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New Zealand is to join the post-war cleanup of Iraq, with the government committing to send defence personnel to help clear landmines. The 15 staff will be part of the United Nations Mine Action Service, which is preparing an emergency response team. The first New Zealanders will leave for Iraq in the next few weeks - the Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff joins me now. LIVE IV
In Iraq, another key official from Saddam Hussein's regime has been arrested. Mohammed Hamza al-Zubeidi is alleged to have played a leading role in the brutal suppression of a Shiite Muslim uprising in 1991. Meanwhile, about two thousand Shiite Muslims have staged an anti-American protest in Baghdad after US troops arrested one of their leaders. Steve Mort reports. PKGE
Low rainfall in the South Island over the Easter weekend has seen hydro lakes drop to their lowest levels this year - and their storage capacity is already well below that recorded during the 2001 power crisis. While some parts of the country have seen torrential rain over the past few days, Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo have recorded barely half their usual inflows. The lakes provide most of the country's electricity generation capacity, but have now dropped under 70-percent of their average storage capacity for this time of year. Joining me now is the man put in charge of winter power savings Patrick Strange. LIVE IV
The international credit ratings agency Standard and Poors has dealt another blow to Tranz Rail, further downgrading its rating to triple C and warning that it might make another cut. Standard and Poors has cut Tranz Rail's ratings by five notches in recent weeks as the rail company's share price plunged to all time lows and the rail operator fired its chief financial officer. Joining me now is our business editor John Draper. LIVE IV
BUSINESS with JOHN DRAPER
Buying a house has become more affordable in the latest quarter, for the first time in more than a year according to AMP's Home Affordablility Index. The quarterly report is prepared for AMP by Massey University's Real Estate Analysis Unit. It shows that although house sales have continued to be strong, prices have stabilised, mortgage interest rates are static and wages have risen 0.7 percent in the quarter. I asked Grame Crews, Senior Lecturer in Real Estate at Massey University, how affordability can have improved when prices are higher than ever before. IV
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SPORT with ALMA MAUA
Returning to our earlier story - and the arrest of another key official from Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq. Mohammed Hamza al-Zubeidi is alleged to have played a leading role in the brutal suppression of a Shiite Muslim uprising in 1991. But Saddam Hussein and his son remain at large. Our correspondent Simon Marks is in Jordan and he joins me now. IV
As Coromandel residents forced to evacuate by weekend flooding assess the damage to their homes, there are calls for buildings to be relocated from flood-prone areas. A flash flood swept through more than 15 homes in Coromandel town - some residents have returned to their properties, while others are staying with family and friends. Brad Markham reports. PKG
Meanwhile, further south, the problem is not enough water. The continuing drought on the Kapiti Coast is forcing the area's district council to breach its resource consents by taking more water from the Waikenae River than it is allowed. The breaches may see the council prosecuted - and pressure groups are calling for fast action on the area's water problems. Liz Banas reports. PKG
The New Zealand netball coach Ruth Aitken has named the 12-strong squad for June's series against England, and July's world championships in Jamaica. The inclusion of new cap Jodi Te Huna and the return of Temepara Clark and Tania Dalton are the features of the 2003 Silver Ferns team. I asked coach Ruth Aitken how difficult the selection process was. PKG
Far North Health officials are concerned by two possible cases of paralytic shellfish poisoning, despite health warnings not to harvest shellfish because of a toxic algal bloom off the coast. Northland Health says one of two Kaitaia people who ate the same batch of mussels reported a swollen tongue and tingling lips - two of the classic symptoms of such poisoning. I asked a medical officer at Northland Health, Jonathon Jarman, how serious the development is. PKG
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