National Radio Midday Bulletin

1. CABINET - The Prime Minister has announced a minor Cabinet reshuffle with Bill English taking the Treasurer's job from tomorrow. Don McKinnon picks up the new portfolio of Veteran Affairs and there are other minor changes.

2. KOSOVO - Nato says it is trying to set up a safer return for refugees returning to Kosovo. Work on identifying war crimes is also underway.

3. CABINET - (Returning to interrupted item) RNZ Political Editor says the changes to the Treasury portfolio means a new person to handle the major job left undone - a programme of tax cuts which are expected to be announced at the upcoming National Party conference. He says the move of Tau Henare to take on tertiary education is an interesting one that reflects Max Bradford's heavy workload.

4. CORONER HEARING - The coroners court hearing into the Foveaux Strait plane crash, in which five people died in the water while awaiting rescue, has restarted in Invercargill.

5. LAND I.T. COSTS - The cost of the new technology for land information services is expected to be well over budget.

6. RACE RELATIONS - The Race Relations Conciliator says education is the best way to meet its obligations in relation to the Treaty of Waitangi. The latest figures show the number of complaints from Maori have dropped.

7. DNA - The man who provided DNA evidence in a controversial case has backed calls for a wider inquiry into DNA testing.

8. METROWATER - A spokesman for the Auckland Mayor says she will back Metrowater in a vote on its continuing existence.

9. TOMATO THIEVES - The police are warning tomato growers to beware of burglars targetting hothouse tomatoes.

10. MURDER TRIAL - The trial of five people charged with the murder of a mentally handicapped women will begin in Auckland today.

11. WIND FARM The largest wind farm in the Southern Hemisphere will be opened by the Deputy PM in the Manawatu today.

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