The National Party has its second deputy leader in less than a month. The Ilam MP Gerry Brownlee replaces Nick Smith, who resigned yesterday saying he had been forced to go. Don Brash and his new number two emerged from National caucus meeting earlier today to make the announcement. CUT But just three weeks ago having won the National Party leadership and ousted Bill English, Don Brash told Checkpoint how pleased he was to have NIck Smith as his deputy. CUT Dr Brash joins us now. LIVE
Joining us now is the National Party's new deputy leader Gerry Brownlee. LIVE
An expert witness has told a Medical Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal that a doctor made numerous errors and oversights in his treatment of patient Mark [illegible] who killed his mother after being released from hospital. Doctor Peter Fisher is charged with disgraceful conduct for his part in caring for Mark Burton at Southland Hospital in 2001. Joining us now is Nathan Mills who's been at the hearing. LIVE WITH DROPINS
The latest attempt by the British rower Jim Shekhdar to row from Bluff to South Africa has foundered. The deep sea research vessel, the Tangaroa, is expected to rescue him in less than two hours. The adventurer was 12-hundred kilometres from Bluff when he ran into bad weather yesterday - his small vessel rolled a few times, his oars broke and he lost some of his equipment.
Paul Harrison is from the National Rescue Co-ordination Centre ..... LIVE
1720 BUSINESS NEWS WITH PATRICK O'MEARA
Hollywood star turned politican - Arnold Schwarzenegger has spent his first day as Governor of California, speaking at three different lunches after his [illegible] address. Film celebrities and America's political royalty joined more [illegible] seven thousands others at the inaugeration of the former Mr Universe. Our Washington correspondent Owen Fay filed this report. PKGE
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SPORTS NEWS WITH RICHARD CROWLEY
A trial has begun for a former West Coast police officer who the Crown says kicked a local man out of frustration and anger.
Lindsay Donald Egerton who is 42 has pleaded not guilty to injuring with intent and an alternative charge of injuring with reckless disregard. The case centres on an armed offendors callout in Reefton more than four years ago. Our reporter Katy Gosset has been covering the case at the Greymouth District Court and joins me now. LIVE
The organisers of a petition calling for an extension to the breast screening programme say the Government needs to target younger women in the campaign. Currently women from the ages of 50 to 64 are eligible for free mammography. Tim and Debbie Short presented a petition to Parliament today calling for that to be widened to include 40 to 70 year olds. The Health Minister Annette King says the age limit will be raised to 70 next year, but Mrs Short says that's not good enough. Clare Pasley reports. PKGE
A jury in the trial of three men accused of the execution style killings of a bank teller John Vaughan and a pizza parlour worker Marcus Doig in Auckland last year has retired for the night. Joseph Samoa, William Johansson and Pago Savaiinaea are accused of murdering John Vaughan. Samoa and Johnansson are also charged with the murder of Marcus Doig.
Our reporter Sarah Howison is at the HIgh Court in Auckland. LIVE WITH DROPINS
A strategy to protect the quality of Lake Taupo was officially launched this morning. It aims to reduce the amount of nitrogen entering the lake by 20-percent or about 250-tonnes over the next 15-years. The strategy is a partnership between Environment Waikato, Taupo District Council, the government and local Māori and is estimated to cost around 80-million dollars. Andrew McRae compiled this report. PKGE
[illegible] former police officers have been appointed to the Police Complaints [illegible] investigation team to boost its independence. In the past, the Authority has overseen investigations, conducted by police staff still serving in the force. Joining us now is the Minister of Justice Phil Goff. LIVE
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