1. FATAL STABBING - An ACC worker has been stabbed to death in Auckland. The 34 year old was with a client at the time.
A man will appear in court tomorrow in connection with the killing. TVNZ says the women was alone with a client, there
was an altercation, the women emerged stabbed and a man then left. He was followed to the carpark and detained. The
women could not be revived. Her colleagues are in shock at the Henderson office.
2. PM AND PAYOUTS - The PM is in more political trouble tonight. One - over payouts to the former Tourism Board members
and two - about her word. TVNZ understands that not only will the two board members still get money, but they will also
get an apology. It now appears that Cabinet has known all along that there would have to be a payout, despite Mrs
Shipley's comments that she was against it. No deal yet signed, but expected within days. Government is still concerned
about the issue of payouts and new rules be set. Linda Clark says it has been another rough day for the Prime Minister,
this time over her appearance on the Crossfire show and what she said in the House about her claims that John Hawkesby
had received a millions dollars when he parted ways with TVNZ. She told the House it was what she understood, but after
the Crossfire interview , she said "I made it up, you people do it all the time". Linda Clark says she did say it and
others heard it, though Mrs Shipley was in a flippant mood. In the House today MPs called on the PM to come and explain,
if she had misled the House. She did not come down.
3. WATSON TRIAL - The Scott Watson trial heard from friends of the missing Blenheim pair and the last few hours of their
lives. Also heard from another skipper who told the court he saw "nymphos" and watched the yacht that Hope and Smart had
hired. Another skipper told of hearing a scream in the early hours of New Year's Day. The skipper of the yacht the pair
were meant to stay on told of how they couldn't find a bed and left.
4. PAU SMUGGLERS - Police and fisheries officers have smashed a major paua poaching operation in Wellington. The seized
paua will be canned and exported with the money going tot the Government.
5. LAST TEST - The All Black rugby test against France on Saturday will be the 42nd at Athletic Park and the last. Look
back at the great moments and the atrocious changing rooms.