HEADLINES & NEWS
The Prime Minister has begun her historic visit to the United States, making her the first New Zealand labour prime minister invited to meet the president at the White House since 1975. As Helen Clark travelled to Washington, the White House was saying New Zealand's nuclear ship ban will not be allowed to interfere with her discussions with President Bush. Those discussions are scheduled for tomorrow morning. Our political editor Al Morrison is in Washington - he told me that the White House's reassurances mean the nuclear issue can be put aside to allow a positive mood for the visit. IV with DROPINS
Meanwhile, the secrecy of the New Zealand SAS mission in Afghanistan has dominated debate in Parliament, with the Government insisting it has maintained the tradition of keeping the troops' activities confidential. The debate came [illegible] our Political Editor reported from Washington that information about the troops was deliberately placed on the White House website, with New Zealand government approval. He reported that New Zealand officials who went to Washington to pave the way for the Prime Minister's visit agreed that if the information was leaked, it would strengthen the chance of her trip being a success. Our Parliamentary Chief Reporter Kathryn Street says the issue dominated Parliament's question time this afternoon. PKGE
The pay dispute between the government and the country's secondary teachers is becoming more entrenched. The Minister of Education, Trevor Mallard, has called off all negotiations with the union, the PPTA, and says they won't resume until Auckland teachers stop wildcat action. However, the PPTA says regional members can do what they want as long as it doesnt go against any national industrial action. To discuss whether there's a way to resolve the stale-mate, I'm joined by our education correspondent, Gael Woods. IV with DROPINS
BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
[illegible] funeral for the slain New Zealand diplomat, Bridget Nichols has been held in Wellington this afternoon. Ms Nichols was deputy High Commissioner to Solomon Islands when she was attacked and killed earlier this month. Around 600 people attended her funeral service at the captial's St Paul's cathedral - our reporter Antony Byers was there. PKGE
The Oscar success of the Lord of the Rings has prompted renewed calls for further large-scale tax breaks to encourage film production in New Zealand. The Lord of the Rings won four Oscars and New Zealander Andrew Adamson won another as co-director and producer of the animated film, Shrek. Mr Adamson says without tax incentives it's likely talented New Zealand film industry workers will be forced to go overseas to further their careers. CUT Tax incentives for local production are backed by the executive director of the Screen Producers and Directors Association Jane Wrightson and film-maker Costa Botes (boats). But the Revenue Minister Michael Cullen has ruled out large-scale tax breaks and says New Zealand should look at other ways of building on its natural advantages, like locations, talent, and low production costs. CUT John Shewan from Pricewaterhouse Coopers acted for a number of the Lord of the Rings investors - he says that unless New Zealand offers tax incentives it won't continue to attract big ticket films such as Lord of the Rings. PREREC
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with STEPHEN HEWSON
The Race Relations Conciliator has received a Government reprimand for acting as a mediator in the Alliance Party's bitter internal dispute. The Associate Justice Minister Margaret Wilson says while she accepts Gregory Fortuin (pron For-tayne) was acting in a private capacity, his actions were inappropriate. Mr Fortuin's involvement in meetings between Alliance members in the ongoing feud within the party, was confirmed today by the Alliance leader Jim Anderton. Our political reporter Kathryn Ryan is following the issue and joins me now. LIVE WITH DROPINS
Motorists in more remote regions are being urged to to shop around as at least one big oil company considers chargin more for petrol out of the big cities. Caltex says it will be introducing more regional variation in its pricing, to [illegible] accurately reflect the cost of distributing fuel. As Jane Patterson reports, people in the more remote, rural areas are likely to be hit hardest. PKGE
Complaints from consumers have forced the clothing company, Just Jeans, to review a television ad which features young people robbing a grave to get the vintage jeans worn by the corpse. The ad is running at the same time as an appeal is heard over the jail terms for four young people who took the remains of a baby from the Karori cemetery in Wellington. I asked the Australian manager for Just Jeans, Howard MacDonald, to explain the concept behind the advertising campaign. PREREC
The wallabies which roam the Hauraki Gulf's Kawau Island will soon be no more - conservation officials are drawing up a plan to wipe them out. The Australian marsupial - which looks like a small kangaroo - was introduced to the island by Governor Grey in 1870. But, as Brad Markham reports, the wallabies are considered a pest, accused of destroying native vegetation through over-grazing. PKGE
New Zealand's airwaves are in line for a shakeup, with a new voluntary code [illegible] to almost double the amount of local music played on commercial radio stations. Under government pressure, the Radio Broadcasters Association has decided to set a target of 20 percent New Zealand music content by the end of 2006. Patric Lane reports. PKGE
CLOSE & THEME