Checkpoint for Monday 16 December 2013

6:57 PM.Rimutaka Prison wants to expand a block for old inmates as the population that's locked up ages. Audio

6:55 PM.A resolution of sorts has been reached between a group of dissatisfied Cantabrians and their insurers, Southern Response. Audio

6:49 PM.Hundreds of wealthy Americans are using the Cook Islands to keep hundreds of millions of dollars safe from legal action if they get sued at home. Audio

6:46 PM.The Maori Council has told the Waitangi Tribunal that it is not for the Crown to make decisions about legislation which governs the council; Te Whanau a Apanui wants to align the education systems at… Read more Audio

6:39 PM.In an extraordinary move China's President Xi Jinping has launched a corruption investigation against the former feared head of domestic security - Zhou Yongkang. Audio

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

6:27 PM.Retailers are being told they shouldn't expect a spending boost despite a surge in consumer confidence. Audio

6:15 PM.The Government is increasing the financial incentives for international movies to be made here, and also for New Zealanders to make television programmes here. Audio

6:12 PM.A high-profile Auckland lawyer has been accused of charging legal aid services for clients he wasn't even approved to represent. Audio

6:08 PM.The Auckland mayor Len Brown is to face censure from his councillors and demands for change, after a marathon five and a half hour meeting over his failure to declare tens of thousands of dollars… Read more Audio

5:54 PM.The Maori Council has told the Waitangi Tribunal that it is not for the Crown to make decisions about legislation which governs the council; The Minister of Maori Affairs, Pita Sharples, wants… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.The Government is increasing the taxpayer funded rebate for big foreign-made movies from 15 to at least 20 and in some cases 25 percent, with the Avatar sequels in line for the biggest subsidy. Audio

5:40 PM.The mayor Len Brown is to be censured by his councillors, who disapprove of his failure to declare nearly $40,000 of free and upgraded hotel rooms. Audio

5:37 PM.The defence of a woman accused of murdering her husband for a life insurance payout has wrapped up in just four hours at the High Court in Christchurch today. Audio

5:34 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:28 PM.A man from Tolaga Bay has been sent to jail for at least 15 and a half years for murdering his neighbour because of an argument over a roaming puppy. Audio

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

5:20 PM.The Auckland mayor Len Brown is to face censure from his councillors and demands for change, after a marathon meeting over his failure to declare tens of thousands of dollars worth of free and… Read more Audio

5:16 PM.A private geriatric hospital in Auckland has been censured for failing to care for a woman who ended up dying of blood poisoning caused by infected bed sores. Audio

5:12 PM.Garry Little is the managing director of Digipost, an Auckland firm that did most of the post production on the TV series Spartacus, but has since laid off all of his dozens of staff. Audio

5:08 PM.The Government has signed a deal to have the next three Avatar movies made in New Zealand, but denies having to do a policy u-turn to get there. Audio

5:00 PM.The next three Avatar movies will be made in New Zealand after the Government changes its mind. A woman, not properly cared for in a geriatric hospital, dies from blood poisoning and Auckland mayor… Read more Audio