Checkpoint FOR WEDNESDAY 7 DECEMBER 2011
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The fishing company, Sanford, says it will fight seven charges lodged by a US federal grand jury, under anti-pollution laws. It's trawler, San Niku-nau, which was seized in July, delivered tuna to a cannery in American Samoa. The company is accused of routinely and illegally dumping oily bilge into American waters since 2007. It's also charged with failing to accurately record the amount of oil its dumped and of obstructing justice by presenting false documents and deceiving the Coastguard during an inspection. If convicted, it could be fined more than 640-thousand dollars on each count, with the indictment also seeking over 31-million dollars for proceeds from criminal conduct. Sanford's managing director is Eric Barratt. PREREC
The man who chaired the Pike River company has admitted the safety systems failed in the lead up to the explosion at the coalmine that killed 29 men. John Dow says he was never told of widespread safety problems including methane gas spikes and workers bypassing safety cut-outs on machines. He told the commissioners if he had known, he would have intervened.
CUT And John Dow said the safety issues could easily have been raised. CUT John Dow has been giving evidence all day to the third phase of the inquiry which this week is focusing on the mine's health and safety systems. Our reporter Ian Telfer is at the inquiry in Greymouth and joins us now. LIVE
The Earthquake Commission is rejecting accusations of nepotism over the way it hires staff but says it will do an independent inquiry anyway just to prove the claims are wrong. The Commission's chief executive, Ian Simpson, says the criticism that the children of senior managers have been given preference for jobs has been going on for some months mostly from anonymous, former employees. He's bringing in a human resources consultant with no links to the Commission to review how assessors and estimators have been hired. PREREC
The Prime Minister, John Key, says he's failed to convince Britain NOT to hike airport departure taxes for people coming to NZ - despite numerous discussions with government ministers including their leader David Cameron. The tax goes from 170 to 184 New Zealand dollars. Mr Key says he's been working aggressively trying to convince his counterpart in the UK that the tax was unfair and should be adjusted so travellors to Europe paid more and those to New Zealand less. PREREC
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH Patrick O'Meara
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17.30 HEADLINES
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Afghanistan's President has cut short his trip to an international conference in Germany to return home, as deadly bombings overnight opened up a dangerous new front in the Afghan conflict. Attacks on a shrine in the capital Kabul and a mosque in the north of the country, killed more than sixty people and injured many others. Authorities say evidence so far, points to a breakaway faction of theTaliban backed by Pakistan's intelligence and security services. The ABC's Tanya Nolan has more: PKG
The family of a teenager who died in a jet ski accident on Lake Okareka near Rotorua in January, says riders should wear life jackets AND helmets when on the water. 17 year old Bishop Thompson was thrown off the back of his jet ski and run over by another jet ski, that was following closely behind. His body was recovered from the lake four days later. At today's inquest the coronor said he wants to send a strong message, ahead of the holiday season, about the dangers of riding jet skis Our Bay of Plenty reporter, Lorna Perry, was there. PKG
More now on the Serious Fraud Office laying charges over the collapse of South Canterbury Finance Limited. Our Business Editor Patrick O'Meara has the latest LIVE
Christian school leaders say charter schools could help them get around an obstacle that currently stops them reaching the most needy families. But they also argue the Government might be better off simply loosening the rules that govern the existing network of integrated schools rather than introducing government-funded private schools. Our education correspondent, John Gerritsen, filed this report. PKG
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17.45 MANU KORIHI
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Tēnā koutou katoa,
The Canadian oil and gas exploration companies Apache and Tag Oil have started consulting people in the Gisborne region about their plans.
The companies have several permits for seismic testing and drilling, one of them in the Whatatutu area north west of Gisborne, which is a predominately populated by Māori.
Last night about 60 locals packed into the Mangatu marae to hear the companies proposals.
Among them was Gisborne Councillor, Manu Caddie, who's been to the forefront of tangata whenua's opposition to ocean drilling for oil north of East Cape.
TAG CONSULT TP
IN THINK IT WAS...
OUT ...GOING TO DO THINGS.
DUR 19"
Manu Caddie.
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Auckland Council says it hasn't singled out the Mana Party in the trespass notice it's issued to the Occupy Auckland protesters - who are against corporate greed.
The Mana Party says the document covers those who are a part of, or associated with, Mana.
Yesterday, the President of Mana, Annette Sykes, said members of other mainstream political parties have protested in Aotea Square - but they haven't been targeted by the Council.
But Auckland Council has responded by saying it has certainly not singled out any group within the campsite for different treatment.
In a statement, it says trespass notices were handed to as many people as possible who were there on the day.
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Ngati Pahauwera iwi in northern Hawke's Bay says there are definitely benefits for Māori in a proposed new model of health care for the region.
The Hawke's Bay DHB has allocated five million dollars for new and updated integrated facilities on the Wairoa hospital site, and is currently consulting communities from Mahia to Raupunga.
The iwi's health spokesperson, Charlie Lambert, says bringing all the doctors under the one roof will be a real plus.
He says currently there are a number of individually run medical practices in Wairoa, which have a ceiling on the number of patients they can have.
Mr Lambert says that's resulted in some people not having access to a doctor.
He says having all the doctors on the same site means they'll share the client lists.
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A Māori soldier who's received the second highest award for gallantry says his whanau is proud of his achievement, and acknowledges his army whakapapa.
Three soldiers from the New Zealand Defence Force were decorated yesterday for their involvement in trying to help their patrol commander who was killed in an insurgent attack in Afghanistan last year.
They received their awards from the Govenor General, and former Chief of Defence, Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae.
Corporal Albert Moore was awarded the New Zealand Gallantry Star, which is a level below the Victoria Cross, and one above the Gallantry Decoration.
He told Te Manu Korihi about his strong connection to the 28th Māori battalion.
GALLANTRY-MOORE-TP
IN MY GRANDFATHER JUST...
OUT ...THEY'RE PRETTY PROUND EH?
DUR 12"
Corporal Albert Moore.
That's Te Manu Korihi news, I'l have a further bulletin in an hour.
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The Serious Fraud Office has today laid 21 charges against five individuals in its investigation into South Canterbury Finance. The head of the SFO Adam Feeley joins us now. LIVE
Japan's whaling fleet is on its way to the Southern Ocean for the start of the whaling season. But this time it's been given extra money from the country's earthquake recovery fund as Mark Willacy in Japan explains. PREREC