The Government's to pay legal aid for convicted murderer, Rex Haig, so his case can be further investigated. Haig was involved in a hostage-taking at Christchurch prison in October to draw attention to his conviction for the 1995 murder of Mark Roderique. That prompted a government probe into his case by Auckland barrister Kevin Ryan, who found some of Haig's claims need further investigation.
LIVE IV WITH Corrections Minister Nick Smith
[illegible] WITH Rex Haig's sister Sandra Breese.
Immigration policy is being changed. The Minister of Immigration Max Bradford has announced a new system aimed at achieving a steady population increase of 10 thousand immigrants a year, as well as relaxing the English language test for people coming in under the business investor scheme. LIVE IV WITH Max Bradford
1715 .30 HEADS:
1.30 BUSINESS NEWS
In the High Court in Auckland - a Remuera man, who tried to get a hired killer to murder his family, has been jailed for five years. 50 year old Peter Church earlier pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to procure four murders. The court heard he'd asked an undercover police officer to shoot his estranged wife and three young children for 25 thousand dollars. IV WITH our reporter Kiri Coughlin
To the depositions hearing in Gisborne now over alleged police corruption. Detective Sergeant Barry Woon and former Detective Sergeant Dave Neilson are charged with 25 offence including the supply and theft of cannabis and perverting the course of justice. The prosecution and the defence have been summing up - LIVE IV WITH our reporter Heugh Chappel
1730 2.00 NEWS:
Unemployment is up - the latest job statistics show unemployment during November rose one-point-nine percent. And there are signs it could get worse. So far this month, over six hundred workers have been told they've lost their jobs, with predictions thousands more will go when tariffs on cars and other manufactured goods are reduced. PACKAGE FROM Karen Gregory-Hunt.
IV WITH the Minister for Employment, Peter McArdle
An international expert on calicivirus is urging the Ministry of Health to make sure that it doesnt repeat what he sees as Australia's mistake in testing people for infection by the rabbit control disease, RCD. IV WITH Dr Al Smith, head of Oregan State University's laboratory for calicivirus studies.
1745 1.30 SPORTS
30 WORLDWATCH HEADS
Earlier this week on Checkpoint, we looked at the devastation suffered by the Papua New Guinea island of Bougainville during nine years of secessionist war. Today we find out about attempts to restore the island to normality and transform the current truce into lasting peace. PACKAGE FROM Jonathan Schwass
1750 6.00 MANA NEWS
Phone subscribers' confidential numbers may be putting them in danger during an emergency. Police say there can be holdups getting help to such people because of delays getting their addresses from Telecom. PACKAGE FROM Karlum Lattimore
1800 NEWS