Air Wars – Dairy Bonanza – Dodgy Diesel – 2 Truck Crash Kills 2 – Picketline Death Trial – Mandeville – MP Hotel Expenses – Breasts

AIR WARS: There is yet another twist in the South Pacific Airline wars. Qantas wants to buy a majority stake in Air New Zealand. Qantas is talking about a possible take-over of 55% of Air New Zealand. Under present law Qantas is not allowed that much of Air New Zealand. Qantas would like to buy Singapore Airlines and BIL’s stakes in Air New Zealand. The whole plan is at a very early stage but, and Qantas will not pursue the plan unless it can get permission. The competition issues may hold the deal up. Singapore Airlines have acknowledged that they are speaking to Qantas, but say they are looking at other deals too. Air New Zealand is not likely to give up its stake in Ansett Australia easily.

DAIRY BONANZA: The Dairy Board has announced a big pay out to Dairy farmers. An extra $1.5 billion injected into the rural economy over what was paid out last year.

DODGY DIESEL: The MSA has exhumed a sunken fishing boat to establish whether it was the victim of dodgy diesel. The boat was sunk on the Buller Bar two weeks ago and has been salvaged to be investigated. Insurance Companies have advised fishing companies not to put to sea till they get clean fuel. Fishing fleets have the priority for clean fuel. No impact on fish prices is expected but.

2 TRUCK CRASH KILLS 2: A crash south of Hunterville involved two trucks and killed two.

PICKETLINE DEATH TRIAL: The man accused of killing a picketer at Lytellton Port began his defence to manslaughter charges today. The defence lawyer started by saying that the jury has not heard everything yet. A witness described as “completely independent” by the defence spoke of a struggle at the picket line. The trial is expected to conclude on Thursday.

MANDEVILLE: The government has scrapped plans to build a youth prison at Mandeville.

MP HOTEL EXPENSES: MP Donna Awatere-Huata has been cleared of breaking rules on hotel expenses.

BREASTS: Breasts are getting bigger younger according to bra makers. Fayreform has hired the wife of Eric Watson, Nicky Watson to advertise its generously endowed bras. Watson’s goal is to represent NZ as a equestrian at the Olympics. Watson said she had steered clear of lingerie modelling till now, but the bucks had made the difference.

© Scoop Media

Alastair Thompson

Scoop Publisher

Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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