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Checkpoint FOR THURSDAY 14 JUNE 2012
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The Prime Minister has signalled the Government might not sign a deal with Sky City to build a new convention centre until the Auditor-General's office has finished its investigation into the matter. John Key says the Government would be pretty cautious about signing a deal, appearing to contradict his Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce who said yesterday the deal could go ahead regardless of the inquiry. Here's our political editor, Brent Edwards. PKG
That's the Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce. With us now is the studio is our political editor Brent Edwards. LIVE
Despite record low interest rates the Reserve Bank's governor's dismissing suggestions he's helping fuel another housing boom. Alan Bollard left the Official Cash Rate on hold at two point five percent indicating it'll stay that way until at least April next year as a result of the worsening debt crisis in Europe. Just three months ago he thought the OCR could start moving up by the end of this year. Dr Bollard also says the outlook in Europe is so uncertain it's not worth including in the Bank's latest forecasts. PRE-REC
The Green Party has hit back at claims by the Government that it will not sign up to a trade deal if it handicaps future governments from legislating in the public interest. A draft of the TransPacific Partnership leaked by a US group shows New Zealand has agreed to provisions which would allow the Government to be sued in overseas courts if its policies cause foreign investors to lose money. Our economics correspondent, Nigel Stirling, reports. PKG
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH
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Lance Armstrong is describing doping charges against him as baseless and spiteful. In a 15 page charging letter, the US Anti-Doping Agency accuses the seven-time winner of the Tour de France of using performance enhancing drugs over more than a decade, dating back to 1996. USADA you-sada says it has evidence from more than ten colleagues and team employees who witnessed him taking the performance enhancer EPO, testosterone and having blood transfusions. Armstrong's former team mate, Phil Anderson, says he's innocent. CUT Rob Arnold is the Editor of Australia's Ride Cycle Review - he says Armstrong has faced similar claims before. CUT Evidence against the record-breaking cyclist will be heard by a 3 person arbitration panel behind closed doors. The Washington Post's Amy Shipley has seen the letter spelling out the charges, and broke the story. I asked her about the 500 drug tests Armstrong has passed. PRE-REC
Lucy Lawless, says she illegally boarded a ship during a protest against oil exploration, because it is what she felt she had to do. Lawless, and seven other activists today pleaded guilty to the charge in the Auckland District Court. Olivia Wix was there. PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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A detective has told a Wellington jury that two cars seen near the Guy farm around the time Scott Guy was shot dead have never been found. But Detective Sergeant David Thompson told the trial of Ewen Macdonald that two men were dropped from the suspects list because police found out that around the time of the shooting they were returning something they'd stolen from a Palmerston North house. CUT Ewen Macdonald denies murdering his brother-in-law in July 2010. Our Court reporter, Ann Marie May has been at the High Court in Wellington. LIVE WITH 2X CUTS
The US Secretary of State is ramping up the pressure on Russia over Syria. Hillary Clinton's warning if Moscow doesn't act more constructively, it risks losing influence in the Middle East. Yesterday, Russia furiously denied American allegations that it's arming the Assad regime with attack helicopters. Tensions are rising between the two governments just as Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin are preparing to meet at next week's G20 gathering. Jane Cowan has this report from Washington: PKG
A fine wine fraudster who hired a graphic designer to change wine labels so they looked like more valuable brands has been sent to jail. Simon Mickleson defrauded wealthy customers and friends of more than half a million dollars ($542,919.22) while working at Webb's Auction House between 2007 and 2009. The Auckland CIB's senior forensic accountant, Peter Preece, says he's never seen anything like it. CUT Peter Preece says people will now think twice about the wine business. CUT Our reporter Sam Morrah was at the sentencing today in the Auckland District Court and he joins me now. LIVE
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17.45 MANU KORIHI
Tēnā koutou katoa,
A Far North iwi's standing by its plans to refuse land access to companies that want to explore parts of Northland for metallic minerals.
Ngāti Kahu says the Crown presumes it has sovereignty over its whenua, but it doesn't.
The Ministry of Economic Development yesterday asked companies to step forward and bid for the right to explore for minerals.
But Chief Executive of Ngāti Kahu, Anahera Herbert-Graves, says the prospecting firms still won't be welcome in its district.
She says that includes the Department of Conservation estate.
Ms Herbert-Graves says the iwi's relationship with the Crown is dysfunctional.
The Ministry of Economic Development says it's kept Ngāti Kahu fully informed - and phoned the tribe about the mineral exploration plans.
It also says an exploration permit doesn't give companies the right to go onto land - they have to negotiate with the owner to gain access.
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Netball will be used to encourage wāhine to live healthily and cut down on the amount of alcohol they're drinking.
The Alcohol Advisory Council has launched the 'Taihoa - ease up on the drink' campaign in Wellington today - a nation-wide drive to reduce the effects of alcohol on Māori.
Community leaders at the launch spoke about alcohol awareness and were recognised for initiatives they were involved in around the country.
Dame June Mariu has already used netball to encourage a healthy lifestyle and reduce the rate of smoking among Māori women.
Her project introduced an alcohol awareness policy last year.
She says there are many victims of alcohol abuse and it needs to stop.
TAIHOA-MARIU-TP
IN:.......NOW WE ALL...
OUT:...IS TO STOP.
DUR:..18"
Dame June Mariu.
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An Australian police officer from Ngāti Kurī says Māori are phoning her direct for help because they're too shy to call the police station.
Senior Constable Brenda Cookson is part of Tūtahi Tonu - a Māori liaison committee working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service to develop and foster positive relationships.
The committee was formed in 2008 and is run by the Māori community in the Logan District near Brisbane.
Ms Cookson says Māori families feel comfortable contacting her help and to organise community projects.
TUTAHI-INVOLVE-TP
IN:.......I'VE HAD CALLS...
OUT:...PROJECTS AS WELL.
DUR:..22"
Brenda Cookson.
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A prominent Ngāi Tahu elder is being reunited with his precious tokotoko, or carved walking stick.
While Sir Tipene O'Regan was visiting Wellington last Friday he accidentally left behind is intricately carved walking stick, which he uses for support while he delivers speeches.
Someone found it and handed it in to Te Papa Museum yesterday - and it's now been returned to Christchurch.
Sir Tipene says he is eternally grateful to whoever found and returned his tokotoko, and to those concerned people who took the time to help him search for it.
That's Te Manu Korihi news, I'll have a further bulletin in an hour.
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20 people living in a Christchurch City Council housing complex have been told they have seven days to get out because the building is unsafe. The council is closing the Reg Stilwell Place complex in New Brighton after an engineering report found it to be at risk in an earthquake. The council's community services general manager, Michael Aitken, joins us now: LIVE
Local councils are pulling money out of their roading budgets and warning that potholes will multiply if the underfunding carries on. Their lobby group Local Government New Zealand said today roading is the single biggest problem facing councils and tension is rising by the week. Here's our transport reporter, Clint Owens. PKG