West Coasters Suing - Gavin Dash Apology -Wanganui Investigation - Smoking Changes - WINZ Performance:- Company Admits
Guilt - Boat And Region Checked - Polytech And Funding - Writer Guilty - Council Votes - Taiwan Independence - UN
Sanctions Urged
WEST COASTERS SUING: Members of a West Coast protest group says they will launch criminal action against the New Zealand
Government saying they went against the West Coast accord which promised to continue native logging as long as it was
sustainable.
GAVIN DASH APOLOGY: Wellington police have apologised to the missing Law student Gavin Dash saying that they should have
reacted more quickly to the indications that Mr Dash was dead from foul play.
WANGANUI INVESTIGATION: Police in Wanganui are investigating the circumstances behind a man under investigation on
driving charges who managed to return home overseas.
SMOKING CHANGES: The Government says it may sue tobacco companies to pay for the health associated costs related to
smoking and is considering changing the law to do so.
WINZ PERFORMANCE: The personal performance of WINZ chief Christine Rankin was again under the spotlight with State
Services Chief Michael Wintringham now being questioned as to whether he had confidence in Ms Rankin.
COMPANY ADMITS GUILT: A company who employed two men who collapsed and died after being overcome by gases in a man-hole
has paid out 10,000 in fines.
BOAT AND REGION CHECKED: A capsized boat which spilled diesel near Stuart Island yesterday is being checked by the
conservation department to see how serious the leak is.
POLYTECH AND FUNDING: A Wellington Polytechnic says it may have to close down if it does not get a change in its funding
policy.
WRITER GUILTY: A Wellington writer has pleaded guilty to three charges of fraud after she claimed she had a contract to
make a Hollywood film to put off creditors.
COUNCIL VOTES: The Rodney District Council has voted unanimously to reject a Government report that recommended the
council be scrapped and replaced with a commisioner after complaints that squabbling in the council was impairing its
performance.
TAIWAN INDEPENDENCE: The pro-independence opposition party in Taiwan remains defiant after China threatened to intervene
with military action if Taiwan votes to become officially independent. The opposition party spokesperson says that
China’s attitude has caused more to vote for their cause.
UN SANCTIONS URGED: The United Nations is being urged to put sanctions on Angola stopping the trade in jewels which is
fueling the civil war.