0600 NEWS/WEATHER
0609 NZ NEWSPAPERS
0611 Māori NEWS 1616 NEWS STORY MALAYSIA/US ROW - Malaysia hits back at US over its statement of support for democratic reform. Foreign minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi denounces comments by US vice president Al Gore, says it's incitement to certain elements to over throw govt. (BBC)
0620 RURAL NEWS CHILLED LAMB EXPORTS to be back on shelves at Britain's Marks and Sepencer shops after Christmas although ASDA chain has yet to lift its ban. NZ lamb was put on hold after pressure from struggling British farmers. (Jill Gallowy) BSE - SHEEP - MAF's national manager of Agriculture Security says it's possible British sheep may harbour BSE but no evidence has yet been found, although British officials are anxious about the possibility. Experiments have shown sheep could contract BSE. (Jill Gallowy) VELUET PRODUCTION this season expected to be much less than originally forecast, good news for industry. Prices collapsed last season and industry has been striving to reducing volume and increase quality. (Catherine Harris) CONSUMER DEMAND - NZ Society of Farm Management's annual conference focussing on consumer demand. Society's president John Gardner says everyone - consultants, researchers, farmers - needs to start expanding vison and planning accordingly. (Catherine Harris) RAVENSDOWN FERTILISER opens its new Seadown despatch unit tomorrow, with open day expected to attract 200-300 farmers from throughout Canty and Otago regions. (Catherine Harris) CANTERBURY A AND P SHOW - organisers delighted that show attracted even more people this year, more than 51,000. (Catherine Harris)
0625 SPORT STORY AUSTRALIAN SPORT - i/v with correspondent Tim Gavel - will Shane warne play in illegible Ashes Test which starts in Brisbane. (Mng Rpt)
0630 NEWS/WEATHER
0635 NEWS STORY JUDGES - moves by Attorney General to change way judges are to be appointed and removed from bench criticised for not going far enough. All vacancies are to be advertised and there will be clear public set of critieria against with candidates will be assessed. System for making complaints about judges will also become more transparent and consistent. Comment from AK Univ law professor Bill Hodge, Labour's Justice spokesman Phil Goff, and Law Society president Ian Haynes. (Melita Tull.
0639 INTERNATIONAL PAPERS \0642 MANA NEWS NZ FIRST - various people named by To Wyllie as possible electorate candidates deny being interested.
0651 BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL NEWS SOLID ENERGY - State-owned coal company says it's unlikely to be put on market again for several years until international coal market improves. Chair David Stock says company will now review all its plans. (Clare Sziranyi) TELECOM PROFIT - half year profit of $369 million very close to amount company is alleged to make in monopoly profits, Telecom points to latest result as proof of competitions, and chief exec Rod Deane not letting issuesof regulation and competition get inw ay of what he sees as Telecom's future strategy. (Gyles Beckford) FINANCE/MARKET MARKET REVIEW U.S.- FEDERAL RESERVE meeting to consider whether to cut interest rates for 3rd time in 2 months. Larry Wachtel, Prudential Securities, believes US economy doesn't need the help but Bob Froehlich, Schroeders Investments, says the world economy need a cut. RURAL BONDS - trustee of Rural super Bonds Superannuation Scheme says there may be shortfall of funds for repayment to investors when scheme is would up. Scheme set up in 1992 by former corporate orchardists turned property developers, Apple Fields, and has 1600 members who've contributed $27 million (Clare Sziranyi) CAPITAL PROPERTIES - public investors have until 5pm today to apply for shares in group of 9 commercial buildings formerly owned by Govt Property Services. (Clare Sziranyi) BUSINESS BRIEFS
0700 INTRO/NEWS MALAYSIA/US ROW - US vice president Al Gore's controversial speech provokes outrage among many Asian countries and is threatening to derail APEC meeting. NZ PM Jenny Shipley says NZ doesn't engage in megaphone diplomacy - i/ved about clarifying her position. (Mng Rpt); i/v with Economics correspondent Bronwen Evans about effect of Mr Gore's speech in Malaysia. (Mng Rpt) CYCLONES - World Meteorological Orgn scientists predict devastating cyclones my hit South Pacific this Summer, due to La Nina weather pattern. Live i/v with WMO scientist William Kininmonth. LITTERACY - South Ak schools to get extra $6 million to improve literacy levels. Live i/v with Brian Anna, co-ordinator of Strengthening Education in Manger and Otara Project. INTEREST RATES - Reserve Bank releases quarterly statement which is expected to highlight weak state of local and international economy, while US Federal Reserve considers further cut in interest rates, Live discussion with Business editor Gyles Beckford and BBC correspondent on Wall St, Kate Noble.
