Checkpoint for Monday 2 September 2013

6:53 PM.An expert in electoral systems in the Pacific says the new proportional representation system planned for Fiji is a radical change from the past and will be a challenge for the country. Audio

6:49 PM.Labour's Maori council has come out in support of Shane Jones - in his bid to become the party's next leader; The former Labour government cabinet minister, John Tamihere, says even if Shane Jones… Read more Audio

6:44 PM.Fears about the effect of the government's SkyCity convention centre deal have been expressed to politicans in a round of public submissions. Audio

6:42 PM.MPs have been warned that school pupils and hospital patients could be casualties of proposed changes to employment laws. Audio

6:40 PM.A bank robbery in South Auckland has ended with three people badly hurt in hospital as their getaway car crashed into a ute on the motorway near Papakura. Audio

6:37 PM.The Australian Labour Party has just four days to turn around public opinion polls which suggest it is heading for a heavy defeat in this Saturday's federal election. Audio

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

6:24 PM.News from the business sector. Audio

6:22 PM.Residents of Russell in the Bay of Islands are upset the township's only bank is about to close in two weeks time. Audio

6:18 PM.The Prime Minister, John Key, says a referendum on asset sales is a waste of money, but one will be held in the next 12 months. Audio

6:13 PM.The Obama administration has started extensive lobbying on Capitol Hill in a bid to try and secure Congressional approval for a military strike on Syria. Audio

6:08 PM.The United States is asking the New Zealand Government to give its moral support for a military strike on Syria. Audio

5:56 PM.The police in Invercargill are speaking to the parents of a baby who has suffered life threatening injuries. Audio

5:51 PM.The Japanese government is abandoning its hands-off approach to the Fukushima nuclear power plant clean up after astonishing revelations that radiation levels are far higher than first thought. Audio

5:48 PM.A prominent Maori leader opposed to asset sales, says he's excited by news a referendum is to be held on the Government's asset sales programme; Labour's Maori council has come out in support of Shane… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.The Auckland Council's water company has admitted failing workers caught in a gas explosion inside a watermain that killed one and led to another losing his legs. Audio

5:36 PM.A court's heard of a nightime crime spree which lead to the killing of a rookie security guard, and the accused going drinking after delivering the fatal blow. Audio

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

5:28 PM.Thousands of people have thronged the streets of Napier to congratulate the Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby team on winning the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in more than 40 years. Audio

5:25 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:21 PM.The Government is determined to carry on with its asset sales despite a public referendum that will now be held on the controversial programme. Audio

5:17 PM.A bank robber was set upon by a passerby but managed to escape, only to then crash in the getaway car while being chased by police in South Auckland. Audio

5:07 PM.The United States' Secretary of State, John Kerry, has asked the New Zealand Government whether it would give moral support for a military intervention in Syria. Audio

5:00 PM.The United States asks New Zealand to provide moral support for a military intervention in Syria. A bank robber set-upon by locals, crashes his getaway car, closing part of Auckland's southern… Read more Audio