Checkpoint for Friday 9 September 2011

6:57 PM.Our reporter Todd Niall is near Eden Park, Georgina Ball is at the Viaduct and Simon Mercep is at Party Central. Audio

6:53 PM.In just under an hour, six years of planning for the Rugby World Cup will come to fruition, with the opening ceremony at Eden Park, and kick off in the first game - the All Blacks versus Tonga. Audio

6:49 PM.A Maori tourism leader says visitors' indigenous experience doesn't start and end with the Rugby World Cup; The Government says as Treaty claims go, one it resolved today happened at lightening speed… Read more Audio

6:45 PM.The Rugby World Cup is not all about the rugby, with many parts of the country showcasing their regions as part of the Real New Zealand Festival. Audio

6:43 PM.More now on the crush in Auckland. Audio

6:41 PM.Richie McCow, who's being touted as New Zealand's answer to Paul the Octopus, has made his first World Cup prediction. Audio

6:36 PM.Our reporter Todd Niall is outside Eden Park. Audio

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

6:20 PM.Pacific leaders have been meeting in Auckland this past week for the annual Pacific Islands summit, and were joined by a host of high ranking international diplomats and politicians. Audio

6:18 PM.Doug Hudson, is the CEO of Fullers Ferries and joins us. Audio

6:15 PM.Spending using electronic cards fell last month, as households continue to pay back debt. Audio

6:14 PM.Christchurch has no world cup games due to quake damage but is trying to make up for that lack of action with a temporary stadium in Hagley Park. Audio

6:12 PM.Andrew McClay managed to get on a ferry to Waiheke Island, but not before what he says was a terrifying experience in the central city streets. Audio

6:08 PM.The huge crowds out on the streets of Auckland to celebrate the start of the Rugby World Cup are putting intense pressure on the central city. Audio

5:57 PM.Air traffic controllers in Auckland say this afternoon has been their busiest ever. Audio

5:50 PM.With our reporters Todd Niall and Georgina Ball. Audio

5:47 PM.The man who's revived the art of waka building in Aotearoa, Hekenukumai Busby - says it's a great feeling to see a fleet of them on Auckland harbour this evening; A Maori tourism leader says visitors'… Read more Audio

5:40 PM.Going into the Cup the All Blacks remain punters' firm favourites to win it - but there are also signs of nerves. Audio

5:38 PM.St John Ambulance in Auckland has nearly 300 people at the ready for this weekend's Rugby World Cup games, plus an extra 30 ambulances. Audio

5:35 PM.More from Party Central in Auckland. Audio

5:34 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:31 PM.Aucklanders out celebrating the start of the Rugby world cup have been having a good time but also struggling with the size of the crowd. Audio

5:29 PM.Facepaint and flags brightened schools throughout the country as they got into the world cup spirit today. Audio

5:25 PM.The United States is on the alert after officials there warned of a specific and credible - although unconfirmed - terrorism threat ahead of the September 11th anniversary this weekend. Audio

5:22 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:20 PM.Auckland's Mayor Len Brown joins us. Audio

5:16 PM.The mother of a survivor and a victim of the Pike River disaster says the police have admittted to her they made mistakes in the aftermath of the explosions. Audio

5:13 PM.The image of a possible body inside the Pike River mine has been shown at the Royal Commission investigation into last November's explosions which killed 29 men. Audio

5:07 PM.A massive crowd has gathered with tens of thousands of people packed in to into Central Auckland or heading to Eden Park. Audio

5:00 PM.Party Central is already packed out as thousands pour into central Auckland or head for Eden Park. The image of a possible body inside the Pike River mine has been shown at the Royal Commission… Read more Audio