**** Checkpoint FOR FRI 24 APRIL
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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A coroner is calling for all recreational boaties to have emergency locator beacons, and be better informed about the correct use of lifejackets, after the death of a teenage boy. Geoffrey Hampton was celebrating his nineteenth birthday with a fishing trip in February last year, when the boat he, his father and a family friend were fishing from, sank. He died after more than twelve hours in the water off the Wanganui coast, about five hours before rescuers found the men.
The rescue operation attracted wide-spread criticism. Naomi Mitchell reports. PKG
Superintendent Russell Gibson, Central District's police district commander, accepts some of the police decisions on the search were flawed. PREREC
Dunedin's controversial 200-million dollar stadium is on track to be built in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, after a last minute legal challenge was kicked into touch. Lobby group Stop the Stadium said going ahead without more public consultation would be unlawful.
Its bid for an injunction to halt the project was dismissed in the High Court in Christchurch this morning - but the group says won't give up the fight. Matthew Peddie reports. PKG
The chief executive of the Highlanders rugby team and Otago Rugby, Richard Reid, is on the line now LIVE
The Government is being urged to think carefully before making any sweeping changes to the Sale of Liquor Act. The Law Commission is currently undertaking a review of the Act and, this morning in Nelson, it's chair Sir Geoffrey Palmer spoke of "significant changes" the Government will be advised to take up. Options include increasing the price of alcohol by raising the tax and increasing the age people can buy alcohol. Tim Graham reports. PKG
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH Nadine Chalmers Ross
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The Returned and Services' Association expects the crowds turning out to for ANZAC Day services will be as strong as ever tomorrow - and possibly even bigger than in recent years. Even the bad weather forecast for much of the country isn't likely to put people off. Clint Owens filed this report. PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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The Local Government Minister Rodney Hide is ruling out a referendum on the government's controversial supercity plan for Auckland. The Greens and Labour want all Aucklanders to have a say and this week hundreds of people in Waitakere and Manuaku took to the streets worried about what will happen to local democracy under a super council. This afternoon representatives of the eight Auckland councils met with Rodney Hide. Our reporter Ben Brown was there PKG
A 14 year old Christhcurch boy remains in a critical condition in Waikato Hospital after the glider he was in crashed near Matamata yesterday. Ryan Hodgkinson was taking part in an Air Training Corps camp at the Matamata Aerodrome. Its the second crash involving a glider at an ATC camp this year. Andrew McRae compiled this report. PKG
The police suspect there may be more victims of an Auckland doctor who sexaully assaulted young girls, and they're being urged to come forward. The identity of Dr Ronald Bruce Vautier was today made public on the day he was supposed to be sentenced for indecently assaulting three girls under the age of 12 in the late 1970s and 80s. Joy Reid has more. PKG
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17.45 TRAILS
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WAATEA
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At a ceremony in Suva today, Fiji's interim Prime Minister was honoured for his services to country and humanity - two weeks after his regime repealed the constitution and cracked down on free speech. At government house, Commodore Frank Bainimarama was made a Companion of the Order of Fiji by the country's president.
Our reporter Philippa Tolley was at the ceremony in Suva and joins us now: Q&A
A District Court Judge from Palmerston North has this afternoon made an appearance on the other side of the bench. Judge Grant Fraser was sentenced in the Wellington District Court on one charge of careless driving causing injury. His victim was in Court for the sentencing and described the 18-hundred dollars reparation awarded to him as an insult. Our Court reporter Ann Marie May joins us now. Q&A