War On Shoplifters – Waitara Shooting – Horomia’s Largesse – Patients Scrutinise Doctors – Traditional Names

WAR ON SHOPLIFTERS: Shoplifters could be sued for costs associated with their stealing under a programme starting today.

WATARA SHOOTING: As Waitara man Steven Wallace lay fatally wounded in the street after being shot by a police officer, a colleague of the constable who shot him considered spiriting the officer away before alerting the proper authorities, new documents show.

HOROMIA’S LARGESSE: Women’s refuge head Merepeka Raukawa-Tait said she was in awe of Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia yesterday as he helped collect for her cause at Rugby League Park in Wellington.

PATIENTS SCRUTINISE DOCTORS: Patients may be able to check doctors’ credentials on a national database under a proposed Health Funding Authority framework.

TRADITIONAL NAMES: New Zealand and Australian parents prefer old-fashioned names for their children, according to the author of a new book on babies names.

Inside Political Headlines:
- Victoria Main’s Political Week: Nine months down the track, but little sign of productive union;
- Treasury predicts little Christmas Cheer;
- Coalition headed for first policy rift;
- Beehive aspirations put on hold;
- Nats outraged at code on good faith;
- Funding lift for research and development

Editorial: Now make the thugs pay up.