News, sport and weather.
Main stories:
More than 100 people remain homeless tonight as the Cook Islands struggles to clean up the devastation of Cyclone Sally. They’re sheltering in relief centres and expect to be there for at least a week. For the third day on the main island of Rarotonga most places are without running water or electricity, and are without staple food crops which have been largely destroyed. However, foreign aid is beginning to arrive. Two reports. Speakers Henry Tikena (Taxi Driver).
Rail crash near Baltimore, United States.
Other stories:
President Reagan has had another operation.
Police on both sides of the firth of Thames have temporarily called off a search for two brothers missing after taking a dinghy from a motorcamp on the Coromandel Peninsular. Speaker: Constable Chris Moore (Thames Police), Bonnie Kaukau (Cousin).
The Christmas New Year holiday period ended this morning, with a road toll of 28 dead, 3 more than last year. Random stops are being credited with a reduction in alcohol related fatalities. Speaker: Henry Gore (Transport Ministry).
A tariff which the United States applied to New Zealand wool in the beginning of the new year has brought prompt criticism here. Federated Farmers says the new duty is a bad way to start the new year and could cost New Zealand millions. But American embassy officials say it is all a mistake which they’ll put right before the end of the month.
A weirdly shaped flying machine took to the skies over New Plymouth this weekend. It’s an aircraft made of plastic, foam and fibreglass designed by the same man who built “Voyager”, the plane which circled the globe without landing or refuelling. Speaker: Bob Taylor (Aircraft Builder).
French authorities have refused visas to a New Zealand delegation which planned to visit New Caledonia this week. The group calling itself the Kanak Solidarity Network wanted to see the situation there before a referendum scheduled for July. Speaker: David Small (Kanak Solidarity).
Patrons of an Auckland’s Footrot Flats fun park got more than they bargained for today. They’d gone for a ride on the roller coaster, but their trip came to an abrupt end when carriages went off the rails.
Sport:
The Benson and Hedges Tennis Open began in Auckland’s Stanley Street Stadium, with a day that brought mixed fortunes for New Zealand. Local hero Kelly Evernden was sent packing in a first round loss, but 17 year old Brett Steven had a surprise win. Speaker: Brett Steven.
The National Open Powerboat Championship stared today on Lake Wakatipu.
Two of horse racing’s national heroes Bonecrusher and Waverley Star come home on Friday.
Ballinger Belt Shooting competition at Trentham. Speakers: Diane Collings (Te Puke), Chester Burt (1985 Belt Winner),
Strong winds off Fremantle have caused the abandonment of today’s crucial race America’s Cup defenders race.
West Indies v Australia cricket match.
Weather.