Triple Murder In Hokianga - New Government Sworn In - Jenny Shipley - New US Ambassador - Chechnya - Chch Clock - Strike - Kawakawa Toilet Masterpiece

MURDER IN HOKIANGA: Murderous morning in the far North. Two children and a man killed in the Hokianga - meters from the local police station. Residents of the town are shocked. The attacker is believed to have killed two children - then attacked and injured their mother - when a man intervened he was also killed. The attacker is thought to have been in the army. The attacker had only lived in the town since March. He was known for his "freaky" religious beleifs - he said "follow the light" a lot. The man was also kicked off a carpentry course for making threats.

NEW GOVT SWORN IN: Helen Clark removes the word Elect from her title. Several moving companies will be moving the offices about over the weekend. Helen Clark arrives to be sworn in - everybody sworn in. Governor General issues a challenge - "we have made immense gains" but there is still work to do. Two caucus colleagues passed over in the Cabinet lineup - Taito Phillip Field and Harry Dynhoven - are very disappointed. Also on Clark's mind - losing another seat to the Greens. Opposition 54 seats. Government 59. Greens hold the balance. Jenny Shipley says she expects it to be interesting. Monday cabinet meeting scheduled for new leaders.

JENNY SHIPLEY: Jenny Shipley's final walk. Shipley says she is proud to have been PM. Loyal staff lineup to applaud as she leaves to hand over power.

NEW US AMBASSADOR: New Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun is sworn in by Vice President Al Gore. He says it is fitting that the first black female US senator should also be one of the first to see in the millennium.

CHECHNYA: War of words between US and Russia turns sinister as Boris Yeltsin reminds President Clinton that Russia is a great Nuclear Power. Russian's are sick of criticism. Advisor says that Russia is a corrupt kleptocratic state. Both Russian and US have new Presidents next year.

CHCH CLOCK: Big Clock in Christchurch City Square is to be covered up on New Year's Eve to prevent the square from becoming a focal point for celebrations.

STRIKE: WestpacTrust wildcat strike blamed by Union on the fact the bank is making super profits.

KAWAKAWA TOILET MASTERPIECE: Bizarre art-work unveiled in Kawakawa. Frederick Hunterwasser toilet opened in a dawn ceremony. He says a toilet is very special because you meditate in a toilet. Like a church. "The similarity is not so far fetched" - he says. Kawakawa has been Hunterwasser's home for 25 years. Hunterwasser says straight lines are evil. There are no straight lines in the toilet. Only crooked beauty.

© 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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