Checkpoint for Friday 24 May 2013

6:53 PM.The former heard of the Kohanga Reo movement, Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, says schools should use the Whanau Ora welfare scheme approach to health and social development; An Auckland Maori health… Read more Audio

6:38 PM.Bidding for new petroleum exploration permits began today as the Government opens up a vast expanse of off shore areas to deep sea mining. Audio

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

6:22 PM.Shares in accounting software company Xero sank more than 5 percent today after news that the sharemarket darling faces a new competitor in Australia. Audio

6:21 PM.Education experts are asking the Government to give more money to poor families and expand the Whanau Ora social and health programme to schools. Audio

6:17 PM.Many people with red- zoned properties in Christchurch are angry they haven't been told how to get an extension to their move-out deadline. Audio

6:11 PM.Barack Obama has defended his controversial drone programme and at the same time revealed that four Americans have been among its victims. Audio

6:08 PM.An investigation into physical assault and abuse at homes for intellectually disabled people has described the service as seriously dysfunctional. Audio

5:57 PM.The Government is promising extra money to house homeless young people though it is not saying how much. Audio

5:50 PM.The Second World War's longest lasting military campaign has been remembered on its 70th anniversary at a wreath-laying ceremony in Wellington today. Audio

5:46 PM.The former heard of the Kohanga Reo movement, Dame Iritana Tawhiwhirangi, says schools should use the Whanau Ora welfare scheme approach to health and social development; An Auckland Maori health… Read more Audio

5:41 PM.Official figures show a trade surplus of 157 million dollars in April, the fourth year in a row that exports have exceeded imports for that month. Audio

5:37 PM.An investigation into physical assault and abuse at homes for intellectually disabled people has described the service as seriously dysfunctional. Audio

5:36 PM.Back now to the fire which has engulfed one of Queenstown's most popular bars, forcing evacuations in the centre of town. Audio

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

5:26 PM.The eleven year, 77 test career of All Blacks lock Ali Williams has come to end. Audio

5:24 PM.Maritime New Zealand says it will be detaining a water taxi that collided with a commuter ferry in Auckland at about 8 o'clock this morning while it investigates what happened. Audio

5:21 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:16 PM.Criminal defence lawyers are claiming victory after the Court of Appeal ruled that some of the Government's contentious legal aid changes are illegal. Audio

5:10 PM.An investigation into physical assault and abuse at homes for intellectually disabled people has described the service as seriously dysfunctional. Audio

5:08 PM.A fire has engulfed one of Queenstown's most popular bars, forcing evacuations in the centre of town. Audio

5:00 PM.Queenstown bar engulfed in flames. Investigation into abuse finds homes seriously dysfunctional. Maritime NZ detains vessel involved in Auckland Harbour collision. The eleven year, 77 test career of… Read more Audio