HEADLINES & NEWS
REBELS HAND OVER WEAPONS IN FIJI
The Fiji coup rebels are about to surrender their weapons bringing to a close another chapter in the crisis that has rocked the Pacific nation since May. But as the weapons are handed over, New Zealand is moving closer to imposing sanctions against Fiji, with cabinet ready to consider a full range of measures when it meets on Monday. We'll have more on that story later in Checkpoint. But first to Suva, where the rebels have displayed their weapons at the parliamentary compound. There was concern that the weapons will be smuggled out of the compound but Ilisoni Ligairi, the former British SAS trainer [illegible] in the coup attempt, says all the weapons are accounted for. AUDIO [illegible]
The weapon handover is now taking place at parliamnet - our reporter Barbara Dreaver is there. LIVE IV
Meanwhile, the Great Council of Chiefs today approved a radical blue print on how indigenous rights can be safeguarded. Speaking at the end of the two day meeting aimed at resolving the country's crisis Chairman Sitiveni Rambuka said there'd been no winners, but the whole nation had suffered.
AUDIO CUT
OUR reporter in Suva Andrew Mcrae joins us now LIVE IV
The freed hostages have spent their first day of freedom with their families and supporters. Andrew McCallister is a Red Cross worker in Fiji who was part of the welcoming committee when the Red Cross trucks arrived from Parliament with the released hostages yesterday. He describes what happened. PRE REC IV
BUSINESS NEWS with GILES BECKFORD
FIREFIGHTERS UPSET BY FIRE SERVICE PAYOUTS
The Firefighters Union has gone on the attack over the revelations today that former Fire Service Chief Executive Jean Martin got a golden handshake of between 160 and 180-thousand dollars. The payout is far larger than first believed, and the figure was only released by the Fire Service after the Ombudsman ruled that public interest outweighs Ms Martin's right to privacy. She left her job in May last year - a casualty of the controversy over a restructuring plan which would have seen firefighters sacked, and made to reapply for about 300 fewer jobs. Union secretary Derek Best is not impressed with the payment. PRE REC IV
ANGRY BOATBUILDERS UPSET AT ACC PREMIUMS
The boatbuilding industry is upset its ACC premiums have doubled with accident compensation's return to state monopoly. And the industry is warning that the big increase could hurt its rapid growth and export earnings. Boatbuilders earned 600 million dollars last year - a third of that in exports. Our Economics Correspondent, Stephen Harris, has the story.
PKGE
5.30 NEWS HEADLINES
SPORT with CHRIS REID
NEW ZEALAND CONSIDERS FIJI SANCTIONS
The New Zealand Government is moving closer to imposing sanctions against Fiji, now that all the hostages have been released. The Cabinet meeting on Monday will consider a full range of measures, and is now just waiting to see what sort of administration is appointed by the Great Council of Chiefs. Here's our Parliamentary Chief Reporter Kathryn Street. PKGE
TENSION AT CERVICAL CANCER INQUIRY
There was an air of tension during cross-examination at the cervical cancer [illegible] in Gisborne today. A Wellington pathologist Dr Clint Teague took strong exception to constant close questioning by Stuart Grieve QC, one of the counsel representing women at the inquiry. Heugh Chappell is covering the inquiry - he joins me now. LIVE IV WITH DROPINS
NETBALL
Human Rights Commission called on over WN Intermediate School's row with netball administrators about right to play more than 1 boy in girls' teams. Earlier in year another intermediate prevented from playingmore than one boy a team. (Corin Dann)
FLAVOURED MEAT
AgResearch scientists trying to find way of making grass-fed lamb and beef more palatable to Asian and American consumers who find taste too strong. Dr Bill Rumball feeding lambs variety of herbs and trying meat out on taste panels - so far, coriander most popular - i/ved.
CYCLING
Conference in Palmerston North discussing how to make cycling more popular - [illegible] professionals, govt administrators and local body policy makers attending. (Jill Galloway)
CLOSE & THEME