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TV3 News
John Tamihere - Jane Young Live - Aids Suit - Pro-Logging Protest - Ecstasy Death - Te Papa - Aotearoa Day Bill Introduced - Fishing Competition
JOHN TAMIHERE: An intriguing court case is underway in the Court of Appeal. It is politically explosive and this afternoon in Parliament ACT's Richard Prebble lit the fuse. "I am sick and tired of the malice and the premeditated racism practiced by this member" - says Tamihere. Prebble says Tamihere appeared in court in relation to a $56,000 fraud case. Tamihere says there is no substance to the accusations made by Prebble. PM Clark moved today to defend her MP.
JANE YOUNG LIVE: We have just heard that the suppression order on the case has been extended through till 5pm this afternoon. Suppression was turned down by the District Court and High Court. The Auditor General has confirmed he is looking into aspects of Waipareira Trust.
AIDS SUIT: An Auckland businessman is suing for damages because he wasn't told that a previous resident in the property died on Aids. Dennis Headley is claiming $50,000 in loss of value and $25,000 in cleaning costs. Headley will call evidence from real estate agents. Consumers Institute is watching the case closely. The Real Estate Institute is worried about having to list the medical history of properties. A hearing will be held on April 18th.
PRO-LOGGERS: Pro-loggers on the West Coast are protesting in chains over an Auckland judges lenient treatment of conservationists who chained themselves to a helicopter to stop logging. The protests today chained themselves to a coal office that was being removed. Conservationists are impressed with the pro-loggers standing up for what the believe in.
ECSTASY DEATH: A death at a dance party on Pakatoa Island is being attributed to the dance drug ecstasy. Users say that the death will not stop them using the drug. Brother in law of victim says the death is a warning to all young people.
TE PAPA: The PM is finding herself stuck between Te Papa and a hard place. The PM wants money in the budget for Te Papa and several other arts ventures. Sir Ron Trotter says that Te Papa is running out of puff and needs money to change its exhibitions. Meanwhile the NZSO is forecast to post a $1.5 million lost this year. Clark says she has had a meeting with Michael Cullen on the issue and says it was productive. She is expected to get the money her treasures need.
AOTEAROA DAY BILL: Aotearoa Day bill introduced which will Mondayise a holiday in the week of Waitangi Day - establishing a new national holiday. The bill is Peter Dunne's idea.
FISHING COMPETITION: Kawau island fishing contest has big prizes on offer. Biggest fish usually caught on the weekend. On a day like today can't blame the fishers for fishing. Coastguard say they are pleased with boaties behaviour. Contest ends on Saturday.
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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