Wellington - An earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale was recorded Tuesday in the South Pacific, nearly 1,000 kilometres north of New Zealand, the US Geological Survey reported.

The quake, at 0624 GMT, was centred about 215 kilometres south of Raoul in New Zealand's Kermadec Islands, a volcanic chain spread over 250 kilometres of ocean.

The islands are all uninhabited except for Raoul, where the Department of Conservation maintains a field station with about 10 staff. Radio New Zealand said there had been no reports of damage or injury from Raoul.

Wellington  - New Zealand's newly elected conservative government promised workers Tuesday it would cut their income taxes in each of the next three years, but immediately sparked a row with labour unions over tough new employment laws.

As the new parliament was officially opened with traditional pomp and ceremony, the National Party, which ended nine years of rule by a social democrat-led government in last month's elections, moved to rush radical new policies into law before Christmas.

Wellington - New Zealand's newly elected conservative government pledged Tuesday to cut income taxes in each of the next three years to spur workers into raising productivity and revive the lagging economy.

A single-minded concentration on economic growth was the main feature of the National Party's policy programme, outlined at the official opening of the new Parliament following last month's general election.

The programme was set out in a speech prepared by Prime Minister John Key but read, according to tradition, by Governor-General Anand Satyanand, the representative of Queen Elizabeth, who is New Zealand's head of state.

Wellington, Dec 8 : US producer and director Greg Bonann, the creator of the hit TV series Baywatch, is looking for a Kiwi actress that he could turn into Pamela Anderson for a new New Zealand TV drama.

Bonann, who launched Anderson and her co-star David Hasselhoff into stardom, has plans for a new drama in New Zealand and wants to do the same with three Kiwi girls in a show dubbed "Southern Lakes".

He has started work with some of Hollywood''s well-known writers to develop a script for the show, and hopes to shoot a pilot episode in Queenstown next year.

Wellington  - New Zealand's newly elected government Monday signed off on a fast-track programme of legislation to be passed by parliament which includes tax cuts designed to stimulate the economy, Prime Minister John Key said.

Key was talking to reporters shortly before the swearing in of legislators elected in the November 8 poll. His government's detailed programme for the next three years is to be unveiled at Tuesday's official opening of parliament.

Wellington - David Beckham and his LA Galaxy outclassed an Oceania All Stars team 3-0 in an exhibition game in Auckland on Saturday night.

Beckham starred with a brilliant display of football in the first 45 minutes when all the goals were scored, and his side held on in a scrappy second half despite playing the last 19 minutes with 10 men after midfielder Josh Tudela was sent off on his second yellow card.

Although Beckham failed to match the popularity from his last visit to New Zealand a year ago, when he drew the biggest crowd ever to watch a football match in the rugby-mad country.