TV1 6pm News Bulletin

Blakie Inquiry – School Drowning – Hawkesby Affair – Maori TV – Tour Of Duty – Public Infiltration – Cocaine Connection – Internet Hackers – Quake Battle

BLAKIE INQUIRY: Murdered Timaru woman Lisa Blakie’s funeral was today while the police and army hunted in Christchurch bush for evidence leading to her killer. Police say the 20-year-old may have been on the run, confiding in friends and family she feared for her life.

SCHOOL DROWNINGS A South Canterbury High School is offering counseling for pupils and staff after two boys died swimming in the Waihou River. Police are now investigating for an inquest into the deaths and do not rule out prosecuting the school.

HAWKESBY AFFAIR: There were angry words from the Prime Minister today after the TVNZ Board said it endorsed top management and their behaviour in the John Hawkesby affair. Prime Minister Helen Clark said the best public relations advice to the board was “to shut up” at this time.

MAORI TV: All Maori television programmes could be off air by the end of June. A group of Maori MPs have recommended a funding freeze on all Maori programmes while a long-term Maori television strategy is worked out.

TOUR OF DUTY: NZ Soldiers in the former Indonesian province of East Timor are having their tour of duty shortened to seven months, because conditions are too tough, the army says.

PUBLIC INFILTRATION: A NZ Police report has revealed gangs are infiltrating the public service and using private information for illegal ends. Government, local councils, and even the police have been affected. However police say public service corruption is not endemic.

COCAINE CONNECTION: There are more arrests in Australia involving the largest ever cocaine haul near Sydney harbour.

INTERNET HACKERS: The FBI say they have strong leads to the identity of hackers who shut down a number of high profile US internet sites this week. They are currently interviewing possible suspects.

QUAKE BATTLE: A trans-tasman battle is hotting up in Cyberspace, with a Kiwi being refused entry into an computer game championship. Organizers say the "Quake" championship is for Australians only. Prize money is AUS$100,000.

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