Checkpoint FOR WEDNESDAY 2 MAY 2012
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The Labour Party has made a new allegation in Parliament that internet millionaire Kim Dotcom helped John Banks get a discount at the Hyatt Hotel in Hong Kong while a minister. The latest allegation comes as the ACT Party president, Chris Simmons, confirms John Banks did suggest to internet millionaire Kim Dotcom to split a 50 thousand dollar donation into two lots of 25 thousand dollars. We’ll hear from Mr Simmons shortly but first this report from our political editor Brent Edwards. PKG
A short time ago I asked Chris Simmons about John Banks saying he regretted dodging questions about the donations to his mayoral campaign. PREREC
Labour has released leaked Cabinet papers showing a dramatic back down over MFAT cuts that will now save less than half of what the Government wanted. Instead of 304, only 146 jobs will go under the highly controversial state sector cuts that ambassadors and diplomats' partners have come out publicly opposing, saying they'll undermine New Zealand abroad. Minister Murray McCully demanded revised cuts from MFAT CEO John Allen, saying the original proposals went too far.
Mr McCully is unavailable for us to talk to and his office had no comment about the leak. The Acting Foreign Minister Chris Finlayson in Parliament this afternoon repeatedly deflected Phil Goff's questions, saying responsibility for the changes lies with John Allen. CUT The Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined an interview and wouldn't comment about the leak, or about briefings Mr Allen has given staff. A spokesperson says it expects to announce its final decision about the cuts next week. Labour's Foreign Affairs spokesperson Phil Goff has the leaked papers. PREREC
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH Patrick O'Meara
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Police in Afghanistan say at least six people have been killed in a suicide bomb attack which came just hours after President Obama made a live television address from the war torn country. The Taliban has claimed responsibility for the three blasts in Kabul which targeted a housing complex popular with westerners. Mr Obama made the quick trip to sign an agreement setting out America's long-term role in Afghanistan - although he also used his speech to remind voters back home that the war is winding down. With the latest, we're joined now by the Daily Telegraph's Ben Farmer in Kabul. LIVE
Sir Fred Allen had what was called his last match at Eden Park this afternoon. The cream of rugby were among the hundreds who farewelled the All Black legend. Nicknamed The Needle, the 92 year old captain and coach passed away at the weekend. Jessica Maddock was at the service.
PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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Wreckage from a life raft and an emergency beacon have been found by searchers looking for two men missing in Doubtful Sound. Six boats and three helicopters have been scouring the area for Bruce Gordon of Te Anau and Darren Allen of Wairio. The K'Cee crayboat was last heard from at 8.15 on Monday morning. Inspector Lane Todd is leading the search, and is with us now. LIVE
The Dunedin ratepayers' association says the defamation action against the city's mayor by former Otago rugby officials is strange thanks for the city's help. Wayne Graham and Laurie Mains have made the claim against Dave Cull for criticism he made six weeks ago, when the union was saved from liquidation. Ian Telfer reports from Dunedin. PKG
The drug-buying agency Pharmac is accusing a drug firm of unfair tactics as tensions mount over plans to change diabetes equipment. The accusations followed a fiery exchange at Parliament's health select committee today about Pharmac's plan to reduce the number of blood glucose meters and test strips it subsidises and to give the multi-million dollar contract to a sole supplier.
Our Health Correspondent, Karen Brown reports. PKG
A delegation of Pacific Island ministers, have ended a series of meetings in Fiji, encouraged that the country's in a state of transition towards democracy. Earlier, the regime scolded the group for talking to just a handful of people, and Fiji's political leaders warned them to be wary of having the wool pulled over their eyes. Sally Round reports for Radio New Zealand International: PKG
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17.45 MANU KORIHI
Thank you Mary, tēnā koutou katoa,
The Government wants the Ministry of Māori Development to be consulted on all policy decisions - to reflect and protect the Māori view.
It's a change being pushed by the Māori Affairs Minister, Pita Sharples - who's announced a review into the work of Te Puni Kōkiri.
Dr Sharples says the Ministry has to be part of the overall policy-making group - otherwise Māori aren't in the game.
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Pita Sharples has appointed a four-strong panel to make recommendations on how Te Puni Kōkiri can change and better support the Government and iwi.
Panel members include Naida Glavish of Ngāti Whātua and Piri Sciascia, the Chair of the Māori Broadcasting Funding Agency - Te Māngai Pāho.
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The Waitangi Tribunal's set down a week in July to consider parts of the urgent Māori Council claims over freshwater and the sell-off of stakes in some state owned assets.
The Council's asking the Tribunal to issue a recommendation that the sales are delayed, ahead of further hearings and a full report on the claims.
The first inquiry will be held in the second week of July.
The Tribunal will explore what rights and interests in water and geothermal resources are guaranteed and protected by the Treaty of Waitangi.
Another question will be whether those Māori rights are affected by the Government's partial sale of shares in power-generators - and if the Treaty's been breached.
The Tribunal's recommendation will be aimed at informing the Government's thinking on the sale of power company shares and any creation of tradable water rights.
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A rangatahi group dedicated to fixing problems in the justice system says rehabilitating Māori offenders could work better if tāngata whenua create a system.
The organisation, Just Speak, is part of the campaign group, Rethinking Crime and Punishment, and launched a position paper on Māori and Justice last night in Wellington.
Rosemary Rangitauira was there:
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That's Te Manu Korihi news, I'll have a further bulletin in an hour.
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President Obama has used a speedy - and surprise - trip to Afghanistan to deliver an election year message to Americans. On the anniversary of Osama bin Laden's death the President arrived in Kabul to sign a strategic pact with Hamid Karzai, setting out the long term role of the US in the war-torn country. And during a televised address he also took the opportunity to remind voters back home that the war was winding down. CUT Mr Obama said it was time to "renew America" CUT
Our correspondent in Washington Simon Marks has more. PREREC
The price of cigarettes and tobacco may go higher still after this month's Budget, with the Prime Minister refusing to rule out yet another rise in the excise tax. The tax has risen by about thirty percent in the last two years following fierce lobbying from the Māori Party. Here's our political reporter, Liz Banas. PKG
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