Wellington, August 20 : Scientists in New Zealand are working on robots that can perform a host of doctors’ duties like measuring blood pressure, helping patients who fall over, carrying out ward rounds, and keeping older folk company.

Auckland University has opened a new joint-venture robotics laboratory with Korean scientists for the purpose.

At the opening of the laboratory in Auckland, a robot took Research, Science and Technology Minister Pete Hodgson’s blood pressure.

The laboratory has been made for the purpose of adapting robot technology already developed by Korean researchers, and westernising it so that the machines could speak and recognise English.

Wellington - New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said Wednesday the situation in Fiji, whose military ruler has boycotted a regional summit meeting, was like Zimbabwe in the lead-up to its suspension from the British Commonwealth.

Clark was talking to reporters at the opening of the annual meeting of the Pacific Islands Forum in Niue, which Fiji strongman Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama refused to attend after backing down on a promise he gave his colleagues last year to hold fresh elections by next March.

Wellington - Thousands of spectators turned out to watch about 30 topless women take part in a so-called Boobs on Bikes parade through Auckland's main street on Wednesday after a judge rejected a city council bid to stop it.

The council failed Tuesday to get a court injunction to stop the parade organised by a self-confessed pornography baron, with Judge Nicola Mather saying it may be tasteless but "in a mature society the vast majority might consider it harmless."

Wellington - New Zealand is experiencin

Auckland, Aug.16: An Auckland adrenaline junkie has cracked the world bungy jumping record for most jumps in 24 hours, making 103 jumps in 10 hours.

Wellington - Six Australian climbers were believed to be trapped in poor weather Friday on New Zealand's Southern Alps after setting off an emergency beacon, officials said.

A helicopter with a specialist alpine rescue team was standing by in the village at the foot of 3,745-metre Mount Cook and awaiting a break in the weather to take off, a Rescue Coordination Centre spokesman said.

Officials ruled out sending a ground party into the mountains because of the risk of avalanches.