News, sport and weather.
Main stories:
The MP who first broke the news of the Maori loan scandal to Parliament is in Hawaii meeting key figures involved in the deal. Opposition politician Winston Peters says he’s already got evidence that Treasury and some Government Ministers were more involved in the deal than the Deane Report suggests. Speakers: Winston Peters (National, Tauranga), Michael Gisondi (Financial Planner).
With the General Election less than nine months away the Government is under pressure to deliver on its promises of better economic and employment prospects. Last week the December quarter Consumer Price Index pushed inflation past the 18% mark; now the Government is being criticised over the latest unemployment figures released today. They show that more than 89,000 New Zealanders are out of work and a further 6,000 are on subsidised work schemes. Speaker: Rev Charles Waldegrave (Anglican Social Services).
Other Stories:
A report released this afternoon by the Department of Labour has revealed gross deficiencies in the way contract work schemes for gangs have been administered.
Traffic problems on the Auckland Harbour Bridge have yet again prompted calls for an alternative harbour crossing. Speaker: George Gair (National, North Shore).
Railways engineers have called in a geologist to help decide the best way to get the Buller Gorge Line back into service. A massive section of hillside gave way on Tuesday, demolishing one of the line’s major tunnels. Speaker: Russell Herbert (Railways Engineer).
Stormy weather brought havoc to parts of the Waikato and Thames Valley this afternoon. At Thames high seas broke down par of the sea wall and flooded several houses and the tiny town of Kihikihi was hit by a tornado. Speakers: Allan Barnhill.
The Housing Corporation has begun a promotional campaign to tell New Zealanders about a new tenancy act due to come to force. The Residential Tenancies Act 1986 will effect more then a quarter of the country’s population who either live in, or let, rental accommodation. Speaker: Phil Goff (Housing Minister).
Members of the Inkatha movement have been accused of murder in South Africa.
More kidnappings in Beirut, Lebanon.
Dramatic rescue in Edmonton, Canada.
Sport:
The New Zealand syndicate is expected to announce in about half an hour who KZ7 will trial with before the America’s Cup final begins at the end of the month. There have been meetings with the Australian and American syndicates, who both desperately are trying to win the Kiwi’s support. Speakers: Malin Burnham (Stars & Stripes Chairman), Michael Fay (NZ Challenge Chairman), Tom Widden (Stars & Stripes Tactician).
Boris Becker’s tantrum at the Australian Tennis Open.
Kelly Evernden’s form at the Australian Open has given him a new lease of life, and he wants to play Davis Cup tennis for New Zealand again. Evernden lost in the quarter finals of the Open to Wally Masur.
The New Zealand women’s cricket team have defeated Australia and won the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1979. Speakers: Debbie Hockley (Captain), Trish McKelvey (Manager).
Weather.