Checkpoint for Monday 6 May 2013

6:55 PM.The Prime Minister has ruled out changing the law to allow parties to sue negligent tourism operators. Audio

6:52 PM.A disability lawyer is calling for the owners of the Parklands residential care home to be jailed, following the release of damning documents. Audio

6:48 PM.Parliament's Speaker will this week formally declare the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat vacant, following the death of its MP, Labour's Parekura Horomia; The Government is setting aside a 12 million dollar… Read more Audio

6:45 PM.Structural engineers say low quality steel is making its way into the New Zealand market and tighter quality controls are needed. Audio

6:41 PM.The crisis at Surf Life Saving Australia has worsened with claims today that senior referees at a carnival were warned about dangerous surf in the run up to the drowning of a teenage competitor last… Read more Audio

6:37 PM.Four industrial abseiling contractors say they have grave concerns they have spread white asbestos through Christchurch Hospital. Audio

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

6:25 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:16 PM.The head of America's NRA says heavy-handed firearm laws and a disapproving attitude towards gun ownership left locals vulnerable during the hunt for those behind the Boston Marathon bombings. Audio

6:13 PM.Medical specialists say extra government funding to fight rheumatic fever is a significant step and sorely needed. Audio

6:10 PM.The Government is confident its books will be back to surplus in 2014-15 after the latest set of accounts showed a steady improvement in its financial position. Audio

5:52 PM.The Sensible Sentencing Trust has launched a new website which publishes judicial decisions and grades the performance of judges using playing cards. Audio

5:49 PM.Parliament's Speaker will this week formally declare the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat vacant, following the death of its MP, Labour's Parekura Horomia; A by-election in the Ikaroa-Rawhiti electorate is… Read more Audio

5:46 PM.The final cost of the fatal tornado which struck West Auckland last year has come in at 16-million dollars. Audio

5:44 PM.A gay Auckland man has taken his fight to become an Anglican priest to the Human Rights Tribunal. Audio

5:36 PM.A Whanganui police officer is on trial accused of seeking sexual favours from a woman in exchange for not charging her with driving offences. Audio

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

5:28 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:25 PM.A High Court jury has heard that a Christchurch man killed his former partner with a military-style sleeper hold because he was jealous and wanted revenge. Audio

5:21 PM.The Prime Minister has written to the New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, seeking his support for changes to the intelligence laws. Audio

5:18 PM.With the latest on conditions, the Wellington City Council spokesperson, Richard MacLean. Audio

5:15 PM.Heavy rain in Wellington has cut power to scores of central city homes and businesses. Audio

5:09 PM.Four industrial abseiling contractors say they have grave fears they've spread white asbestos through Christchurch Hospital. Audio

5:00 PM.Abseilers fear they've tracked asbestos through hospital; Businesses feeling the effects of Wellington flooding; The latest from the Wellington City Council; National seeks New Zealand First's support… Read more Audio