News and Current Affairs.
Main Stories:
More on the controversial Air New Zealand sale. Eyewitness News investigates how Associate State Owned Enterprises Minister Bill Jeffries was allowed to announce that Qantas was the preferred bidder, as well as the roles of Richard Prebble and Roger Douglas in the sale u-turn. Richard Prebble is interviewed in studio. Speakers: David Lange (Prime Minister), Rob Storey (National MP), Richard Prebble (Minister of State Owned Enterprises).
A major crack in South Africa’s apartheid system appeared earlier this week when representatives of the country’s rugby unions, including the white South African rugby union, agreed to set up a joint, non-racial, body. The decision was announced after a meeting in Zimbabwe where members of the ANC were present and backed the non-racial union. The move may allow the Springboks back to international competition, but has been scorned by the South African Government. A report on developments and an interview with Louis Luyt. Speakers: Danie Craven (Chairman, SARFU), Louis Luyt (President, Transvaal Rugby Union).
Other Stories:
Two aircraft have crashed in India, killing more than 160 passengers and crew.
The PSA have strongly opposed the Auckland Hospital Board’s decision to close the Whare Paia Maori mental health unit. Titewhai Harawira says she welcomes the PSA’s stand on the issue.
In the Auckland District Court Eddie McLeod pleaded not guilty to a charge of threatening to cause grievous bodily harm to Auckland Hospital Board advisor Hiwi Tauroa.
Burglars trying to break into a safe set fire to a hangar containing $10 million worth of helicopters in Auckland this morning.
A “silent jet” landed at Wellington Airport with hardly more than a whisper. Ansett New Zealand has ordered two of the aircraft.
Waitemate Mayor Tim Shadbolt has denied claims that he is power hungry. The allegations have come from Deputy Mayor Gary Taylor who resigned late this afternoon. Speaker: Gary Taylor (Former Deputy Mayor Waitemata), Tim Shadbolt (Waitemata Mayor).
In what is believed to be the first legal action of its kind in New Zealand, the Justice Department is seeking a court order preventing a businessman, John George Russell, from acting as a manager or officer of any New Zealand company.
The Government has ordered an investigation into whether Rada Corporation breached the Companies or Security Acts. The investigation follows a Registrar of Companies report into share movements during the takeover bid for its parent company NZ Forest Products.
There are reports from Fiji that the interim Prime Minister has warned of a third coup if the draft constitution is not accepted.
Australian officials won’t comment on claims that a high ranking Soviet diplomat in Canberra is a KGB agent. Speakers: Ken Aldred (Liberal Backbencher), Valeri Zemskov (Soviet Diplomat).
The South Korean President has addressed the United Nations and called for a “city of peace” in the Korean demilitarised zone.
The United States has started to destroy the first batch of cruise missiles under the terms of the INF Treaty.
Rescue crews are trying to save three great whales in Alaska.
The NZ dollar fell sharply today. On the share market the Barclays Index finished up 20 points.