The last 24 hours has been a long time in politics - last night on Checkpoint we reported that National Party MP Jenny Shipley was moving to challenge her leader, Jim Bolger. By 10.45 last night, the coup was a success - a deal had been reached with Mr Bolger, which will see him step down from the end of the month, giving National Party leadership to Mrs Shipley.
Audio from Jim Bolger's press conference announcing he is stepping down.
National's coalition partner is New Zealand First. audio of leader Winston Peters talking about their reaction to the leadership change.
Mary Wilson interviews Jenny Shipley via telephone about becoming New Zealand's first female Prime Minister.
One of the driving forces behind the leadership coup is Hamilton West MP, Bob Simcock - national backbencher, deer farmer and former director of Health Waikato. LIVER WITH BOB SIMCOCK & LIVER WITH AL MORRISON
1715 BUSINESS NEWS
It's Melbourne Cup day - and in a few minutes, we'll take you live to Flemington for the big race. New Zealanders have bet millions on the cup. EX CHERRY & LIVE CROSS TO FLEMINGTON FOR RACE, LIVE Q&A WITH CHARLOTTE GENDAL The number of dead after Cyclone Martin struck the Cook Islands at the weekend has risen to five today, after searchers found the bodies of two missing people at Manihiki. Eighteen people are still missing at Manihiki, the worst hit by the cyclone. EX BRET-KELLY
1730 NEWS
Returning to our lead story - outgoing Prime Minister, Jim Bolger, has given his full support to his successor as National Party leader, Jenny Shipley in parliament this afternoon. During a debate on the leadership, Mr Bolger said it was time to move on, and the National Party was stronger for it. However the New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, made it quite clear he won't tolerate any attempts to change the coalition agreement. EX SZIRANYI ACT is well positioned to fill the breach, should the Shipley-led National Party find New Zealand First unworkable as a Coalition partner. LIVER RICHARD PREBBLE
Our Canterbury regional correspondent Lauren McKenzie has been out and about [illegible] [illegible] Shipley's Rakaia electorate today. LIVE Q&A WITH LAUREN MCKENZIE In the North Island, our Waikato regional correspondent Andrew McRae visited Jim Bolger's King Country electorate. LIVE Q&A WITH ANDREW MCRAE Just to hand - There's been a small eruption on Mount Ruapehu within the past hour with locals reporting seeing steam and ash coming from the volcano.
1745 SPORTS
Education lobby groups say the latest figures show some schools are still too quick to suspend unruly students. The Ministry of Education recorded a drop [illegible] suspensions last term but says that overall the number of suspensions for the first nine months of this year is up 24 percent from the same period last year EX MANAGH
1750 MANA NEWS
Returning to our main story - and New Zealand is to have its first woman Prime Minister, after Jenny Shipley was today named Jim Bolger's successor as National Party leader. Jenny Shipley has been in politics for twenty-two years. EX E BROWN