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HEADLINES & NEWS
The Māori activist Hinewhare (hinny-fa-re) Harawira, is under investigation - following accusations that she's abused her position on a Goverment funded community organisation. She is the daughter of another prominent activist, Titewhai Harawira. Hinewhare Harawira sits on the West Auckland COGS, or Community Organisation Grants Scheme committee. Its approved nearly 285 thousand dollars to 88 community groups in the last year. However it's alleged 30 thousand dollars went to groups directly associated with Ms Harawira - who failed to declare a conflict of interest. We're joined now by our Māori Issues Correspondent Gideon Porter. LIVE with DROPINS
A complaint will be lodged with the Teacher's Council over a principal who downloaded pornography from a school computer. The principal of Northcote [illegible] School, Michael Wilks, was sacked for the offence last week. Radio New Zealand understands some of the material was child pornography. Kirsty Jones PKGE.
A doctors' union is attacking plans to cut the number of doctors who care for many of the country's tiniest and sickest babies. National Women's Hospital in Auckland intends to cut staff in its Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit next month. The 59-cot unit, which cares for sick and premature babies, usually has three medical staff on duty at night, but from next month that will be cut back to two. The Resident Doctors Association is infuriated by the move - the general secretary Deborah Powell joins us now. LIVE.
Joining us now is the National Women's clincal leader Dr David Knight. LIVE.
BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
A long awaited Law Commission report into legal liablity for genetic engineering accidents has been released, without making any firm recommendations. Last week the Government refused to release the report, saying [illegible] wanted more information from the Law Commission. It was orginally asked to do the work after the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification said it didn't think the current law needing changing but suggested the Government go to the Law Commission for a second opinion. While the Law Commission's Report says genetically modified organisms have the potential to cause catastrophic levels of harm and irreversible damage it's not prepared to recommend who should pay and under what circumstances. I asked the Science and Technology Minister Pete Hodgson for his response. PRE-REC.
Dunedin's regional television station, Channel 9 has gone off air - leaving about 25 staff without jobs. The station's the latest casualty of a decision by London-based West 175 Media to quit its three regional stations in New Zealand. Maureen Lloyd PKGE.
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with STEPHEN HEWSON
Victim Support says the Department of Corrections needs to get its act together over informing victims when offenders are released from prison. The Department of Corrections which is responsible for the Victim Notification Register, has apologised to a woman after it failed to tell her the man who was convicted of raping and stabbing her, was released yesterday. A statement from the Department says it is "regrettable" that the notification scheme "appears not to have worked for the victim". Victim Support's chief executive Steve Caldwell says the new Victims Rights Bill - currently before parliament - will mean notification is mandatory and the Department should be ready for it. Mr Caldwell says there's been several cases where victims have not been notified by the Department when they should have been. PRE-REC.
A inquiry into the death of a New Zealand diplomat in Solomon Islands has been heard in the Coroners Court in Auckland today. The police launched a homicide inquiry after Bridget Nicholls was found outside her home with a stab wound three months ago. After an inquiry lasting several weeks in the capital Honiara, police announced Bridget Nicholl's death was not suspicious and last month a magistrate agreed, finding it was accidental. Our Auckland reporter Barbara Dreaver has been at the coroners court today and she joins me now. LIVE.
The government has been accused of neglecting the agricultural sector, with calls by the outgoing president of Federated Farmers for tax cuts and improved utility services. Speaking at the opening of the federation's national conference in Christchurch Alistair Poulson delivered what he called a report card on the government's performance. John MacDonald PKGE
The Minister of Education, Trevor Mallard, is urging the secondary teachers union to call off a fresh round of industrial action due to begin in schools tomorrow. Mr Mallard says it would be a show of good faith for the PPTA executive to lift the current industrial aciton while members decide on whether to let the dispute go to arbitration. The government has written to the PPTA to reconsider its position and has sent a copy of the letter to all secondary schools. Mr Mallard says he believes many teachers themselves will support the government's position. Our education correspondent Gael Woods joins us now. LIVE with DROP-IN.
There is an appeal today for rival Black Power and Mongrel Mob gangs to back off a cycle of revenge shootings in the Palmerston North suburb of Highbury. [illegible] have stepped up patrols in the suburb since yesterday when three men charged with the killing of a 16 year old Black Power prospect walked free. The case against the men collapsed after a key witness changed his statement saying he couldn't identify the accused. Graham McDonald is the deputy chairperson of the Highbury Whanau Resource Centre. Mr McDonald says the gangs are keeping a low profile now but people fear there will be more violence. He wants the two sides to talk - I asked him if there was much chance of that. PRE-REC.
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