**** CKPT FOR TUES 11 DEC 2007
******************************
1700 to 1707 NEWS
****************************
Members of a jury wept today as they told the High Court in Auckland they were unable to decide whether a south Auckland man is guilty of murder after he used his car to run over a victim during a gang brawl. Prestman Vesiputa Tauira is accused of killing Faa'Fetai Lafolua in August last year. Joy Reid has been at court today she joins us now... LIVE
The police investigation into the Louise Nicholas police rape claims was of the highest standard, and complaints by the former assistant commissioner Clint Rickards are unfounded. This from the Independent Police Conduct Authority today which has been looking into "Operation Austin" the police investigation into criminal complaints against Mr Rickards, and former colleagues Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum. David Reid Reports. PACKAGE
Here's the deputy police commissioner Rob Pope giving his reaction to the report. PRE-REC
The police have identified the prisoner who allegedly stabbed the triple-killer William Bell, as investigations continue into whether the attack was part of an elaborate escape plot. Bell is serving New Zealand's longest prison term for the Mt Wellington RSA killings in 2001 and was rushed to hospital from Auckland Prison at Paremoremo yesterday afternoon. He's under heavy guard in a stable condition at Auckland hospital. Jean Edwards reports. PACKAGE
Bryan McMurray is the assistant general manager of operations for the Corrections Department and says there are strict security measures in place while Bell is being treated. PRE-REC
The body of a man who was buried on a building site in Nelson has just been retrieved from a trench where he was engulfed in clay this morning. The 34 year-old was covered up to his chest in wet clay, and is believed to have been asphyxiated. Our reporter Geoff Moffett is on the scene in the Nelson suburb of Marybank. LIVE
***********************
BUSINESS NEWS
************************
17.30 HEADLINES
***********************
Crusaders rugby team coach Robbie Deans may have been trying for a media-free exit when he left the country today but he didn't succeed. Despite the Canterbury rugby union and Deans himself refusing to give any confirmation about a job interview for the Wallabies, the veteran coach and former All Black boarded a flight to Australia this afternoon. Christchurch reporter Monique Devereux spotted him trying to make a discreet exit at the airport... LIVE
The plug's about to be pulled on New Plymouth's power station, which has fallen victim to asbestos contamination and climate change. The station's owner Contact Energy says a final decision is yet to be made, but it's already talking with workers about redundancy options. Specialists are continuing to assess up to 90 workers potentially at risk of asbestos-related diseases after exposure at the plant. Here's our Taranaki reporter Craig Ashworth. PKGE
Two mothers have today avoided jail terms for serious crimes against their children in Dunedin. An international student was sentenced for infanticide. Her baby died shortly after she gave birth at Otago University last year, and the body was later found in a plastic bag on the campus. And a woman who tried to kill herself and her eight year old son in January was also sentenced after admitting a charge of attempted murder. Emma Lancaster was at today's sentencings at the High Court in Dunedin. LIVE
Figures from the Ministry of Education indicate thousands of school age New Zealanders are absent from any school records and the Ministry does not know where they are. The missing pupils have been picked up by a new computer system which replaces inefficient paper card records. The Minister of Education Chris Carter is downplaying the problem, saying by the time the figures are properly analysed, the real number of missing students will be very small. But the National Party dispute his claims, as does a father with personal experience of the problem. Eric Frykberg reports. PACKAGE
***************
WAATEA NEWS
****************
The Navy is looking at handing out a possible 11 million dollars in bonuses to marine technicians in a bid to keep the defence force afloat and ships out at sea. Deputy Chief of Navy, Commodore Bruce Pepperell, says the technicians will get a 45-thousand dollar bonus if they sign up to stay on for at least three years. He says if they don't do something soon staff numbers could get to the state where vessels would have to stay tied up at port. PRE-REC
Media coverage of the controversial Electoral Finance Bill has been questioned, as its final stages are debated in Parliament. The Prime Minister has spoken out against the New Zealand Herald's coverage of the Bill, which sets out new rules for next year's election campaign. Here's our political reporter, Kate Williamson. PACKAGE
A man who chased an attacker after being woken by the victim's screams, says he didn't think twice about putting himself in danger. A group of residents of a quiet cul-de-sac in Wainuiomata are being touted as heroes by police, after coming to the aid of a woman who was stabbed early yesterday morning. One neighbour, Anthony, gave chase in his car after the attacker took off in his van, and was able to provide a running commentary to police on his mobile phone. Anthony says he was woken by a frightening sound. PRE-REC
**************