**** CKPT FOR WED 15 OCT 2008
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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ELECT-ECONOMY:The National Party has announced it would force the New Zealand Superannuation Fund to invest 40 percent of its money in New Zealand shares, bonds and infrastructure. That is almost double what it is now, and would have to be achieved by 2011. The Green Party's co-leader, Russel Norman, has welcomed National's plan and says it's good to hear a bit sense coming from John Key. CUT
But Labour's Michael Cullen says the plan is risky - the market here too small - and no Finance Minister should be trusted with telling the Fund what to do. CUT
John Key says while a National Government would set a mandatory investment target politicians would have no role in the day to day running of the Super Fund. PREREC
Joining us now is our economics correspondent Nigel Stirling. LIVE
WESTCOAST-MURDER: The police say they have notified the parents of a missing Korean backpacker that they're hoping to recover his body from a West Coast bush grave tomorrow. The police are returing to a site south of Westport where it's alleged the tourist was murdered and buried five years ago. Our reporter Geoff Moffett joins us now. LIVE
MEDALS-THEFT: Two men have appeared in the Auckland District Court this afternoon charged with the theft of more than 90 war medals from the Waiouru Army Museum.The medals, which include nine Victoria Crosses, were stolen in December last year but were safely returned in February following a 300-thousand-dollar reward.Two men were arrested this morning. Joy Reid has the latest. LIVE
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BUSINESS NEWS
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FIJI-RESCUE:The American yachtie who saved the lives of three people in heavy seas near Fiji says he was about to sail away thinking they had already drowned. Maurice Conti and his wife were woken by a mayday call from New Zealand woman Ali Timms and her two sailing companions at around midnight after their yacht hit a reef about 12 miles from where Mr Conti, his wife and their two young children were anchored. Mr Conti says when it became clear nobody else was in a position to help, they went to the rescue themselves. PREREC
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17.30 HEADLINES
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ELECT-HOUSING: Low and modest income families could be building their first houses on state-owned land, under new policy announced by Labour this afternoon. Under the Home Ownership on Public Estate scheme, or HOPE, a familiy would pay for the construction of the house, which they would own - but would not have to buy the land, which would remain Crown owned.Here's our political reporter, Julian Robins. PKG
ELECT-DEBATE: Labour leader Helen Clark has criticised the host of last night's first televised leaders' debate and the behaviour of her opponent, National leader John Key. The pair spoke over each other for much of the heated 90-minute debate held by Television One. Our political reporter Danya Levy joins us now. LIVE
CANYON-DEATHS: The families of those killed while canyoning near Tongariro National Park are likely to face a lengthy legal process as they look to the justice system for answers. The Department of Labour is laying charges against the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre under health and safety laws, after six students and their teacher died in April. Eileen Cameron has more. PKG
ELECT-TRANSPORT: The Green Party launched its Auckland transport policy in Auckland today. The party's six MPs used different modes of transport to get to the launch. Our political reporter, Chris Bramwell, joined co-leader Jeanette Fitzimons on her walk to Britomart. PKG
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WAATEA NEWS
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CHCH-GAG: The Christchurch City Council is being accused of gagging community groups that get council funding. In their new contracts, groups have been told their grants will be terminated immediately if the council's image or reputation is brought into disrepute. The St Albans Residents Association has taken issue with the rule and hasn't yet received its promised $40,000, 3-year grant. Here's the association's co-chairperson Bill Demeter LIVE
ELECTION DAY: With the election looming, officials are working overtime to ensure everything is ready for polling day. Among the practicalities to be completed are getting voting papers finalised, printed off and delivered to polling stations. Eric Frykberg reports. PKG
SAWMILLS: There are calls for the Government to 're-nationalise' parts of the timber industry to solve its current crisis. Carter Holt Harvey yesterday announced it will close its sawmills at Putaruru and Mount Maunganui, costing 300 jobs. 19 mills have closed this year.Ian Telfer reports on reaction. PKG
ANTARCTICA: Scientists from six countries have announced what's described as one of the most ambitious explorations of the Antarctic ever conducted.The experts want to discover how a hidden mountain range as big as the Swiss Alps, and under 4 kilometres of ice, was formed. It's thought ice samples more than a million years old could hold vital information about climate change in the past. The BBC's science reporter Matt McGrath has more. PKG
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