Checkpoint for Monday 17 September 2012

6:57 PM.The fight back has begun in Christchurch against a proposal to close or merge 31 schools with news today two schools have laid complaints with the Waitangi Tribunal. Audio

6:55 PM.An alcohol policy lobby group says that by not lowering the drink-drive limit, the Government is siding with bars. Audio

6:51 PM.The Maori Council is looking to take control of Maori Wardens from the government department, Te Puni Kokiri; An opposition MP says plans to merge two Christchurch kura kaupapa Maori would be like… Read more Audio

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

6:26 PM.Consumer confidence has picked up slightly, despite more people feeling financially worse off. Audio

6:22 PM.A community safety group has met in Whanganui to help reassure locals they will be protected from the serial sex offender, Stewart Murray Wilson. Audio

6:15 PM.An increasing number of commercial landlords are selling off buildings for less than they paid for them because they can't afford either the insurance or the cost of earthquake strengthening. Audio

6:08 PM.Thousands of soldiers, sailors and other Defence force workers are to get a big pay rise, but some will also have to pay more in rent. Audio

5:55 PM.The police in Australia are tracing a chain of text messages which led to a massive riot in Sydney over a controversial anti-Islamic film. Audio

5:51 PM.The Maori Council is looking to take control of Maori Wardens from the government department, Te Puni Kokiri; An opposition MP says plans to merge two Christchurch kura kaupapa Maori would be like… Read more Audio

5:46 PM.The private investigation into the killing of Feilding farmer Scott Guy is already looking into what a spokesperson describes as interesting information about the death. Audio

5:43 PM.To the U.K now and lawyers representing Prince William and his wife the Duchess of Cambridge are going to the court in Paris today to bring a criminal complaint against the editor of Closer magazine… Read more Audio

5:40 PM.The Prime Minister has again expressed confidence in his beleaguered minister John Banks despite the release of police statements last week alleging Mr Banks knew about donations made to his 2010… Read more Audio

5:39 PM.A fresh economic forecast has poured cold water on Government hopes of returning to surplus by 2015. Audio

5:36 PM.The United States' defence secretary has warned that China and Japan could end up at war if their governments keep on provoking each other. Audio

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

5:27 PM.A teenager has appeared in court accused of a fatal hit and run in Christchurch at the weekend. Audio

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

5:20 PM.Defence Force staff are to get a pay rise of an average 5.7%. Audio

5:15 PM.The Mayor Jenny Rowan has since confirmed there'll be more police patrols in the area of the killing. Audio

5:13 PM.Supporters of a 24 year old labourer charged with murder gave him a Nazi salute when he appeared in the Porirua District Court today. Audio

5:10 PM.Listening to that, the national secretary of the Tramways Union, Gary Froggatt. Audio

5:07 PM.A mass strike by Auckland's bus drivers is back on the cards after a breakdown in pay talks today. Audio

5:00 PM.A mass strike by Auckland bus drivers is back on the cards. A Nazi salute in court for a man charged with murder in Kapiti and a big pay rise for soldiers and sailors, but a rent rise too. Audio