Checkpoint for Friday 8 August 2014

6:56 PM.Multiple sclerosis patients were stunned today at long-awaited news that Pharmac may soon fund better drug treatments for the disease. Audio

6:55 PM.The uncle of James Takamore says the only way authorities will be able to remove his nephew's body from a Tuhoe cemetary is to put a bullet right between his eyes; Two Motiti Island groups fighting… Read more Audio

6:35 PM.Land sales to foreigners has again reared its head as a political issue just weeks out from the September the 20th election. Audio

6:25 PM.Southern drivers are being warned of a freeze tonight which could make the roads dangerously icy following a day of snow. Audio

6:21 PM.Six Northland iwi have joined forces to boost the numbers of Maori and Pasifika people learning a trade. Audio

6:18 PM.A Motiti Island hapu group has dismissed the Government's call for some of the Rena wreck to be remain on the Astrolab reef off the coast of Tauranga - accusing it of settling for a cosmetic clean up… Read more Audio

6:16 PM.The police are trying to piece together what went on when a man was killed in front of his partner after the couple stopped to eat takeaways in Papatoetoe. Audio

6:08 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:54 PM.A Kapiti Coast driver who seriously injured a friend in a game of chicken has been sentenced to five months community detention and ordered to pay seven thousand dollars in repairation. Audio

5:51 PM.TV3 has bowed to pressure and legal action and decided its minor party leaders debate will go ahead tomorrow as scheduled with the Conservative Party leader Colin Craig. Audio

5:48 PM.Two Motiti Island groups fighting for the wreck of the container ship Rena to be completely removed say saving money rather than the environment is the Government's top priorities; The uncle of James… Read more Audio

5:44 PM.BP has recalled some of its trucks in New Zealand after a petrol tank in Australia crashed killing three people, including a four year old boy. Audio

5:40 PM.More now on our lead story, of the family of a man whose body was meant to be disinterred near Opotiki today, are vowing to carry on passive resistance to prevent that for as long as it takes. Audio

5:36 PM.A man accused of slashing one woman's throat and injuring another, AND who police shot with both a Taser and a gun, has told a court the women aren't telling the truth. Audio

5:34 PM.Market update. Audio

5:24 PM.TV3 have been banned from holding their minor party leaders debate unless Conservative Party leader Colin Craig gets an invite. Audio

5:22 PM.The deeply troubled carrier, Malaysia Airlines is to be privatised ahead of a major restructure following the double disasters of MH370 and MH17. Audio

5:18 PM.The Palestinian militant organisation Hamas has rejected any extension of its three-day ceasefire with Israel, saying that Israel has failed to meet fundamental demands. Audio

5:12 PM.The U.S President Barack Obama has authorised targeted airstrikes in northern Iraq to blunt the onslaught of Islamic militants threatening the lives of thousands of refugees. Audio

5:08 PM.Hours after James Takamore's family blocked the exhumation of his body from the dirt at a Bay of Plenty marae, his uncle is vowing never to give up. Audio

5:00 PM.James Takamore's Bay of Plenty family vows never to give up, US authorises airstrikes in Iraq, Gaza rockets hit Israel as truce unravels, Malaysia Airlines to be delisted ahead of major restructuring… Read more Audio