Checkpoint for Thursday 28 February 2013

6:56 PM.Business New Zealand says Fisher and Paykel's announcement of one hundred new research and development jobs reflects the manufacturing sector becoming more high tech. Audio

6:52 PM.MPs have been told that the plan to get rid of free family counselling, under changes to the Family Court, could lead to an increase in domestic violence. Audio

6:47 PM.The former Labour deputy prime minister, Sir Michael Cullen, is to monitor changes to Kohanga Reo; The co-chair of Te Kohanga Reo National Trust Board, Tina Olsen-Ratana, says Sir Michael is a good… Read more Audio

6:40 PM.Government agencies in America are resigning themselves to massive spending cuts as Democrats and Republicans show no signs of compromise over a looming budget crisis. Audio

6:37 PM.The Finance Minister has conceded that the Government's books could be worse off if it proceeds with its plan to partially privatise state-owned power companies. Audio

6:33 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:22 PM.News from the business sector. Audio

6:19 PM.Four new salmon farms have been approved for the Marlborough Sounds. Audio

6:11 PM.This country's biosecurity plans have serious weaknesses in how to deal with foot and mouth disease and other serious outbreaks. Audio

6:08 PM.The Government is being accused of ripping power off local authorities and stripping back safeguards in the Resource Mananagement Act with its proposed changes. Audio

5:56 PM.New research has revealed the strain of the kiwifruit vine killing bacteria Psa-V, which is responsible for the outbreak in the north island and has hammered the industry, came directly from China. Audio

5:53 PM.Muriwai Lifeguards say they've looked at video shot after yesterday's fatal shark attack and believe the shark is dead. Audio

5:50 PM.The former Labour deputy prime minister, Sir Michael Cullen, is to monitor changes to Kohanga Reo; The co-chair of Te Kohanga Reo National Trust Board, Tina Olsen-Ratana, says Sir Michael is a good… Read more Audio

5:42 PM.Proposals for a major revamp of the Resource Management Act are being described by one environmental group as ripping out its heart. Audio

5:37 PM.The Public Service Association says many of the more than one hundred health and safety inspectors being forced to reapply for new positions are warning they might take redundancy or change jobs… Read more Audio

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

5:27 PM.Ralph Hotere has been praised as a great pioneering artist on a quest for justice. Audio

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

5:19 PM.The environment watchdog has approved new salmon farms for the Marlborough Sounds in the face of conservationists' opposition, but it will be at least two years until they open. Audio

5:15 PM.This country's plans to deal with a devastating outbreak of foot and mouth disease are being called significantly weak by the Auditor General. Audio

5:12 PM.Gary Chadderton was Diane White's partner - he says the report doesn't mean much to him. Audio

5:07 PM.The police have apologised to the family of a murdered Hamilton woman and say they could have prevented her death if they had acted sooner. Audio