First-light coverage deal turned off

By BERNARD ORSMAN

The first sunrise of the new millennium will no longer be broadcast live from Pitt Island in the Chathams, even though taxpayers have paid $200,000 for it.

Millennium broadcaster TV3 says a delay in securing the right to film on Mt Hapeka means it cannot transmit live pictures from the place said to be the first inhabited spot in the world to see the new day.

Instead, a tape of the dawn will be flown 30km to the main Chatham Island for delayed coverage.

The Government secured exclusive rights to the "first light" dawn in August from the Lanauze family, who own Mt Hapeka, for $200,000. Then Millennium Minister Murray McCully described the deal as a cornerstone of New Zealand's millennium plans.

Mr McCully could not be reached yesterday and a Millennium Office spokeswoman, Wendy Pannett, was reluctant to talk about cancellation of the live feed.

Jude Turner, publicity officer for TV3's millennium operation, said the station was hugely disappointed that negotiations between the Lanauze family and the Millennium Office had not been concluded in time for the live feed to be set up.

Agreement had been reached just seven days ago, she said.

Sally Lanauze said the Millennium Office had informed islanders in late November that there would no longer be a live broadcast.

The change had not stopped a trust set up to benefit the 55 Pitt Islanders from receiving $175,000 two days before Christmas. The remaining $25,000 is due to be paid on January 5.