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Checkpoint FOR TUES 30 MARCH 2010
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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Details of what happened inside the house at the centre of last year's Napier Police seige have been heard for the first time in court. Coroner David Crerar is holding an inquest into the deaths of Senior Constable Len Snee and gunman Jan Molenaar in May last year. Detective Superintendent Rod Drew spent almost an hour giving evidence about the siege and events leading up to it. Our reporter Heugh Chappell is covering the inquest and joins us now. LIVE
The government has sacked Canterbury Regional Council's 14 elected representatives and appointed a panel of commisioners to be be led by Dame Margaret Bazley. The new team will take over in May. The move follows a critical report by former National cabinet minister, Wyatt Creech, which said the council was unable to manage the controversial and difficult job of allocating fiercely contested water rights. Two years ago it could only process 29 percent of resource consents within the statutory time frame. The Council argues it's made big improvements but the Environment Minister Nick Smith says that's not good enough. Councillor Jo Kane says it's a bad day for democracy. CUT
Here's the Environment Minister Nick Smith. PREREC
The mother of a boy killed in the Mangatepopo canyoning tragedy says students should not be allowed back in the gorge because there is no guarantee the trip can ever be done safely. The Coroner's findings released today conclude the drownings were preventable and say complacency and under-estimation of the risks were factors in the tragedy. Chris Devonport has made 23 recommendations on how to do the gorge trip safely and also says the government should consider licensing outdoor education centres that cater for children. Last year the Sir Edmund Hillary centre was ordered to pay nearly half a million dollars in fines and reparations for failing to ensure the safety of the Elim College students and their teacher. Jennifer Fernandes lost her son Floyd.PREREC
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BUSINESS WITH Anusha Bradley
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The former Housing and Fisheries minister Phil Heatley - who resigned from Cabinet over two bottles of wine - has got his jobs back. The Prime Minister, John Key made the announcement a short time ago, following the release of the Auditor General's report into Mr Heatley's mis-use of his ministerial credit card. The Auditor General found that $1,402 of Mr Heatley's spending was outside the rules, but that he did not break them deliberately. Neither Mr Heatley nor the Prime Minister would speak to Checkpoint this evening. Our political reporter, Julian Robins has been reading the Auditor General's report, and he joins us now...LIVE
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17.30 HEADLINES
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The scramble to secure tickets to next year's Rugby World Cup matches kicks off in four weeks with the smaller centres tipped to be the fastest sellers. The New Zealand tournament organisers have today announced details of how and when tickets will be sold online, and Todd Niall reports a British rock song with a home grown lineup will be the theme. PKG
The North Shore City mayor is refusing to resign as mayor, despite calls from five councillors to step down,and instead he's announced he will seek a position on Auckland's Supercity. This afternoon Andrew Williams defended his character and reputation to a media pack, saying the attacks were politically motivated. Belinda McCammon was there : PKG
Four Māori Party MPs have voted against welfare legislation amidst accusations the Government did not consult them properly over the changes. But National still had the numbers to get the Social Assistance Bill, which introduces tougher work tests for beneficiaries, referred to the social services select committee. Here's political editor Brent Edwards. PKG
Returning to our earlier story, the government is sacking Canterbury Regional Council's 14 elected representative and replacing them with commissioners. That panel - which will be led by Dame Margaret Bazley - will take over in May. The move follows a highly critical report by the former National cabinet minister, Wyatt Creech, which said the council was unable to manage the controversial and difficult job of allocating fiercely contested water rights. Councillor Jo Kane joins us now: LIVE
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WAATEA NEWS
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No group has yet claimed responsibility for the double suicide bomb attack on the Moscow metro that killed 38 people, but the Russian government's already blaming Islamic rebels. Today several world leaders have condemned the attack and vowed to back Russia's fight against those responsible. The ABC's Sarah Gerrathy compiled this report : PKG
The Outdoor Pursuits Centre responsible for the deaths of six students and their teacher in the Mangatepopo Gorge two years ago says it'll be ready to do gorge trips again in six to nine months. The Coroner's findings released today conclude the drownings were preventable and makes 23 recommendations on how to go through the gorge safely. Rupert Wilson is an OPC trustee and former chairman of the board. PREREC
Supporters of former Lake Alice Hospital patients say the police who investigated allegations of abuse failed to interview the complainants. The police announced today that no criminal charges will be laid against Doctor Selwyn Leeks, who was accused of abusing patients at the hospital's Child and Adolescent Unit between 1972 and 1977. Here's our social issues reporter, Teresa Cowie. PKG
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