PRESS DIGEST-New Zealand newspapers - Oct 12

WELLINGTON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Following are some of thelead stories from New Zealand metropolitan newspapers on Friday.

Stories may be taken from either the paper or Interneteditions of the papers.

Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouchfor their accuracy.

DOMINION POST()

Signs of gloom for factories: New orders for manufacturersare dropping away according to a new survey, which the GreenParty says makes a mockery of Prime Minister John Key's claimthere is no "crisis" in the sector.

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Explosion of oil exploration in Taranaki: Close to 100 oiland gas wells are likely to be drilled in Taranaki over the nexttwo years as exploration activity ramps up to its busiest in theregion's history.

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Pyne's Project Tulip may be nipped in bud: Pyne GouldCorporation's strategy to make money from financecompany litigation looks in doubt after tough action by theFinancial Markets Authority.

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17pc profit boost for Scott Technology: Christchurchmanufacturer of automated production systems Scott Technologyhas posted a 17 per cent rise in profit to $6.1 million.

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Ambulance sent 700km off course: A choking toddler'semergency treatment was delayed because an ambulance wasmistakenly sent to Southland rather than a childcare centre inLower Hutt.

- - - - NEW ZEALAND HERALD ()

Smelter talks 'not broken': Reports that Meridian Energywalked away from talks with the owners of the Tiwai Pt aluminumsmelter last week are simply false, says its chief executiveMark Binns.

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New radio platform: The Radio Network is launching an onlinedigital radio platform that can been accessed through the worldwide web, smartphones, iPads, and on Xbox.

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Big cities not always best for getting work: Jobseekersshould not ignore rural New Zealand when it comes to looking forwork as smaller areas have more opportunities in someindustries, a Herald investigation has found.

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Haier blasts valuation: Chinese home goods giant Haier hastaken a fresh swipe at the independent adviser's valuation ofits takeover target, Fisher & Paykel Appliances .

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Manufacturing contracts: A barometer of manufacturingactivity remains in contraction territory, but talk of anindustry in crisis is overblown, says Bank of New Zealandeconomist Craig Ebert.

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((Wellington newsroom tel [phone], fax [phone]))

Keywords: NEWZEALAND PRESS