HEADLINES & NEWS
ARMY PROMISES A NO GO ZONE AGAIN
In Fiji - the country's military rulers have announced they will impose a no-go zone around the parliamentary complex in Suva where 27 politicians are being held hostage. Military spokesman Lieutenant Colonol Filipo Tarakinikini says the exclusion zone will come into force at midnight tonight, and residents in the area will then be given 48 hours to leave. Armed rebels stormed parliament on May 19 capturing Prime Minister Mahendry Choudry and members of his coalition government in the name of indigenous rights. Our reporter John McDonald is in Suva and he joins us now. PKG
[illegible] BREAKS CEASEFIRE IN SOLOMON ISLAND
In Solomon Islands, at least six people are believed to have died in the latest fighting between warring militia around the capital Honiara. The violence comes after one rebel group, the Isatabu Freedom Movement refused to acknowledge newly-elected prime minister Mannasseh Sogavare. His predecessor quit after an attempted coup by the rival rebels, the Malaita Eagles Force. Joining us now from Solomon Islands is New Zealand's High Commissioner Nick Hurley. LIVE
WASHED OUT ROAD COULD HAVE CAUSED TRAGEDY
Police in Invercargill say a washed out road is to blame for the deaths of three teenagers. After days of intensive searches, the bodies of Richard Kelly, Carl Wilson and Marc Hill were discovered in their submerged car in the Oreti River.
They had set off on Saturday night for what they said was a quick trip into Invercargill for food before watching the All Black test. They never returned. Detective Sergeant Tim Haughey (say HOY) says the trio plunged into the river after unwittingly using a riverside gravel road which had been partly washed out in previous floods. I asked him what the site of the accident looks like. [illegible]
BUSINESS NEWS with CATHERINE WALBRIDGE
GILLON APOLOGISES AND IS CENSURED
The Alliance MP and whip Grant Gillon was the centre of attention when Parliament resumed this afternoon. At issue was his statement in the House yesterday associating National MP's with bestiality. The storm of protest that Mr Gillon's self-professed joke caused led to meetings and political maneuverings last night and this morning. Our political editor Al Morrison was in the house and he filed this report. PKG
SIX MILLION DOLLARS TO QUIT SMOKING
The Health Minister has announced a six-million dollar package to help smokers quit. The new programme will subsidise nicotine replacement therapies for moderate to heavy smokers, for up to eight weeks. The initiative is part of the Green Party's special 15-million budget package, which will provide two-thirds of the funding for the scheme, and is on top of the five million dollars already announced in the budget to help Māori stop smoking. Health Minister Annette King joins us now. LIVE
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with CHRIS REID
INQUIRY TOLD THE LAW IS RESTRICTIVE
The Cervical Cancer Inquiry in Gisborne has been told that the law is preventing a full audit of the national cervical screening programme. Dr Julia Peters from the Health Funding Authority says a 1995 amendment to the Health Act restricts the release of data which could lead to the identity of a woman, unless she gives permission. Heugh Chappell is at the inquiry and joins me now. LIVE
RESERVE BANK KEEPS RATE UNCHANGED
Economic sector groups have welcomed the Reserve Bank's decision to leave its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 6-point-5 per cent. It's the first time since November the bank hasn't increased the rate, which influences the cost of borrowing and returns on deposits. The manufacturing, farming and real estate [illegible] say the decision will help lift flagging business and consumer [illegible]. But our Economics Correspondent Stephen Harris reports that there's a widespread expectation the respite won't last long. PKG
DEPARTMENT SURPRISED AT SCHEME SUCCESS
The Department of Corrections says it's surprised with the success of its Home Detention scheme which hasbeen extended into the regions today. The Corrections Minister Matt Robson has announced he is expanding the home detention system into 17 new centres, as well as extending the boundaries of the areas where the progamme is already being offered. Inmates nearing the end of a prison sentence can apply to serve the remainder from home, as can non serious violent offenders facing a prison sentence of under two years. Here's our Justice Reporter Tony Reid. PKG
EAST TIMOR LEADER VISITS
East Timorese leader Xanana Gusmao says his country is now facing fresh problems as it tries to rebuild after last year's destructive violence following the vote for independence from Indonesia. Mr Gusmao is here on an official visit to thank New Zealand for its help following the vote. He says in [illegible] next 12 months East Timor will need to spend more than one hundred million [illegible] rebuilding the country and its economy. I asked him how farmers were coping with the collapse of the crucial coffee market which has left farmers with unsold crops and no tools to prepare for the next harvest. PRERC
MOTHER PROSECUTED FOR SUPPLYING VODKA TO CHILD
Police in Wellington are prosecuting a mother for supplying a 40 ounce bottle of vodka to her 16-year-old child as they crack down on teenage alcohol abuse. In the last fortnight, officers have arrested more than 50 teenagers for disorder and assault outside a youth nightclub in the central city. As Sarah Gregory reports, the decision to lower the drinking age is being blamed for the increasing problems. PKG
SEVEN MILLION DOLLAR FRAUD BEGINS
In the High Court in Auckland, the trial has begun of a former financial high flyer accused of multi-million dollar fraud. The Serious Fraud Office is prosecuting Graeme Kenneth Rutherfurd on 24 charges of defrauding six individuals and three banks of over seven million dollars. Our reporter Eileen Cameron has been at the High Court PREREC
CLOSE & THEME