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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The Prime Minister John Key says he was shocked by today's assault on him at Waitangi but will not be put off returning to Te Tii Marae. Police have arrested two Far North men, and they appeared at Kaikohe District Court this afternoon and have been bailed on the condition that they stay away from Waitangi. I spoke to Mr Key a short time ago. PRE-REC
Joining us now from Waitangi is our political editor Brent Edwards. LIVE
The family of murdered Scottish backpacker Karen Aim says it's a relief they don't have to sit through a lengthy trial. 15 year old Jahche Broughton admitted bludgeoning the 26 year old to death in Taupo last year at the High Court in Auckland today.He initially tried to blame the murder on a friend who was also a Mongrel Mob gang prospect.Laura Davis reports. PKG
Investigations are underway into the death of one of the country's most notorious criminals, Antonie Dixon who was found in his cell at Auckland Prison at Paremoremo last night. The Corrections Department says his injuries appear to be self inflicted. Dixon was due in court this morning, and was waiting to be sentenced for the murder of James Te Aute and a saumuri sword attack on two women in 2003. It was the second time he'd been convicted of the crime with the jury dismissing the defence argument of insanity. Corrections has refused to be interviewed saying the Coroner's Act prevents the Department from speaking about the death. Barry Hart was Dixon's lawyer - he joins us now. LIVE
Pies and cakes are now back on the menu at school tuck shops around the country. The government's announced it's removing a clause that requires schools to provide only healthy options when it sells food and drink on school gounds. When the rule was brought into force in the middle of last year, these Wellington High School students were quick to see a way around it. CUT
The Education Minister Anne Tolley joins us now. LIVE
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BUSINESS NEWS
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Police investigating the death of a teenager in Murupara last month have made an arrest. 16-year old Jordan Herewini died after a vehicle stolen from his property was allegedly used to run him down. Here's Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Loper. PRE-REC
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17.30 HEADLINES
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Official figures out today show the number of people out of work is more than 100,000 for the first time in six years. That's despite an increase in the number of new jobs, with 21 thousand jobs created in the last three months of 2008. Our economics correspondent, Nigel Stirling, has been looking through the figures and joins us now.LIVE
While the politicians garner most of the publicity on the day leading up to Waitangi Day, the Bay of Islands is humming as people start arriving for the commemorations. Andrew McRae has been out and about today and filed this report. PKG
Thousands of expats in London are getting ready to celebrate Waitangi Day with the annual pub crawl. But the tradition is under threat as the city's transport agency has decided to close down for the day the underground line the revellers usually travel on.That decision follows last year's pub crawl, where 10-thousand dollars worth of damage was inflicted at London's Parliament Square at the end of the event. Clint Heine is posting information on websites to make sure everybody knows the new rules and he is with us now...LIVE
The Taranaki Regional Council says the risk of asbestos escaping the former Patea meatworks is increasing. A polymer coating over the remains of the burned-out works has broken down, leaving the ash-pile loose and dusty, with wads of asbestos pipe insulation exposed. Authorities say there's no risk to the town as yet.Our reporter Craig Ashworth is in Patea, he's with us now.LIVE
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WAATEA NEWS
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Hundreds of people are suffering from water-borne illnesses in Fiji after recent flooding. Eleven people were killed in the floods, which destroyed hundreds of homes, roads and bridges last month, and relief work has been hampered by continuous rain. Radio New Zealand International's Dubravka Voloder reports. PKG
The Wellington Rugby Sevens celebrates it's tenth birthday this year and the annual parade to launch the event drew crowds to the city's streets at lunchtime. Joe Porter took in the atmosphere...PKG
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