Checkpoint is a drive-time news and current affairs programme on Radio New Zealand National. It broadcasts nationwide every weekday evening for two hours and covers the day’s major national and international stories, as well as business, sport and Māori news. This recording covers the first hour. The following rundown is supplied from the broadcaster’s news system:
Checkpoint FOR WED 2 OCTOBER 2013
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The Government has, for the first time, used its powers of compulsory acquisition to take over land in the centre of Christchurch. The Earthquake Recovery Minister, Gerry Brownlee, has exercised his post-earthquake powers to take over the land the government wants for its blueprint for the future central business district. Mr Brownlee hasn't returned Checkpoint's calls. Ernest Duval is a spokesperson for the City Owners Rebuild Entity, which represents property owners.
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Health authorities have launched a mass vaccination programme against Hepatitis A in parts of Canterbury as they warn New Zealanders about the danger of travelling to the Pacific Islands where the disease is endemic. 60 thousand dollars is now being spent to vaccinate pre-schoolers in Ashburton, Methven and Rakaia, after months of trying to control a potentially deadly outbreak. 28 people have become infected since April. A family who travelled overseas without being vaccinated appear to have brought the disease back with them - officials won't reveal where they went but say people need to be more aware of the risks of going to places like Samoa. The Medical Officer of Health in Canterbury Dr Alistair Humphrey says the virus can spread easily.
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President Obama is vowing not to allow Republicans to undermine his signature healthcare legislation as a condition to restart the US government. America's government has partially shut down after the two houses of Congress failed to agree a new budget, with Republicans insisting on the repeal or delay of the law known as Obamacare. National parks, museums and many federal department buildings are closed. President Obama is accusing the Republicans of holding the government to ransom, and says he won't be bullied into abandoning his healthcare law.
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Many of the 700-thousand federal employees turned up for work, only to be sent home a few hours later.
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These veterans came all the way to Washington DC from Mississippi to visit the national Second World War memorial only to find it cordoned off.
CUT In the latest negotiations between the two political sides, Republicans say they could put through piecemeal spending bills to restore funding to specific areas of government, like national parks or veterans programmes. But the Democrats aren't playing ball - here's our Washington correspondent Simon Marks.
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Radio New Zealand's former managing editor of news has told the Employment Court the company's CEO, Sharon Crosbie bullied her and set her up for dismissal. Lynne Snowdon took sick leave in 2003 after a disagreement with Ms Crosbie and did not return to work. In what is believed to be the longest-running employment case in New Zealand, Ms Snowdon is challenging her dismissal from the state broadcaster in 2005. Our Court reporter, Ann Marie May was in Court today.
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS with Sharon Brettkelly
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Israel's Prime Minster Benjamin Bin-yah-min Netanyahu has warned the world not to trust Iran's new charm offensive. Speaking before the UN General Assembly, Mr Netanyahu said there was an "extraordinary contradiction" between the newly elected President Hassan Rouhani's words and Iran's actions. Our correspondent Nick Harper reports from the United Nations in New York.
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17. 30 HEADLINES
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Students at Auckland University say a plan to remove staff and students from university councils is the latest assault on academic democracy. About 3-hundred students and staff rallied today against the change, announced by the Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce. They were also protesting against likely fee rises when the university sets tuition for 2014 later this month, and the university's decision to ban them from the council meeting where those fees will be set. About thirty students are still occupying the offices of Campus Life, which runs student services at the university. Kate Newton was at the rally and filed this report.
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Also today the Tertiary Education Minister, Steven Joyce, launched a draft Tertiary Education Strategy that calls for tertiary institutions to work more closely with industry, attract more international students, and get better results for at-risk young people. Our education correspondent, John Gerritsen, was at the announcement.
