Checkpoint for Friday 16 July 2010

6:57 PM.The Australian conductor Sir Charles Mackerras has died in London at the age of eighty-four. Audio

6:54 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

6:37 PM.The National Party is holding its annual conference in Auckland this weekend. Audio

6:33 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:27 PM.Tens of thousands of Christchurch children have been filling their winter school break by taking part in New Zealand's biggest and longest-running children's festival. Audio

6:24 PM.There are again calls for the Reserve Bank to keep interest rates on hold after weaker-than-expected inflation figures. Audio

6:20 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:17 PM.BP says it's stopped the torrent of oil that's been leaking into the Gulf of Mexico for the past three months - but is warning that it's still not the time to celebrate. Audio

6:13 PM.The New Zealand Refining Company's held a celebration at Marsden Point today to mark the success of its latest expansion project. Audio

6:10 PM.One of the Government's support parties says it will oppose any extension to the 90-day trial period scheme. Audio

6:06 PM.The US Congress has approved the broadest overhaul of financial rules since the Great Depression and sent it to President Barack Obama to sign into law. Audio

5:56 PM.Whakatane has today honoured Moko the dolphin. Audio

5:55 PM.Researchers in the United States say they have developed a way to make a universal flu vaccine. Audio

5:52 PM.The Auckland City Council is being accused of failing to fight for the communities that will be disrupted by the Waterview motorway connection. Audio

5:48 PM.The investigator trying to find who leaked a document from the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs says the failure to find the person responsible leaves a cloud of suspicion hanging over the Ministry.

5:45 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

5:42 PM.It's emerged the police officer who shot an Auckland actor and seriously wounded him last year had only been out of police college for a matter of months. Audio

5:38 PM.The All Blacks could take a giant step towards regaining the Tri-Nations title if they can beat the Springboks again in Wellington tomorrow night. Audio

5:36 PM.Expectations are growing that a general election will soon be called in Australia - perhaps as early as tomorrow. Audio

5:32 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:25 PM.Employers says the 90 day trial period for workers is a success and it should be extended to bigger businesses. Audio

5:23 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:17 PM.The clean-up of the old Patea Meatworks has been halted after more asbestos was discovered under the wreckage and that's increased the cost by an exta million dollars. Audio

5:15 PM.The mother of an inmate says prisoners are treated like animals and lack basic health care. Audio

5:11 PM.The former head of Jet Boat New Zealand, has been ordered to pay more than 27 thousand dollars in reparations and fines after admitting he caused the death of a passenger on the Matukituki River near… Read more Audio

5:07 PM.Auckland's multi-million dollar argument with the Government about an old cargo shed on the city's waterfront has been settled. Audio

5:00 PM.Compromise reached over Queens Wharf, 27,500 fine and reparations following jet boat death, Inmate's mother supports findings of report on health care, More asbestos found at old Patea Meatworks… Read more Audio