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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The three accused in the police sexual assault case have been cleared of all charges, but there are now claims of unfair prosecution, and even more shocking revelations.This afternoon a jury acquitted Assistand Police Commissioner Clint Rickards, Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum of kidnapping and indecently assaulting a 16 year old in Rotorua in the 1980s. But as Sarah Bristow reports, while Mr Rickards is back with his family, the two others are returning to their prison cells. PKG
Clint Rickards is NOT giving interviews at the moment .I spoke to his lawyer John Haigh QC a few moments ago . PREREC
Opposition parties have fired questions at the government in Parliament, about its hastily announced review of Landcorp's sales processes.This as Hauraki Māori continue their occupation of a block of land on the Coromandel Peninsula.The iwi say the land in question is part of their treaty claim, and launched their protest after state-owned farmer Landcorp offered it for sale. Here's our political reporter, Jane Patterson. PKG
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1720 BUSINESS NEWS
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The police are linking a large seizure of guns and drugs north of Wellington, to a number of high profile shootings in the area.The stash of firearms, illegal drugs and military weapons was uncovered during police raids at three houses in Upper Hutt early this morning.Four people have been arrested and are due to appear in court tomorrow. Detective Senior Sergeant Darrin Thomson of Wellington police says today's haul makes for a dangerous mix. PREREC
Latest climate figures show last month was extremely dry for much of the country, with parts of the South Island recording their driest February for more than 75 years.The National Climate Summary shows many regions had less that half their normal rainfall.And in a reversal of the norm, the West Coast got the most sun...Joining us now to discuss the figures, is NIWA scientist Jim Renwick LIVE
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1730 HEADLINES
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SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
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An inquest into a crash attended by a policeman who was over-the-limit, has led to a stern call from the coroner for politicians to get tougher on drink-drivers. New Plymouth's coroner says there needs to be more action in Parliament, after an inquest into a crash near Mokau last July, in which two people died.Our reporter Craig Ashworth has been looking at the findings and he joins us now LIVE
Returning now to our lead story.This afternoon a jury acquitted Assistant Police Commissioner Clint Rickards, Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum of kidnapping and indecently assaulting a 16 year old in Rotorua in the 1980s.However, while Mr Rickards walked free from court, we can now say that Shipton and Schollum are convicted rapists who are still serving jail terms for raping another women in the 1980s. Greg Shipton, is Brad Shipton's brother
He is very unhappy with the police investigation but is clearly delighted with today's verdict PREREC
They're a national institution, but today Girl Guides have been left defending their biscuits after a Nelson high school banned them. Garin College has stopped a teacher selling the biscuits at the school, because they contain too much sugar.The biscuits are Girl Guides' biggest earner, with about 2 million packets sold every year. These girl guides think they're harmless. VOX Joining us now is the principal of Garin College, John Boyce. LIVE
With us now is Girl Guides' executive director, Jill Tomlinson. LIVE
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17.45 TRAILS
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WAATEA
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A report by a human rights group in the United States claims that 38 people believed to have been held in secret CIA prisons are missing. The Human Rights Watch report also details allegations of torture by a terror suspect who was held in secret custody for more than two years. Last year Mr Bush said the prisons had all closed and had not used torture. The author of the report, Joanne Mariner told us more about the secret prisons PREREC
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