TV1 6pm News

1. PM AND TVNZ - The row over golden handshakes gets messy. The Prime Minister, Jenny Shipley, said on new show 'Crossfire' last night that TVNZ had paid a million dollars to former newsreader John Hawkesby. Today the Prime Minister backtracked, but was unrepentant and said TVNZ should clarify the offers on the table. PM's Press Secretary told journalists not to take her too literally.

2. ORIGINAL HANDSHAKE - The Government is claiming progress in getting back some of the original pay off to former Tourism board members. Lockwood Smith says negotiations are continuing.

3. FAMILY FLEES - A Southland family is on the run tonight after giving evidence against a gang member. They say they lived in terror next door to the Mongrel Mob for three years. Their home was fire bombed in February after they complained about the gang. Now they have testified they are fleeing for their lives. Security guards have been protecting their home. Gang member unrepentant says they have the last laugh since they are staying and the family are going.

4. PYLON SABOTAGE - A retired Methven man has been arrested by police investigating the sabotage of South Island power pylons. It is also believed a helicopter that crashed in the South Island while checking power pylons may have been shot at. The 63 year old Methven man will appear in court on 12 charges.

5. TRUCK CRASH - Two men were lucky to escape with their lives after their truck crashed sending its cargo of carrots everywhere.

6. MIGRATION DEFICIT - The number of people leaving New Zealand is outstripping the number who are coming here to live. One third of them are off to Australia in total it is the equivalent of the population of Greymouth leaving every year.

7. DRUG USE - A report released exclusively to TV1 shows increased drug and alcohol abuse among young people. LSD is very popular.

8. YOUNG HERO - An eight year old Dunedin boy is being called a hero tonight after he took over the wheel of the car when his mother passed out and her foot stayed on the accelerator.

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