Checkpoint for Thursday 15 September 2011

6:56 PM.The recent drop in refined oil prices overseas won't bring an immediate fall in prices at the petrol pump. Audio

6:53 PM.A leading Wellington theatre's been forced to scrap three shows due to lack of money. Audio

6:51 PM.The Race Relations conciliator, Joris De Bres, says he's disturbed at the contents of an email sent to a Dunedin school by a local businessman; Tangata whenua from Hawke's Bay and Wairarapa, have… Read more Audio

6:46 PM.Major new health findings out today show obesity rates rising rapidly. Audio

6:40 PM.In Australia - a bodyguard who claims to have been a New Zealand SAS soldier has appeared in court accused of stashing military weapons, explosives, police files and false passports. Audio

6:38 PM.Suggested changes to the Emissions Trading Scheme could cost taxpayers an extra half a billion dollars. Audio

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

6:28 PM.The IRB is shrugging off suggestions that a poor goal-kicking rate at the Rugby World Cup is down to the tournament's offical Gilbert's Virtuo ball. Audio

6:25 PM.The manufacturing sector continued to expand in August although at a slightly slower rate than in July. Audio

6:19 PM.Claims of the Christchurch mayor having a presidential style and of a dysfunctional relationship between councillors and staff are to be discussed at a meeting of the council on Monday. Audio

6:15 PM.A born-again Christian, who deliberately put a small car on a collision course with a bus, has this afternoon been found guilty on three counts of manslaughter. Audio

6:13 PM.The governor of the Reserve Bank has flagged mounting risks to the economy while keeping the Official Cash Rate on hold today. Audio

6:07 PM.The details of the charges against the four accused left in the Urewera raids case have been revealed. Audio

5:57 PM.An aquarium popular with tourists and school children has been destroyed in a suspicious fire in Mapua, near Nelson early this morning. Audio

5:52 PM.The Finance Minister is sticking by his promises of creating more jobs despite a gloomier forecast from the Reserve Bank. Audio

5:50 PM.A prominent Maori leader from Ngai Tahu, says he's appalled by an email sent to a Dunedin school criticising it for flying the Maori flag; Months of preparation by tangata whenua from Hawke's Bay and… Read more Audio

5:40 PM.Dairy farmers say any price gouging problems with milk lie with retailers, rather than the dairy sector. Audio

5:37 PM.Some construction companies in Christchurch are laying off workers and struggling to stay afloat, saying it's because insurance companies won't cover new building work. Audio

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

5:27 PM.Labour has used a snap debate in Parliament to accuse the Government of focusing on photo opportunities, rather than ensuring the Rugby World Cup runs smoothly. Audio

5:25 PM.Former All Black and coach of Japan's Rugby World Cup side John Kirwan says the the All Blacks injury list won't change much for his team in tomorrow night's game in Hamilton. Audio

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

5:17 PM.Relatives of the 29 men who died in last November's Pike River mine disaster today heard there was never a reliable window of opportunity to stage a rescue of any workers who might have survived the… Read more Audio

5:11 PM.The governor of the Reserve Bank has warned there's now a real risk of sharp slow down in the world economy with the fall out hitting New Zealand next year. Audio

5:07 PM.The police are questioning whether the public will be safe enough under the plans to expand the rugby cup fan zone in downtown Auckland. Audio

5:00 PM.Police seek smaller crowd size for expanded fan zone; Reserve Bank warns of risk of sharp slow down in world economy; No opportunity to stage rescue; John Kirwan not fussed about All Blacks injury… Read more Audio