Checkpoint. 2000-09-29

HEADLINES & NEWS
There were tense scenes outside the Masterton District Court today as three people faced charges relating to the death of a Carterton toddler. Hinewaoriki Karaitiana-Matiaha died of brain damage in July - she'd been beaten, scalded, and sexually abused. Two women, Patricia Rachealle (SAID RACHEL) Dawn Namana, and Rongomai Wahine Paewai appeared in the Masterton District Court accused of manslaughter, wilful injury and failing to provide the necessaries of life. A third person, David Hemopo, also appeared, charged with failing to provide Hine with the necessaries of life. But tension arose when the trio's supporters confronted the media outside the court - our reporter Bryan Crump was there, I [illegible] him to explain. PREREC
The Law Commission has just released a groundbreaking report which recommends a major revamp of the adoption laws. The commission's president Justice Baragwanath says the current act was conceived in the 1950s when out of wedlock births still attracted a great deal of shame.
He says the proposed changes would shift the law's focus from the needs of adults involved in adoption to the needs of the child. I asked Justice Baragwanath how the proposed changes would ensure that the child's interests were paramount. PREREC
A trust established to encourage research and public awareness on adoption is welcoming the Law Commission's report. Kees (Case) Sprengers is an adoptive parent and the spokesperson for the New Zealand Adoption, Education and Healing Trust - he joins us now. LIVE
BUSINESS NEWS with CATHERINE WALBRIDGE
To the Olympics now - and New Zealand's last medal hopes are fading. The [illegible]-distance walker Craig Barrett was tipped as a medal chance - he came in [illegible] when the 50 km walk finished this afternoon. Our reporter at the Olympics Barry Guy joins me now. LIVE
The world's biggest conservation group has issued the most comprehensive list of endangered species ever published - and it includes several New Zealand species. The World Conservation Union has put the most vulnerable species on a "red list", warning that the threat is so great that thousands of plant and animals could disappear forever. Amongst the New Zealand species highlighted are the native pigeon, falcon and the Hector's dolphin, as our Washington correspondent Emily Harris reports. PKGE
Several New Zealand species feature on the World Conservation Union list, raising the question of whether this country's conservation efforts are coping? Joining me now is Barry Weeber from the Forest and Bird Protection Society. LIVE
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with STEPHEN HEWSON
Pressure is building on the economy, with growth stalling just as a round of price rises is set to bite.
The economy shrank by zero-point-seven per cent in the three months to June - though the rate for the year was a healthy 4-point-8 per cent. The Government says the contraction is already over, with exports and tourism lifting the economy back into growth. But some sector groups are warning of other clouds on the economic horizon as our Economics Correspondent, Stephen Harris, reports. PKGE
The Prime Minister Helen Clark arrived in East Timor a short time ago for a two day visit to the New Zealand peacekeepers serving there. New Zealand soldiers have been there under United Nations command since last September, after pro-Jakarta militias went on a rampage of killing and burning following the over-whelming vote for independence from Indonesia. It's the first time a Prime Minister has visited the troops in Timor. Our reporter Eric Frykberg is in Dili [illegible] the trip - I asked him what Miss Clark will be doing. PREREC
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is being inundated with calls from around the country reporting dead birds, amid rising concerns about the extent of a fatal outbreak of salmonella. An elderly man has died from the disease - the outbreak's also left thousands of sparrows dead, and there are fears it's spreading to native birds and other animals. MAF is asking the public to help - calling in with sighting of dead birds, and collecting bodies for further testing, as Jane Patterson reports. PKGE
Researchers at Canterbury University have received more than one-hundred-thousand dollars of Government funding for work on marine fungi which they hope may help treat some of the world's unconquered killer diseases. Project manager for the study, Kathleen Crisley says land-based fungi have produced wonder drugs such as penicillin, but marine fungi have been almost ignored. I asked her why. PREREC
Fresh water anglers are preparing their tackle, tying their flies and checking their rods in preperation for Sunday's opening of the trout fishing season. The [illegible] fishing season opens around the country, although fishing in some rivers, including those in the Taupo region, goes all year round. Jill Galloway reports. PKGE
CLOSE & THEME