HEADLINES & NEWS
ALLEGATIONS CONTINUE
The uncle of the woman alleged to have had a relationship with the Minister of Māori Affairs Dover Samuels has given details of approaches he says were made to the Prime Minister's Office early this week. He says he also discussed the issue with the Diplomatic Protection Squad. Dover Samuels has taken leave from his ministerial duties while police investigate allegations of sexual impropriety raised in a letter to the Prime Minister from Act Leader Richard Prebble.
The Prime Minister has said that she acted after receiving that letter. But the uncle, Rodney Tregurthan, has told Checkpoint that the woman's mother faxed Miss Clark's office early this week. Mr Tregurthan says that after [illegible] the fax, the office told him that a meeting would be arranged. But he says this did not eventuate and that a member of the Prime Minister's staff, redirected him to Mr Samuels. The Prime Minister's handling of the scandal serious allegations against the Minister of Māori Affairs has been subject to more scrutiny in parliament this afternoon. Here's political reporter, Mark Torley.
To discuss developments at parliament today we're joined now by our political reporter, Clare Sziranyi.
BUSINESS NEWS with CATHERINE WALBRIDGE
FIJI HOSTAGE RELEASE DELAYED
In Fiji, hopes are fading for an early release of the hostages being held by the coup plotters at parliament. The hostage crisis is now in its 34th day - this morning, there were hopes that the 31 captives would be released by now. But they are still being held at gunpoint, as talks continue between the military and the coup leader, George Speight. Our reporter Andrew McRae is in [illegible] and joins me now. LIVE
Joining us now is Ben Padarath, who had hoped he might be reunited today with his mother, Lavenia Padarath, who is one of the hostages being held by Speight. LIVE
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with CHRIS REID
FAST FERRY ISSUE COULD GO NATIONAL
The transport minister Mark Gosche says one way or another the fast ferries crossing Cook Strait will be make to slow down. His comments follow a meeting today in Picton with local iwi worried about the environmental effects of the fast ferry wash on the shoreline in the Queen Charlotte Sound and how it's affecting the traditions of gathering seafood. The drawn-out controversy over the wash and allegations of the safety risk to small boats and swimmers has seen the Marlborough District Council put together a new by-law that if passed will halve the current speed of the ferries through the Sound. Transport Minister Mark Gosche says it's possible the issue could be dealt with by at national level if the bylaw fails to go ahead. PREREC
KILLINGS IN INDIA
In Eastern India, 53 people have been killed in pitched battles between upper and lower caste Hindus in the state of Bihar. The battles are about land and political influence as the lower caste Hindus seek to shake off the centuries-old caste system that has condemned them to poverty by virtue of birth. It is the eighth major caste-related attack in the last six months, many of which have been revenge for previous killings. Our correspondent in Bihar Ranjan Gupta joins us now. LIVE
TOO SLOW TO INTRODUCE CHANGES
Health officials and the Health Minister are defending themselves today after accusations from nursing leaders over the time it's taking to introduce promised changes which will expand the role of nurses. Both the College of Nurses and the Nursing Council want swifter action on the recommendations which came two years ago from the previous Government's nursing taskforce. I asked our health correspondent Rae Lamb to explain. PREREC
ALLEGATIONS CONTINUE
Returning to our lead story - and the scandal over the Māori Affairs Minister Dover Samuels. Mr Samuels has stepped aside while accusations of sexual impropriety are investigated. Bruce DavIson is a lawyer specialisung in such issues. LIVE
CLOSE & THEME