Checkpoint FOR MONDAY 4 OCTOBER 2010
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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Pressure is mounting on the state broadcaster, TVNZ, to sack Paul Henry for making comments that have been described as racist and bigoted.On this morning's breakfast programme, host Paul Henry, discussed choosing the next Governor General with the Prime Minister.Mr Henry asked John Key if Sir Anand Satyanand is even a New Zealander. TP TVNZ says it has fielded dozens of complaints throughtout the day from angry viewers. And some of the country's most high profile people have let it be known that there is no place for such remarks in New Zealand's multicultural society.Bridget Mills reportsPKG
TVNZ has declined to be interviewed and Paul Henry is not returning our calls.The country's first woman Governor General says she's astonished that the Prime Minister didn't respond more strongly to Mr Henry's question during this morning's TV interview.Dame Cath Tizard was Governor General between 1990 and 1996.She followed Sir Paul Reeves who was the first Māori governor general.
PRE REC
The Government has stepped in and spoken to the main players in the industrial dispute over Sir Peter Jackson's film, the Hobbit. Unions have been pushing to negotiate a collective employment agreement before performers accept work on the movie.But the film-makers say the unions have underestimated the damage industrial action poses, and that there is a real risk the production will be moved offshore.Our political reporter Clare Pasley has the latest developments.PKG
After weeks of negative publicity about the preparations the real action is finally underway at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.New Zealand's first medals could come from the pool with the swimming finals later tonight (from 11.25pm).Moss Burmester who will be defending his Games title for the 200m butterfly will be in the pool shortly. (his heat is at about 5.30pm)We now cross live to Radio New Zealand's Gael Woods in Dehli:LIVE
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH NAOMI MITCHELL
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The American State Department is warning U.S. tourists in Europe about the possibility of a terrorist attack by Islamist militants. There are few details and it's not clear how much such warnings will be heeded. Meanwhile the British government's also warned of a heightened threat of terrorism in France and Germany, adding that an attack in Britain remained highly likely. The BBC's Frank Gardner reports: PKG
The Eden Park goal posts have been auctioned off for charity - with the winning bid made by a former Wallabies coach.Bob Dwyer - who coached the Australian side that won the 1991 Rugby World Cup - has bought the goal posts for just over 15-thousand dollars.
All proceeds will go towards the Canterbury earthquake Mayoral Relief Fund. Joining us now is the chief executive of the Eden Park Trust, David Kennedy:LIVE
A major earthquake in Wellington would put most of the region's emergency response centres out of action just when they're needed most.The regional council says it's put more back-up options in place since gaps in the system were first identified last year.But officials admit more needs to be done.Ruth Hill reports.PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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A senior police officer has told a coroners hearing into the deaths of the Kahui twins that a lack of new information has prevented the case from being investigated further.The inquest comes more than two years after the boys' father was acquitted of their murder.
Our reporter Lisa Thompson has been at the inquest and joins us now. Q AND A
The Christchurch City Council has delayed a decision on whether to help pay for repairing heritage buildings damaged by the quake until Wednesday.Proposals have been made to demolish or partially demolish six heritage buildings. damaged in last month's earthquake.They include Manchester Courts on Manchester Street, the former Nurse Maude building on Madras Street, and the architect Sir Miles Warren's property in Governors Bay. The owner of the Manchester Courts building, which is registered as a category one historic place, says it's too dangerous and too expensive to fix. Chris Meyer runs Federal Coffee House inside the building and he joins us now.LIVE
Richard Peebles owns the Manchester Court Building and is with us now .LIVE
Farmers in Southland and Otago are still busy dealing with the aftermath of the prolonged and devastating snow storms that hit two weeks ago. Federated Farmers have organised a series of meetings for those struggling with stock and financial losses.The first of these gets underway in just over an hour's time at Menzies College Hall in Wyndham.David Rose, is a sheep and beef farmer in Southland.He joins us now.LIVE
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17.45 TRAILS
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WAATEA
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Contact Energy has admitted construction of a proposed 58 turbine wind farm south east of Dannevirke, could be delayed for up to ten years, even if its appeal to the Environment Court is successful.The Court is sitting in Hastings to consider a decision by independent commissioners in April last year, to decline the company permission for its Waitahora wind farm being built.Heugh Chappell reports. PKG
The former Prime Minister of Fiji, Mahendra Chaudhry, has been granted bail after appearing in court charged with breaching the country's public emergency regulations.The Labour Party leader's legal team says he was arrested on Friday while out talking to sugar cane farmers about the effects of the drought.No meetings or large gatherings are allowed without the approval of authorities.The news editor of Fiji Commuications Ltd - Vijay Narayan PRE REC
More than a thousand international delegates have gathered in Argentina to discuss a subject very close to their hosts' hearts - and stomachs. Meat. The World Meat Congress will discuss how to satisfy the growing global demand for meat sustainably and efficiently, especially in rapidly expanding economies like China and India. Daniel Schweimler reports from the capital Buenos Aires: PKG