Jetboat Crash - Adventure Tourism – Japanese Air Deal – Transport Minister’s Son – Fletcher Blow – Mark Waugh – Child’s
Body Found – Cannabis – Manhunt – Ganges Bathing Millions
JETBOAT CRASH: A Jetboat clipped a tree and crashed on the Waikato River this afternoon injuring several Korean
passengers and the driver. The jet had 11 people on board when it crashed. One Korean tourist broke his arm. None of the
injuries were life threatening. The operators say they will be conducting a full investigation. Police say Marine Safety
will be responsible for deciding what to do about the accident.
ADVENTURE TOURISM: The Jetboat Association says that NZ Operators set the standards for the industry around the world.
Adventure tourism is a key part of NZ’s tourism profile. Since 1993 there have been 49 jet-boat accidents and two
fatalities. Rafting has had 20 accidents and more fatalities. Tourists say they know they are taking a certain amount of
risk.
JAPANESE AIR DEAL: A deal on air routes with Japan could increase the number of tourists by 30,000 a year bringing
another $150 million to the NZ economy.
TRANSPORT MINISTER’S SON: The son of Mark Gosche has admitted driving dangerously.
FLETCHER BLOW: Fletcher Challenge has written $600 million off the value of its forestry estate resulting in a $97
million loss to shareholders.
MARK WAUGH: Australian Cricket Captain Mark Waugh has changed his mind and decided to talk to Cricket corruption
investigators afterall. Waugh faced an ultimatum from the ACB. Directors of ACB are now satisfied that Waugh will talk
to investigators. Waugh is accused of taking over $40,000 from a book-maker. Waugh’s lawyers are critical of the ACB for
forcing a showdown. The ICC will meet Waugh in early February. NZ’s Martin Crowe will also talk to the investigators.
CHILD’S BODY FOUND: A grizzly discovery has been made near Mangakino of human remains of a child that may have been
there for more than a year.
CANNABIS: Laila Harre is underfire from teachers for suggesting relaxing cannabis laws. Teachers claim children as young
as 10 are using cannabis. The drugs effects have a name “Monday syndrome”, tired kids unable to learn at school. Harre
says that entering the criminal justice system on cannabis charges does not help young people either.
MANHUNT: Police are seeking a dangerous criminal in the company of a woman.
GANGES BATHING: A satellite image shows the 30 million Hindu pilgrims bathing in the Ganges on the most auspicious day
in the Hindu calendar. The pilgrims are seeking to be close to a few drops of the nectar of life dropped in the river by
the gods. The logistics of the scene are amazing. 30,000 people have been separated from their families. An 18-square
mile tent city and lots of bridges. 10,000 foreigners are hardly noticeable in the crowd. For Indians it is not
unbelievable they have been doing this for centuries.