Southerly Gales - Employment Relations Act - Landfill Search - People Smuggling - Toddlers Funeral - Paid To Learn -
Super Jumbo
SOUTHERLY GALES: Awatere the only ferry able to cross the Strait today. Passengers found it a bit rough. Winds up to
130km an hour delay flights and damage houses. New Plymouth Airport and State Highway 3 also closed. Getting to work
frustrating in Auckland and Wellington after a . Parts of the castle fell off at the Edinburgh Tattoo which ended 10
minutes early last night in high winds. Day and night of bad weather summed up by a single spectator at the cricket in
Auckland where not a single ball was bowled.
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS ACT: Labour and the Alliance celebrate their first 100 days in office with the introduction of a
new industrial relations framework. The bill will abolish the Employment Contracts Act. Employers say the new bill gives
unions too much power. Employers fear more strikes will result. Employers will not be able to lock out non-union workers
or bring in strike-breakers. National says it is a step back to the bad old days and that it will be bad for workers.
LANDFILL SEARCH: Police are searching the Happy Valley tip for a section of carpet which disappeared from missing
student Gavin Dash's flat. Gavin Dash is feared murdered.
PEOPLE SMUGGLING: Police are now denying reports that NZ officials assisted a people smuggling ring operating in
Auckland. Police are looking for more people involved in the ring. Minister of Immigration says no NZ officials are
under investigation. Many of the victims of the smugglers may be sent home.
TODDLERS FUNERAL: A three and a half year old killed on a pedestrian crossing by a police car is farewelled in New
Plymouth.
PAID TO LEARN: Reverse school fees being paid in Northern England where schools were running out of students. Students
are being paid $260 a term if their attendance record is satisfactory.
SUPER JUMBO: UK Government has offered $1.7 billion to assist building a new super-Jumbo A3XX aircraft. The new plane is
designed to challenge the supremacy of the 747. The new jet will carry over 650 passengers on two decks as far as
16,000km. Boeing say they are gravely concerned that the UK government is helping with the project. British workers are
delighted however - they will build the wings.