**** CKPT FOR TUES 4 DEC 2007
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The Minister of Health is preparing to step in to sort out Wellington's embattled Capital and Coast District Health Board. The Minister says there are wide ranging systemic problems and he's worried about reports of patient deaths that have been brought to his attention. The DHB's in the spotlight again today following news of the death of a newborn baby the day after the baby and mother were discharged from Wellington Hosptial. David Cunliffe would not be interviewed on Checkpoint . Neither would the Chair of the DHB Judith Aiken. To tell us more is our Health Correspondent, Karen Brown. LIVE
The DHB says it will review the case of the 28-year-old first-time mother, who left hospital on Thursday, five hours after a birth that included a 30 hour labour and an episiotomy. It's not known if the death would have occurred if the mother and baby had stayed in hospital longer, but the case has refocused attention on the board's policy of sending women home within six hours of giving birth. That policy excludes first time mothers. So far no-one from the Board has agreed to speak to Checkpoint. Our reporter Cherie McQuilkin joins us now. LIVE
Double-murder accused Chris Kahui is behind bars again after being turned away from the community to which he was bailed. On his way into the High Court in Auckland, Mr Kahui, who is accused of killing his twin sons, said he was disappointed at being rejected. Speaking before today's hearing his lawyer Lorraine Smith said it would have helped if someone had warned the community in advance of their arrival. CUTS
A spokesperson from the community which told Chris Kahui he wasn't welcome says they only found out about his arrival on Sunday, the day before he was coming. The spokesperson, who we can't name because it might identify where he's from, says people from a wide area had heard the accused would be in the neighbourhood, and there was a fear they might come looking for retribution. He says there were also other reasons. PREREC
A Hamilton high school principal says an attack on a student by three other girls is an example of a growing trend among teenage girls to use violence to sort out problems. A 15 year old girl suffered a broken nose, fractured eye socket and cuts and bruising to her head after being set upon during the mid-morning interval yesterday. Andrew McRae reports. PKG
The US intelligence community has admitted Iran halted its nuclear weapons drive in 2003 and that charges about Tehran's atomic goals have been overblown for at least two years. And this contradicts the White House line on Iran. In a declassified report American intelligence says it's confident that Iran stopped its nuclear weapons programme in response to international pressure. The ABC's Barbara Miller has this report PKG
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BUSINESS NEWS
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The Government's faced criticism over the past year for having little legislation on its books. But that changed this week with five new Bills introduced to Parliament today and almost 20 proposed laws ready for a first reading in the House. They include key Labour policies on climate change and affordable housing. Our political reporter Danya Levy takes a look at some of the new legislation. PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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There were more rowdy exchanges in Parliament today over the Ministry for the Environment's employment practices, and what government Ministers have had to say about it. The Environment Minister Trevor Mallard was in the dock at court yesterday over a fracas at Parliament involving the National MP Tau Henare. Today he was back in the firing line over comments he made about the quality of work by a former Ministry employee, Erin Leigh. Here's our parliamentary chief reporter Clare Pasley. PKG
MPs have begun debating the Electoral Finance Bill clause by clause, with both the Government and the National Party putting up amendments. Other parties are also expected to propose changes to the Bill as Parliament considers it during its committee stage. Our political editor Brent Edwards joins me now. LIVE
A 200 thousand dollar reward is being offered for information on the theft of Victoria Cross medals from the Waiouru Army Museum. The offer was made by British peer, Lord Michael Ashcroft, who owns a large collections of Victoria Cross medals. Nick Butcher has the latest developments in the investigation into the 12 stolen sets of medals. PKG
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WAATEA NEWS
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British teacher, Gillian Gibbons, is on her way back to Britain from Sudan after being pardoned and granted early release from her fifteen-day prison sentence for blasphemy. Ms Gibbons spent eight days in custody for allowing her pupils to name their class teddy bear Mohammed. So where does this leave relations between Britain and Sudan? The BBC's Mike Wooldridge says it could have an impact on British efforts to end the conflict in Darfur: PKG
It will be one year tomorrow since Fiji's elected government was ousted in a military takeover. A new poll has been promised, but not until 2009. Philippa Tolley from Radio New Zealand International has more on how the last 12 months have affected Fiji: PKG
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