0600 NEWS/WEATHER
0609 NZ NEWSPAPERS
0611 NEWS STORY BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT - SUPERANNUATION - ManFed fears govt plans to set up special fund to pay for future pensions will leave country worse off. President David Maloney says operating surpluses would be better spent on reducing debt - i/ved. (Stephen Harris) U.S. - PRESIDENTIAL RACE - SUPER TUESDAY - Al Gore effectively wins Democratic nomination, competitor Bill Bradley will drop out after losing all 16 Democratic primaries so far. Republican favourite George W Bush pushes his rival John McCain to edge of extinction by winning key contests. (Robin Brandt)
0620 RURAL NEWS MEGA MERGER - Farmers For Control group, lobbying for giant single dairy co-op, urging Kiwi and NZ Dairy Group not to shut door on mega merger if they can't reach agreement straight away. National spokesperson Catherine Bull comments. (Kevin Ikin) CHINA MARKET - AFFCO looking for increased returns from market from offal exports. New joint venture plant completed trial kill at beef and goat plant in Sichuan province, built with aim of replacing need for China to import beef that meets international quality standards. Comment from AFFCO chief exec Ross Townshend. (Diana Leufkens) TUSSOCK FIRE RESEARCH - fire and conservation officials and scientists hoping for fine. Dry weather in Strath Taieri today so they can set tussock on fire in start of long-term trial to learn more about impacts of controversial practice. (Kevin Ikin) BIO-WHAT REPORT - Environment minister Marian Hobbs today releases draft report looking at ways to protect endangered plants and wildlife on private land. John Kneebone, chair of Biowhat report team says focus has been to encourage rather than force private landowners to protect natural heritage although some rules will be necessary. (Bryan Crump)
0625 SPORTS STORY U.S. SPORTS - live i/v with Paul Witteman, "Sports Illustrated". (ice hockey player facing charges of assault with a weapon after hitting opponent with hockey stick; Americas Cup media coverage; rising basketball star)
0630 NEWS/WEATHER
0635 NEWS STORY PASIFIKA FESTIVAL - at least 2 Pacific Island groups boycott this year's festival in AK, say they can't afford to take part in it. Festival, run by AK City Council, to be held at Western Springs tomorrow and is expected to attract at least 90,000 people. (Barbara Dreaver) INTERNATIONAL PAPERS MANA NEWS
0650 BUSINESS NEWS BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT - SUPERANNUATION - govt plans to use budget surpluses for start of dedicated super fund and new spending of up to $6 billion over next 3 years. Finance minister Michael Cullen says establishment of super fund will be positive in longer term and govt still workkng on whether fund will get dedicated slice of tax or more broad-based contribution from overall tax base. (Gyles Beckford) BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT - HSBC treasury analyst Stefan Dunatov says while spending and debt ratios have been kept higher, that shouldn't be taken as sign of slippage - i/ved. (Gyles Beckford) CREDIT RATING - Finance minister MIchael Cullen comments that ratings agency Standard and Poors set to act in near future, says it shouldn't be a downgrade. (Gyles Beckford) FINANCE/MARKETS AMP MERGER - chief exec Paul Batchelor pours cold water on prospect of merger with bank, follows market speculation that Commonwealth Bank of Australia set to launch take-over for Colonial insurance and investment concern. Mr Batchelor, visiting NZ, says he doesn't think it would make much sense for AMP to merge with a bank. (Catherine Walbridge) FLETCHER FORESTS hopes to go into binding arbitatration with Chinese partner over dispute over Central North Island Forest partnership. High Court in AK turned down application by Beijing-based CITIC for restraining orders which would end Fletcher Forest's management of the 165 ha of forest. (Catherine Walbridge) illegible ST - nearly 4% slashed off value of Dow Jones index of blue chip stocks. Leading market watcher, John Riding of brokers Bear Stearns, says sell-off in Dow is overdone. BUSINESS BRIEFS
