Teilweise neu: 2001-10-15 Contents of this issue:
1. Chocks Away 2. Beauty Contest 3. Life's A Beach 4. King Recovers ======================================================================== Old contents were: 1. Life's A Beach 2. King Recovers October 15th, 2001 1. Chocks Away: Air New Zealand has confirmed that it has met all the conditions of, and received, the first stage of its government rescue package. It has now received a $300 million Crown loan, which includes a $A150 million ($NZ186 million) payment towards the administrators of collapsed Air NZ subsidiary Ansett and an Ansett offshoot, Hazleton Airlines. Air NZ will waive Ansett's debts and Ansett has agreed not to pursue Air NZ or its directors for further funds. "Air NZ confirms that all conditions precedent to the making of the $300 million loan . . . have been satisfied or waived," a company statement said. The loan is part of a $NZ885 million refinancing package in which the Government will take an 83 percent stake in the airline, returning it to state ownership.(NZPA) 2. Beauty Contest: Miss Niue 2001 Rossylynn Pulehetoa of Liku heads off to Apia this week for the Miss South Pacific Pageant which starts October 22. The 21 year- old meteorologist is considered to be one of the top contenders for this year's title. Accompanying Rossylynn is chaperone Masani Togiamana of Hakupu and attendants Mua Gafa and Sumintra Puleosi -Tano both from Alofi. This year the pageant is restricted to those contestants living in South Pacific islands. There will be no entries from New Zealand, Hawaii or Australia resident islanders. Miss Niue has been supported by the Niue Tourism Office and donatons from the private sector. 3. Life's A Beach: About 2,500 Cook Island volunteers took part in the nationwide coastal cleanup project. That's according to Rarotonga Environmental Awareness Program (REAP) spokesman Bruce Gray, who yesterday extended a big meitaki maata to all those who participated. The cleanup was held over a week last month in an effort to clean up some of the litter on island beaches. Gray says it was good to note that there was noticeably less litter on the beaches this year. He attributes this to greater awareness and responsibility on the part of the public, residents and visitors, as well the introduction of REAP's Adopt-A-Beach program. Under this program a section of beach is adopted and cleaned by volunteers every month.(PIR). 4. King Recovers: The editor of an Auckland-based Tongan newspaper has rejected a report in the New Zealand Herald that the King of Tonga was near death at his Auckland residence. Kalafi Moala of Taimi O Tonga and Pasifika Times says he has been assured by doctors attending 82-year-old King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV that, although the monarch is unwell, his condition is not serious. The King was reported to have attended a church service in south Auckland last night, and waved to well wishers from his wheelchair. The King came to New Zealand two weeks ago for medical checks and was meant to fly back to Tonga on Thursday. But Mr. Moala says the King experienced some problems related to a change in medication for a long-term heart condition, and was advised to delay traveling until he regained strength.(PIR) __END__
