Unemployment's risen again - and there are predictions it will rise even further before the job situation begins to improve. The latest job figures show unemployment has risen to seven point seven percent - a hundred and 43 thousand people are now looking for work as unemployment hits its highest level since September 1994. Ten thousand people have lost their jobs over the last three months - bringing the government under fire and foccusing attention on the economy. PACKAGE FROM Karen Gregory-Hunt
LIVE IV WITH economist Tim Hazeldine who specialises in employment.
The test career of the rugby player dubbed the greatest ever by All Black coach John Hart has come to end. Michael Jones has been dropped from the All Black squad, which this afternoon came in for a shakeup following the team's three in [illegible] row losses to Australia and South Africa. After hearing the news, Michael [illegible] was philosophical. AUDIO CUT
Walter Little is the other noticeable ommission in the 26 man squad John Hart announced this afternoon. LIVE IV WITH All Black Selector, Ross Cooper.
LIVE IV WITH rugby commentator John Mcbeth.
1715 BUSINESS HEADLINE
Two of the country's largest hospital organisations have finally settled their funding for this financial year. Auckland Healthcare, which runs four big city hospitals, has signed a contract worth 458 million dollars, 37 million dollars more than last year. South Auckland Health runs Middlemore Hospital and it's agreed to 223 million dollars, an increase of 28 million dollars. LIVE IV WITH Health Correspondent, Rae Lamb
[illegible] Parliament, the Finance Minister Bill Birch and Wellington's mayor Mark [illegible] are meeting to discuss the proposed sale of Wellington Airport. An argument has developed between the Government and the Wellington City Council, who jointly own the airport, about who instigated the sale, with Mr Birch questioning the council's integrity. Just before the meeting, New Zealand First MPs held a special caucus meeting to discuss the issue. LIVE IV WITH parliamentary reporter Sarah Boyd
1730 HEADLINES
Tension boiled over at the Employment Court in Wellington today, where firefighters are seeking an injunction against the Fire Service Commission's proposed restructuring. Under the proposal firefighters have been told they will have to reapply for about 400 fewer jobs. Documents presented to the Court today show the Fire Service expected to save ten million dollars from the restructuring. LIVE IV WITH Our reporter Corinne Ambler
Order, decorum, sweet reason and anything remotely approaching a sensible debate went out the window as MPs let off steam in the weekly general debate this afternoon. PACKAGE FROM Our political editor Al Morrison
Failed foreign aid projects are being partly blamed for obsolete and dangerous stockpiles of chemicals left in some Pacific countries. Three consultants from New Zealand and Australia, have just completed a four month fact finding mission to 13 Pacific countries to see where the dumps are located. One of those consultants is Auckland environmental chemist Bruce Graham who is still in Samoa - LIVE IV
1745 SPORTS
In the Hamilton District Court, the jury has retired to consider its verdict in the fraud trial of the former head of Kiwi International Airlines Ewan Wilson faces four fraud charges - the trial's been running for ten days now. LIVE IV WITH Our reporter Andrew McRae
[illegible] MANA NEWS
Broken glass, shattered shelfware, and tattered books are all that remain at a Christchurch second hand store after a unique shopping giveaway today, which left one man in hospital. It was all part of second hand dealer Des Ward's retirement clearance - he let bargain hunters loose in his Sydenham Dealers store, and didnt expect a cent in return. Jeff Hampton reports on the spring clean with a difference. PACKAGE