HEADLINES & NEWS
The dairy industry, New Zealand's biggest export earner, has unveiled its second attempt to get a mega merger off the ground. The two largest dairy companies, Kiwi Dairies and New Zealand Dairy Group, have agreed to form a single giant company, provisionally known as the Global Dairy Company. The industry's marketing arm, the Dairy Board, will be integrated into the new farmer co-operative, to form New Zealand's biggest company, and the world's 14th biggest dairy company. The deal is subject to 75 percent approval from farmer shareholders and will also require the Government's co-operation to laws and regulations. cut of Henry van der Heyden of the Dairy Group. Live i/v rural reporter, Kevin Ikin. Live i/v John Roadley, chairman designate for the proposed new company.
Lawyers for the disgraced Northland gynaecologist Graham Parry say it's possible he may appeal the decision to strike him off the medical register. And they are also opposing moves by his former patient, Colleen Poutsma, to sue him for exemplary damages. Mrs Poutsma is dying in her forties, after Mr Parry failed to examine her when she went to him with abormal bleeding. Once her cervical cancer became apparent, he performed a cone-biopsy on her - instead of referring her for urgent treatment. She haemorrhaged - and had to have an emergency hysterectomy. Package from Lois Williams.
BUSINESS NEWS with CATHERINE WALBRIDGE
The economy appears to have recovered from its "winter of discontent" - with latest figures showing a
rise in growth. Statistics New Zealand says gross domestic product rose by nought-point-seven percent in the three months to the end of September. And with growth in three of the last four quarters, the economy grew by four-and-a-half percent in the 12 months ended September. The department says [illegible] biggest factors were better export returns because of the lower dollar, tourism, and continued good production in farming. There were encouraging signs for manufacturing, which grew one-and-a-half percent. pre-recorded I/V President of the Manufacturers Federation, David Moloney
In Chile, the Supreme Court has given the former military dictator Augusto Pinochet a temporary reprieve from attempts to put him on trial. It has ruled that an order to arrest and indict General Pinochet on kidnap and murder charges was unlawful. Pre-recorded I/V James Reynolds
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with CHRIS REID
Voters in the next election are being promised a faster, more streamlined service in the polling booth, and an earlier result with planned changes aimed at fixing the unprecedented delays of last year. The changes ordered by Justice MInister Margaret Wilson include treating any referenda results as second priority to the election votes, and allowing early votes cast by people voting outside their electorate to be counted before polling stops. Live I/V Chief Electoral Officer David Henry.
Eight key industries are being targeted by the government under its new apprenticeship scheme.
Up to fifteen hundred young people are expected to get jobs in building and construction, dairy manufacturing, electricity and electrical work, engineering, printing, hospitality, telecommunications and boatbuilding. Live I/V the associate education minister Steve Maharey
Police and customs officers in Fiji are searching shipping containers from China, after being tipped-off that one could contain more than 30 tonnes of a chemical used to make the drug "speed". Live I/V correspondent in Suva Shalen Shalen Shandil
The Consumer's Institute is warning that alternative therapists need to comply with the same standards set for all medical practitioners, before they're integrated into the mainstream health system. The Health Minister, Annette King, has just issued guidelines for a new committee to advise her on [illegible] medicines.
The committee is a Green Party initiative, and their Health spokesperson, Sue Kedgley, says she hopes this is the first step to Complementary health practioners working alongside Doctors. Package from Janine Sudbury.
Next month's national rifle championships look set to go ahead despite the closure of the army-controlled rifle range at Trentham. The Army closed four ranges last month because it found that ricochets were more of a danger than previously thought. But now it is letting the championships go ahead as long as the National Rifle Association brings the range up to safety standards. Live I/V Association's president Tony Loughnan
A new fad is top of the Christmas list this year - scooters are selling like hotcakes. The steel or alloy scooters have mini wheels and fold down for carrying - they range in price from around 90 dollars to 300. Package from Jill Galloway.
MANA NEWS
CLOSE & THEME