Checkpoint for Monday 31 January 2011

6:47 PM.Building consents for December hit their lowest level in 2010 since records began 45 years ago - dampening hopes of an economic recovery Audio

6:46 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

6:36 PM.For news from the UK now, we cross to our correpspondetnt in London, Barney Burnham. Audio

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

6:27 PM.The northern-most province of Vanuatu is experiencing winds as strong as 100 kilometres an hour as Cyclone Yasi lashes one of the most remote parts of the country. Audio

6:25 PM.The Mayor of Wellington says there are too many taxis on the streets of the capital and the council wants the government to cap their numbers. Audio

6:21 PM.Fletcher Building has sweetened its takeover offer for Crane Group by more than 40 million Australian dollars, and won the support of its board. Audio

6:18 PM.University of Otago politics lecturer Bryce Edwards joins us to discuss some of the challenges and opportunities a new left wing party might face. Audio

6:14 PM.The prospect of a new left-wing political party, could depend on the outcome of the standoff between the Maori Party and its outspoken MP, Hone Harawira. Audio

5:56 PM.The annual yearling sales at Karaka, South of Auckland, kicked off today attracting buyers from around the world, including Hong Kong, South Africa, Ireland and Australia. Audio

5:48 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

5:47 PM.Locals say the remains of a small child has been discovered on shores of Lake Wakatipu. Audio

5:44 PM.Auckland's one hundred and seventy first annual regatta has taken place in the Hauraki Gulf amid strong winds. Audio

5:41 PM.Forecasters are warning that a severe cyclone headed for Queensland could bring wind gusts of up to 250 kilometres an hour. Audio

5:37 PM.Companies in the emerging clean technology sector say the appointment of a Government taskforce on Green Growth is a turning point for the industry. Audio

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

5:29 PM.The weekend's stormy weather is still causing problems around the country including in the Coromandel where peak holiday traffic is hitting single lanes and a detour. Audio

5:26 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:23 PM.One observer watching developments within the Maori Party more keenly than most is the former Green MP, Sue Bradford. Audio

5:17 PM.Hone Harawira has indicated he will snub a Maori Party invitation to meet face-to-face with Te Ururoa Flavell, for what the party says is his last chance to avoid a full-blown disciplinary process. Audio

5:14 PM.The latest building consent statistics show the numbers for December 2010 were the worst since records began 45 years ago. Audio

5:10 PM.The BBC's correspondent in Washintgon, Jane O'Brien, says the tone being used by the US administration is quite different from just a few days ago. Audio

5:08 PM.President Mubarak of Egypt has moved to re-assert control of Cairo and other cities after almost a week of demonstrations aimed at forcing him from power. Audio

5:00 PM.Crisis in Egypt; Washington correspondent on Egypt crisis; December building consents suggest low point for the industry; Hone Harawira to skip Maori Party meetingl talks ongoing about new leftwing… Read more Audio