Checkpoint for Tuesday 20 December 2011

6:57 PM.The Department of Conservation is to hire private security guards to police freedom campers in Queenstown. Audio

6:53 PM.An Auckland University study has found that smoking low-nicotine cigarettes could help smokers quit all together. Audio

6:47 PM.Northland's Ngapuhi people are making progress in talks on who should represent them in settling their massive Treaty claim; Niwa says it's surprised that the results of a survey conducted in two… Read more Audio

6:39 PM.The National Party and the Greens have agreed to continue their Memorandum of Understanding. Audio

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

6:27 PM.More mine inspectors have been appointed in what the Pike River families say is a step towards avoiding a repeat of the mining disaster. Audio

6:19 PM.The Telecommunications Users Association says the cost of mobile calls to those on rival networks should continue to fall, due to greater scrutiny from the regulator and stronger competition. Audio

6:16 PM.Is climate change going to be mean emptier hydro lakes and more expensive electricity? Audio

6:14 PM.Penny Crawford is a New Zealander who has lived in South Korea for nearly 8 years. Audio

6:10 PM.In the United States, the Obama administration says it's deeply worried about the welfare of the North Korean people following the unexpected death of Kim Jong Il. Audio

6:07 PM.People in Christchurch's white zone want the Government to identify which properties can't be rebuilt on so homeowners can move on with their lives. Audio

5:57 PM.Christmas Day appears to be dangerous for many New Zealanders with people falling foul of things from pogo sticks through to the traditional festive ham. Audio

5:54 PM.To Papua New Guinea now where the country's political stalemate appears to be over after the governor-general switched allegiances and recognised Peter O'Neill as prime minister. Audio

5:51 PM.The Department of Corrections has carried out a review and rewrite of its Maori Therapeutic Programme - which has been running for six years; Northland's Ngapuhi people are making progress in talks on… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.The Law Society is warning there'll be more car boot lawyers not fewer as a result of the new fixed fees announced today for criminal legal aid. Audio

5:39 PM.The Green and Mana parties are calling for the wording of the oath used when MPs are sworn in, to be changed. Audio

5:36 PM.It's been revealed that the man accused of sending a forged email to an inquiry into a triple air fatality was a Civil Aviation Authority safety investigation manager at the time. Audio

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

5:27 PM.An initial investigation says a helicopter crash on Auckland's waterfront was caused by a supervisor tightening a cable which then hit the rotor blades. Audio

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

5:14 PM.The Labour Party is urging the Prime Minister to properly investigate the handling of the controversy involving a school adviser on national standards, who had been stood down from a previous job. Audio

5:11 PM.The small community of Cable Bay north of Nelson is opening up again tomorrow after being cut off by slips triggered by last week's floods. Audio

5:07 PM.The owners of the worst quake damaged homes in Canterbury may have to wait up to four years for their houses to be fixed. Audio

5:00 PM.A four year wait to fix all of the most damaged houses in Canterbury. Relief for Cable Bay locals cut off after flooding and what caused a helicopter crash at Auckland's viaduct basin? Audio