Checkpoint for Monday 19 March 2012

6:47 PM.The Maori King has extended his personal condolences to the Royal Family and people of Tonga on the death of King George Tupou V; A Waikato-Tainui elder, Koro Wetere says genealogy ties the Kingitanga… Read more Audio

6:38 PM.To the UK and our correspondent Barney Burnham. Audio

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

6:29 PM.A Waihi gold mining company is offering to top up the difference if locals don't get market value for their houses, and even buy some houses itself, as it seeks to pave the way for a new mine. Audio

6:26 PM.The five suspected militants shot dead by police in Bali had identified and surveyed the targets they were planning to attack according to Indonesia's counter terrorism agency. Audio

6:23 PM.Consumer confidence has remained downbeat, with people worried about their personal finances and the state of the economy. Audio

6:16 PM.Several people have had to be rescued from cars and homes threatened by floodwaters in Northland. Audio

6:13 PM.Tonight Tongans in New Zealand are wearing the black of mourning after the sudden death of King George Tupou the Fifth. Audio

6:09 PM.The Government's announced a revamp of local councils aimed at taking away their social, economic, cultural and environmental responsibilities. Audio

5:56 PM.Affco is threatening to deny statutory holiday money for Easter to any workers who go on fresh strikes as the meatworks dispute gets more bitter. Audio

5:49 PM.The Maori King's extended his personal condolences to the Royal Family and people of Tonga on the death of King George Tupou the fifth; A Waikato-Tainui elder, Koro Wetere says the strong ties between… Read more Audio

5:46 PM.The lawyer for a former director of the failed finance company, Bridgecorp, says his client had nothing to gain by staying silent about the company's financial problems. Audio

5:43 PM.There are fears the Christchurch rebuild is in jeopardy as the city's rental housing market reaches crisis point. Audio

5:37 PM.The Government's announced a revamp of local councils aimed at taking away their social, economic, cultural and environmental responsibilities. Audio

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

5:28 PM.Rivers are falling and rain is easing in Northland but the threat from the high tide peaking within the hour has emergency services on edge. Audio

5:27 PM.A High Court jury in the trial of four people accused of taking part in military-style camps in Te Urewera National park has indicated its finding it difficult to decide on a verdict. Audio

5:24 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:16 PM.The Auckland woman at the centre of the ACC privacy breach has spoken out, and disputed the Corporation's version of events. Audio

5:12 PM.Tongan cabinet ministers are soon expected to reveal details about the funeral of the King after a special meeting in Nuku'alofa this afternoon. Audio

5:08 PM.The Government's announced a radical revamp of local councils that will stop them being involved in the social, economic, cultural and environmental wellbeing of their communities. Audio

5:00 PM.A radical revamp of Local Government to pull out of social, cultural, and environmental work. Tonga prepares for an official period of mourning for King George Tupou and bad weather forces evacuations… Read more Audio