*** Checkpoint FOR FRI 9 OCT 2009
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The future of the accident compensation scheme is under threat according to ACC's new board chairman John Judge. The scheme's liability - or future cost of existing claims - has grown by 4.8 billion dollars in the year to June and now stands at 23.8 billion dollars. Mr Judge says that's against the eleven billion dollars ACC has in the bank to cover those costs. Earlier this year the MInister Nick Smith made sweeping changes to the board saying his new appointments had more investment and financial expertise. Labour has in the past accused the Government of using shonky figures to create an impression of crisis which is just not accurate. John Judge joins us now. LIVE
More evidence of animal neglect has been found at New Zealand's largest family-owned dairy farming business. Animal welfare inspectors from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fishery say they have found sick and under-fed animals living in over-stocked conditions on several farms owned by the Crafar family. Last month, the Agriculture Minister, David Carter, ordered an inspection on 22 properties after about 100 malnourished and sick calves had to be shot on the family's Benneydale farm last month. Alan Crafar declined to be interviewed on Checkpoint. MAF Director-General Murray Sherwin joins us now LIVE
About five thousand people have turned out to a service in Samoa's capital to remember those lost in last week's tsunami. The police marching band played as three trucks draped in tapa cloth and fine mats carried 11 caskets into Apia park stadium. And the name of every person who died was read out. Our reporter Leilani Momoisea joins us live from Apia: LIVE
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH Naomi Mitchell
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A Kakapo's vigorous attempt to mate with the back of a British TV presenter's head has catapaulted the critically endangered green parrot into an internet star. Sirocco was being filmed in New Zealand as part of a BBC series on endangered animals. His encounter with zoologist Mark Carwardine's head and co-presenter Stephen Fry's delight at what unfolds has just been shown in the UK and the footage has become the latest sensation on Youtube. The Conservation Department here is pretty pleased with the attention - here's spokesperson Nic Vallance. PREREC
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17.30 HEADLINES
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Police investigating the missing Auckland toddler Aisling Symes are urging whoever has her to deliver her to a safe place - preferably a hospital. The two-year-old vanished from a Longburn Road property in West Auckland on Monday evening, and there's still no trace of her. The police say it is increasingly likely she has been abducted. Our reporter Laura Davis has been at a news conference just held by the police. She joins us now: LIVE
The New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters is defending his use of the phrase a "tsunami of migrants" - less than two weeks after the tragedy in Samoa. Mr Peters made the comment today in a speech to Grey Power in the Bay of Plenty. Immigration is familar ground for Winston Peters, who has repeatedly whipped-up the issue over the last 15 years. He says New Zealand's immigration policy is slack - and it's changing the demographic character of the country in an unthinking way. Mr Peters denies the use of the word tsunami on the national day of remembrance in Samoa is deliberately provocative - and designed to ensure maximum media attention. PREREC
Auckland bus drivers are predicting chaos on the region's roads on Monday morning if their pay dispute is not resolved over the weekend. Hundreds of workers rallied outside the central city bus depot of NZBus this morning in a peaceful but noisy show of frustration at being locked-out for a second day. Lisa Thompson reports. PKG
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17.45 TRAILS
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WAATEA
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The Green Party is selling its two Wellington houses, in which three of its MPs live, despite admitting that such a move could actually cost taxpayers more. The party's "Green Futures Superannuation Fund" owns the Thorndon and Terrace properties with the taxpayer picking up the rent. Earlier this week it was revealed the Greens had paid back six-thousand dollars to the Parliamentary Service, saying they'd accidentally over-claimed for accommodation. The party's co-leader, Metiria Turei, says the mistake contributed to the confusion around MPs' expenses and today's decision is about making things clearer.
PREREC
While Samoa stopped today for a national memorial service to honour last week's tsunami victims, the New Zealand defence force is continuing its work around the island. Air Force helicopters have been helping local fireman battle out control blazes in Manono and navy dive teams are continuing with body searches. For the latest Squadron leader Kavae Tamariki from the New Zealand defence force joins us now from Apia. LIVE
A new purpose built air ambulance centre has been opened at Hawke's Bay airport, with the Prime Minister John Key doing the honours. It's a joint initiative involving the District Health Board, Skyline Aviation, and the Hawkes Bay Air Ambulance Charitable Trust - which says the facility is world class. Heugh Chappell reports. PKG