Checkpoint for Friday 24 June 2011

6:58 PM.The risks to New Zealand from its high debt levels and reliance on Australian-owned banks have been outlined at a conference of financial experts. Audio

6:56 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

6:38 PM.Is the Government's handling of tragedies in Christchurch and at Pike River Mine starting to falter? Audio

6:32 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:25 PM.Northland's Kaipara Harbour is in such a bad state it's heading for an ecological meltdown. Audio

6:22 PM.A vocal critic of New Zealand's trade strategy in China has led a mass walkout of a Government-appointed board. Audio

6:20 PM.The mobile phone firm, 2degrees, has reported a loss of nearly 77 million dollars, as it continues to spend heavily on expanding its network to catch up with its larger rivals, Vodafone and Telecom. Audio

6:15 PM.With the polls opening for the by-election in Te Tai Tokerau at nine o'clock tomorrow morning there's been a last minute rush of enrolments as our reporter Lois Williams explains. Audio

6:14 PM.More now on that new apology from the head of the country's biggest employers' group. Audio

6:12 PM.More than a dozen schools in Christchurch's eastern suburbs now face an uncertain future with yesterday's news that thousands of people will have to abandon their homes. Audio

6:10 PM.Armed police who closed down a Lower Hutt suburb today have taken five people into custody. Audio

5:58 PM.The New Zealand Cycle Trail will expand to add a number of back country roads to the 18 predominantly off-road trails being built. Audio

5:57 PM.As contestants in the Te Tai Tokerau by-election wind up their campaigning, party leaders are hanging tough about the chance their candidates will win. Audio

5:50 PM.Homeowners in Christchurch have told earthquake authorities they face heavy losses under the Government's property payout scheme. Audio

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

5:40 PM.The Canterbury quake community forum that will advise Gerry Brownlee will be announced tomorrow. Audio

5:37 PM.Shopkeepers and other small business owners in the new red zones of Christchurch are today trying to figure out what the zones mean for them. Audio

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

5:27 PM.Kapiti's emperor penguin has been rushed in a big chilly bin to Wellington zoo after taking a turn for the worse. Audio

5:22 PM.The mass resignation on a government-appointed trade board in China follows a show down with officials over a new trade commissioner. Audio

5:20 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:16 PM.The embattled business leader Alasdair Thompson has this afternoon issued a second and "unqualified" apology over his women's periods comment. Audio

5:15 PM.The Green Party MP Kevin Hague is accusing the DoC's head Al Morrison of misleading a select committee just yesterday about the job cuts. Audio

5:11 PM.The Department of Conservation is cutting 100 jobs, triggering accusations the Government is jeopardising the conservation estate. Audio

5:07 PM.Armed police have been swarming over Wainuiomata, with householders warned to stay inside in a major police operation in Lower Hutt today. Audio

5:00 PM.Armed police swarm over Wainuiomata; Police detail arrests in Wainuiomata; More than 100 jobs lost at Department of Conservation; Green MP says select committee was mislead about job cuts; Second… Read more Audio