TV1 News

Cutler Resignation – Post Problems – Conservation Strategy – Power Bills – HRT – Wainui Schools – Passive Cannabis Smoking

- CUTLER RESIGNATION: Claims of political interference in TVNZ are being made. The opposition is calling for TVNZ chairman Ross Armstrong to resign for comments made in the media, where he said he welcomed the decision of Paul Cutler, rumoured to have been on the Government’s hitlist, to resign as head of news at TVNZ.

- POST PROBLEMS: South African media are reporting that NZ Post’s consulting wing has been dumped half way through a restructuring job for the South African Post Office.

- CONSERVATION STRATEGY: The Government is in damage control mode, after the Greens claimed some of the plans announced in the Government’s conservation strategy were Green initiatives, and say they haven’t been given credit. The conservation strategy was expected to be the least controversial of the budget announcements. Helen Clark has smoothed the situation over.

- POWER BILLS: A call has gone out for New Zealanders to conserve electricity this winter or face bigger power bills. Lakes levels are low in the South Island - concerning for hydro-electricity. Power prices are rising.

- HRT: Doctors may be over-prescribing Hormone Replacement Treatment for menopause in women where there may be little benefit.

- WAINUI SCHOOLS: 1300 children may be forced to move schools in Wainuiomata as schools close, including Education Minister Trevor Mallard’s primary school.

- PASSIVE CANNABIS SMOKING: The effectiveness of random drug testing among school students is being questioned. Kawerau College principal says many of his pupils may test positive for cannabis because they are passively smoking their parent’s second hand cannabis smoke.

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