Checkpoint for Thursday 19 December 2013

5:07 PM.Len Brown is still the mayor of Auckland tonight after surviving his biggest test in front of the Auckland Council. Audio

5:15 PM.The police have admitted their initial investigation into the woman dubbed the Black Widow was below standard and failed to trigger a homicide inquiry when it should have. Audio

5:21 PM.The way police dealt with a woman's complaint was grossly inadequate and failed to protect her from an ex-partner who was breaching a protection order and threatening to kill her. Audio

5:29 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

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

5:38 PM.A High Court judge has slammed a former Christchurch police officer telling him that his behavior was sleazy, if not pathetic. Audio

5:42 PM.The swift recovery in the farming sector from drought has boosted economic activity to its fastest pace in nearly four years. Audio

5:45 PM.An earthquake community group in Canterbury says a damning report on the ineffectiveness of the Earthquake Commission highlights the frustration of getting information on their own homes. Audio

5:49 PM.A Human Rights Commission reports - sparked by multiple complaints - has found innocent people caught up in the 2007 Te Urewera raids had their mana trampled; The Labour Party has chosen former iwi… Read more Audio

5:52 PM.The mother of a woman who was killed after police failed to act on complaints about her former partner says she's still very angry about what happened. Audio

5:56 PM.The Department of Conservation appears to be gearing up to spend millions of dollars extra on 1080 poison drops next year to combat a predicted pest boom. Audio

6:08 PM.Len Brown remains mayor of Auckland tonight after surviving the biggest test of his career in front of the Auckland Council. Audio

6:21 PM.Two office buildings in Wellington are being abandoned by tenants after having their earthquake strength ratings seriously downgraded. Audio

6:23 PM.The NZX is celebrating what it says was a tremendous 2013 marked by increased listings, trading activity, and participation in the markets. Audio

6:26 PM.In America, a White House panel has recommended significant curbs on the National Security Agency's sweeping electronic surveillance programmes. Audio

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

6:40 PM.Len Brown has been censured by councillors but avoided a vote of no confidence in unprecedented scenes at the Auckland council today. Audio

6:48 PM.The Labour Party has chosen former iwi chair and businessman, Adrian Rurawhe, to contest the Te Tai Hauauru seat at next year's election; A Human Rights Commission reports - sparked by multiple… Read more Audio

6:53 PM.More now from the Human Rights Commission which says the police exposed innocent people to unnecessary trauma during the Urewera raids, but it hopes the victims don't try to pursue it through the… Read more Audio