Checkpoint for Thursday 3 May 2012

6:57 PM.The author of a report on Pacific Media Freedom says press freedom in the region is very fragile. David Robie, who is the head of the New Zealand based Pacific Media Centre, has launched a status… Read more Audio

6:54 PM.More than 100 protestors marched down the main street of the Wellington suburb of Johnsonville targeting the man they say is the weak link in proposed government asset sales: Peter Dunne. Audio

6:45 PM.Ngati Kahungunu iwi in Wairoa says the resource centre which it set up to help locked out workers at AFFCO's sheep and beef plant, has opened a new pathway for the tribe; Kelly Thompson who is one of… Read more Audio

6:40 PM.Critics of Shell's deep sea drilling exploration off the South Dunedin coastline say the company is putting the country in danger of an environmental crisis. The energy company says exploration… Read more Audio

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

6:25 PM.The departing boss of the stock exchange is hoping more of the country's firms will start listing in 2013, with new rules to revitalise capital markets. Audio

6:20 PM.A second jury's found the boyfriend of a Hastings woman guilty of killing her baby, after the first jury failed to reach a decision. Trent Hapuku fatally bashed Mikara Reti, who was five months old… Read more Audio

6:14 PM.Christchurch businessman Gavin Bennett is beginning an 8 year jail sentence for using a multi-million-dollar Ponzi-style scheme to fund his lavish lifestyle including luxury apartments, designer… Read more Audio

6:08 PM.The Government's released details of its student loan and allowance changes that are aimed to save up to $70 million a year, but will leave thousands of students and borrowers worse off. Audio

5:56 PM.The Auckland Council's done a total backdown over dog registration fees and won't raise them at all, after thousands of pet owners opposed a hike. Councillors voted to keep the fees as they are, with… Read more Audio

5:54 PM.The daughter of murder-accused George Gwaze has told the High Court in Christchurch that police pressured her to name her father as her sister's attacker. Audio

5:50 PM.The government has appointed the former chairperson of the Waikato-Tainui executive, Tukoroirangi Morgan, to work with iwi to help them settle their treaty claims; Ngati Kahungunu iwi in Wairoa says… Read more Audio

5:47 PM.The Labour Party is blaming the Government for dragging down MFAT's morale and says other public sector bosses deplore the scapegoating of its CEO. Audio

5:44 PM.A man who slaughtered more than 30 dogs - mainly puppies - has told the court he pinned many down with his foot to shoot them. Tony Campbell and Russell Mendoza are charged with wilfully ill-treating… Read more Audio

5:34 PM.The Department of Corrections is moving to cut 140 jobs but says no prison guards will lose their jobs, and the changes will make people safer. It's merging its three parts into one, saying that will… Read more Audio

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

5:27 PM.The Canterbury Regional Council says it's not ruling out a prosecution against the fishing company, Sanford, over the oil spill at the Port of Timaru. Audio

5:23 PM.Joblessness has hit a near two year high with fulltime jobs becoming harder to find compared with part time. 160 thousand people are officially out of work, an unemployment rate of 6.7% of the… Read more Audio

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

5:17 PM.The ACT Party leader, John Banks, has revealed he negotiated a cheaper room rate at the Hyatt Hotel in Hong Kong. Audio

5:11 PM.The Government's revealed changes to student loans and allowances that it says will save up to 70-million-dollars a year, but leave thousands of students and borrowers worse off. Audio

5:08 PM.A Christchurch businessman is beginning an 8 year jail sentence tonight for using a multi-million-dollar Ponzi-style scheme to fund his lavish lifestyle including luxury apartments, designer clothes… Read more Audio

5:00 PM.Gavin Bennett sentenced to eight years prison; Government says student funding cuts will save $70m yearly; ACT leader says he negotiated discount room rate himself; Charges not ruled out over Timaru… Read more Audio