Checkpoint for Friday 23 October 2009

6:56 PM.An international surf festival and tournament in Taranaki next April is causing distress in the local surfing community, worried their beaches could become overrun. Audio

6:48 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

6:38 PM.The government's involvement in Rugby World Cup TV rights. After at least two weeks of political maneuvering the National-led Government appears to have resolved differences with its support parties… Read more Audio

6:33 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:26 PM.The government says creating a single economic market with Australia is now a top priority. Audio

6:16 PM.Alexandra residents are fighting back after years of drunken behavior and petty crime in the town. Audio

6:13 PM.Christchurch musicians are squaring off over the University of Canterbury's proposed Conservatorium of music. Audio

6:11 PM.The Prime Minister, John Key, says implementing national standards in primary schools is one of the most important things the government will do. Audio

6:07 PM.One of the unions representing the 275 workers set to lose their jobs at a tyre factory in Christchurch says it's unbelievable the announcement was made on the eve of a weekend celebrating New… Read more Audio

5:57 PM.Otago University researchers say many people suffering from gout may not be getting the right dose of medicine to help them. Audio

5:52 PM.The Labour Party says the views expressed by the head of parliament's foreign affairs select committee are ill-informed and patronising and damaging to New Zealand's relations with some Pacific Island… Read more Audio

5:49 PM.Six people have been arrested in London following explosive scenes outside the main BBC TV studios after a heated televised debate, which included the leader of the far-right British National Party. Audio

5:46 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

5:42 PM.More than 300 members of a powerful Mexican drug gang have been arrested in the United States in a massive two-day operation aimed at the cartel known as"La Familia". Audio

5:39 PM.Fears are growing for the safety of a diver missing off the West Coast of the South Island who hasn't been seen since eleven-thirty this morning Audio

5:36 PM.The Court of Appeal has ordered an inquiry following allegations a man was found guilty of rape after a juror couldn't face the stress of further deliberations. Audio

5:33 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:26 PM.Accumulate, negotiate and dominate. That's the strategy New Zealander Geoff Christopher, has used to come second in the world Monopoly championships in Las Vegas. Audio

5:22 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:22 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:19 PM.Thousands of people have turned out to welcome the Ranfurly Shield to Invercargill, following the Southland Rugby Team's win over Canterbury last night. Audio

5:16 PM.The families of those lost in the Erebus Disaster have received an apology from Air New Zealand's chief executive, who told them the company made mistakes and undoubtedly let them down. Audio

5:11 PM.The Prime Minister, John Key, says implementing national standards in primary schools is one of the most important things the government will do. Audio

5:08 PM.275 jobs are being lost in Christchurch with the closing of the Bridgestone tyre factory. Audio