Checkpoint FOR TUESDAY 17 MAY 2011
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The Pike River families are not taking no for an answer. They're now calling for a feasibility study into recovering remains after the Mines Rescue Service said there's no way it will take a "quick look" inside the mine. A report obtained by Radio New Zealand, says the three hour walk into and out of the mine wearing breathing apparatus would push rescuers to their limits. The Rescue Service also rejects any idea of a quick look, saying it would be devastating and unprofessional to learn later that searchers had missed a body or remains. The Service won't be interviewed until its report has been discussed at a meeting with families this Monday. The lawyer representing the families, Colin Smith joins us now. LIVE
Fiji's Solicitor General won't say what the military regime might do if Tonga refuses to extradite a top ranking officer who fled the country after being charged with sedition. Colonel Tevita Mara says he won't get a fair trial in Fiji which he's compared to Nazi Germany. He says he's being persecuted for criticising the government during a private conversation with a fellow officer in South Korea last year. The Solicitor General in Suva, Christopher Pryde says an extradition request was sent to Tonga this morning. PRE-REC
The Prime Minister has rejected accusations the National-led Government will break its pre-election promise by cutting KiwiSaver tax incentives in this Thursday's Budget. John Key has told Parliament that National has kept its promise and people will be able to pass judgement on the proposed changes when they vote on November the 26th. Here's our political editor Brent Edwards. PKG
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH Naomi Mitchell
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The trustees of the Waitangi marae say they may have to ban Ngapuhi's most famous kuia - Titewhai Harawira - because of her outrageous rudeness to guests. Mrs Harawira launched a stinging verbal attack on Māori Party leaders and MPs at a recent hui at Waitangi. And marae elders say this time the formidable matriarch of the Harawira family has gone too far. Lois Williams reports: PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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Families of some victims of the February earthquake have sought answers about their deaths at a coronial inquest today. Detective Inspector Paul Kench outlined the death of council worker Joe Pohio (poor-hio) who was trapped in a mall in the centre of Christchurch, and was helped by a passing paramedic, Luke Allen. CUT Detective Kench also told the inquest about the last moments of Jaime (jamie) Gilbert, killed by falling masonry as he fled the bar he worked in with his sister Amy. CUT Our reporter Rachel Graham has been at the inquest. Q&A
Two men with family in New Zealand are among four people dead in a murder suicide on Australia's Gold Coast. After the first two bodies were found the Police launched a frantic search for a missing five year old girl, but she too has now been found dead. Charmaine Kane is a reporter with the ABC on the Gold Coast. She joins us now.
A sudden spike in effluent pollution on Southland dairy farms has been called a big set back for the industry by Dairy NZ. Southland regional council has inspected 54 farms during the past two weeks and found almost half of those (24) were in serious breach of their effluent consents. That doubles the number of serious breaches in the past six months. The dairy industry has been working hard to improve its environmental substantiality during the past few years. Theresa Wilson, who leads Dairy NZ's effluent team, joins me now. LIVE
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17.45 WAATEA
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To Libya now where in the last few hours there are reports of explosions near Colonel Muammar Gaddafi's residence in the capital, Tripoli. Libya's state news agency says that a NATO-led air raid also destroyed a radar base in an outlying suburb. The attacks coincide with a prosecutor request for the International Criminal Court to issue arrest warrants for Colonel Ghaddafi, his son and his intelligence chief. But that has led to disquiet that a legal battle might harden the Libyan leader's resolve. The ABC's Timothy McDonald has the latest. PKG
Fiji has now sent Tonga a formal application requesting the extradition of Colonel Tevita Mara who is accused of fleeing the country to escape sedition charges. Shamima Ali is a human rights activist and the co-ordinator of the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre. She's hoping the authorities don't use this as a reason to extend public emergency regulations. PRE-REC
The SPCA is being inundated with dogs given up by families who are struggling financially. The organisation's Auckland branch is currently at capacity with more than 120 dogs - and is having to turn some away. The society's president, Bob Kerridge, says most branches across the country are having similar problems. He's with us now . LIVE