In the far North severe flooding has caused several people to be evacuated from their homes as well as closing several schools and roads - some areas are completely under water. A short time ago 8 people and a dog were rescued by helicopter from a farm near Mangonui where they were sheltering from rising flood waters. Its the fourth battering the area has received this year. LIVER WITH RICHARD GREEN. FAR NORTH DC WORKS MANAGER & FLOOD VICTIM NEVI MORRISON A landmark judgement has seen the Court of Appeal rule that judges can be sued. The Court has overturned a High Court decision which threw out a damages claim against now-retired District Court Judge Terrence Rice brought by Hamilton man Simon Rawlinson. LIVE Q&A WITH MERLE NOWLAND
1715 HEADS
1715 BUSINESS NEWS
The government - and in particular the Treasurer Winston Peters - is being [illegible] for the dire warnings being sounded about what will happen if the [illegible] referendum rejects compulsory super. Mr Peters today told the Retirement Villages Association conference that retirees' present superannuation payments will be reduced if the compulsory scheme is rejected. That's upset Greypower, which is accusing the government of "putting on the frighteners" and Mr Peters of resorting to blackmail. LIVER WITH MICHAEL CULLEN Checkpoint approached the Treasurer Winston Peters for an interview but his office refused unless it was conducted under conditions Radio New Zealand couldnt accept. However, ACT MP Ken Shirley is prepared to comment. LIVER Nigerian credit-card fraudsters working in London have infiltrated the BNZ's Visa card network here. The hi-tech thieves have access to a computer programme enabling them to crack the code on visa cards. LIVER WITH BANKERS ASS. EXEC DIRECTOR SIMON CARLAW
1730 NEWS
Criticism continues of the government u-turn over the rabbit control disease RCD with experts saying key issues remain unresolved. EX [illegible] & PRE REC NICK SMITH
In Papua New Guinea, severe drought is forcing people to leave their homes to [illegible] for food. As Checkpoint reported last night, up to 300 thousand people are facing starvation in the troubled Pacific Island country. PRE REC OF RUPEN DAS
1745 SPORTS
The threat posed by lead poisoning is being highlighted by the case of a Nelson person poisoned after enjoying smallbore rifle shooting. EX SHEA
1750 MANA NEWS
In Australia, Prime Minister John Howard's Native Titles bill has gone before the federal parliament. EX SHAPRE