Checkpoint for Tuesday 30 August 2011

6:53 PM.A new toxin to kill one of the Kiwi's worst predators was launched in Christchurch today. Audio

6:49 PM.The Ministry of Education has developed guidance for all school teachers to better understand the identity, language and culture of Maori students; A specialist beer-maker in the United States has… Read more Audio

6:46 PM.The trucking industry says action is needed to address a looming shortage of drivers. Audio

6:43 PM.The Government's renewable energy aim rings hollow for Geoff Henderson. Audio

6:40 PM.The Green Party has denounced plans by the National-led Government to encourage greater oil and gas exploration off the coast Audio

6:38 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:23 PM.News from the business sector. Audio

6:19 PM.A legal challenge that threatens to unravel the laws that Australia uses to combat people smugglers has been mounted in a Melbourne court. Audio

6:15 PM.The Head of the International Rugby Board says New Zealanders don't seem to realise the importance of the World Cup for the country. Audio

6:11 PM.A Christchurch support group says home owners will be alarmed at the blowout in earthquake repair costs. Audio

6:09 PM.The inquest into the deaths of more than 60 students who died in February's earthquake has heard harrowing details about how many of them died. Audio

5:58 PM.The police won't say whether they will be at the rugby grounds next Saturday. Audio

5:54 PM.A Wairoa rugby chief wants police protection at the grounds this Saturday after last weekend's violence when a Mongrel Mob member fired a shotgun four or five times. Audio

5:51 PM.An American boutique brewery has dropped 'Maori King' from its collection of beers, following criticism, discussion and debate about the name of the drink; All school teachers are being given guidance… Read more Audio

5:46 PM.Soldiers in Afghanistan have got rifles that can't hit targets more than 200 metres away and the Defence Force doesn't have the expertise to buy better ones. Audio

5:43 PM.Phil Goff says its about time the media stopped claiming his leadership is under threat, and instead focused on the real issues. Audio

5:39 PM.The Earthquake Commission has more than doubled its estimate of costs from the Canterbury earthquakes, to 7-point-1 billion dollars. Audio

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

5:27 PM.The powerful National Health Board has quashed a controversial plan to partly privatise Queenstown's Lakes District Hospital. Audio

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

5:20 PM.The girlfriend of a Northland teenager who died of meniningitis says he was sent home from hospital because the doctor was finishing his shift. Audio

5:17 PM.An energy researcher is warning that the Government's target to rely more on renewable energy is likely to push up electricity prices. Audio

5:11 PM.The massive new 7.1 billion dollar earthquake bill wipes out the Earthquake Comission's six billion dollar nest egg called the Natural Disaster Fund. Audio

5:07 PM.The Canterbury earthquakes will wipe out all the funds held in reserve to cover claims to the Earthquake Commission. Audio

5:00 PM.A massive blowout in the cost of the Canterbury quakes. Searching for oil and gas to help power the economy and the powerful National Health Board has quashed a controversial plan to partly privatise… Read more Audio