Checkpoint for Thursday 16 June 2011

6:52 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

6:45 PM.The Medical Council says there are small but encouraging signs the country may be keeping more of its doctors here. Audio

6:38 PM.A new council combining Nelson City with the adjoining Tasman district council is being recommended, but its headquarters would be in Richmond, not Nelson. Audio

6:35 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:25 PM.About two thousand people in New South Wales have evacuated their homes after two days of flooding in the state's north-east. Audio

6:22 PM.The manufacturing sector has continued to expand with improved demand prompting a spike in new orders. Audio

6:15 PM.Air New Zealand has had to cancel a number of flights this evening because some aircraft ended up in the wrong location due to the earlier ash cloud disruption. Audio

6:12 PM.In the quake-ravaged Christchurch suburb of Heathcote, the threat of rock-fall from nearby cliffs, and flooding from a rising water basin is threatening to ruin hundreds of homes. Audio

6:07 PM.Accident investigators are telling Coastguard crews to think before they rush off on rescue missions. Audio

5:55 PM.Police have cracked what they say is an Iranian organised crime ring operating in Auckland. Audio

5:52 PM.More than two hundred meat workers in Waipukurau will lose their jobs with the decision to close the boning plant there. Audio

5:49 PM.Security is tight with thousands of police on the streets of the Indonesian capital, Jakarta, as a court prepares to deliver its verdict in Abu Bakar Bashir's terrorism trial. Audio

5:47 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

5:44 PM.The cost of the Christchurch quakes is mounting but the Government says it could be some time before it knows just how big the new bill will be. Audio

5:41 PM.A watchdog for natural health products such as vitamins and other supplements is being set up. Audio

5:38 PM.The step-father of a man killed with hammers says he is shell-shocked that one of the accused was found not guilty of murder. Audio

5:35 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:28 PM.A shake-up of New Zealand's swimming hierarchy is needed, if the country wants to win medals at next year's London Olympics. Audio

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

5:23 PM.The future of the Christ Church Cathedral is now more uncertain following Monday's large aftershocks. Audio

5:20 PM.The inquest into the death of toddler Aisling Symes has heard the Waitakere City Council admit its systems for flagging urgent problems with man-hole covers was deficient. Audio

5:16 PM.Air New Zealand is back in the skies over the South Island this afternoon but the Chilean ash cloud is keeping other airlines grounded. Audio

5:11 PM.Mike Podesta lost an eye when the Tutukaka Coastguard vessel crashed into a rock in March 2009 on its way to help a recreational boatie in trouble in Ngunguru Bay . Audio

5:08 PM.Accident investigators have highlighted failings at the Coastguard after four accidents including one when the would-be rescuers were seriously injured. Audio

5:00 PM.Investigators highlight failings at the Coastguard in four serious accidents. Air New Zealand's planes return to the air - but the ash keeps others grounded and the Aisling inquest hears that the… Read more Audio