0600 NEWS/SPORTS/WEATHER
0609 NZ NEWSPAPERS
0611 MāORI NEWS
0616 NEWS STORY: Papua New Guinea PM Sir Julius Chan describes as "sensationalist" reports that govt has employed foreign mercenaries to end guerrilla war on Bougainville. I/v with correspondent Sean Dorney. (Mng Rpt)
0621 RURAL NEWS
0626 SPORTS STORY: live i/v with Paul Witteman, "Sports Illustrated" (Kentucky Derby)
0630 NEWS/WEATHER
0636 NEWS STORY: Auckland growth - over 200 local body and business leaders gather in AK today to look at problems associated with rapidly-growing population. (Iain Gracie)
0640 OVERSEAS NEWSPAPERS
0642 MANA NEWS
0648 NEWS STORY: Shell Oil facing potentially embarassing clash with some shareholders over ethical standard. Group of shareholders proposing resolution for AGM urging company to improve handling of environmental and human rights issues. (BBC)
0651 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL NEWS: FINANCE OMALCO - local arm looks set to mirror poor performance of Australian parent company which post loss of around $19 million. Comment from Comalco NZ chief exec Kerry McDonald. (Mark Crysell) INL's plans to buy significant stake in Skt TV hang in balance and will procees only with some dificult issues of shareholding structure are resolved. Managin director Mike Robson stops short of identifying Television NZ as main issue. (Gyles Beckford) HELLABY HOLDINGS, reincarnated Renouf Corpn, says it will continue to seek acquisition opportunities, has post interim profit of nearly $6.3 million. (Mark Crysell) QANTAS/AIR NZ ending seat-code sharing arrangement on transTasman services on May 1st. Comment from Air NZ spokesman Cameron Hill. (Mark Crysell); Qantas increasing number of flights across Tasman. (Andrew Fleming) COMMERCE COMMISSION says almost half its enforcement actions in 2nd half of last year were against price fixing. Chair Alan Bollard says number of price-fixing cases continues to rise as more consumers become aware of Commission's powers. (Mark Crysell)
0700 INTRO/NEWS BOUGAINVILLE - possible introduction of foreign mercenary troops into conflict provokes furore in region, with Australia expressing disapproval. Comment from Edna Worri, PNG Prime Minister's office, Bougainville Revolutionary Army spokesman Moses Havini, Prof Herb Howe of Georgetown Univ, and Australian Foreign Affairs minister Alexander Downer. (Eric Frykberg); live i/v with PM Jim Bolger. CHINA - DENG XIAOPING's body taken along Beijing's streets to private crematior service before state funeral. (BBC) POWER STATIONS - NZ First leader Winston Peters backs deal to sell 8 small stations in joint statement with Finance minister Bill Birch and SOE minister Jenny Shipley. Mrs Shipley says sale consistent with previous govt's decision and stations only available for purchase by local energy companies or Māori interests; Labour leader Helen Clark says deal another example of hidden coalition agreements. She's i/ved live. GANGS - Kapiti Coast District Council claims victory over landmark Environment Court ruling banning Highway 61 gang from gathering in headquarters at Otaki. Comment from MP Mike Moore, Kapiti general manager Glen Inness, and Brian Yeoman, gang's lawyer. (Clare Sziranyi); lawyer Marie Dhyrberg says enforcement order is just shifting problem somewhere else, fears it could be start of attempts by local authorities to control who lives in communities and where. She's i/ved live.
0730 NEWS/WEATHER/SPORTS FINANCE update with Gyles Beckford. POWER STATIONS - live i/v with deputy PM and NZ First leader Winston Peters about deal to sell small stations, in reply to Helen Clark. ISRAEL - PM NETANYAHU's lawyer says he'll emerge spotless from scandal over nomination of little-known lawyer as attorney general. Police investigation has begun into nomination but Netanyahu's lawyer says whole thing is fault of Justice minister. Live i/v with correspondent Robert Berger. HATO PAORA COLLEGE - Commissioner for Children to oversee intervention plan, will review progress in 3 months and report monthly after that. Investigation under way into 3 complaintsof sexual abuse at college, with parents claiming there's also drug abuse and severe bullying. Live i/v with CYPS seniro advisory officer Heather Henare. RUSSIA - NATO head and Russian foreign minister say they've made progress during talks on accord. President Yeltsin still has problems. I/v with correspondent Jamie Coomarasami. (Mng Rpt)
0800 NEWS/WEATHER BOUGAINVILLE - "The Australian" reports that foreign troops to be introduced into conflict are from South African company "Executive Outcomes", which SA govt has tried to ban because it suspects they're mercenaries. Live i/v with correspondent Anthony Johnson. INTERNATIONAL PAPERS POWER STATIONS - what effect will sale of 8 small stations have on price consumers pay for power? Live i/v with David Russell, Energy Coalition. QANTAS/AIR NZ says transTasman travellers won't suffer from decision to end ai share agreement. Prices unlikely to drop. (Andrew Fleming) CHINA - DENG XIAOPING's funeral - is it a bit low-key considering his status a last great Chinese leader of Revolution? I/v with correspondent Carrie Gracie. OYSTERS - govt pays over $6 million for up to 20% of Bluff fishery, reaching out of court settlement with Waitangi Fisheries Commission which means Crown will provide Māori with access to fishery by June this year. Comment from Maor Affairs minister John Luxton, Fisheries Commission's Robin Hapi, and Warren Conway. (Stephen Hewson); live i/v with Bruce Young, vice president of Fishing Industry Assn.
0830 NEWS/SPORTS TANIA FURLAN MURDER - cross examinatino of prosecution witness continues today at depositions hearing, claims accused Christopher Lewis admitted killing Mrs Furland after intending to kidnap her for ransom money. Live i/v with reporter Glenda Wakeham. PIANIST DAVID HELFGOTT ends NZ tour tonight, tour well received by public but had mixed reviews from critics. Does his talent live up to hype generated by film "Shine"? Live i/v with National Radio arts producer Paul Bushnell. ALBATROSSES - staff at Tairoa Head royal albatross colony on full alert after 2 albatross deaths at weekend. 40 yellow-eyed penguins died in similar circumstances in last 2 months. Live i/v with DoC spokesman Neville Peat. GARGANTUANS OF THE GARDEN exhibition ending tour of NZ in Hastings, has attracted tens of thousands of people during past year. Exhibition is of "animatronic' insects developed by Australian Museum in Sydney. (Heugh Chappell) HUMIDITY fraying tempers, making people tired and cross. Live i/v with psychologist Dr Barry Kirkwood and chief weather forecaster Augie Auer.