0600 NEWS/WEATHER
0609 NZ NEWSPAPERS
0611 Māori NEWS 1616 NEWS STORY PHONE CHARGES - new study on competition in telecomms suggests Telecom is overcharging consumers by nearly $400 million a year. Consortium of economists led by former Price Waterhouse managing partner Jeff Todd produced report. Comment from Jeff Todd, Telecom spokesperson Clive Litt, and Consumers' Inst head David Russell. (Sharon Brettkelly)
0620 RURAL NEWS WEST COAST WET - project underway today to encourage South Island West Coast farmers to move stock off waterlogged farms now, for sake of their future. Livestock Improvement and Fed Farmers holding meetings this week to encourage acceptance of offers of grazing from Canty, Nelson and Marlborough farmers. (Catherine Harris) CROPS - farmers in southern North Island expect yields to be 25% lower than usual after heavy Spring rain and poor germination. (Jail Galloway) DEREGULATION - South African marketing authority, Prof Eckhart Kassier, says deregulation of South African producer boards has been difficult process but he hopes it will be worth the pain, tells NZ Fruitgrowers' Fedn conference one major area of contention is question of who controls the assets. (Eileen Cameron) RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ACT - Fed Farmers president Malcolm Bailey says Act is strangling farmers' ability to lead economic recovery, says review of Act will achieve little more than delivering flawed plan more efficiently. (Al Morrison) BARKING PRIZE - Hunterville Huntaway Bryn wins title of nation's best barking sheep dog at Hunterville carnival. (Bryan Crump)
0625 SPORTS STORY RUGBY LEAGUE - Britain loses first test series to NZ in 27 years. Kiwis clinch 2nd test in Bolton by 36-16 at weekend. Live i/v with league journalist Peter Hard.
0630 NEWS/WEATHER
0635 NEWS STORY NEW CALEDONIA - REFERENDUM on independence results in 72% vote in favour, with 3 quarters of registered voters taking part. Comment from South Pacific Affairs specialist Eric Veterseim. (BBC)
0639 INTERNATIONAL PAPERS
0642 MANA NEWS NGATI KAHU makes its case to Waitangi Tribunal this week. WAITANGI TRIBUNAL director Morrie Love learns about disputes resolution in US.
0651 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL NEWS PHONE CHARGES - new report into telecomms sector, commissioned by Clear Communications, claims consumers are over-charged for phone service to tune of millions of dollars. Report researched by group of economic experts led by former Price Waterhouse managing partner Jeff Todd. Live i/v with co-author Daniel Kelly. BRIERLEY INVESTMENTS - new chair-elect Selwyn Cushing keeping silent on where he stands on complex issues facing company. Mr Cushing made a director on Friday last week and will be confirmed as chair after tomorrow's AGM> He sayss that BIL has to change and bringing change about will not be easy; Shamrock Holdings welcomes Mr Cushing's confirmation as chair. (Clare Sziranyi) FINANCE/MARKETS WEEK AHEAD SOFTWARE INDUSTRY under spotlight at "Future Active" conference starting in AK today. Software Assn vice president Alan mOrton says NZers generally have poor appreciation of value of high-tech industry. He's i/ved live.
0700 INTRO/NEWS PHONE SERVICES - report into competitiveness of telecomms industry says NZers paying millions of dollars more for phone services than they need to. Report says despite regulation, Telecom still has monopoly in some areas which is costing NZers extra $32 million more each year. Report team leader Jeff Todd i/ved live; live i/v with Telecom's external relations manager Clive Litt. CENTRAL AMERICA - HURRICANE MITCH - death toll expected to soar as rotting bodies, poisoned rivers, water and food shortages and unsanitary conditions in refugee shelters, threaten health of survivors. Correspondent James Blears describes international aid effort. (Mng Rpt) CENTRAL AMERICA - AID - more than $150,000 donated by NZers to appeals being run by 3 aid agencies here. 2 thirds raised through telephone appeal by Red Cross. Live i/v with spokesperson Tony Blackett.
0730 NEWS/WEATHER/SPORT NZ PAPERS FINANCE UPDATE - BRIERLEYS - live i/v with Business editor Gyles Beckford re appointment of Selwyn Cushing as chair. OBITUARY - NEIL ROBERTS, journalist and founder of Communicado film production company, dies of cancer aged 50. Live i/v with friends and former colleagues David Beatson and Richard Harman. U.S. - NEWT GINGRICH resigns as Speaker of House of Representatives and may also resign from Congress. Live i/v with correspondent Martin Kettle. MONDAY OZ SPOT - live i/v with correspondent Phil Kafcaloudes. (former NSW Governor and VC Sir Roden Cutler criticises lack of Australian leadership)
0800 NEWS/WEATHER PHONE SERVICES - Jeff Todd, leader of team of economists studying telecomms industry, says after 10 years of deregulation, there's no true competition in terms of nationwide local services; David Russell, Consumers' Inst, says report's findings are no surprise - i/ved. (Mng Rpt); much of report's work carried out by HAI Consulting, US firms specialising in economic modelling. Live i/v with senior vice-president Dan Kelly, who's in NZ to release the report. INTERNATIONAL PAPERS DEFENCE SPENDING - ACT NZ Party says National will be buying a fight with minority supporters if it attempts to railroad them. Select committee expected to finalise this week extensive review of defence needs and chair, ACT MP Derek Quigley, says review raises questions about purchase of 3rd frigate or squadron of F-16 fighter jets.(q). Live i/v with Political correspondent Stephen Harris. DRINK/DRIVE - police and ACC mounting joint campaign to reduce deaths and injuries from alcohol-related road crashes. ACC providing 4 purpose-built and equipped "booze buses" to boost police enforcement programmes in AK and Canty, says its investment of just over $1 million will repay itself many times over. Live i/v with corporate relations manager Alan Seay.
0830 NEWS/SPORTS RUGBY LEAGUE - Kiwis' 36-16 victory over Britain seen as double victory for coach Frank Endacott, sacked by AK just before tour. He's i/ved. (Mng Rpt) WHALES - Worldwide Fund for Nature accuses Japan of becoming more aggressive in catching of Minke whales in Southern Ocean, declared a sanctuary i 1994 by International Whaling Commission. WWF says since them Japan has slaughtered almost 4,000 whales, claiming it's doing so for scientific purposes. I/v with NZ WWF director of conservation programmes, Simon Towle. (Mng Rpt); Japan says catching Minke whales in Southern Ocean is necesaary for scientific research and points out it's carrying out whaling in accordance with international conventions. Embassy in WN says Japan has no intention of increasing number of whales it catches. SPACE - JOHN GLENN and crewmates land safely. Although NASA routinely sends people into space who perform scientific experiments during missions, it apparently needed Glenn mission to rekindle public interest. Live i/v with NASA spokesperson Bruce Buckingham. OBITUARY - SIR JOHN HUNT, leader of 1953 British expedition which first climbed Everest, dies aged 88. He chose to remain at base camp while Edmund Hillary and Tensing Norgay climbed to summit. Live i/v with mountaineer Graham Dingle. NEW CALEDONIA - REFERENDUM - New Caledonians vote in favour of agreement reached with Paris 15 years. After that, there will be secoind referendum on self-determination. I/v with correspondent Nicole Waia.(Mng Rpt) BRITAIN - PRINCE OF WALES - London Weekend Television in trouble with Buckingham Palace after announcing it has approval of trusted palace aide to claim Prince wants Queen to abdicate. Live i/v with correspondent Keith Chalkley. (also talks about Pinochet)