First Segment
F16 Deal – WINZ Bungle – Georgina Beyer – Lisa Blakie Inquiry – Gavin Dash – Savage Honeymoon – Power Boating –
Pregnancy Treatment
F16 DEAL: There are signs of back-room bargaining for the F16 Fighter Plane deal– ACT leader Richard Prebble claims that
the United States is offering a sweetner into the deal, financing the Phillipines to buy New Zealand’s aging Skyhawk
fleet, and offering a cheaper leasing price for the 28 F16’s. But Minister of Defence Mark Burton has said the
government has no knowledge of another American offer. An inquiry into the cost effectiveness of the planes, from former
MP Derek Quigly, is due next month.
WINZ BUNGLE: Work And Income New Zealand is blaming a computer error for putting the wrong names of institutes on
student loans forms for 22,000 students. WINZ has previously been in trouble over delays in processing student
allowances and for taking too long to answer student calls.
GEORGINA BEYER: The world’s first transsexual MP Georgina Beyer made her maiden speech today in Parliament. Her priority
in Parliament will be her electorate as well as gay and lesbian issues.
LISA BLAKIE INQUIRY: The father of Lisa Blakie, the woman whose body was found near a river near Christchurch on SUnday,
is appealing to the public for any information relevant to the police inquiry.
GAVIN DASH Wellington police are also looking for missing law student Gavin Dash’s personal items after investigations
revealed that his computer went missing from his room soon after his disappearance last year.
SAVAGE HONEYMOON: The New Zealand Film Commission is appealing the Film Censor’s decision to impose an R18 rating on a
new Kiwi film, ‘Savage Honeymoon.’ The makers of the film are also dismayed with the rating.
POWER BOATING: The latest racers to Auckland Harbour are power boaters competing for the World Offshore Power Boating
Championship. A speed limit has been imposed on the harbour for spectator boats to ensure wash does not affect the race
or the America’s Cup.
PREGNANCY TREATMENT:A couple who tried a revolutionary new pregnancy technique at Auckland Hospital have just had their
first child. The woman previously had eight miscarriages trying to have a baby.