Checkpoint for Tuesday 20 November 2012

6:55 PM.The number of babies being born is at its lowest level in seven years, even as the number of people dying creeps up. Audio

6:52 PM.Cash-strapped agencies helping victims of sexual abuse and rape fear cutbacks will lead to more mental health problems and suicides. Audio

6:48 PM.Politicians have been asking questions about the treaty claims settlement bill for Ngati Whatua o Kaipara; A move to boost saving and financial literacy among Maori has been launched as part of the… Read more Audio

6:43 PM.The Fiji Tuna Boat Owners Association says local tuna companies in the Pacific could be forced to close if the number of Chinese fishing boats in the area keeps increasing. Audio

6:40 PM.The Law Society says the same-sex marriage bill as it stands could criminalise church ministers who refuse to wed gay couples. Audio

6:35 PM.Christchurch property owners in the way of the central city rebuild say they're being offered too little to move on and could be forced out of the CBD entirely. Audio

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

6:23 PM.Continued expansion into the Middle East and a restructure of Burger Fuel's New Zealand business has lifted the company's profit. Audio

6:10 PM.The death toll in Gaza has now risen to 109 with Israeli strikes into the territory killing 32 Palestians in bloodiest day so far in almost a week of violence. Audio

6:07 PM.David Shearer has been given the unanimous backing of his caucus as the leader of the Labour party. Audio

5:53 PM.The world's first confirmed 'fire tornado' - a lethal towering inferno - has been documented by Australian researchers. Audio

5:49 PM.The Sydney collar bomber has been jailed for at least 10 years. Audio

5:46 PM.Politicians have been asking questions about the treaty claims settlement bill for Ngati Whatua o Kaipara; A move to boost saving and financial literacy among Maori has been launched as part of the… Read more Audio

5:42 PM.Primary school teachers are being warned in paid union meetings this week that their latest pay offer paves the way for the Government to introduce performance pay. Audio

5:39 PM.Our Political Editor Brent Edwards has just come from David Shearer's news conference. Audio

5:35 PM.Egypt says a deal for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas could be close with the Israeli cabinet reported to be considering Egypt's plan to stop the escalating violence. Audio

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

5:26 PM.Sir Peter Jackson's film company has admitted several animals did die while it was making the Hobbit movies, including three horses in what it called "unfortunate accidents". Audio

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

5:21 PM.The Labour leader David Shearer has just begun his news conference on the party's leadership vote. Audio

5:17 PM.The principal of a Timaru boy suspected of being abducted says the community is shocked by what's happened and the school has now reassessed all its procedures to keep pupils safe. Audio

5:09 PM.China is calling on New Zealand to export more milk and wood products in talks at the East Asia summit, in a potentially big boost to the two countries' 14 billion dollar trade. Audio

5:07 PM.Just over an hour ago Labour Party MPs began an urgent caucus meeting at Parliament to vote on the leadership of the party. Audio

5:00 PM.Labour MPs vote on the party leadership. China demands more from NZ exporters and Timaru school checks safety procedures after suspected abduction. Audio