Wellington - New Zealand's central bank cut its benchmark interest rate by an unprecedented 1 per cent to 6.5 per cent on Thursday, its third cut in 13 weeks after making no reductions for five years.

The Reserve Bank had cut its Official Cash Rate (OCR) to 8 per cent on July 24 after keeping it at 8.25 per cent - one of the highest in the developed world - for 12 months and reduced it again to 7.5 per cent on September 11.

Wellington, Oct 22 : Ice cream tastes better when it''s licked from a cone than eaten from a spoon, according to an expert.

The question of whether ice cream tastes better from a cone than when eaten from a spoon was a tricky hypothesis to prove.

Now, Kay McMath, a sensory scientist from Massey University and chief judge for the New Zealand Ice Cream Awards, has provided a scientific explanation to support the idea that ice cream tastes better when it''s licked, reports the NZPA.

Wellington - The man who could be New Zealand's next immigration minister was dubbed racist on Wednesday for remarks about Asian and Pacific island migrant workers in the country's orchards and vineyards.

Lockwood Smith, immigration spokesman for the opposition conservative National Party, which is favoured in next month's general election, said that Asian workers were more productive "because their hands are smaller" and Pacific islanders had to be taught how to use toilets and showers.

Smith, who was campaigning Tuesday in the vineyard and fruit- producing province of Marlborough, issued a statement regretting that his comments had caused offence but claiming he was reported out of context.

Wellington - New Zealand's APN News and Media Limited, publisher of the country's biggest newspaper, the New Zealand Herald, told staff Wednesday that it was reviewing its operations in reaction to flow-on effects of the economic downturn, a news report said.

The company, which also publishes seven provincial newspapers, the New Zealand Women's Weekly and The Listener, made the announcement to staff, Radio New Zealand reported.

Chief executive Martin Simons said the review and consultation process would affect a small number of staff across the whole company, the report said.

Wellington - The man who could be New Zealand's next immigration minister apologized Wednesday for giving offence with remarks about Asian and Pacific island migrant workers in the country's orchards and vineyards.

Lockwood Smith, immigration spokesman for the opposition conservative National Party, which is favoured in next month's general election, said that Asian workers were more productive "because their hands are smaller" and Pacific islanders had to be taught how to use toilets and showers.

Smith, who was campaigning Tuesday in the vineyard and fruit- producing province of Marlborough, said his comments were reported out of context.