The Health Funding Authority is being criticised for its failure to spend millions of dollars of mental health money. The extra funding is the result of the 1996 Mason inquiry. But a Health Ministry report shows it's never been fully spent - this year alone, seven million dollars is untouched. The news comes a day after a Coronor's Court heard how the system failed Steven Anderson, a paranoid schizophrenic responsible for the Raurimu massacre. It also coincides with Capital Coast Health cutting 20 mental health jobs to reduce debt. Health Funding Authority Chairman Graham Scott - audio cut
LIVE IV emeritus professor of psychiatry at Auckland University John Werry.
[illegible] IV Health Minister Bill English.
1715 BUSINESS HEADLINE
About 70 students are occupying the Massey University registry building to protest over a fee increase just approved by the University Council. The students drowned out much of the council's discussion at this afternoon's meeting, shouting their opposition to raise next year's fees by three hundred dollars per student - LIVE IV WITH Our reporter Jill Galloway
LIVE IV WITH one of the occupiers, Patrick Rooney, who is the New Zealand University Students' Association President.
The mechanic on trial for the manslaughter of an eight year old girl at an Auckland speedway last year broke down and sobbed when he gave evidence this afternoon. Neville John McNabb is on trial in the High Court in Auckland [illegible] the death of Katrina Le Sueur, who was hit by a wheel from McNabb's racing car at the Waikaraka Park Speedway. IV WITH Our reporter Mary-Jane Aggett
1730 HEADLINES
The battle over Auckland's power company Mercury Energy looks like going to court. At the moment, Mercury Energy is owned through a trust by the Auckland and Manukau City Councils, and Papakura District. But the councils have no say in who is on the board or the company's running. That was highlighted during the Auckland power blackouts early this year and now the councils want changes. The trust and councils met today to try and resolve their differences - but failed. LIVE IV WITH Auckland's mayor, Les Mills.
In the United States, the woman who says she had sexual relations with President Bill CLinton has been testifying before a Grand Jury. Monica Lewinsky testified for six hours and may return to give further evidence. President Clinton has made no public comment on what Ms Lewinsky might be telling the jurors. PKGE FROM Our Washington correspondent Nancy Marshall
The Papua New Guinea government has extended the state of emergency after the North West of the island was devastated by a tsunami three weeks ago A 10 metre high tsunami wiped out a 30km stretch of coast west of the town of Aitape killing more than 2-thousand people. New Zealand and Australian military and medical teams, who were called in to help save the hundreds of injured, flew home last weekend. LIVE IV WITH New Zealand's High Commissioner in Port Moresby Nigel Moore.
An immigration conference in Auckland has been told racism towards new immigrants isnt just from individuals, but is now entrenched in Government Departments. The Immigration 98 conference is focusing on the plight of new immigrants and how to improve their assimilation into New Zealand society. PKGE EX Nicola Pauling
[illegible] SPORTS
Farmers in Eastern Otago are facing a severe spring drought unless significant rain falls over the next month. Over the past 13 months 12 have recorded below average rainfall and forecasters are predicting that won't change until November when La Nina brings the easterly conditions which supplies most of the east coast's rainfall. While other drought stricken areas in Hawkes Bay, Canterbury and Marlborough have received significant rainfall this winter, North Otago has received almost none - PACKAGE EX Graham McKerracher
1750 MANA NEWS
Saturday wet. Sunday wet and windy. Monday blue skies and endless sunshine. Scientists have finally found proof for what we've always suspected - weekends get the worst weather and the sun comes out only when everyone's back at work. A climatologist from the Arizona State University, Randall Cerveny, told me [illegible] into weather patterns on North America's east coast shows that [illegible] in the area naturally creates clouds and rain on a weekly cycle. IV