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 FRIDAY 03 OCTOBER 2014
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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Australian warplanes will start bombing Islamic State targets in Iraq in a matter of days. Eight Royal Australian Air Force planes and hundreds of troops have been in the Middle East for two weeks waiting for a final decision on whether they will take part in air strikes. That decision was announced by the Australian Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, less than two hours ago. CUT Mr Abbott says Australia won't be bombing Islamic State targets inside Syria. The Australian Chief of the Defence Force, Mark Binskin, says the strikes will begin in a matter of days. The ABC's political reporter, Melissa Clark, is with us now i/v
New details have emerged about the Australian-based, New Zealand terror suspect. Amin Mohamed is facing committal proceedings in Melbourne on four charges of preparing to travel overseas to fight against the government of Syria - authorities believe he was planning to join the jihadist forces, and fight the Assad regime. The charges each carry a jail sentence of up to 10 years. The 24-year-old is a New Zealand citizen and was allegedly planning to use his New Zealand passport to travel. Our reporter, Eric Frykberg, has been investigating the story. i/v
The police haven't given up hope of finding the body of five year old Jack Dixon who was swept out to sea at Mount Maunganui on Wednesday. But they've scaled back their search on land saying they'll be hundreds of members of the public in the area over the weekend and one of them may well find Jack. People have been scouring the beach today. CUT Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair (Sinclair) is leading the operation. i/v
The Crown says a serial stalker used different names to send text messages and letters to women just days after getting out of prison. Glenn Green has denied breaching his release conditions when he appeared at the Manukau District Court today. One of those conditions was not to enter into new relationships or re-kindle old ones, without the permission of his probation officer. But the Crown prosecutor Mike Walker said Green sent text messages to one woman and two letters to others. During the raid on Green's room police also found two other letters addressed and stamped to famous women Our reporter Edward Gay has been in court. i/v
The family and fans of comedian Ewen Gilmour are remembering a larger than life character. The 51-year old actor died in his sleep at his home in Port Waikato overnight. In a statement his family say he brought smiles and laughter wherever he went. They're also taking comfort that he's now at rest with his beloved late wife, Cathy, who died three years ago from cancer. Murielle Baker looks back on his career - beginning with standup PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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17.35 MARKET UPDATE
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In Hong Kong, protesters are waiting to see if talks will take place between the city's chief executive and pro-democracy leaders. Shortly before the protesters' midnight deadline for his resignation, CY Leung (c.y. lee-oo-ng) said he would be willing to "discuss the constitutional development of Hong Kong." Despite agreeing to talks, protest leaders continue to insist that he step down. Christopher Beam from the magazine, the New Republic, has been out on the streets. He says the offer of talks has had an impact. i/v
In Sierra Leone, the Ebola virus is spreading like wildfire now. Save the Children's saying five people are being infected with it every hour. There were 765 new cases last week alone, and there are nowhere near enough hospital beds. The BBC's Umaru Fofana reports from Freetown PKG
Today the Mana Movement leader, Hone Harawira, said good bye to Parliament. Mr Harawira lost the Tai Tokerau electorate - and with it - his party's chance of getting him or any extra MPs from Mana or the Internet Party, into Parliament. Our political reporter, Liz Banas was there when a busload of supporters from Northland gave Mr Harawira a send-off. PKG
A Green Party MP has been refused permission to visit an inmate at Paremoremo prison because he is not technically an MP again yet. The Green Party's corrections spokesperson, Dave Clendon, wanted to visit immate and serial litigant, Arthur Taylor. Under the law MPs are allowed to visit prisons whenever they consider it appropriate. But the Corrections Minister, Anne Tolley, has denied Mr Clendon permission to visit Taylor because he hasn't been sworn into parliament yet. Dave Clendon is with us now. i/v
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17.45 MANU KORIHI with Eru Rerekura
Kia ora, good evening,
The National Council of Māori nurses says some Māori nurses who work for Whānau Ora health providers are earning thousands of dollars less than their counterparts.
The president of Te Kaunihera Neehi Māori o Aotearoa has joined other health professionals, including the New Zealand Nurses Organisation, in demanding equal pay for Māori nurses working in Whānau Ora agencies.
Laura Bootham reports.
NURSES-HUGHES-VCR
IN THE PRESIDENT OF
OUT THIS IS LAURA BOOTHAM.
DUR 29
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The Maori Party co-leader, Tariana Turia, says she doesn't intend staying on as co-leader whatever the final vote in the recent general election.
Mrs Turia stood down at the election as Te Tai Hauauru MP, and will relinquish her Associate Health Minister role when the new Cabinet is named.
She says she expects party list candidate Maarama Fox will get into Parliament once the vote is finalised tomorrow.
Maarama Fox would then become a party co-leader.
But Mrs Turia says if that doesn't happen, she still intends standing down, at the annual meeting.
TURIA-ME-TP
IN SO THAT'LL BE TAKING
OUT WILL NOT BE ME
DUR 17
Tariana Turia says she will continue to be involved in politics and to offer guidance over the Whanau Ora policy.
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The Māori Party has dismissed the idea of a debate over whether Māori electorates should be retained or abolished, but a former Labour Minister of Māori Affairs says that policy is driven by a desire for power.
Dover Samuels had called for a poll or referendum to be held on the issue.
Mr Samuels says the party's stance is just trying to ensure it has a a ministerial role in the new Government.
MAORI-ELEC-TP
IN IF THE MĀORI PARTY
OUT IN A NATIONAL-LED GOVERNMENT.
DUR 33
Dover Samuels.
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A double hulled waka will retrace an ancient voyage for the first time in 175 years.
Te Matau a Maui is expected to sail from Ahuriri in Napier, to Rangiwhakaoma or Castlepoint with a crew of 24 tomorrow.
The sea path was used by legendary waka Matahourua, which Kupe tracked Te Wheke o Muturangi and also Tākitimu waka which also made landfall at Rangiwhakaoma.
Te Hika A Papauma ki Wairarapa hapu spokesperson, Charles Morunga, says the waka will be moored there for five days, in which a number of events will take place.
He says it's a chance for people in the area to cast their minds back to what it was like for their tupuna.
That's Te Manu Korihi news, I'll have a final bulletin in an hour.
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Ten staff from a charity group working at Nauru's detention centre, have been accused of fabricating abuse claims and coaching detainees, including children, to self-harm in order to be evacuated. Australia's immigration minister has ordered an independent review to investigate the accusations, which were first outlined in an intelligence report given him. The minister has ordered the staff from Save the Children to leave island. The ABC's Alison Caldwell reports. PKG
A former Silver Ferns coach says there's a lack of depth in New Zealand netball proven last night by the 17-goal defeat to Australia. The Ferns lost 42-59 in front of a capacity crowd in Invercargill. It's the Diamond's sixth test win in a row over New Zealand and their fourteenth win on the trot. Yvonne Willering says Australia is showing just how superior they are. i/v
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Presenter: Mary Wilson, Jim Mora
Editor: Maree Corbett
Deputy editor: Jo Leavesley
Producers: Mei Yeoh, Bridget Mills, William Ray