News, sport and weather.
Main stories:
More earthquakes rocked the Bay of Plenty today and tonight the state of emergency remains in force. Civil Defence officials earlier planned to lift the regional emergency, but a series of tremors today convinced them to leave it in place until at least tomorrow. One quake around lunchtime measured 4.25 on the Richter Scale, one of the largest of the many aftershocks since the quake struck on Monday. Relief agencies are still assessing the cost of the damage, now estimated a millions of dollars. The quake has also left psychological scars, with many people reluctant to return to their homes and clean up. Speakers: Charlie Elliot (Marae Co-ordinator), Jessie Savage (School Teacher), Bob Byrne (Civil Defence), Henry Tamatea (Te Teko Resident).
Some of the country’s top engineering experts were summoned to the massive pulp and paper mill at Kawerau today, to consider the repair bill and their report is bad news for the town of Kawerau. Tasman management says the mill, which is virtually the only major employer in the town, will be out of commission for some time. But employees have been assured they’ll be kept on the payroll. Speaker: Graham Ogilvie (Operations Director).
Teams of scientists and geologists have now swarmed into the Bay of Plenty earthquake zone. They’ve been provided with a rich source of material to study as the major earthquake was one of New Zealand’s largest in modern times. Speakers: Tony Hurst (DSIR Geophysicist), Graeme Hurst (DSIR Geological Survey).
A fierce southerly storm has been threatening to topple a high-rise crane in downtown Wellington.
Sir Robert Muldoon threw the National Party into disarray today when he contradicted National’s acting leader on economic. At a speech in Wellington Sir Robert said the Party wants a managed float of the New Zealand dollar. But despite being told by George Gair he had it wrong Muldoon pressed ahead with his claims. Speakers: Sir Robert Muldoon (National, Tamaki), George Gair (Acting Opposition Leader).
Other stories:
Foreign ministers of the South Pacific Forum nations have urged France to postpone its referendum on the political future of New Caledonia. Speaker: Ratu Sir Kamises Mara (Pacific Forum Chairman).
The arrival in Wellington tonight of Australian Defence Minister Kim Beazley heralds crucial meetings for the Government over its new defence stance. The Defence Review released last week place heavy reliance on co-operation with Australia forces to compensate for the loss of the United States military support following the ANZUS rift.
President Reagan was portrayed as in control today, with new disarmament initiatives announced and a new choice for the CIA Director’s job made. Tomorrow he will give a televised address about the Iran-Contra affair.
US Secretary of State George Shultz is visiting Beijing, where he had an unusually frank meeting with Deng Xiaoping.
Italy’s Prime Minister Bettino Craxi has resigned.
A London Court has ruled that 26 soccer fans can be extradited to Belgium to face manslaughter charges after the Heysel Stadium riots in Brussels.
One of the local companies which missed out on the right to run Lotto went to Parliament to day asking a select committee to take up its case. Kiwi Lottos says it and other New Zealand companies are unhappy with the way tendering decisions have been made, and the company says its not just sour grapes. Speaker: Bruce Carran (Kiwi Lotto).
The Dairy Board has taken over virtually all trade between New Zealand and Russia. It’s bought out a local company that brings in Lada cars and fertiliser from the Soviet Union and sends back millions of dollars of meat and wool. The Board says tying up trade with the Soviet Union will give it ore clout with the world’s biggest butter market. Speaker: John Parker (Dairy Board).
Danny Kaye has died.
Sport:
There have been reports New Zealand cricket umpire Fred Goodall was threatened and abused by the West Indies during the second cricket test.
New Zealand’s America’s Cup skipper Chris Dickson is hoping to lead New Zealand to success in the World Yachting Championships and is looking toward the future. Speaker: Chris Dickson (KZ7 Skipper).
About half a dozen top surf lifesavers are likely to come under pressure because they are planning to compete in South Africa next week.
International Player Tournament woman’s tennis in Florida.
Top Half.