**** CKPT FOR FRI 1 JUNE 2007
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The power firm which pulled the plug on a south Auckland home where a woman on an oxygen supply died has become the target of threats. Mercury Energy today fronted up at the family's house, saying it's deeply remorseful and made a donation to pay for her funeral. 45-year-old Mangere resident Folole Muliaga died on Tuesday after power was cut to her home due to an outstanding bill. The power cut terminated the electricity supply to her oxygen machine. Also today, the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, visited the family of Mrs Muliaga.She said if she was in their place she would hire a lawyer.Our Pacific Issues Correspondent Richard Pamatatau was at the house, and joins us now. LIVE
The lawyer for the Muliaga family says she;s now considering a number of options for legal action. Olinda Woodroffe met Mr Muliaga this morning, and says she is now acting for him, the estate and the four children. PREREC
Japan is threatening to walk away from the International Whaling Commission, and says it could resume whaling in Japanese waters despite international opposition. A request for four of its coastal communities to be allowed to hunt whale for local consumption was withdrawn after it failed to get enough support at the IWC meeting in Alaska. From Anchorage, here's the ABC's Sarah Clark: PKG
Civil rights campaigners fear police would handcuff whoever they like under a proposed change to the Police Act. A review of the legislation suggests handcuffs be included in the Act as a reasonable use of force. More from our Police reporter, Kathryn Jones. PKG
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1720 BUSINESS NEWS
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Strip searches of prison visitors, including children, may be introduced as the government cracks down on contraband in prisons. The Minister of Corrections, Damien O'Connor, says a new law will help keep drugs and cellphones away from inmates. He says current penalties, which can be as little as a three-hundred dollar fine, have provided little discouragement with 15-hundred items confiscated from visitors in 2005. Under proposed changes, offending visitors, as well as prisoners who accept contraband, ould be jailed for up to 12 months and/or fined 5-thousand dollars. Mr O'Connor says clamping down is a constant challenge. PREREC
The man widely regarded as the father of agricultural aviation in New Zealand has died.Ossie James who was 87, died in Hamilton last night.The company he founded, James Aviation, stopped operating in 1984 but was one of the original top dressing firms in New Zealand.The firm also built agricultural planes, the Fletcher and Cresco and operated passenger planes out of Rotorua in the 1960s. Mike Keen was one of the last employees of James Aviation. He says Ozzie James was incredibly innovative and always coming up with new ideas. PREREC
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17.30 HEADLINES
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The United States President George Bush has outlined plans to consult other major emitting nations and then set non-binding targets to cut greenhouse gases. CUT President Bush was speaking ahead of next week's G8 summit, where Germany is expected to call for cuts in emissions. The president's about-face is being viewed with skepticism by academics and environmental groups.Professor of Economics and Environment at the University of California, Charlie Kolstad, thinks George Bush is feeling he's lost a lot of power that he once had, including within the climate arena. PREREC
That good old indicator - the price of milk - is set to go up substantially later this month, driven by a global milk shortage. In a few weeks, the price of a two litre container of milk from the big three brands - Anchor, Mainland and Tip Top - goes up by nearly 40 cents.The chair of Dairy Farmers of New Zealand, Frank Brenmuhl, says a combination of factors have caused the shortage. CUT Frank Brenmuhl says while the higher prices is good news for farmers they won't be able to keep up with demand. CUT On the line now is Nick Tuffley - Chief Economist at ASB Bank. LIVE
Some expatriate New Zealanders say the lifting of Fiji's state of emergency signals the start of a safer, more stable era, but others are sceptical as to whether it will change anything.The interim prime minister and military leader Commodore Frank Bainimarama made the announcement just ahead of a deadline set by the European Union. But on the same day, the military warned students who contribute to weblogs that they will track them down.Nadine Chalmers-Ross reports. PKG
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WAATEA NEWS
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The government has paid 8 million dollars to secure one of the South Island's most recognisable high country farms.The purchase brings the 10 thousand hectare Michael Peak Station, near St Bathans, under the umbrella of the Department of Conservation, so that all New Zealanders will have access to the area, in perpetuity. Steve Wilde was at the hand over ceremony today. PKG
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