Checkpoint for Wednesday 16 November 2011

6:52 PM.Most of the Bay of Plenty beaches closed because of the oil spill from the grounded Rena, officially opened early this morning. Audio

6:50 PM.The first three containers have been taken off the stranded ship, The Rena today. Audio

6:47 PM.The Tertiary Education Commission has rejected to call to measure the performance of wananga in a different way from mainstream universities; A quit smoking coaching programme run by Maori for Maori -… Read more Audio

6:43 PM.You may not like them, but rats it seems are up to something useful in the bush. Audio

6:39 PM.Two Policemen have been presented with bravery awards for saving the lives of their fellow officers while under fire from an armed offender in July last year. Audio

6:35 PM.After cancelling twice President Obama has now arrived for his first official visit to Australia. Audio

6:32 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:28 PM.The Labour Party leader Phil Goff was greeted by about 50 students, and some teachers on a visit to Kawerau today, protesting against the imminent closure of their school. Audio

6:25 PM.More news from the business sector. Audio

6:18 PM.The Christchurch multisport veteran Steve Gurney has pleaded guilty to careless use of a motor vehicle after a collision with a train in September. Audio

6:12 PM.So, is the tea party tape taking its toll on John Key? Audio

6:08 PM.The National Party leader is still dodging questions about the secret cafe recording, and walked out of a news conference this morning when pressed about it. Audio

5:57 PM.The Police could be in line for a boost in funding at the expense of the Corrections Department. Audio

5:50 PM.The police in Auckland have busted a large drug syndicate, arresting 19 people for supplying and manufacturing the drug ecstasy. Audio

5:47 PM.The Tertiary Education Commission has rejected a call to measure the performance of wananga in a different way from mainstream universities; With just over week before the country goes to the polls… Read more Audio

5:44 PM.The company hired by the Government to carry out earthquake repairs in Canterbury is refusing to install insulation at the same time as it replaces old cladding on houses. Audio

5:42 PM.School leaders say some rural families may be forced to home-school their children if hostel workers succeed in getting the minimum wage for the hours they sleep at boarding school. Audio

5:36 PM.A retired Canadian Supreme Court Judge will decide whether David Bain gets compensation for wrongful conviction and imprisonment or not. Audio

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

5:28 PM.The National Party's Epsom candidate says he's been the subject of a dirty tricks campaign in the electorate. Audio

5:25 PM.President Obama is about to touch down in Canberra for his first official visit to Australia. Audio

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

5:19 PM.A spokesperson for families bereaved by the Pike River Coal Mine disaster thinks poor organisation of the mine inspectorate extends beyond the tragedy of the Pike River accident. Audio

5:16 PM.The New Zealand Rugby Union says Zac Guildford cannot continue to bring its brand into disrepute, and he will need to front up to his actions, but the first priorty is getting him well. Audio

5:12 PM.John Key declined our request to come on Checkpoint, as did the National party's campaign chair Steven Joyce. Audio

5:07 PM.The Labour leader, Phil Goff, is questioning whether John Key is tough enough to be Prime Minister after Mr Key walked out of a news conference today. Audio

5:00 PM.John Key dodges questions about the tea party tape. Zac Guildford promises to give up the drink - for now and President Obama flies to Australia. Audio