1Social Welfare Benefits New Zealand has an enviable international reputation for the way it looks after its disadvantaged. The welfare system in New Zealand has been a shining example to the world, especially for the way it cares for those who have lost their jobs, retirees and single parents. However the system does have its critics. Is it fair? Does it treat people with dignity? Is it too expensive? Benefits cost the taxpayer much more than health and education combined and the welfare system is starting to collapse under the strain. Discussion and viewer talkback with Ann Hercus, the Minister of Social Welfare, who has called for a complete review of benefits and services, and wants New Zealanders to make their views known.

2Part of Greymouth was sealed off for around five hours this morning, when a gunman holed up in a house opened fire.

3The 152 Sri Lankan Tamil refugees plucked from open boats of the Newfoundland coast have been granted permits to remain in Canada for a year, despite doubts about where they have travelled from.

4United States President Ronald Reagan says he is now not backing South African President P W Botha's call for an international conference.

5Health Minister Dr MIchael Bassett has announced a major Hepatitis B immunisation programme should be underway within three months.

6A brief listing of the New Zealand news headlines.

7Social Welfare Benefits New Zealand has an enviable international reputation for the way it looks after its disadvantaged. The welfare system in New Zealand has been a shining example to the world, especially for the way it cares for those who have lost their jobs, retirees and single parents. However the system does have its critics. Is it fair? Does it treat people with dignity? Is it too expensive? Benefits cost the taxpayer much more than health and education combined and the welfare system is starting to collapse under the strain. Discussion and viewer talkback with Ann Hercus, the Minister of Social Welfare, who has called for a complete review of benefits and services, and wants New Zealanders to make their views known.

8A brief listing of the national and international news headlines.

9Social Welfare Benefits New Zealand has an enviable international reputation for the way it looks after its disadvantaged. The welfare system in New Zealand has been a shining example to the world, especially for the way it cares for those who have lost their jobs, retirees and single parents. However the system does have its critics. Is it fair? Does it treat people with dignity? Is it too expensive? Benefits cost the taxpayer much more than health and education combined and the welfare system is starting to collapse under the strain. Discussion and viewer talkback with Ann Hercus, the Minister of Social Welfare, who has called for a complete review of benefits and services, and wants New Zealanders to make their views known.

10A brief listing of the New Zealand news headlines.

11Today marks 20 years since university student Charles Whitman climbed up a clocktower on the Austin campus of the University of Texas and bagan shooting at everything in sight, killing sixteen people and wounding thirty-one.

12Two different ceremonies were held in Berlin overnight, to mark 25 years since work began on the Berlin Wall. West German politicians say the Wall symbolises the imprisonment of an entire nation, and they will hold a remembrance ceremony for the 75 people killed trying to escape East Germany since the Wall was built. East Germany, however, held a jubilant celebration in honour of the "Anti-Fascist Defence Wall". A background on the history of the Berlin Wall. A look at how the ordinary people of Berlin cope with having a Wall dividing their city as part of their everyday life.

13Hollywood studio bosses are sweating over a fast-growing trend away from the movies in favour of renting home videos.