*** Checkpoint FOR FRI 6 NOV2009
****************************
1700 to 1707 NEWS
****************************
The Māori Party says it is on the verge of taking disciplinary action against its MP for Tai Tokerau, Hone Harawira, who skipped a meeting in Brussels to take his wife to Paris.Mr Harawira is unrepentant about not attending a day's meeting at the European Parliament.He's also used swear words in an email exchange about the trip to the former Waitangi Tribunal director Buddy Mikaere.
Mr Harawira said in a reply to Mr Mikaere that white people have been "raping our lands and ripping us for centuries" and that Mr Mikaere wants him to play along with their puritanical B-S.Joining us now is our political reporter Liz Banas. LIVE
There have scenes of joy and despair after a man who caused a deliberate head-on collision has been found guilty of murder.
Tony Worrell collided with the car driven by the 26-year old newlywed Katie Powels in South Auckland, in June of last year.
He also crashed into Brett Robinson and his two children.
The Crown claimed Worrell facilitated the crashes in order to kill himself.
Reporter Laura Davis has been covering the trial at the High Court in Auckland and joins us now. LIVE
It's believed the US Army major who killed 12 people on a Texas Army base was set to serve in Iraq within the month. This morning Major Nidal Malik Hasan, an army psychiatrist, opened fire on soldiers preparing for deployment.
Original reports said he was killed at the scene, but it's since emerged he was only wounded, and is being held in custody. Army Lieutenant General Bob Cone had this to say late this afternoon.CLIP
President Barack Obama has since condemned what he called a horrific outburst of violence. CLIP
Austin York is a reporter for KRLD news radio in Texas, and says Lieutenant General Bob Cone's latest announcement was a major bombshell. prerec
***********************
1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH Naomi Mitchell
************************
New Zealand's top diplomat for Fiji has spoken publicly for the first time since his expulsion from the Pacific island nation.
He was expelled by Fiji's interim prime minister Frank Bainimarama over claims New Zealand interferred with the functioning of Fiji's judiciary.
Todd Cleaver, head of mission in Suva, arrived back in New Zealand last night.
Mr Cleaver says being forced out of the country has been tough on his wife and two young boys.CUTTodd Cleaver says fellow diplomats rallied around in support as he was forced to leave.CUTThe Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Murray McCully says all New Zealand consular services to the public, except for emergency support, have been suspended in Fiji because of a lack of consular staff. CUT
Some of Auckland's bus drivers have voted to break ranks and agree to a pay deal with NZBus. The National Distribution Union members have voted to withdraw from the Auckland Combined Unions, and have approached their employer to sign a deal negotiated last month.Earlier this week, combined union members voted against the pay offer of 11-point-five percent over 3 years.
Joining us now is NDU's transport secretary Karl Andersen. LIVE
***********************
17.30 HEADLINES
***********************
Meridian Energy says it may appeal an Environment Court decision to decline its $2 billion Project Hayes wind farm in a remote part of Central Otago.It would have been the largest in the southern hemisphere.The ruling declined consents, originally granted by Central Otago District Council and Otago Regional Council, in a mammoth 350-page report published today.Graye Shattky from the wind farm opponents group 'Save Central' and Meridian Energy spokesperson Alan Seay join us now LIVE
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Otago says he's delighted with a high court ruling upholding the university's code of conduct, after a student toga parade turned ugly. The parade of up to 2-thousand students through Dunedin in February left in its wake rubbish, smashed eggs and broken windows.
The Students' Association applied for a judicial review after two students were disciplined, claiming the university went beyond its powers under the Education Act, but that appeal has been declined. Matthew Peddie reports. PKG
***************
17.45 TRAILS
****************
WAATEA
****************
A prominent member of Auckland's Samoan community has warned that a four million dollar donation for tourism reconstruction in Samoa must not be wasted.
The Foreign Affairs Minister, Murray McCully, announced the government grant earlier today after a meeting with the Samoan Prime Minister.
Our Pacific Issues Correspondent Richard Pamatatau reports.PKG
The police in Wanganui are hunting an assault victim who's fled hospital but still needs urgent medical attention. Tyrone William Madams was seriously assaulted last night.Doctors believe the 33-year-old could be in serious danger if he doesn't return for further treatment.Police spokesperson Kim Perks. LIVE
Lobby groups in Wellington say they're bitterly disappointed at the likelihood of being cut out of having a say on some waterfront property developments.
The Council plans to grant some resource consents if they meet height and design requirements. And now three independent commissioners have backed the council's proposal. This from Wellington Issues reporter Tim Graham.PKG
Babies start to pick up the nuances of their parents' accent not after they are born, but in the womb - according to research by scientists in Germany.
Madeleine Morris reports: PKG