1A witness at the State Services Commission Inquiry today claimed that Minister of Maori Affairs Koro Wetere was told on October 20th about the proposition of a $600 million Maori loan.

2Canterbury firefighters have spent the day dampening down smoldering embers following a huge forest fire near Oxford, that destroyed two farm houses, killed a large number of sheep and caused millions of dollars worth of damage.

3Auckland Mongrel Mob leaders have warned of a possible campaign of violence after $7000 worth of gang assets were seized by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) to pay outstanding debts.

4It is believed that kidnappers demanded a $1 million ransom for the safe return of the wife of a prominent Hamilton businessman after seizing her at gunpoint earlier this week. Today she returned home after a dramatic rescue.

5It is still uncertain whether mechanical failure was the cause of a bus careering off the road near Cairns yesterday, killing eight of its secondary school passengers.

6Police, protesters and Maori wardens are gathering at Waitangi for the 147th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty. So far, indications suggest it will be a largely trouble-free day.

7Dentists are refusing to sign up any new patients under the Dental Benefits Scheme, which provides free dental care for children under the age of eighteen.

8There have been unconfirmed reports from Beirut that British hostage negotiator Terry Waite has been tried by an Islamic court.

9A tribute to flamboyant musician Liberace, who died today aged 67.