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The mission to destroy Syria's chemical weapons is underway. A team from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has arrived in Damascus to plan the destruction of Bashar al-Assad's stockpile. It's due to get underway in a matter of weeks, with Syria facing serious consequences if it doesn't co-operate with the United Nations sanctioned operation. The ABC's Middle East correspondent Matt Brown reports
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17. 45 MANU KORIHI with Eru Rerekura
Kia ora mai good evening,
The Tertiary Education Minister, Steven Joyce, expects wananga will welcome plans to change the make-up of their governing councils.
Mr Joyce is proposing to slash university and wananga councils from up to 20 members, to between eight and 12, with four members appointed by the government and the institutions themselves deciding how to appoint the remainder.
He says wananga were set up with the same governance model as other tertiary institutions, even though they have quite different stakeholders.
WANANGA-JOYCE-TP
IN: THAT'S BEEN A. . .
OUT: . . . THEY'LL WELCOME IT.
DUR: 13"
Steven Joyce says the change could give iwi greater representation on wananga councils.
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A Maori business leader in Australia says New Zealand migrants need to start lobbying federal ministers if they want to change the laws that restrict New Zealanders from certain jobs and benefits.
A Maori rights movement in Australia - Iwi in Aus - is one group questioning the 2001 immigration laws that limit New Zealanders gaining Australian citizenship, voting rights, jobs in the government and defence force, and certain benefits.
Brent Reihana says Maori migrants need to start lobbying individual MPs who are sympathetic to their cause.
He says Maori leaders like Christel Broederlow were successful in changing laws in Queensland at a state government level, however it didn't change how the Federal Government in Canberra treats New Zealanders - which is the most important issue.
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The Labour MP, Louisa Wall, says the new rankings of the party's Maori members sends a clear message to Maoridom that it can fight for them in Parliament.
Its Maori Caucus members recently secured a number of portfolios under new leader David Cunliffe - including Economics, Maori Affairs, Water, Treaty Negotiations, Youth Affairs and Customs.
The List MP Shane Jones has been bumped up to number five and Nanaia Mahuta now sits at number nine.
Louisa Wall says it sends a clear signal to Maori voters that its capacity is strong.
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IN: MAORI VOTERS, WHEN THEY. . .
OUT: . . . A LOT OF MAORI ASPIRATIONS.
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Louisa Wall credits the passing of her Marriage Equality bill for her climb into the ranks at number 16.
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A Whanganui Maori health provider is acknowledging the Tupoho Whanau Trust for helping to put to good use land earmarked for a Treaty settlement.
Te Oranganui Iwi Health Authority recently moved all of its five services on to the Tupoho Community Complex - the former site of the Whanganui Polytechnic.
Its Chief Executive, Nancy Tuaine, says their new landlord - the Tupoho Whanau Trust - is working to use a valuable asset for the benefit of the whole community.
She says it's a good example of when iwi don't have to wait for a Treaty settlement to start working with some of the assets in their community.
Ms Tuaine says in this case Tupoho has worked with the government to use the complex as a hub for organisations that include the Maori wardens, the local iwi radio station - Awa FM, and St John Ambulance.
That's Te Manu Korihi news.
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The Corrections Association says an officer working alone at Auckland's private prison had his teeth knocked out by a prisoner. The union which represents prison officers has fears for the safety of its members working alone in parts of the Mt Eden Correctional Facility. Edward Gay reports
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America's national parks have been caught up in the US government shut down - the Grand Canyon alone attracts 18 thousand people a day in October contributing millions to the local economy. Eric Jay works at the Grand Canyon Lodge on the north rim. He says just today the lodge has had tell a hundred people their long planned stay is cancelled.
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An orchestra that has never travelled outside the South Island is heading off to represent Australasia in Japan. Dunedin's Southern Sinfonia is leaving tomorrow to be the third New Zealand orchestra in a decade to play at Asia Orchestra Week. Our Otago reporter, Ian Telfer, went to check on the fine tuning.
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Presenter: Mary Wilson
Editor: Maree Corbett
Deputy editor: Susie Ferguson
Producers: Mei Yeoh, Cushla Norman