Checkpoint for Thursday 16 February 2012

6:50 PM.The Government estimates visitors to Waka Maori contributed 9 million dollars to the Auckland economy during the Rugby World Cup; The Government has taken on board a Ministry of Justice recommendation… Read more Audio

6:44 PM.More information is needed about who dies after surgery so that doctors, patients and their families can decide if the risk is really worth it. Audio

6:41 PM.Wellington's Town Hall will be closed for up to two years from the middle of next year for earthquake strengthening. Audio

6:35 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:26 PM.Maori leaders have told the Minister of Education her enthusiasm might not be enough to lift their children's achievement at school. Audio

6:23 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:19 PM.Radio New Zealand has signalled it might cut programmes amid an ongoing funding freeze. Audio

6:14 PM.The Chief District Court Judge has pleaded with MPs to consider how changes to legal aid could make district courts work harder. Audio

6:09 PM.An investigation has been launched after a massive fire ripped through an overcrowded prison in Honduras, killing more than 350 inmates. Audio

5:56 PM.Qantas has announced massive job losses in Australia today and is dropping its Auckland to Los Angeles service as it tries to cut costs. Audio

5:52 PM.The former general manager at Pike River mine says he doesn't regret making critical comments about the company's chief executive, Peter Whittall. Audio

5:48 PM.A highly respected Maori elder from northern Hawke's Bay says the Government's partial sale of four state owned enterprises, three of which own power stations, threatens the guardianship which Maori… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.Wellington's Town Hall will have to be closed for up to two years for earthquake strengthening, forcing staff out and a change of venue for dozens of concerts. Audio

5:40 PM.Our Economics correspondent Nigel Stirling has been looking at the figures. Audio

5:35 PM.Opposition parties say today's Budget Policy Statement confirms the Government misled voters about the gains it will make from partially privatising the State-owned energy companies. Audio

5:32 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:29 PM.The Labour MP Trevor Mallard has been rebuked by his party leader for selling tickets to a music festival for more than their face value. Audio

5:26 PM.Government ministers have been grilled further over the Crafar deal in Parliament, in relation to briefings given to Chinese consulate staff, and ministers' handling of the Shanghai Pengxin bid. Audio

5:23 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:18 PM.The police have uncovered one of the biggest P-labs ever found in this country, at a rural property, north of Taupo. Audio

5:14 PM.Inspectors have closed down an underground mine saying it was breaking the law. Audio

5:10 PM.Two New Zealanders have been arrested in a cocaine bust on a cruise ship in San Francisco. Audio

5:07 PM.Opposition parties say today's Budget Policy Statement confirms the Government misled voters about the gains it will make from partially privatising the State-owned energy companies. Audio

5:00 PM.National's accused of misleading voters with its state asset sales figures. Two New Zealanders are held in the US after a cocaine bust and Inspectors close an underground mine. Audio