Checkpoint. 1997-05-14

As you've heard in the news the Treasurer, Winston Peters, has been found guilty of assualting National backbencher John Banks - but not to have committed a contempt of parliament. LIVER WITH KAREN FISHER & AUDIO OF JONATHON HUNT.
Māori have filed a claim with the Waitangi Tribunal over Māori broadcasting. The claim's been jointly filed by several national bodies - The Māori Council, The Māori Congress, The Māori Women's Welfare League and Nga Kaiwhakapumau i Te Reo, the Wellington Māori Language Board. LIVER WITH TU WILLIAMS
1715 HEADS
1715 BUSINESS NEWS
Stowaway twins Joanne and Sarah Ingham were today sentenced to periodic detention and supervision. They appeared in court in Nelson for sentencing on a variety of charges, laid before they stowed away on a container ship in March. EX SHEA
The cost of having and raising children is being blame for the continuing fall in the birth rate. Figures released today by Statistics NZ show that 56-and-a-half-thousand babies were born in the year ending in March, down more than 700 on last year. EX HIRST
Returning to our main story - Parliament's Privileges Committee has found the Treasurer Winston Peters did assault National backbencher John Banks, but that he didn't committ a contempt of Parliament. LIVER WITH JIM ANDERTON
1730 NEWS
The country's biggest company, Telecom, has posted a sharply reduced profit of 581 million dollars, compared with last year's record 716-million. EX EVANS Consumer groups are welcoming the news that several supermarkets are considering banning beef treated with hormone growth promotants. EX SZIRANYI In Auckland, the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron has just announced how many foreign sdvndicates will compete for the America's Cup in NZ in the year two thousand. LIVER WITH KENT CADDICK.
Questions are being asked about whether tough new anti-gang laws are necessary. A Parliamentary select committee today heard several new submissions on the Harrassment and Criminal Associations Bill, which aims to extend police electronic surveillance, search and seizure powers. EX LATTIMORE
1745 HEADS
1745 SPORTS
In Invercargill, the inquest has begun into the death of Eric Gellatly, who was shot dead by police after a 21 hour armed siege in September 1995. LIVER WITH GRAHAM MCKERRACHER
1750 MANA NEWS
Ten years ago today, Fijian soldiers stormed parliament, seizing Prime Minister Timoci Bavadra and his Indian dominated cabinet in a lightening coup. The coup led by Sitiveni Rambuka was bloodless, but shocked the Pacific region. EX MAUA