TVNZ 6pm News Bulletin (First Segment)

Avalanche Search - America’s Cupx2 - Electronic Elections - Power Sabotage - Home Invasion - US Kidnapping - East Timor x2

AVALANCHE SEARCH: Japanese authorities have reported there were no delays in the hunt for three New Zealanders buried in an avalanche in mountains near Nagano. The three snow-boarders were buried under 70 centimetres of snow while on a ski field on Saturday morning. Today parents of one of the families flew to Japan to join the search which includes the use of explosives and specialised sniffer dogs.

AMERICA’S CUP: Team New Zealand victory over the Italians Luna Rossa boat made world news with articles in the New York Times and Washington Post.

AMERICA’S CUP: After the race international journalists and race organizers considered themselved snubbed when Team New Zealand’s skipper and tactician decided not to meet a press conference.

ELECTRONIC ELECTIONS: Voters may be asked to make the choice electronically at the next election because of the delays in the 1999 elections says Prime Minister Helen Clark. A review by two former top public servants highlighted significant problems including lack of trained staff and the decision to include the two referenda in the vote.

POWER SABOTAGE: A man charged with the willful sabotage of the national power grid is defending himself in court today.

HOME INVASION: Police are still looking for two men who kidnapped and raped a South Auckland woman in her home in Papatoetoe. They are looking for the woman’s car which the attackers used to rape the woman.

US KIDNAPPING: In the United States police communicated by a woman on a mobile phone when she was kidnapped by a car jacker and robber in a high speed chase.

EAST TIMOR: Most of East Timor came under United Nations control today with New Zealanders to remain in the front line of patrols for the next six months.

EAST TIMOR Meanwhile at home, New Zealanders soldiers visiting Auckland Zoo to deal with the wildlife they may find in the problems. There, soldiers and medics met tarantulas and crocodiles and were warned against the dangers of rabies.

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