National Radio Midday Bulletin

Ellis Inquiry - TVNZ Drop Appeal - Boganville Violence - Fishing Trawler - Team NZ In Christchurch - Team NZ In Dunedin - Herald & Team NZ - US Presidential Elections - Anderton On Growth - Alamein's Office - Sweetwaters Fraud - Edinburg Tattoo

ELLIS INQUIRY: Justice Minister Phil Goff has announced a Ministerial Inquiry into aspects of the trial of convicted sex offender Peter Ellis. The Minister has not ruled out pardoning Mr Ellis if the Inquiry finds the methods of obtaining evidence to convict him were flawed.

TVNZ DROP APPEAL: Television New Zealand has decided not to appeal an arbitration pay-out of $6.5 million to former TV1 news reader John Hawkesby.

BOGANVILLE VIOLENCE: The leaders on the Papua New Guinea Island of Boganville have indicated more impending violence in the province if federal rulers do not give the locals greater autonomy.

FISHING TRAWLER: A manager from a fishing company whose boat caught fire near the Chatham Islands is traveling to the scene to inspect the damage.

TEAM NZ IN CHRISTCHURCH: After successful parades in Auckland and Wellington Team New Zealand have arrived in Christchurch where they are parading through the city in a trailer towed by a tram.

TEAM NZ IN DUNEDIN: A big turn out is expected when Team New Zealand get to Dunedin tonight. They will parade down towards the Octagon and meet Mayor Sukhi Turner.

HERALD & TEAM NZ: The New Zealand Herald says it is surprised that the National Business Review printed telephone conversations between the Herald and Team New Zealand regarding a possible leak of financial details.

US PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS: The race for the White House is down to two men, Democrat Al Gore and Republican George Bush, after their rivals Democrat Bill Bradley and Republican John McCain both pulled out within 30 minutes of each other today.

ANDERTON ON GROWTH: Minister of Economic Development Jim Anderton has told a meeting of local bodies in Auckland that regional development initiatives are essential to further economic growth.

DNA INQUIRIES: A consultant into two Ministerial Inquiries into DNA mix-ups says the courtroom is not the best place for DNA tests to be evaluated.

ALAMEIN'S OFFICE: A police investigation is underway into a number of items missing from former independent MP Alamein Kopu's electorate office. The items belonged to Parliament.

SWEETWATERS FRAUD: A sentencing hearing for the organiser of the failed Sweetwaters concert was due today after he was convicted on two counts of fraud.

EDINBURG TATTOO: The 80,000 people expected to attend the shows of the Edinburg Tattoo in Wellington should expect fine, calm weather says the Meteorological Office.

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