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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The 12 people whose cases were refered to the Solicitor General after last month's nationwide police raids will NOT be charged under the Terrorism Suppression Act. Police officers, including those from the anti terrorist Special Tactics Group, carried out the raids in Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Hamilton, Wellington, Palmerston North, and Christchurch. They also targetted what they describe as military style training camps in the Bay of Plenty. 16 people are still charged with firearms offences. The Solicitor-General, David Collins QC made this announcement just over an hour ago CUT
The Attorney-General Michael Cullen says he will act on the Solicitor General's recommendation to refer the Terrorism Suppression Act to the Law Commission for consideration.
One of those who had been arrested under the Terrorism Suppression Act was Tame Iti. A few moments ago I spoke to his son, Toi Iti, and asked him how he heard the news that his father would not be facing terrorism charges. PREREC
Joining us now is the Police Commissioner, Howard Broad LIVE
Joining us now is Moana Jackson, the spokesperson for the lawyers representing those charged in the nationwide police raids LIVE
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BUSINESS NEWS
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To Fiji now, where a New Zealander and ten other men accused of plotting to assassinate Fiji's interim Prime Minister and members of his cabinet have been refused bail. Those who appeared in court today included New Zealander Sivaniolo Naulago, who was sporting a black eye with a cut above it. Joining us now is our correspondent in Fiji, Vijay Narayan LIVE
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17.30 HEADLINES
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Back to the announcement that the Solicitor General has ruled out terrorism charges against those arrested in last month's nationwide police raids. Joining us now is Tuhoe spokesperson, Tamati Kruger from Ruatoki LIVE
The Māori Party co-leader, Pita Sharples, joins us now. LIVE
An 18 year-old student in southern Finland has died after carrying out a shooting spree in a High School earlier today. Seven pupils and a head teacher were killed before the teenager turned the gun on himself. He died later in hospital. Eyewitnesses say he forced his way into a classroom at the high school shouting "this is the start of the revolution" and then opened fire He'd earlier posted images on the YouTube website in which he brandished a gun and predicted a ''high school massacre''. Emily Buchanan reports: PKG
New Zealand's overseas aid and development agency, NZ-AID, has been heavily criticised for poor management of contracts worth hundreds-of-millions of dollars. The Auditor General has identified systemic problems at the Agency - including poor record keeping, a lack of proper tendering processes and a lack of adequate conflict of interest procedures. But NZ-AID insists there is no suggestion that any aid money has been mis-used. Our political reporter Julian Robins filed this report. PKG
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WAATEA NEWS
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50 million dollars of methamphetamine and pseudoehpedrine destined for the New Zealand market have been seized. Police and Customs have busted two shipments from China totalling more than 150 kilograms of methamphetamine and Contac NT, which is used to make 'P'. Two men have so far been arrested and charged. Customs Investigations manager Bill Perry joins us now. LIVE
A bidding war is looming over the Ellerslie International flower show, after the event's organisers said that it may be transplanted to a new home. The show, the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, is attracting interest from a number of councils who are keen to host it from next year. However, an award-winning landscape designer is warning that moving the show could weaken its identity. Lisa Thompson reports PKG
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