TV3 News

Monday, 12 June 2000, 6:20 pm
Article: Alastair Thompson

Kylie Jones Funeral - Taxi Murder Charges - Fiji Coup - Solomon Islands - Southern Freeze - Ruapehu Snow - Working Visas

KYLIE JONES FUNERAL: 2000 attend funeral of murdered Auckland journalist Kylie Jones. Earlier the accused appears in court. Northland community centre at Omaha overwhelmed with the response. Former boss says it is "repulsive that mongrels could do such a terrible thing". Boyfriend also gives eulogy. Speakers talk of her career plans. Many struggle to find words to explain the murder. 29-year-old Glenn Innes man has been granted name suppression and remanded for psychiatric assessment.

TAXI MURDER: Accused appears in court for murder of taxi driver in Wellington. He was arrested yesterday on the day of the funeral.

FIJI COUP: Fiji army soldiers open fire on George Speight’s car after it fails to stop at a checkpoint. The hostage takers say it was an assassination attempt. The army has apologised for overreacting. Warning shots were gravely excessive says a spokesman.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: A shaky truce seems to be holding in the Solomons at this stage. The PM is reported to be in hiding. NZ is running an air bridge to Honiara. Nzers and other nationalities have been being airlifed out by the RNZAF. High Commissioner says the capital is largely deserted. About 40 NZers remain in NZ and have the security of the frigate Te Mana at hand. The PM is expected to stand down following a special session of the Parliament on Thursday. NZ Govt is not charging a fee for evacuees.

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SOUTHERN FREEZE: The biggest June snow fall in years blankets the Southern High Country. Some cars left stranded. Queenstowners have to dig out their cars. Farmers shifting sheep to lower pastures. Two wheel drive cars not safe. Video of a car driving off road with driver bailing out very dangerously. Augie Auer says it will stay cold for a bit longer yet. NASEBY: Black forest turns white. Visitors a little surprised with the weather.

RUAPEHU: 8-10 cms of snow today. Severe gale force winds in Wellington tomorrow.

WORKING VISAS: An extension of the working visa programme has been announced with up to 10,000 more working tourists to be allowed. Backpackers however say they are not impressed with Kiwi hours. Nzers will also be allowed to travel overseas to work. Lianne Dalziel says this will be a wonderful opportunity for young kiwis. One young Kiwi says it will be good to see “more races integrating”.

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.

Contact Alastair Thompson

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