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**** CKPT FOR THURSDAY JULY 27 2006 *******
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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CHILD ABUSE REPORT: A long awaited report into how to stop so many New Zealanders killing their children says that it is impossbile to guarantee children's safety. This country has the third highest rate of child killings out of 27 OECD countries, and in October 2004 Child Youth and Family announced they would investigate the deaths to see if there were common patterns that could predict risk. In the five years to 2003, 38 children under 15 died as a result of abuse. The report says only 20 percent of those cases would have had previous contact with the Department. Not surprisingly the report concludes that family poverty, psychological stress and limited support are key factors leading to the maltreatment of children. The Deputy Chief Executive of Child Youth and Family, Ray Smith joins us now. LIVE
GUN SHOP SHOOTING: The father of a gun-shop manager who was confronted by a man weilding a machete, says his son feared for his life and acted in self-defence by shooting the man. Police have yet to decide whether charges will be laid over the incident in Auckland this morning. Detective Senior Sergeant Simon Scott says a man went into the Small Arms International shop in Penrose with a weapon. CUT
Simon Scott says several people were in the shop at the time of the shooting and were taken for questioning at the central police station. CUT
The father of the man who allegedly fired the shot believes it would have been a case of self defence. Ray Carvell, who owns Small Arms International, says he received a dramatic phone-call from his terrified son, who rang while he was waiting for emergency services to arrive. PREREC
LEBANON-ISRAEL: The UN Security Council has failed to agree on a statement condemning the killing of four UN military observers in Lebanon, after the United States rejected any criticism of the Israeli attack. The council will renew efforts to agree on the text or another reaction tomorrow. Earlier today a UN summit of world powers in Rome failed to call for an immediate ceasefire, but agreed on the need for a UN force for Lebanon just hours after four UN peacekeepers were killed in an Israeli air raid. Prime Minister Helen Clark says the two New Zealand UN observers in the south will remain there for the time being. She joins us now. LIVE
Australia's Government says a dozen soldiers who have been helping evacuate people in southern Lebanon will be moved to Beirut to avoid the bombing. But the twelve Australian defence staff who are with the UN Truce Supervision Organisation will remain in southern Lebanon. Australia's defence minister Brendan Nelson says that the 12 soldiers will be transferred to Beirut as a result of the continued Israeli attacks. CUT
Joining us now is the ABC's parliamentary reporter Clinton Porteous. LIVE
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1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH PATRICK O'MEARA
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FISHING PROSECUTE: The owner of a fishing boat which sank last year with the loss of three lives faces imprisonment or hefty fines if convicted of charges brought by Maritime New Zealand. The owner faces three charges, following the fatal journey from Nelson of the 13 metre Mi Jay. Our Nelson reporter Geoff Moffett is with us now. LIVE
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1730 HEADLINES
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SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
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TOKOROA KILLING: Hundreds of orange, silver and white balloons floated over the skies of Tokoroa this afternoon in memory of teacher Lois Dear, killed in her classroom 11 days ago. The balloons were released at the end of a memorial service, hosted by Strathmore Primary School in the town's Apostolic church. Our reporter Monica Holt joined a crowd of 600 and compiled this report: PKGE
WHALES JAPAN: A small but noisy group of anti-whaling protesters have demonstrated in front of Japan's ambassador - on a whale-watching trip to Kaikoura. He was hosted by the Conservation Minister Chris Carter - along with half a dozen other ambassadors. The protesters waved flags and shouted their message. Our reporter Monique Devereaux is in Kaikoura - and joins me now. LIVE
HANDS MURDER: Police combing a Wellington landfill for the hands of homicide victim Tony Stanlake have failed to find anything - and have abandoned their search there. The 62-year-old was found off the capital's south coast on July the 9th. Meantime, officers are using Mr Stanlake's car in a push for witnesses to his last movements. The 1994 Ford Blue Laser is sitting on a trailer outside the Miramar house where police believe he was killed. Detective Inspector Mike Arnerich is leading the inquiry. PREREC
CHILD ABUSE REPORT (2): The Ministry of Social Development is fuming over a report from church groups which is highly critical of the state's response to child abuse. The Council of Christian Social Services' report questions the effectiveness of Child Youth and Family and says more use should be made of community agencies. The Ministry's Chief Executive Peter Hughes says the report is highly selective, unbalanced and unfair. CUT Peter Hughes says he intends to meet with the council early next month to discuss the report, but wasn't prepared to debate the issue on Checkpoint. With us now is the head of the Council of Christian Social Services, Sean Robinson. LIVE
ZAOUI COST: The latest legal cost estimates for the Algerian refugee Ahmed Zaoui have come in at just under 2-point-5 million dollars. In early 2003, a security risk certificate was issued against Mr Zaoui, but a review is still to take place on whether he is a risk to New Zealand. In response to a question from New Zealand First in parliament today, the government revealed the costs so far to the Legal Services Agency, Crown Law Office, and the Ministry of Justice. Kate Williamson reports. PKGE
SHOP STABBING: A man is in a serious condition in Christchurch hospital after being stabbed in a fight between two groups in the suburb of Sydenham around midday. The police say the man's one of three people treated for stab wounds following the incident - one man is in hospital in a comfortable condition, while another discharged himself this afternoon. A street has been closed as a result of the fight while police investigate. Joining us now is Detective Senior Sergeant John Rae... LIVE
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WAATEA NEWS with Eru Rerekura
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