** CKPT RUNDOWN FOR FRIDAY APRIL 21 ****
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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AIR NZ: Air New Zealand is increasing its prices by 10 percent, passing on the skyrocketing cost of international oil prices, directly to passengers. The airline says fuel is its number one cost and all domestic and international airfares bought in New Zealand, will rise from the 1st of May. Here's the Airlines Chief Financial Officer, Rob McDonald. (PRE-REC).
AIR NZ AGENTS: But travel agents don't believe it will put people off flying. Reporter Brad Markham.
SOLOMONS PM: The Prime Minister of Solomon Islands has just held his first news conference since being sworn into office. Synder Rini announced the make up of his cabinet and rejected allegations of corruption surrounding his election to the top job. Reporter Tony Reid (LIVE).
HEALTH CRITICISM: GPs are giving some backing to two leading doctors who say the public health system is failing and that it's "rotten to the core". And nurses say big improvements could be made with more community care. But the Health Minister Pete Hodgson says while there are some problems, vast areas of the system are doing brilliantly. Reporter Natalie Mankelow.
TOURIST ASSAULT: A Canadian tourist has been severely beaten, blindfolded, tied up by the ankles with his own belt and dumped on a Lower Hutt street. Detective Senior Sergeant Ross Levy (pron: lee-vee) from Lower Hutt police says they're looking for two men believed to have been drinking with the man in central Wellington the night before. (PRE-REC).
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1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH PATRICK O'MEARA
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CHILDREN DRIVEWAYS: Research into driveway accidents involving children, shows pre-schoolers from poorer areas are most at risk of being run over. The starship children's hospital study looked at admissions to Auckland hospitals over a four-year period. Kiri Ennis reports.
AFGHANISTAN SOLDIERS: Another group of New Zealand soldiers and police flew out to Afghanistan today. The contingent of 123 took off from Ohakea Air Base this morning. Palmerston North reporter Bryan Gibson.
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1730 HEADLINES
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SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
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Farmers and public recreation advocates are dubious about a government panel's report looking to address the land access issue. The panel was appointed last year, after the government pulled back from introducing legislation enforcing a five metre public access strip along significant waterways. Chris Bramwell reports.
SOLOMONS VARIOUS: Australia has announced it will send another 110 troops to Solomon Islands, while Papua New Guinea will send another 25 police officers. Australia's Prime Minister John Howard (AUDIO).
Political moves foreshadowed by the director of Public Service Reform in Solomon Islands David Tuanaku. (AUDIO)
Our reporter in Honiara Tony Reid talked to one of the shop keepers sweeping up broken glass from the rioting outside her son in law's shop. (I/V)
CYF MERGER: Documents obtained by Radio New Zealand show the State Services Commission initially opposed the merger of Child Youth and Family with the Ministry of Social Development. The option to merge was prompted by the unexpected resignation of Child Youth and Family's chief executive Paula Tyler in October last year. Social Issues Correspondent, Sue Ingram (LIVE)
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WAATEA NEWS with Ngahiwi Apanui
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DIDYMO RESEARCH: In a world first, New Zealand scientists are developing the ability to control the invasive fresh-water alga didymo - by splitting its DNA. Since the incursion was discovered in 2004, didymo has affected 11 South Island rivers. Niwa southern regional manager Barry Biggs (PRE-REC)
QUEEN BIRTHDAY: Today marks the Queen's 80th birthday, and New Zealand was the first country in the Commonwealth to wish her a happy birthday. Government house held celebrations to mark the event, and reporter Carla Gray was at the event in Wellington.
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