Checkpoint. 2007-01-25

**** CKPT FOR THURSDAY 25 JAN ***
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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The bodies of two Japanese tourists who died after plunging hundreds of metres down New Zealand's highest mountain have been recovered from Mt Cook. A third climber who had a miraculous escape, walked down to the Plateau Hut to raise the alarm early this morning. The police say the surviving climber is traumatised by the death of his companions but is helping them with their investigations. Constable Carl Pederson describes how the tragedy unfolded PREREC

And joining us now is the Department of Conservation's Aoraki area manager, Ross Campbell LIVE

Lawyers acting for suspended Labour MP Taito Phillip Field are advising him not to speak to the police team investigating allegations against him. The National Party leader John Key is condemning the development as outrageous, saying Mr Field should front up and answer questions. Kiri Ennis filed this report. PKG

Police chiefs are backing the prosecution of one of their officers who sped in his patrol car to a school bus crash. Southland policeman Sergeant Gregory Smith was yesterday discharged without conviction on a lesser charge of driving at excess speed at Invercargill District Court. In February, a speed camera clocked his police car traveling at 115 kilometers an hour in a 50 kilometre speed limit. Inspector Carey Griffiths, says it's a reminder that officers will be held accountable for dangerous, or even excessive, speed. PREREC
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1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH SEAN KENNEDY
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The Australian Prime Minister, John Howard has launched a plan to make every drop of water count in Australia, as the country continues to be ravaged by the worst drought in its history. The plan worth eleven billion dollars will invest millions in modernising irrigation, improving water efficiency on farms and boosting river flows. And Mr Howard says the federal government will also seek to take control of Australia's biggest river system from the four states which currently manage it. CUT Joining us now from Canberra, is the ABC's Louise Yaxley LIVE
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1730 HEADLINES
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SPORTS NEWS WITH STEPHEN HEWSON
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The lawyer for the mother of the six-year-old Jayden Headley - who was in hiding with his grandfather for five months - is taking legal action. Kay Skelton's lawyer Barry Hart says his client's chance of a fair trial has been destroyed after Family Court details were made public. In a rare move, it released proceedings of the drawn out custody case, due to the publicity surrounding the five-month disappearance of Jayden Headley. Barry Hart joins us now. LIVE

Rotorua police are hunting for four men who abducted a Japanese tourist off a central city street, robbing and assaulting her. The attack has the tourist city worried about a backlash from other visitors as Hannah Ockleford reports. PKG

Māori can make up their own minds and they don't need to be patronised by politicians. That message emerged from Māori Party co-leader Tariana Turia at yesterday's political day of the annual Ratana celebrations near Wanganui. The Māori Party members stripped themselves of their politics and walked on as part of their iwi. Well, to explore her comment further, Tariana Turia joins me now. LIVE
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17.45 TRAILS
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WAATEA
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Crikey...scientists in Australia have discovered a range of large animal species which inhabited the Nullarbor Plain up to half a million years ago. University of Wollongong palaeontologist Richard Roberts says the findings include 23 kangaroo species, eight of which are completely new to science. PREREC

Schools in Mexico have embarked on what they're calling an education revolution. Millions of children are now being taught, not in the traditional way by a teacher in front of a blackboard, but via giant interactive digital screens. They can learn everything from how the brain works to how to speak English - and officials say there's already evidence that the new system is working. From Mexico City, Duncan Kennedy reports: PKG
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1800 NEWS
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A day after the US President Bush asked for his Iraq plan to be given a chance, George Bush got a slap in the face. A key Senate committee has passed a resolution opposing the plan to send more troops to Iraq. Also making news on Capitol Hill is Democrat John Kerry's annoucement that he won't be running for President. Live to our Washington Correspondent Simon Marks now. LIVE

Presenter: Gael Woods
Editor: Gareth Thomas
Producers: Joanne OBrien, Amanda Strong