**** Checkpoint FOR TUES 21 APRIL
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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One of the last people to see Laniet Bain alive has told the High Court in Christchurch she was scared of her brother David.Today the court heard from witnesses who have never before given evidence against David Bain.
He's accused of Laniet's murder and that of four other members of their family.Monique Devereux is covering the case, she joins us now...LIVE
The trial of former MP Taito Phillip Field is in limbo. That's the official comment from the High Court judge overseeing the case which was expected to last three months but which is now struggling to even hear the Crown's opening remarks. The former Labour Minister is charged with 12 bribery and corruption offences and is also accused of wilfully attempting to obstruct or pervert the course of justice 23 times. The Crown was due to begin outlining its case this morning. But more than half the jury has been permanently excused from the case. Kim Baker Wilson has the latest.
PRE-REC
New figures show more people are asking to be excused from jury duty on the grounds that it would cause financial hardship.That's prompted employers and unions to call for the amount paid for jury service to be increased.Here's our Justice Reporter, Penny Smith. PKG
US President Barack Obama has heaped praise on the CIA, vowing his "full support" and telling employees not to be discouraged by his release of stunning details on the agency's harsh terror interrogations.His visit coincides with revelations that waterboarding or near drowning was used 266 times by CIA interrogators on two top Al-Qaeda terror suspects.Mr Obama said he was right to publish the memos - but he praised the agency and said the United States must work to the highest moral standards. CLIP Barack Obama. Our correspondent in Washington, Kate Moody, says President Obama's visit was a meant to be a morale booster for the CIA. PRE-REC
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH Nadine Chalmers Ross
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A Palmerston North motellier has infuriated Wainuiomata residents by banning them all from staying at his motel.
The owner of the Supreme Motor Lodge Motel, Steve Donnelly, took the action after several sports teams from the town behaved badly when they stayed . He accuses them of spitting, swearing and making too much noise.
Kiran Chug reports. PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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Tourism New Zealand and Air New Zealand are joining forces in a bid to woo Australian travellers.They're spending five million dollars on a television advertising campaign and free flights deal.The launch of the promotion coincided with the release of tourism figures showing international visitor numbers are down 10 per cent on March last year.
Teresa Cowie reports. PKG
The Labour Party says the Foreshore and Seabed Act should be changed to allow Māori to apply to the courts for customary title.But the party's submission to the Ministerial panel reviewing the Act says that title should not be able to be converted into freehold title, and therefore could not be sold.Labour also wants current rules around access and useage rights to remain.The law's architect, is retiring Labour MP Michael Cullen, who is on the line now. LIVE
One of the country's finest book collections is set to go under the hammer tomorrow in Wellington.The rarity and quality of the works has generated worldwide interest in the auction at Dunbar Sloane.Clint Owens reports. PKG
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17.45 TRAILS
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WAATEA
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Air New Zealand cabin crew who are due to strike over pay will be locked out by the airline.Flight attendants mainly working trans-Tasman route are scheduled to walk off the job in just over two weeks' time for 4 days.The strike will involve 240 flight attendants and affect all Trans-Tasman and Pacific flights serviced by the Airbus A320 fleet.
We're joined now by Bruce Parton from Air New Zealand...LIVE
The Law Society is standing firm on its position that Fiji's military regime is unlawful and New Zealand lawyers should not be taking up posts there.It disagrees with New Zealander Christopher Pryde's decision to be reappointed as Fiji's Solicitor General. But, as Katy Gosset reports, Mr Pryde is equally firm on his decision to stay. PKG