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Central Auckland remains without power this evening - and that means sparks are expected to fly at a public meeting called to discuss the power crisis. That meeting is due to begin in about half an hour - we'll be crossing live to our reporter there later. PACKAGE FROM Mary-Jane Aggett
The crisis has focused attention on the well-known law firm Russell McVeagh - with accusations that it - a key figure in the Winebox inquiry - virtually runs Mercury Power. The accusations have come from Treasurer Winston Peters and ACT leader Richard Prebble - Mercury's Board Chairman Jim Macauley rejects them.
LIVE IV WITH JIM MACAULEY
Meanwhile, a Trustee of Mercury Energy says Russell McVeigh has told the Auckland Energy Consumer Trust not to talk publicly about compensation for those hurt by the power crisis. The directive came during a meeting where Trustee Victoria Carter says they were asked to provide immediate relief for small business, consider compensation and to prepare an urgent report on the issue of compensation. IV WITH Victoria Carter
1715 BUSINESS HEADLINE
There's no solution to the Waikaremoan Māori occupation. Urewera Māori - Tuhoe - have occupied the land in the National Park for seven weeks - they've been accused of stealing, driving away tourists, exposing themselves to women and cutting down native trees. Today, representatives of both the Tuhoe and the Wairoa-Waikaremoana Māori Trust Boards and the Conservation Minister Nick Smith met. IV WITH Dr Smith
IV WITH Tame Iti from Tuhoe
A King Country couple is seeking at least a million dollars from the crown - claiming they were victims of an OSH witch hunt after a fatal accident on their farm. Keith and Margaret Berryman say they spent half a million dollars defending negligence charges and arguing their case before the Coroner's Court.
PACKAGE FROM Stephen Harris
Act's leader Richard Prebble has challenged the government to explain why it hasn't taken emergency action to restore electricity supply to Auckland. He says enough of the right cable for an emergency line above ground is probably available in New Zealand already - and even if it wasnt, a German company could get it here within 48 hours for 180 thousand dollars. Mr Prebble also said in Parliament this afternoon that large generators are available overseas at a moments notice. LIVE IV with the Minister of Energy Max Bradford.
1730 HEADLINES
Back to our lead story - and the Auckland power blackout. Central city retailers and residents are heading for a showdown in a few minutes with the Auckland City Council over its handling of the city's power crisis. The council's called a meeting at the Auckland Town Hall in the wake of criticisms from retailers that they've been abandoned in their hour of need. LIVE IV WITH Our reporter there Karen Mangnall
Food safety groups are warning of dire health consequences if approval's given to put genetically modified food on supermarket shelves. The Australia New Zealand Food Authority has issued a safety standard for such foods - final approval is now up to the New Zealand and Australian Health Ministers. But as industries prepare to embrace the new technology, lobby groups are sounding the alarm - Cushla Managh PACKAGE
1745 SPORTS
The chairperson of Wellington's bid to host the 2006 Commonwealth Games has met the prime minister this afternoon to press for a 20 million dollar Government guarantee for the venture. The meeting comes while delegates from the Commonwealth countries are in the region this week to inspect proposed venues for the games. LIVE IV WITH Chairperson of Wellington 2006, and deputy mayor Kerry Prendergast
1750 MANA NEWS
In the High Court in Gisborne - and the Darren Torrey murder trial. Torrey is charged with killing his wife Andrea in August last year, and dumping her body in the grounds of a local high school. LIVE IV WITH Our reporter Heugh Chappell
1800 NEWS BULLETIN