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The tension between the coalition partners has risen steeply throughout the day, sparking some dramatic exchanges in Parliament. The Prime Minister Jenny Shipley tried to inject some calm with a ministerial statement when Parliament resumed this morning but she was almost immediately undercut by a fighting statement from the New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. By the afternoon the tension was even thicker in the air as MPs headed back to the chamber and a packed public gallery for question time and a snap debate. PACKAGE EX Sarah Boyd
Another factor's been thrown into the mix in the last hour, with the Associate Treasurer John Delamere warning that he's ready to launch a Māori party involving New Zealand First MPs. The bombshell announcement came late this afternoon when Mr Delamere revealed he's been closely involved in developing a strategy for the new party, which is likely to be launched in the next week. And he says he's seriously considering joining it. Stephen Harris IV
Mr Delamere So what do people on the streets think of the political turmoil? The Prime Minister Jenny Shipley was unavailable to come on the programme tonight - but joining me now is National Party President John Slater. LIVE IV
Joining me now is the leader of the Opposition, the Labour Party leader Helen Clark. LIVE IV
So what do today's developments mean - joining me now is our political editor Al Morrison LIVE IV
1715 BUSINESS HEADLINE
Contact energy will be the first electricity generator to plug into the retail [illegible] market. Since the electricity industry deregulated Contact can compete for customers in the Auckland power market and from early next week it will be offering to supply up to half a million Auckland homes and businesses. The Wellington-based generating company will be competing with two other Auckland retail power suppliers, Mercury Energy and Power New Zealand. LIVE IV Chief Executive of Contact, Paul Anthony....
1730 HEADLINES
Returning to our main story - the split between the coalition government parties is growing wider, with a fiery exchange in parliament today between the two partners. There are growing calls for an early election and late this afternoon, a new ingredient was added to the mix, with the Associate Treasurer John Delamere warning that he's ready to launch a Māori party involving New Zealand First MPs. Is this a bloody blow for Winston Peters - he joins me now LIVE IV
Political editor Al Morrison LIVE IV
While the Wellington Airport issue threatens the coalition government, the Wellington City Council's re-considering its decision not to sell its airport share. The Council voted 11 to 8 last week not to sell its 34 percent stake. The Deputy Mayor of Wellington, Kerry Prendergast, says a group of councillors now wants to approach the favoured purchaser, Infratil, to negotiate on the city's continued ownership of the airport. Kerry Prendergast IV
While the crisis over the future of the coalition government raged in Parliament today, outside, protestors were demanding an end to the coalition government. PKGE EX Diana Leufkens
The trouble in the coalition government ranks has prompted calls for an early election. But how easy is that to arrange? I asked the Chief Electoral Officer Phil Welan how long it would take to organise an early election. IV
1745 SPORTS
1750 MANA NEWS