spots in affected areas). Bed bugs are very small, so it will be very difficult to see them–the trick is to have a magnifying glass with you. The places where these pests usually stay are: corners, mattresses, headboards, and backs of furniture. Keep an eye on stains on the bed as well–if you find even just a small patch of stain, inform reception right away. It’s also best if you put your bags in the bathroom or outside the room while you’re inspecting–if they’re inside the room, they could instantly crawl into your luggage.

If you encounter problems during inspection, or if you need something to be adjusted or replaced, inform reception immediately. Treating your hotel room as your own and doing all the necessary inspections once you arrive will surely make for a better stay.

1. They perform well in bright settings.

LCDs are excellent in undimmed settings because they won’t reflect light from the outside. They’re equipped with backlights that will provide great pictures even if you set up your TV in bright environments–you’ll have a matte finish and there won’t be any glare, so you don’t have to shut off curtains and stay in a pitch-black room just to get a good display. You also won’t have difficulty with burn-ins (parts of the images could be burned into the display if they stay static for a while), which is a common problem with plasma TVs.

2. They use less energy than plasmas.

Most LCD TVs in the market today consume less power, so if you want to go green, this would be a wiser technology to get, as they save at least 30% less energy. There continues to be an increasing number of eco-friendly panels, so you won’t have a difficult time choosing a model for your home.

3. There are more size options.

LCDs have a wide range of screen sizes so you won’t have a problem looking for the one that fits your home best. The sizes start from 13 inches or smaller, and could reach 60 inches and up. Plasma TVs usually start from 40 inches, so getting it would give you limited choices.

4. They’re cheaper.

Compared to plasma TVs, LCDs are more affordable. Because of the wide range of sizes, you will be able to find lots of reasonably-priced models. LCDs are also more energy-efficient, so you will also be able to save on your monthly electric bills.

5. LCDs are less fragile.

LCD TVs are less fragile than plasmas because they have a plastic screen make-up, while plasmas have glass, so they will be easier to ship or transfer. Because most models are sleek and thin, you’ll have more options on where you want to install them, and they’ll be easier to mount on the wall.

6. LED technology improves colors.

One misconception about LED (Light-Emitting Diode) is that it’s a new type of TV display technology. This actually just a type of LCD TV that uses an LED backlight instead of the standard fluorescent tubes. One of the issues raised by LCD users with earlier models is that their TVs aren’t able to create deep blacks–this is because the fluorescent tubes allow light to leak to the display, and the images don’t turn out to be sharp. LEDs have improved this because the backlight provides better contrast/image saturation.

Buying a new TV is no simple task–you have to do research, go from store to store, and read reviews before you make your decision. Knowing the details provided above will sure make a difference, so take note of these things before you buy your device.