The Australian dollar has finally hit parity with the US dollar.

Monitoring gear developed in New Zealand is being used to help doctors assess the vital signs of the miners trapped in the Chilean mine.

A local biotech firm is set to use its patented microbe technology in China.

A US law means supplies of the gas - a vital component in MRI scans - are vanishing fast.

Despite environmental concerns persisting, local MPs are hopeful mining in Northland and on the West Coast will boost jobs.

The Govt this morning withdrew its proposal to open up more than 7000ha of conservation land to prospecting and mining.