HEADLINES & NEWS
The leader of the Fiji coup, George Speight, has been sentenced to death in Suva today after he pleaded guilty to charges of treason. He was charged with treason for toppling the democratically-elected government of Mahendra Chaudhry in May 2000 and holding Mr Chaudhry and several MPs hostage for several weeks. Speight's trial finally began today after lengthy delays - our reporter Barbara Dreaver was in court for the verdict and she joins us now. LIVE
A former cabinet minister and hostage Lavinia Pedarus is pleased that justice has prevailed, although she isnt sure about the death sentence. PREREC
The judicial internet sex scandal is deepening this evening, with three more [illegible] found to have used work computers to access internet sex sites. The revelation comes as the Government seeks more details about High Court Judge Robert Fisher, who was forced to apologise to the Chief Justice when an audit found he had viewed sex sites at work. The Attorney General Margaret Wilson joins me now. LIVE
BUSINESS NEWS WITH TODD NIALL
Secondary school pupils are facing another year of disruption after their teachers rejected their pay deal. The teachers' union, the PPTA, and the government reached a deal in December which would have meant a three and a half percent pay rise over two years. But fifty-six per cent of teachers have voted against ratifying the settlement, saying the increase is miserley and inadequate. The no vote means teachers are not only likely to stage more strikes, but also raises the threat of a ban on the new school qualfication, the NCEA. The Minister of Education Trevor Mallard says he's disappointed. PREREC
Jen McCutcheon joins us now. LIVE
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with RICHARD CROWLEY
Returning to our lead story, the leader of the Fiji coup, George Speight, has been sentenced to death in Suva today after he pleaded guilty to charges of treason. He was charged with treason for toppling the democratically-elected government of Mahendra Chaudhry in May 2000 and holding Mr Chaudhry and several MPs hostage for several weeks. But Speight's lawyer says it's unlikely the sentence will be carried out because the government has announced plans to drop the death penalty for treason.
Joining us now is New Zealand's Foreign Affairs Minister Phil Goff. LIVE
The Alliance cabinet minister Matt Robson is calling for members of the party's ruling body to resign after they refused to endorse him as a candidate. The national council refused to sign-off on Mr Robson's candidacy because earlier party ructions saw him redirect part of his salary away from party funds and into a separate account controlled by MPs. Julian Robins reports from parliament that the Alliance's funding dispute is again splitting the party. PKGE
The mother of Stephen Wallace has told the New Plymouth District Court her son should not have been shot dead for his window smashing rampage down Waitara's main street. Raewyn Wallace has been giving evidence at the prelimary hearing of the private murder prosecution brought against Constable Keith Abbott for the fatal shooting. Our reporter Kirsty Jones is covering the case and joins us now. LIVE
A High Court Judge has given the go ahead for a couple to sue health authorities for more than a quarter of million dollars after a failed vasectomy resulted in them having a fourth child. The couple, whose names are suppressed, had decided they couldn't afford another child and the husband had a vasectomy. But the operation failed and the couple claims the surgeon employed by the Health Board did not tell them of this risk. The Board, whose identity is also suppressed, argues the case should be struck out because it involves personal injury caused by medical misadventure and is covered by ACC. The couple's lawyer Roger Chapman says the judge has ruled that's not clear. PREREC
[illegible] New Zealand is going to the Tenancy Tribunal, seeking an urgent hearing for later this week to have gang members ordered out of state houses in the Palmerston North suburb of Highbury. The corporation is assessing whether the gang members renting seven properties have breached their obligations as tenants. The Tribunal will then decide if they should be ordered to leave. Here's our social issues correspondent Shona Geary. LIVE
In a few hours, preparations will begin to refloat the ship Jody F Millennium, grounded off the port of Gisborne for nearly a fortnight. Our reporter Andrew McRae is at the scene and joins me now. LIVE
CLOSE & THEME