Checkpoint for Tuesday 1 November 2011

6:53 PM.Transpower's been given the go ahead to pass on the costs of upgrading its aging infrastructure, costs that will eventually show up in higher household power bills. Audio

6:49 PM.ASB has joined Westpac, Kiwibank and several smaller mortgage providers in cutting fixed home loan interest rates. Audio

6:45 PM.The fishing company, Sealord, says it wants to see Maori skipper a deepsea trawler; More now on the Maori Party policy that iwi would be able to veto foreign investment in New Zealand; Fifteen per… Read more Audio

6:42 PM.Explosives have been shaking Christchurch's QE2 sports centre today to simulate a magnitude 4 earthquake. Audio

6:36 PM.A deadline for dozens of protesters to leave the Octagon in Dunedin is looming. Audio

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

6:27 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:19 PM.The Rugby World Cup-winning coach Graham Henry has confirmed he's resigning as All Blacks coach. Audio

6:10 PM.Kay Brereton of the Beneficiary Advocacy Federation gives her response. Audio

6:08 PM.The National Party has outlined a series of welfare reforms it says will cut the number of beneficiaries by 46,000 over four years if it is re-elected. Audio

5:57 PM.A new survey has found almost half of all New Zealanders have either not enough or only just enough money to meet their everyday needs. Audio

5:50 PM.An investigation into a crash between a bus and a train on a level crossing in Paekakariki last night is underway. Audio

5:50 PM.The fishing company, Sealord, says it wants to see Maori skipper a deepsea trawler; A national survey on wellbeing shows Maori have better face-to-face contact with whanau they don't live with - more… Read more Audio

5:46 PM.The New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters has made what he calls an agonising decision not to contest an electorate seat at the election. Audio

5:43 PM.The grounded ship, Rena, has suffered more damage to its hull in rough seas off Tauranga today. Audio

5:40 PM.The Dunedin City Council has sacked the board which runs its subsidiary companies, Dunedin City Holdings. Audio

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

5:28 PM.Nine days after the All Blacks lifted the Webb Ellis cup, Graham Henry's stepped down as coach. Audio

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

5:22 PM.Our Parliamentary Chief Reporter, Jane Patterson, was at National's welfare policy announcement and is with us. Audio

5:16 PM.The National Party's welfare spokesperson Paula Bennett made today's policy announcement along with party leader John Key, she joins us. Audio

5:14 PM.The National Party is planning to put in place what it calls comprehensive welfare reforms if it is re-elected. Audio

5:13 PM.An the line from across the Tasman is racing commentator Jack Petley. Audio

5:06 PM.It may be the biggest horse race in the Southern Hemisphere, but the TAB was hoping the lack of local horses didn't hurt its turnover. Audio

5:00 PM.The Melbourne Cup is about to start - we cross live to Flemington. National promises a major overhaul of benefits and Graham Henry calls it a day. Audio