Checkpoint for Wednesday 13 July 2011

6:55 PM.The Auckland City Mission says chronic poverty means food parcels are increasingly becoming a way of life for many people, instead of just a stop-gap measure. Audio

6:52 PM.A new survey suggests more than a million New Zealanders are uninterested in the Rugby World Cup, but their chances of escaping the barrage of hype about it may be slim and dwindling. Audio

6:49 PM.The number of properties set aside for Treaty settlements is growing - putting pressure on the Government department that looks after the buildings, and affecting their condition; The Minister of… Read more Audio

6:44 PM.The Privacy Commission is considering feedback on a proposal to give credit lenders more access to people's financial information. Audio

6:36 PM.Union members have rejected a Government offer aimed at settling the controversy over sleepover payments for disability support workers. Audio

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

6:27 PM.There are so many kaka flying around Wellington they are in danger of killing off the trees they're gnawing on. Audio

6:23 PM.The listed firm, Diligent Board Member Services, says the surge in sales of its software to assist company directors is partly due to the popularity of Apple's iPad. Audio

6:20 PM.Calls are intensifying to retain the last vestiges of public service television, now the Government has scrapped TVNZ's charter. Audio

6:17 PM.Ireland has become the latest country in Europe to have its debt downgraded to junk status. Audio

6:14 PM.St John Ambulance admits human error partly contributed to the death of a man in Cromwell. Audio

6:09 PM.The Government is refusing to strengthen the inspection regime for coal mines immediately, despite revelations about fires in Spring Creek mine. Audio

5:52 PM.Human Rights Watch has called on the U.S President Barack Obama to order a criminal investigation into former President George W Bush and his top officials over the use of torture. Audio

5:49 PM.The number of properties set aside for Treaty settlements is increasing, but the Government has no more money to keep them all in good condition; The Minister of Maori Affairs, Pita Sharples, is… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.An employment lawyer says there may be serious disciplinary repercussions for the female staffer of AMP who inadvertently let a fellow plane passenger see confidential documents. Audio

5:41 PM.Firefighters have been battling for more than a day to gain control of a massive bushfire in Canterbury. Audio

5:36 PM.The Government is refusing to beef up inspections of coal mines immediately, despite revelations about further fires underground. Audio

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

5:28 PM.A High Court judge has warned TV journalists they won't be able to film in court if they question former Bridgecorp director Rod Petricevic as he leaves court, whose charged with fraud. Audio

5:25 PM.The price of fresh fruit and vegetables has surged by over 12 percent in just the month of June. Audio

5:21 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:17 PM.Phil Goff has warned tomorrow's tax announcement by the Labour Party will include tough decisions aimed at getting the public finances back into surplus Audio

5:13 PM.The police in the lower North Island have arrested 25 people in drug raids today seizing one-hundred-thousand dollars in cash and eight thousand dollars worth of LSD. Audio

5:10 PM.A coal geologist says the Pike River company didn't understand the complexities of the mine it was working or the risks of a sudden gas outburst. Audio

5:07 PM.The Minister of Labour has been stonewalling opposition MPs in Parliament this afternoon, who have been pressing her on why she's waiting for the outcome of Pike River Royal Commission, before taking… Read more Audio

5:00 PM.Pressure builds on the Government to beef up coal mine safety inspections. 25 people arrested and thousands of dollars seized in drug raids and the price of fresh fruit and vegetables soars. Audio