1700 to 1707 NEWS
There's to be a major rethink of the rules governing the sale of land to foreigners but the Finance MInister Micheal Cullen says there will not be a ban on such sales. A big increase in the number of land sales to wealthy foreigners has sparked controversy and protests, particularly purchases involving coastline and South Island high country. The Overseas Investment Commission looks at whether a sale is in the national interest, and if it could bring benefits such as new jobs, technology or business skills or development opportunities. The United Future Leader, Peter Dunne says the review is timely. CUT
But the New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters has accused the government of merely tinkering with the rules conceming the sale of land to overseas buyers. Mr Peters says the Finance Minister, Michael Cullen has left sale approvals up to the Overseas Investment Commission and is now feeling red-faced about the situation. CUT
The Green co-leader Rod Donald says he's gobsmacked by the government's decision to hold a review. CUT
Dr Cullen says the review of the Overseas Investment Act will look at giving greater protection to sites of special historical, cultural or environmental significance but it could make it easier for foreign investors getting involved in urban property development. PREREC
The Forest and BIrd Protection Society is keen to see land protected - President Gerry McSweeny joins us. LIVE
Police say that a post-mortem on a 15 year old South Auckland man who was fatally stabbed shows evidence of a frenzied attack. Michael Heremaia's body was found early yesterday morning, in a Mangere East house the police allege is used to sell drugs from. Detective Senior Sergeant Neil Hallet says the police want to identify and speak to anyone who was at the house on Saturday night. I asked him what information police have obtained from the post-mortem results. PREREC
[illegible] have begun today in a Kaikohe court for the farmer charged with shooting and wounding a burglar who tried to steal his farmbike. Paul McIntyre, represented by lawyer Barry Hart, is defending charges of firing a shotgun with reckless disregard for the safety of others, and injuring Samuel Hati. Hati and two other men have all served sentences for theft, and the charges against the Moerewa farmer are being heard before two JPs. Lois Williams was at the hearing. LIVE
1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
More New Zealanders are living in cities than ever before, according to figures released today. Statistics New Zealand estimates cities are now home to 57.5 per cent of the population - that's an increase of nearly 54 thousand people in the past year. Most of that increase has gone to Auckland, where the population has grown at unprecedented levels in the past year. Fiona Wilde reports. PKGE
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SPORTS NEWS WITH RICHARD CROWLEY
The Act party has taken the first formal steps toward invoking the so-called party hopping laws against the MP Donna Awatere-Huata. It's written to the Speaker of the House telling him she's no longer a member of the party, or its caucus. ACT's deputy leader Ken Shirley is with us now. LIVE
The Film Commission funding for local film production is to almost double from next year. The Commission is to get an extra 10 million dollars a year and this money is intended to help New Zealand filmmakers bridge the gap between subsidised, low-budget films and those that are fully funded by commercial interests. The announcement is in response to a Screen Production taskforce report on how the industry can be stimulated. The government has agreed to several of the recommenadtions - including starting a review of all the government mechanisms for film funding such as the film commission. It will also contribute nine hundred thousand dollars over two years for the establishment of a Screen Council. To discuss these initiatives with us now is the Chair of the Film Commission Barrie Everard and John Barnett who is the managing director of South Pacific Pictures which produced Whale Rider. LIVE
The High Court in Auckland has heard that there is compelling evidence against three men accused of being involved in two execution-style murders in the city last year. The Crown is closing its case against Joseph Samoa, William Johansson and Pago Savaiinaea (sarvee-nigha) who are accused of shooting bank teller John Vaughan. Samoa and Johnasson are also charged with the murder of [illegible] parlour worker Marcus Doig. The ten week long trial, involving evidence from more than160 people, is drawing to an end - our reporter Kirsty Jones was in court as the Crown began its closing submissions. PREREC
At a meeting this afternoon in Auckland several hundred international students from the collapsed computer training company Carich have been offered three alternative schools to attend. Carich went into liquidation nearly two weeks ago, with debts totalling 5 million dollars. The qualifications authority says hundreds of students met with their insurer, Contractors Bonding Limited, this [illegible], to discuss their options. Our reporter Sarah Howison has been talking to students who went to the meeting and she joins me now. LIVE
The Employment Court has been told that the former Wanganui police commander Alec Waugh was duped into resigning from the police amid the hearing of fraud charges in 1998. Summing up Mr Waugh's case, his lawyer Rob Moodie said a senior police officer and the prosecutor coerced him through lies and unprofessional behaviour. With the day's events, here's our court reporter, David Venables. PKGE
The American deputy secretary of State Richard Armatidge has held talks in Saudi Arabia with Crown Prince Abdullah on the fight against terrorism following the latest bombing in the capital Riyadh which killed at least 17 people. Mr Armitidge warned that this would not be the last such attack and joined Saudi authorities in blaming the bombing on Al Qaeda. The Saudi Interior Minister says at least 122 people were injured in the attack. The BBC's James Robbins reports. PKGE
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