Checkpoint FOR WEDNESDAY 31 AUGUST 2011
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1700 to 1707 NEWS
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More than 800 military medals have been stolen from the Waiouru National Army Museum, worth a quarter of a million dollars. The revelation comes as a 57-year-old man appeared in court this afternoon accused of their theft. The man who lives in Queensland was spoken to by police in Australia last month and voluntarily flew to New Zealand this afternoon. He was arrested at Wellington Airport and transported to the Wellington District Court. In 2007 thieves at the Waiouru Army Museum stole 12 sets of medals, including nine Victoria crosses. All the medals were later recovered. Brigadier Charles Lott, the deputy chief of the army joins us now. LIVE
The National-led Government's plan to limit private shareholdings in State-owned companies to 10 percent has been criticised by both the Labour and ACT parties. The Labour leader Phil Goff says it will not work, while the ACT leader Don Brash says it is simply a political ploy to reassure people large chunks of these assets will not be bought by foreign companies. Here's our political editor Brent Edwards. PKG
More now on the size of individual shareholdings. The State-owned Enterprises Minister, Tony Ryall, explains why it's been set at ten percent. PREREC
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1720 TRAILS AND BUSINESS WITH NAOMI MITCHELL
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Libya's National Transitional Council has delivered a deadline to Moammar Gaddafi's supporters in his home town of Sirte. It's given his loyalists until Saturday to lay down their weapons and surrender or face military action. The ABC's Timothy McDonald has the latest. PKG
Gaps in the government's insurance cover will leave many schools damaged by the earthquakes in Canterbury out of pocket. The schools will have to dip into their property funding to fix paths and playing courts and empty septic tanks because they are not insured by the ministry. Principals say these repairs will run to hundreds of thousands of dollars and will disadvantage their students. Our education correspondent, John Gerritsen, reports. PKG
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17.30 HEADLINES
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More than 800 military medals have been stolen from the Waiouru National Army Museum, worth a quarter of a million dollars. The revelation comes as a 57-year-old man appeared in court this afternoon accused of their theft. The man who lives in Queensland was spoken to by Police in Australia last month and voluntarily flew to New Zealand this afternoon. He was arrested at Wellington Airport and transported to the Wellington District Court. Our reporter Cherie McQuillkin was there. Q&A
Tens of thousands of motorists have been caught running red traffic lights in recent years. The Automobile Association says it shows far too many people are risking their lives and others to save a few minutes of travel time. Here's our transport reporter, Clint Owens. PKG
Wikileaks has put out documents alleging a New Zealander who has been living in Australia has links to al-Qaeda. The United States diplomatic cable from early 2010 says Mark Taylor is one of 23 Australians who have ties to a radical Yemeni cleric, who is connected to an offshoot of the terrorist group al-Qaeda. In early 2009 Mark Taylor was held in custody in Pakistan on suspicion of having links with militants, before being deported and barred from the country. The Prime Minister John Key says he is aware of Mark Taylor having direct links to al-Qaeda. CUT Mr Key turned down our request for an interview. His office would not say where Mark Taylor is now, or if he is under any kind of surveillance. Dylan Welch, the national security correspondent for the Sydney Morning Herald has been studying the leaked diplomatic cable which lists the 23 people. PREREC
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17.45 MANU KORIHI
Tēnā koutou katoa,
JERRY-OATH-CUT
IN I SIR JERRY...
OUT ...SO HELP ME GOD.
DUR 12
A Whanganui River kaumatua, Te Anatipa Morvin Simon, says the new Governor-General who was sworn in today deserves the honour, after a distinguished career rising through the ranks of the New Zealand Army.
Mr Simon led the large contingent of Whanganui River iwi who welcomed all of the dignitaries and important guests to the swearing in ceremony for Lieutenant-General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, as the Queen's representative.
Sir Jerry was born, raised and educated in Whanganui and is affiliated to the River iwi.
Mr Simon says some of his relatives served with Sir Jerry in the defence force and were proud to honour him today.
GG-MEDALS-TP
IN THEY WERE IN...
OUT ...MEDALS FOR HIM.
DUR 15
Morvin Simon says he is proud a son of Whanganui has achieved the highest post, and is confident he'll represent New Zealand with the greatest mana.
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The Maori Affairs Minister, Dr Pita Sharples, has announced the names of two new members to fill vacancies at the Waitangi Tribunal.
The pair are Ronald Crosby and Kaa Williams, who will join eight other members who have been reappointed to run Tribunal hearings.
Mr Crosby has an extensive background in practising law and specialising in Maori interests in resource management.
Mrs Williams has three decades of experience in teaching Te Reo Maori and received the Queen's Service Order for services to Māori in 2009.
They replace two past members, one who retired and the another who has passed away.
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A Tainui kaumatua says a backlash against a beer called Maori King is a lesson for anyone else who insults Maori.
Mamae Takerei says the American brewery Funkwerks deserves some credit for moving quickly to drop Maori King, and re-branding it Southern Tropic.
The Colorado-based company has dropped the name out of respect for King Tuheitia and the Waikato-Tainui people, after some online criticism.
Mamae Takerei says the firm now knows Maori exist, and they know Maori will not lie down and die over such matters.
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The Ngapuhi board Tuhoronuku has begun a second round of hui - this time in the Far North - seeking the mandate to settle the iwi's treaty claims.
Tuhoronuku held hui from Auckland to Invercargill last week, explaining its proposals to Ngapuhi people.
It's encountered stiff opposition from a number of hapu including the largest - Ngati Hine - who want the iwi's land claims heard before any negotiations with the Crown.
Some hapu have applied to the Waitangi Tribunal to investigate, and Ngati Hine has asked the Maori Land Court for an injunction to stop the mandating process.
Tuhoronuku is putting its case to the people at Otaua's Pukerata marae tonight; at Okaihau's Piki Te Aroha marae tomorrow morning, and at Mahuhukiterangi marae tomorrow evening.
That's Te Manu Korihi news, I'll have a further bulletin in an hour.
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Auckland councillors are backing a new downtown plan that promises public spaces teeming with people and new corridors and parks filled with trees. The multi-billion dollar vision calls for parking buildings and on-ramps to be removed, and pedestrian plazas and light rail introduced in their place. It received near-unanimous support from councillors today, as Will Hine reports. PKG
A warmer than usual spring is being predicted this year, with above average temperatures expected for most of the country. But NIWA's outlook for the next few months, does also warn of some cool spells in September as climate scientist Georgina Griffiths explains. PREREC
New Zealand's new Governor General says it is an honour and a privilege to take on the role. Lieutenant General Sir Jerry Mateparae was sworn in as the country's 20th Govenor General at a ceremony at Parliament this afternoon. Our political reporter, Julian Robins, was there. PKG