1700 to 1707 NEWS
CUT Trish Grant, from the office of the Children's Commissioner describing the lives of two sisters - 12 year old Saliel Aplin and 11 year old Olympia Jetson from Masterton. They were killed by their step-father Bruce Howse in December 2001 - he's now serving a 25 year minimum prison sentence. Today, two reports into their murders have identified major failings by the agencies involved in their lives particularly the department of Child Youth and Family. In a report, chillingly similar to one three years ago on the death of James Whakaruru, the Children's Commissioner again highlights poor inter-agency communication and a failure to act according to policies and protocols. Both reports suggest social workers were too close to the family to objectively analyse an allegation by Olympia that she had been sexually abused by Howse. They also say it was wrong to write to the girls mother about the matter - the letter was intercepted and opened by Howse before he killed the girls. The Children's Commissioner Cindy Kiro says the deaths are particularly shocking because there were quite a few warning signs beforehand. PREREC
The second report comes from Child, Youth and Family itself and it follows an investigation by two outside reviewers and the department's chief social worker. It acknowledges the agency should have done a better job. It is particularly critical of one unnamed social worker and her supervisor who have now both left the department. Joining me now is the general manager for social work and community services, Verna Smith. LIVE
Transit New Zealand has fast-tracked work on a multi-million dollar stretch of road north of Auckland, which could become the country's first toll road under new legislation. It has announced that next year it will begin building a new six and half kilometre road between the Orewa turnoff and Puhoi so long as a suitable funding arrangement is reached between transfund and the government. Anna-Louise Taylor has the story. PKGE
[illegible] has hampered a search for two climbers missing on Mount Aspiring near [illegible] and fears are growing for their safety. Two men from Chile aged 23 and 30 were due to return from their climb yesterday, and police say they now have concerns for their safety. A helicopter has been able to search some of the climbers' intended route, but the search then had to be called off because of the weather. Joining me now is Detective Derek Shaw from Wanaka police. LIVE
1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH JOHN DRAPER
The New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is making binding citizens intiated referenda a stake in the ground for his party in any future coalition arrangement. Announcing the policy in Wellington this afternoon, Mr Peters told more than a hundred people at a public meeting his party wants to make parliament a more responsive and accountable institution by giving real power to the people. But the Prime Minister Helen Clark says binding referenda would not be good for New Zealand. Our political reporter, Mark Torley compiled this report. PKGE
1730 HEADLINES
SPORTS NEWS WITH RICHARD CROWLEY
The government has come in for a grilling in the house this afternoon over the highly critical reports into the murders of Masterton girls Saliel Aplin and Olympia Jetson. The girls were killed by their stepfather Bruce Howse in 2001. The reports says the girls were failed by government agencies - particularly Child, Youth and Family and the community. This afternoon questions from MP's directed at the minister responsible for the department Ruth Dyson - were answered by Social Service minister Steve Maharey, as Ms Dyson was out of town. Here's our political reporter Liz Banas. PKGE
The High Court in Auckland has heard that three men on trial for murder knew that Ese Falealii was 'trigger happy' and capable of killing, before he shot two men. The Crown is closing its case against Joseph Samoa, William Johansson and Pago Savaiinaea, who are accused of killing Mangere Bridge bank teller John Vaughan. Samoa and Johansson are also charged with the murder of pizza parlour [illegible] Marcus Doig. Our reporter Kirsty Jones has been in court and she joins us [illegible]. LIVE WITH DROPINS
Nursing organisations say the steps being taken by the Capital Coast District Health Board to improve its mental health services following the death of a patient are unlikely to stop further such tragedies occurring. They say the case has highlighted nation-wide problems within their profession that cannot be rectified in the current cost-cutting environment. Robyn Cubie reports: PKGE
US soldier Jessica Lynch, who was taken prisoner in the Iraqi conflict, has just appeared in her first television interview criticising the Pentagon's handling of her rescue as propaganda. Private Lynch and six other US soldiers were captured in an ambush near the Iraqi city of Nasiriya in March. Eleven other soldiers died in the attack after the convoy took a wrong turn. The Pentagon initially said that Private Lynch had been wounded by Iraqi gunfire, but had kept fighting until her ammunition ran out - but she said her gun had jammed and she could not fire back. I asked our correspondent in Washington Owen Fay what Jessica Lynch said in the interview. PREREC
[illegible] staff at six North Island polytechnics have voted to continue [illegible] further strike action over a claim for more money. Teachers from the Auckland UNITEC; the Institutes of Technology in Waikato and Taranaki; and Northland, Bay of Plenty and Whitireia polytechs walked off the job at the start of classes this morning. Andrew McRae reports. PKGE
The Napier Public Health Action group refuses to give up the fight to have medical services restored at the former Napier hospital. Last month the Minister of Health transferred ownership of the disused site from the District Health Board, to the crown agency responsible for surplus health properties. However the Action group maintains the ability for Napier residents to access health services has suffered since medical facilities were centralised in Hastings. This afternoon they called on the Napier City Council to contest Annette King's decision and to seek a judicial review. Heugh Chappell reports. PKGE
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