Checkpoint for Wednesday 6 July 2011

6:52 PM.The Government is looking into the possibility of having a census every ten years instead of every five. Audio

6:48 PM.The Mana Party leader, Hone Harawira, has increased his majority in the Tai Tokerau electorate, in official results for the June by-election;  A member of Māori Women's Welfare League, says… Read more Audio

6:38 PM.A leading researcher on the harm caused by alcohol, says the role social networking sites have in promoting a drinking culture to young people is a major problem that needs to be urgently addressed. Audio

6:34 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:26 PM.The Government's deficit for the year looks closer to being 16 billion dollars rather than 17 but the Finance Minister says spending cuts will continue. Audio

6:23 PM.Dairy prices have fallen in Fonterra's latest online auction, as concerns mount about the durability of the global economic recovery. Audio

6:19 PM.Labour is yet to announce its capital gains tax on investment property but already the critics are lining up to shoot it down. Audio

6:16 PM.More than 200 protesters marched on Parliament this afternoon with a clear message- "rail against the Kapiti expressway." Audio

6:11 PM.A member of the Maori Women's Welfare League who's opposed to a Destiny Church leader becoming President says almost two and half thousand church members have enrolled in the league in the last few… Read more Audio

6:08 PM.The Council of Trade Unions says the Northern Employers and Manufacturers Association has more work to do to restore its reputation following today's sacking of its chief Alisdair Thompson. Audio

5:58 PM.Hundreds of pieces of luggage have been retrieved from Christchurch hotels within the central city's badly quake-damaged red zone and returned to owners throughout the world. Audio

5:51 PM.One of the main roads linking Lyttelton with Christchurch is so badly quake-damaged it may never be reopened. Audio

5:48 PM.The Mana Party leader, Hone Harawira, has increased his majority in the Te Tai Tokerau electorate; The Labour MP, Parekura Horomia, is to announce next week whether or not he will stand again in the… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.A lawyer experienced in commissions of inquiry says Pike River contractors have reason to be cautious. Audio

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

5:29 PM.For the first time, the New Zealand women's hockey team is ranked higher than Australia. Audio

5:25 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:22 PM.Even some tax experts who oppose a capital gains tax, argue if New Zealand is going to have one it must apply to the family home or it's just not worth doing at all. Audio

5:19 PM.The Prime Minister, John Key, says Labour's plan to introduce a capital gains tax will take the country screaming backwards. Audio

5:15 PM.The Royal Commission into the Pike River Coal mine disaster has been forced to use its powers to compel people to cooperate with it. Audio

5:13 PM.It's come as no surprise to politicians that Mr Thompson has been sacked. Audio

5:07 PM.Alasdair Thompson has been sacked as the chief executive officer of the nothern Employers and Manufacturers Association for his sexist stand on working women. Audio

5:00 PM.Alasdair Thompson is sacked for his sexist stand on working women. The Pike River Royal Commission is forced to use its powers to compel co-operation and critics line up to shoot down Labour's… Read more Audio