Checkpoint for Wednesday 28 August 2013

6:56 PM.About 4000 workers packed in the Events Centre in Manakau this afternoon to protest against the Employment Relations Amendment Bill, which is currently before a parliamentary select committee. Audio

6:54 PM.Ahead of tomorrow's decision about how the Christchurch Town Hall will be repaired, reporters have been taken on a tour of the quake damaged building. Audio

6:50 PM.Tenders are being sought for permits to explore for metallic minerals in the central volcanic region of the North Island; The chair of a collective of nine central Hawke's Bay Marae says it has… Read more Audio

6:47 PM.The wooden building products company, Tenon, is likely to be profitable in the current financial year after struggling in the housing market in the United States, its major market. Audio

6:42 PM.The nurses union is attacking what it says is the wide spread practice of rationing patient care. Audio

6:39 PM.The Australian Labour Party is increasing the pressure on the Opposition over its election policy costings in an attempt to convince voters a change of government would lead to savage spending cuts. Audio

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

6:24 PM.Share analysts say Mighty River Power's better-than-forecast profit will give a much needed boost in confidence to investors considering buying shares in the next state-owned company partial float -… Read more Audio

6:14 PM.The United States and its allies are moving closer to a military strike against Syria with the rebel National Coalition being told to expect something soon. Audio

6:08 PM.The botulism dairy scare has been proved wrong - new tests show Fonterra's milk powder was not contaminated with the bacteria that causes botulism after all. Audio

5:55 PM.The Housing Minister, Nick Smith, has defended his decision to stay on in his ministerial home for a couple of weeks, after resigning from Cabinet last year. Audio

5:53 PM.The police say a man who shot himself as officers moved in on him last night was the ex-partner of the woman killed in a double homicide in South Auckland. Audio

5:50 PM.The chair of a collective of nine central Hawke's Bay Marae says it has secured a written assurance from the local regional council - giving the group a say on the development of the Ruataniwha dam… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.Eighteen people have been arrested today in relation to six seperate gang shootings last year. Audio

5:40 PM.The Government is defending the use of Facebook to seek personal information on New Zealanders. Audio

5:36 PM.A High Court judge wiped tears from her eyes as she spoke of the tragic consequences of playing with guns. Audio

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

5:27 PM.Mighty River Power's annual profit has jumped by two thirds, due to lower costs and higher sales in its first result since its share listing. Audio

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

5:21 PM.More now on the shock new test results out today show there was no risk of botulism from Fonterra's milk powder. Audio

5:17 PM.The Prime Minister John Key has spoken to his Australian counterpart, Kevin Rudd this afternoon, about the mounting crisis in Syria. Audio

5:08 PM.Shock new test results out today show there was no risk of botulism in Fonterra's milk powder. Audio

5:00 PM.The botulism scare that never was. John Key and Kevin Rudd, hold discussions on the mounting crisis in Syria and Mighty River profit jumps by two thirds. Audio