Checkpoint for Tuesday 21 January 2014

6:57 PM.There have been 19 car crashes in just 24 hours in the Waikato region, forcing police to urge people to slow down around crash scenes. Audio

6:50 PM.The magnitude 6.2 earthquake has been a wake up call for the lower North Island tribe of Ngati Toa to hurry up and complete a kaumatua safety plan; If the National Party wins the next general… Read more Audio

6:47 PM.The United Nations has done an about-face, withdrawing its invitation to Iran to join the peace conference on the Syria crisis. Audio

6:41 PM.New South Wales is bringing in tough new laws against street violence including mandatory eight-year jail sentences for fatal assaults fuelled by drugs or drink. Audio

6:38 PM.Markets have been taken by surprise by a rise in inflation due to higher international air fares and housing costs offsetting weaker food prices. Audio

6:28 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:25 PM.The Wairarapa District Health Board has admitted making mistakes that led to an 82 year old man being given the wrong drugs and dying. Audio

6:22 PM.Inflation was much worse than expected in the December quarter with higher international air fares as well as rising housing and dairy prices to blame. Audio

6:19 PM.An electrical neon artwork may have started the fire which destroyed one of the country's most significant art collections. Audio

6:17 PM.The Earthquake Commission is already dealing with more than six hundred and fifty claims arising from the 6.2 magnitude earthquake, mostly from Wellington, Wairarapa and Manawatu. Audio

6:09 PM.In his first move of election year, the Prime Minister has paved the way for the Conservative Party leader Colin Craig to become the kingmaker after New Zealanders go to the polls. Audio

5:57 PM.To the Australian tennis Open, where there's been another upset with teenager, Eugenie Bouchard, beating the former world number one, Ana Ivanovic. Audio

5:55 PM.The judge in the Easy Rider case is worried about the witnesses being called by the woman defending herself over the boat's sinking in 2012 that claimed eight lives. Audio

5:52 PM.There are significant safety, supervision, care, and protection flaws at a Maori language pre-school in Taranaki; A joint government and police programme is being credited with significantly helping… Read more Audio

5:44 PM.A report has found an elderly man died after being given a drug meant for heart attacks instead of a stroke. The Wairarapa District Health Board says it accepts full responsibility for the mistakes in… Read more Audio

5:37 PM.The Prime Minister in his opening move of election year has outlined who he'd rather make deals with if it comes to forming to a new government. Audio

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

5:27 PM.A fire that's engulfed one of the country's leading private art collections may have been started by one of the sculptures themselves. Audio

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

5:19 PM.More than six hundred claims have so far been lodged with the Earthquake Commission as the damage caused by the 6.2 magnitude earthquake in the lower North Island becomes clearer. Wairarapa's Civil… Read more Audio

5:07 PM.In his opening move of election year, the Prime Minister has outlined who he'd rather make deals with if it comes to forming to a new government. Audio

5:00 PM.Key outlines who he'll work with after election; Gales cut power to Aucklanders; 600 quake claims so far; Judge worried about defence witnesses in Easy Rider trial; and fire destroys significant New… Read more Audio