0700 INTRO/NEWS BUDGET POLICY STATEMENT foreshadows superannuation scheme to be funded from fiscal surpluses and tax. But ManFed and Fed Farmers say priority on bankingh surpluses for future will leave NZ out of pocket in short term. Comment from ManFed's David Maloney, Fed Farmers president Alistair Polson, economist for the Council of Trade Unions, Peter Conway, chief economist for the ANZ Bank, Bernard Hodgetts, and Retirement Commissioner Colin Blair. (Stephen Harris) SUPERANNUATION - Green Party holding back on support for new fund. Co-leader Rod Donald says he's prefer political parties to agree on issue rather than having binding referendum; live i/v with Finance minister Michael Cullen; live i/v with Retirement Commissioner Colin Blair. MIDDLE EAST - PEACE TALKS - Israel and Palestinians to resume talks in Washington later this month. Ehud Barak and Yasser Arafat discussing compromise which sets May as new deadline for reaching final blueprint of peace deal to be sized in September. Live i/v with correspondent Robert Berger. ALTERNATIVE FUEL INDUSTRY expecting surge in popularity as result of escalating petrol and diesel prices. Suppliers say there's aleady been increased interest in products and for some industries a switch away from petrol may be essential for ongoing viability of businesses. (Sarah Gregory)
0730 NEWS/WEATHER NZ PAPERS FINANCE UPDATE OIL PRICES - Saudi Arabia and Iran agree on need to stabilise world prices which have tripled in past year. Now looks likely that OPEC countries will increase outputs then they meet at end of month. Live i/v with Wall St correspondent Richard Quest re markets' reaction. AUCKLAND - AIRPORT SHARES - AK City Council to decide tonight whether to sell its 25% shareholding. More than 500 public submissions on issue received, with 6 out of 10 favouring selling. Live i/v with city councillor Kay McKelvey, who's opposed to selling, and councillor Jon Olsen, who wants to sell. U.S. - PRESIDENTIAL RACE - SUPER TUESDAY - outsiders John Mccain and Bill Bradley, who've challenged parties' main contenders, are now "considering their futures" after crushing defeats. Live i/v with correspondent Mary Tillotson. INTERNATIONAL PAPERS
0800 NEWS/WEATHER SUPERANNUATION - Finance minister Michael Cullen says govt well away from having support needed for referendum on super fund, hoping to have sufficient agreement by April next yera, despire reservations by Greens; live i/v with Green Party co-leader Rod Donald; National Party's finance spokesman Bill English says govt behaving arrogantly by putting away funds before any public or political debate on super - i/ved live. U.S. PRESIDENTIAL RACE - Al Gore and George W Bush look certain to face each other in election, have triumphed over respective rivals in latest round of primaries. I/v with Candy Stroud, Democratic party spokesperson. (Mng Rpt); i/v with Republican;s national committee spokesperson Louise Filkins. (Mng Rpt) BIO-WHAT REPORT - Environment minister Marian Hobbs today launching report looking at ways of protecting native plants and animals on private land. Draft document "Bio-what" will start 3 months of public consultation. Comment from Marian Hobbs, John Kneebone of Bio-what team, Fed Farmers president Alistair Polson, and Ngati Hine elder Kevin Prime. (Bryan Crump)
0830 NEWS WEATHER/SPORTS Māori - RURAL HOUSING - Housing minister Mark Gosche believes too many Māori in rural NZ living in substandard housing and overcrowded conditions. He and Associate minister Tariana Turia today visiting Whakatane and Opotiki to discuss housing concerns with local families. I/v with Gary Watson, project manager witrh Ngai Tai iwi authority which is working on housing venture, housing problem in eastern Bay of Plenty. (Mng Rpt) RODNEY DISTRICT COUNCIL - confidential inquiry into troubled council recommends council be scrapped and replaced with govt-appointed administrator. Live i/v with Rodney's mayor Doug Armstrong. CHILE - PINOCHET - public prosecutor's office, for first time, says it will take part in lawsuits against former dictator Augusto Pinochet. Human rights lawyers bringing 72 civil suits against Gen Pinochet, including 6 new cases brought yesterday. I/v with correspondent James Reynolds. SAMOA - TRIAL - prosecution entering final stages of case against 2 former cabinet ministers accused of master-minding shooting of cabinet minister. Live i/v with reporter Karlum Lattimore. BRITAIN - MUZAK - Conservative MP Robert Key plans to introduce Bill to ban piped music being played in public places. Mr Keys says piped music is a health hazard and there is medical evidence it raises blood pressure and depresses immune system - he's i/ved. (Mng Rpt) FRUIT AND VEG REPORT with Jack Forsythe.