Checkpoint for Friday 18 May 2012

6:54 PM.Nelson City will tomorrow know whether a Maori ward will be established in their region; Waikato-Tainui leadership has called on Affco management and the Talley family to recognise the impact on-going… Read more Audio

6:38 PM.On Monday the National-led Government announced further changes to employment law, provoking cries of outrage from Opposition parties and trade unions. Audio

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

6:28 PM.A 20-year-old American man charged after a crash near Turangi which killed three students has appeared in court and has been remanded on bail. Audio

6:22 PM.A potential dairy farm investor has pulled the pin on its share offer, after failing to raise enough money. Audio

6:16 PM.The parent of a special needs boy says the Government can expect prison numbers to rise, if the Ministry of Education goes ahead with closing down live-in schools. Audio

6:10 PM.Leaders of some of the world's biggest economies will meet in a few hours time with the eurozone crisis and the possibility of a Greek default top of the agenda. Audio

6:08 PM.The woman who ran away with Westpac's money has been found guilty today of theft and money laundering. Audio

5:56 PM.Six hundred more properties in Christchurch were given the go ahead today for repairs and rebuilding to get underway, while another 200 owners were told there homes have to be abandoned. Audio

5:54 PM.Up to 60 jobs at an independent South Canterbury dairy factory are on the line, after the company went bust. Audio

5:51 PM.Waikato-Tainui leadership has called on Affco management and the Talley family to recognise the impact on-going industrial action at its North Island meat plants is having on the social fabric of… Read more Audio

5:47 PM.A group lauded by the Housing Minister for being better than the government at helping low income families buy their own home has had its government funding slashed. Audio

5:44 PM.A convicted sex offender who used false documents to work in six North Island primary schools, has been sentenced to more than four years in jail. Audio

5:37 PM.A jury took less than an hour at the Rotorua District Court this afternoon to convict Kara Hurring on all thirty charges she faced. Audio

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

5:25 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:23 PM.The police have revealed the 77-year-old Whanganui man found dead in his home yesterday morning was violently attacked. Audio

5:19 PM.The police are slashing 125 back office jobs in a bid to meet their tightened budget. Audio

5:12 PM.The last of the former directors of the failed finance giant Bridgecorp have been sentenced, with another substantial jail term to match that of boss Rod Petricevic handed down. Audio

5:08 PM.The woman who ran away with Westpac's millions has been found guilty today of theft and money laundering, but her lawyer says she's relieved. Audio

5:00 PM.Runaway with bank's millions relieved at guilty verdict; another former Bridgecorp director jailed; Police cut 125 back-room jobs; dead Whanganui man was violently attacked; Crown prosecutor comments… Read more Audio