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 WEDNESDAY 8 JULY 2015
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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Manu Samoa have taken the All Blacks down to the wire, just a converted try away from a huge upset with minutes to go in the historic Apia test match this afternoon. Only a penalty in the 74th minute put it out of Samoa's grasp as they succumbed 25 to 16 in their first-ever test against the All Blacks on home turf. It was a massive turnaround from the last time the two sides met - a 101 to fourteen (101-14) loss for Samoa in 2008. After a try-less first half, the All Blacks debutant winger George Moala, struck quickly - as described by the Sky Sport commentary team. CUT But 18 minutes later, Samoa flanker Alafoti Fa'osiliva [fo-so-LEE-vah], a controversial selection, barrelled past the defence to keep their hopes of an upset alive. CUT It ended up at just one try apiece in what was a brutal and mistake-ridden start to the New Zealanders' World Cup campaign. All Black captain Richie McCaw told Sky Sport Samoa put up a tough fight. CUT Edwina Stowers [rhymes with cow-ers] was among the crowd at Apia Park, and says it's a momentous occasion for Samoa, no matter what the result. CUT
The former All Black centre, Frank Bunce, also played four tests for Samoa and was among the eight thousand strong crowd at Apia Park. i/v
The convicted double murderer Scott Watson has failed two drug tests in jail and is at very high risk of violently offending again. The Parole Board's reasons for denying him release at his first appearance also refer to a psychologist's mention of how Watson's thoughts of revenge marked the killing of Olivia Hope and Ben Smart in 1998. Watson's father, Chris, says he had been optimistic that Scott would win parole and the rejection is another kick in the guts. CUT Chris Watson says that may involve getting their own psychologist's report done. He says his son did have a difficult time in prison early on, but that isn't the real Scott. CUT Our reporter Rachel Graham has been looking through the parole board's decision. i/v
More than fifteen thousand teddies given to sick children in hospital are being recalled. This is because of the danger of choking on the fur that can come loose, or the stuffing which can spill out when seams split. The bears were gifted to young patients at Wellington, Christchurch and Waikato hospitals from 2010 until this year as part of a sponsorship by Phil & Ted. The company's chief executive Campbell Gower is with us now i/v
People who have bought grapes imported from Mexico are being told to look out for webbing and egg sacks after venomous spiders were found. 10 spiders including five black-widows, a brown widow, and two yellow sacs have been found at supermarkets and by customers who have brought them home. The Ministry for Primary Industries were first alerted when a person from Wairoa found a black widow spider in their grapes late last week, killed it and sent to the MInistry. More spiders have since been found, some dead and some alive, as far north as Auckland and down to Timaru. If bitten, the symptoms include nausea, headaches and muscle pain. MPI says supermarkets have now pulled the grapes from the shelves but other, smaller retailers could still be selling them. Brendan Gould is MPI's surveilance manager. i/v
Time is running out for Greece. An emergency summit of Eurozone leaders has ended without agreement on a new bailout to prevent the country defaulting on its debts. The Greek government has now been given until Thursday local time to present new proposals on finding its way out of the crisis. The President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, warned that there are just days left to find a solution or there'll be painful consequences. there's A summit of all twenty-eight EU leaders on Sunday to discuss what to do next. The BBC's Ben Bland reports. PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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17.35 BUSINESS
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Manu Samoa have given the All Blacks quite a scare in this afternoon's historic test in Apia, with New Zealand scraping home 25 to 16 in a less-than-convincing win. It was a massive turnaround from the last time the two sides met - a 101 to 14 All Black win in 2008. At Auckland's Otahuhu Rugby Club, Samoan fans packed out a fan zone in front of a big screen. And the crowd erupted when flanker Alafoti Fa'osiliva [fo-so-LEE-vah] burst through to score the team's only try, and keep its chances of an upset alive. CUT Despite the loss, people at the clubhouse were impressed by Samoa's performance. CUT Over in Samoa, the fans at Apia Park were equally moved by the match. CUT Samoa will now go into their Ruby World Cup campaign with a lot of confidence following their performance.
The Government is not yet ready to claim it's in surplus despite the accounts for the eleven months to the end of May being much better than forecast. It has recorded a one-point-two billion dollar surplus for that period, well up on the Budget forecast of one-hundred-and-ninety-three million dollars. But the Finance Minister Bill English is cautious about the full year. CUT Greens co-leader Metiria Turei says even if the Government does get into surplus in the 2014-15 year it won't last long. CUT Bill English says Opposition MPs and some economic commentators are exaggerating how serious the slump in dairy prices is for the economy. CUT Our political editor Brent Edwards has been looking at financial statements and joins me now. i/v
The New Zealand carbon market is getting busier, with more carbon credits being sold for higher prices. This is happening as the country adapts to a world where it can't use cheap foreign credits to offset greenhouse gas emissions. Instead, it has to absorb its own greenhouse gas emissions by itself. Eric Frykberg reports. PKG
Singing's been heard in the Christchurch Town Hall for the first time in four years. That's to mark the mayor Lianne Dalziel signing a deal today for 127-million-dollar of repairs - a fix-up she says makes sense financially and emotionally. Our Christchurch Local Government reporter, Conan Young, went along. PKG
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A group of Maori doctors and health experts is calling for more action to address the health problems hitting tāngata whenua.
Hundreds of them people from the sector attended the Māori Public Health Symposium in Wellington yesterday to discuss what they say are barriers to improved well-being.
Te Manu Korihi's Adriana Weber was there.
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Animal welfare officers in Otago are alarmed by a rise in the number of animals being drowned. The local SPCA says there've been six known cases so far this year - double last year's figure. Anyone caught trying to drown an animal faces a fine of 75-thosuand dollars or three years in jail. SPCA inspector Rachel Stedman, says too often people are acting out of ignorance; they think drowning is best. i/v
As temperatures plummet and snow moves in, people are still stuck living in garages in Christchurch. In the fourth winter since the earthquakes, with high rents and a lack of housing, some people have no other options. Sally Murphy reports. PKG
In Liberia, the government says it's on high alert to detect and treat any further cases of Ebola following a resurgence of the outbreak. The country was declared Ebola-free two months ago, but the emergence of new cases has puzzled medical teams.
The BBC's Anne Soy reports from Liberia PKG
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Presenter: Mary Wilson, Jim Mora
Editor: Maree Corbett
Deputy editor: Phil Pennington
Producers: Mei Heron, Michael Allan, Denise Garland, Duncan Snelling