National Radio Midday Report

Waitara Shooting – School Funding – Company Clarged – Submarine Rescue – Doctor Strike – Fiji Warning Relaxed – Teenage Cannabis Use – Maori Immersion School – US Forest Fires – Drug Advertising - Alcohol Ban – Elvis Anniversary

- WAITARA SHOOTING: Waitara’s aftermath has seen the government under pressure. It will face questions in Parliament this afternoon over whether the relationship between Maori and Police was a factor in the shooting. Immediately after the shooting Helen Clark said relations between Maori and Police in Waitara made policing difficult. Clark will be away from Parliament today, however, and her deputy will have to face questions.

Police are on alert in Waitara after the Police report on the shooting sparked outrage. The policeman who shot Steven Wallace says he fears for his safety and has put his house is on the market as his family prepares to move.

Police have finished their criminal investigation but the Police Complaint authority is still investigating. The Authority says it will not release its report until after a coroner’s Inquest into the shooting.

- SCHOOL FUNDING: There are big winners and loses under a new funding formula for schools announced by the Education Minister today following the axing of bulk funding One of Labour’s key election pledges was to return all schools to centralised funding. Some schools who chose bulk funding will lose while others will see an increase in funding.

- COMPANY CHARGED: One of three companies charged over the deaths of three sewer workers is being sentenced in the Auckland district court. The workers were overcome by poisonous gases while doing routine sewer maintenance.

- SUBMARINE RESCUE: British team has joined the rescue team attempting to save over 100 crew from a stranded Russian submarine in the Barents Sea, but hopes are fading.

- DOCTOR STRIKE: As the junior doctor strike looms, the Government is playing down talk of dispensation for doctors from student loans. The Government is looking for ways to stem the tide of doctors heading overseas for better paid work.

- FIJI WARNING RELAXED: The Government is expected to relax warnings against travel in Fiji today after Australia relaxed warnings yesterday.

- TEENAGE CANNABIS USE: Green MP Nandor Tanscos has said young people need to be given reasons not to smoke cannabis. He was commenting on a report which says one in five 16 year olds regularly use the drug. Mr Tanscos advises peple not to smoke before the ago of 18.

- MAORI IMMERSION SCHOOL: The head of an Auckland Maori immersion school, which is refusing to cooperate with education review officers, will meet with the education minister to discuss concerns today.

- US FOREST FIRES: Montana has been declared a disaster area after more than 2000 forest fires have caused the worst devastation in the area for 50 years.

- DRUG ADVERTISING: A visiting Canadian health researcher has said advertisements for prescription drugs shown on New Zealand television would be illegal in the United States. She was also shocked at the way the information of benefits of drugs is presented.

- ALCOHOL BAN: The union representing railway workers has welcomed moves to make Tranz Rail alcohol free.

- ELVIS ANNIVERSARY: It is the 23rd anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death. Followers gathered at Graceland for the annual candlelight vigil, which was broadcast live on the estate’s web site.

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