BIG SNOW: Snow snow and small snow. Throughout the south snow causes problems for motorists. Graders working hard and people too. Polar blast causes excitement. Roads turned to lakes in Canterbury. South now firmly in winter's grip.

BIG SNOW: High in the hills west of Dunedin locals cope without dry washing. No tele. Snow ploughs preferred method of transportation. Pubs down on visitors but a welcoming snowasis. Workers get lots of offers of cups of tea. Bad weather for second night. State highway 7 lewis pass is still closed.

PETROL PRICE RISE: Shell has raised petrol prices and experts say the latest rise may not be the last. The majority over the last two weeks but could be another couple of cents. All watching and waiting and saying that price rises will be driven by competition. OPEC has been raising the price of oil by squeezing supply. Prices will flow through to economy - Reserve Bank likely to account for it as a one-off says economist.

BABY DEATH: Coroners inquest into baby Olivia Friend, four months old when baby died in cot death. Couple left manufacturers plastic covering on mattress after being advised that plastic covers were good to prevent cot death. Policeman: Olivia's face found in full contact with plastic hands above her head. Medical expert says clear from infant literature that plastic is dangerous in the vicinity of infants. Parents say they did everything "we just failed ourselves - I don't know" says the father.

BABY DEATH: Meanwhile Ministry of Health says it is not aware of any risks or deaths related to Babesafe mattress covers.

GISBORNE SMEAR TESTS: Health Funding Authority says most people who are eligible for tests in the Gisborne pathologist case have not yet had smear tests. HFA is trying to encourage women to come forward and be tested.

STYLE: Style Pasifika - art on the edge - stealing the show Body Paint. The show is growing. Future looks favourable. Catwalk shots. 12 awards will be presented tonight from traditional to drag. Emphasis on capturing culture not just winning.

SCOTT WATSON TRIAL: 6 people onboard Water Taxi. Witness identifies boat as a ketch with no dinghy attached to it. Witness describes mystery person - Watson - as having longish hair. Amelia said she did not remember. Another witness backs up the story.

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

CONTACT ALASTAIR THOMPSON

• Mobile - 021707044
• Twitter - @althecat
• Google+

• Linkedin
• Facebook
• Email - alastair@scoop.co.nz