**** CKPT FOR TUES 23 DEC 2008
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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NZ-ECONOMY: The New Zealand economy has moved deeper into recession as households and businesses cut back their spending. Official figures show gross domestic product - a broad measure of the health of the economy - shrank zero point 4 percent in the three months to September - the third quarter of negative growth this year. Business New Zealand's chief executive Phil O'Reilly says the country is in for some long term pain. PREREC
CHCH-DEATH: The police investigating the killing of Christchurch prostitute Mellory Manning have revealed she was strangled, beaten and stabbed before being dumped in the Avon River. Detective Inspector Greg Williams says there are signs the young woman struggled against her attacker. PREREC
REAL-SCAM: The salesperson's certificates of Philip Cavanah, Raghu Aryasomayahula and Philip Niall, have been cancelled after the Real Estate Agents Licensing Board found the trio inflated sales prices to get massive mortgages. Joy Reid reports. PKG
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BUSINESS NEWS WITH NADINE CHALMERS-ROSS
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SCHOOLS-HOURS: The School Trustees Association has called for a debate on more flexible school hours. That's been welcomed by the new Minister of Education and many others in the education sector. But most students and parents appear keen to stick to a 9 to 3 routine. Bridget Tunnicliffe reports. PKG.
CHRISTMAS-WEATHER: With Christmas day just two sleeps away it seems everyone is rushing to organise the final details for their festivities. But even the most fastidious planner has to leave one thing to chance - the weather. The Metservice forecaster Alister Gorman joins us now with the good and bad news for the big day. LIVE
CHRISTMAS-BETHLEHEM: Bethlehem is hoping for a bumper Christmas this year as thousands of tourists and pilgrims flood back into the city after the lean years of the Intafada when the city had almost no visitors at all. The ABC's correspondent Ben Knight reports. PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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NZ-ECONOMY (2): Official figures show gross domestic product shrank zero point 4 percent in the three months to September - the third quarter of negative growth this year. Economists are not expecting a turnaround any time soon. Here's Westpac's Brendan O'Donovan. PREREC
MANUREWA-DISAPPEAR: The Police in South Auckland have launched an investigation into the disappearance of a Manurewa man. 24-year-old Carlos Edwards hasn't been seen since December the 4th. The police say his disappearance is uncharacteristic. Reporter Sam Morrah joins us now. LIVE WITH DROP-INS
VIOLENCE: 250 Taranaki families have received a letter from the police amongst their Christmas cards. It's part of a nationwide attempt to curb holiday domestic violence before it begins. Craig Ashworth reports. PKG
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WAATEA NEWS
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FIJI-EXPEL: The government is staying silent on an apparent about-face by the interim Fiji administration over the expulsion of NZ's acting High Commissioner in Suva. Fiji has now dropped its threat to expel Caroline McDonald unless a travel ban on a student is lifted. Here's parliamentary chief reporter, Jane Patterson. PREREC
UK-ECONOMY: The deputy governor of the Bank of England admits the bank underestimated the severity of the economic problems in the world before the financial crisis erupted in Britain. And Sir John Gieve says central banks lack the tools to tackle the current financial market turmoil. From London the ABC's Emma Alberici reports. PKG
CHRISTMAS-GIFTS: Still not finished your Christmas shopping and feeling in need of some last minute inspiration? Our reporter Teresa Cowie has been checking out some of this year's more unusual gift giving options. PKG
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1800 NEWS
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FIJI-EXPEL: The acting New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji has been ordered to leave Fiji by its interim adminsitration. Our political staff say Ms McDonald was ordered to leave at about 5pm. We'll have more on this story shortly.