0730 NEWS/WEATHER/SPORTS NZ PAPERS FINANCE UPDATE LEONID SHOWER - meteor fever grips Taiwan and Thailand, thousands of people drive out to vantage points to see predicted up to 10,000 meteors an hour. In NZ the event was an anti-climax. Live i/v with Donald Savage of NASA; NZ astronomer Graham Blow i/ved live about the show as he observed it from WN. COOK ISLANDS TAX INQUIRY - NZ First leader Winston Peters returning to court to fight findings of Winebox Inquiry. Panel of 5 Court of Appeal Judges have voted unanimously to allow him to return to High court after previous High Court ruling said his appeal would go no further. Live i/v with Jenni McManus, "The Independent" and Political editor Al Morrison. JUDGES - govt announces plans to change way judges are appointed and way complaints against judges are handled. Live i/v with Chief District Court judge Ron young.
0800 NEWS/WEATHER MALAYSIA/US ROW - NZ opposition leader Helen Clark accouses PM Jenny Shipley of going soft on human rights issue, says PM should also be speaking up about human rights in Malaysia - i/ved live; live i/v with Robert Scollay, director of APEC Study Centre, AK Univ. CYCLONES - World Meteorological Orgn scientist William Kininmoth says NZ should be prepared for tropical cyclones this Summer. How bad is the weather likely to be? Live i/v with MetService chief forecaster Augie Auer. RETAIL SALES FAIL in AK< country's biggest market, with bleak housing market getting much of blame for reluctance to spend. Comment from Ryssell Sinclair, Retaile Merchants' Assn, retailer Dianne Stephenson, Bevan Graham of WestpacTrust, and Peter Townshend, Canty Chamber of Commerce. (Eileen Cameron) INTERNATIONAL PAPERS TERTIARY EDUCATION REVIEW to be released today, expected to provide blueprint for sector over next 20-30 years. Education correspondent Gael Woods says wait for the review has led to concern about direction govt intends to take and how it will affect quality of tertiary institutions - i/ved live.
0830 NEWS/SPORTS SPONSORSHIP - arts and sports groups struggling to find sponsors as corporate sector cuts back on sponsorship deals. Latest to feel pinch is Katherine Mansfield memorial Fellowship now that ECNZ had ended its sponsorship. Comment from felloship trustee Richard Cathie, Rowan McRae of Mobil Oil, and Sir Ronald Scott, Leisurenz Ltd. (Karen Gregory-Hung) U.S. - LEWINSKY TAPES - 12 hours of telephone conversation between Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp released. Tapes triggered Starr investigation. Live i/v with Washington correspondent Owen Fay. INDONESIA - OPPOSITION POLITICIANS QUESTIONED over alleged subversive action in what they say is attempt to divert attention away from unrest. Most of the 11 question of new govt. I/V with correspondent Jodathan Head. (Mng Rpt) AUSTRALIA - TOURIST ATTACK - 2 teenage girls committed to stand trial, charged with attempting to murder NZ tourist Dulcie Brook in Noosa National Park. Live i/v with correspondent Glynis Green, who attended pre-trial hearins in Maroochydore.