Cameron Eagle presents today's top stories, including the Waitangi Tribunal's report on the Crown's Treaty of Waitangi obligations to te kohanga reo; Haier's higher price offer for Fisher and Paykel Appliances shares; the award-winning journalist who is to write a book about the Pike River tragedy; and tonight's vote for non-permanent members to the UN Security Council (full expert commentary from Dr Paul Buchanan on Nzone Focus). From the RBG News centre for Shine TV.

Catch our hourly updates every weeknight between 6:30-9:30pm on Freeview 25 or Sky 111, or online at www.shinetv.co.nz

Bike Wise month

February is “Bike Wise month”, and the AA is reminding motorists and cyclists they need to work together to safely share the roads.

This morning in several parts of the country today it’s also “Go-By-Bike Day!” 

The AA wants to see more people to get out of their cars or public transport and onto a bicycle and this morning to encourage people they set up five free breakfast food stations in Auckland.
The food stations were located in Takapuna, central Auckland, Orewa, Mangere Bridge and New Lynn.

AA’s Motoring Affairs spokesman, Dylan Thomsen talked about the Go-By-Bike day, and let us in on how the free food stations went. 

Listen below for more.

Online Foetal Alcohol Help Site
There’s a new online tool helping GPs inform expectant mothers about the dangers of drinking alcohol while pregnant. It’s a welcome resource in a country that has a high rate of babies born with alcohol-related problems.

National Addiction Centre director Professor Doug Sellman discusses more below.

Sentencing and Sex Offenders
The director of child protection agency ECPAT Child ALERT, Allan Bell says the 3 year prison sentence given to the New Zealand man for organising child sex tourism to Asia, is seen as ground breaking, and hopes the “sentence” will deter others involved in or considering this illegal practise.

However, the Law Commission is seeking the public's view on criminal trials, which comes after the Government asked the commission to review the trial process, particularly cases involving sexual offending.

Gareth McVicar, national spokesman for the Sensible Sentencing Trust, shared his view on the issue.

Mojo Mather's Hearing 
The Greens are asking Parliament's Speaker to bring forward a meeting to resolve the issue of who will pay for electronic note taking for deaf MP Mojo Mathers.

The meeting is scheduled for March the 7th but Greens co-leader Metiria Turei believes the issue needs to be sorted before then.

The equipment needed will cost $30,000 a year, and John Key says he thinks the party's grandstanding on the issue and it's not being harsh to argue the Greens should foot some of the bill for that.

Ms Mathers also delivers her maiden speech to Parliament this afternoon.

CEO of Deaf Aotearoa, Rachel Noble, discusses the issues of funding for Mojo Mathers needs in parliament.
Rachel is in Wellington to watch Mojo Mathers maiden speech to Parliament.

Listen below for the full story.
(Note to listener: The interview was done over the phone with a sign translator, hence the quality of the interview.)

CONTRIBUTORS

Dan Wooding - Assist News
Dan discusses the situation in Iran where Christians, who hold meetings in house churches, are being arrested by the secret police.

Barry Soper
Barry talks about government finance and the different treatment between consultants and public servants.

Go to Assist News' story.

Darren Ward - CBM 
Darren discusses Mojo Mathers and accomplishments she has made by getting into parliament. He also talks about the issues surrounding her note-taking and how new Zealand society is responding.