Checkpoint for Wednesday 18 March 2015

6:50 PM.PM questioned about hungry children. Stoush over Northland continues. Audio

6:48 PM.An infectious disease specialist says the prospect of a safe, effective and affordable vaccine to combat rheumatic fever is a huge step forward; The director of a Maori film festival says it's… Read more Audio

6:45 PM.The New Zealand First leader has accused the Government of trying to mislead Northland voters during the by-election campaign. Audio

6:43 PM.Infectious disease experts are calling for new rules on an antibiotic skin cream for children as research shows the ointment is driving the spread of life threatening hospital superbugs. Audio

6:40 PM.Environment Minister, Nick Smith, says returning to a fully elected Canterbury Regional Council would carry too many risks. Audio

6:35 PM.A target of New Zealand spying who worked in the Solomon Islands Prime Minister's Office suspects the information was passed on to China. Audio

6:22 PM.The father of New Zealander, Philip Blackwood, says he is worried for his son, whom he hasn't not been able to speak to since he was arrested in Myanmar four months ago. Audio

6:20 PM.The Government's been accused of half-measures in its attempt to cool the overheated housing market. Audio

6:14 PM.In cyclone-hit Tuvalu, the entire population of 541 on one island is crammed into community halls, and the church and school. Audio

6:10 PM.A Northland group campaigning for the sealing of dusty and dangerous roads has been told by a National MP to back off until after the by-election. Audio

6:05 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:55 PM.An infectious disease specialist says the prospect of a safe, effective and affordable vaccine to combat rheumatic fever is a huge step forward. The disease affects people in a number of Maori… Read more Audio

5:53 PM.The Government is refusing to say when Canterbury people will get a fully elected regional council. Audio

5:53 PM.Struck off lawyer Davina Murray had three complaints upheld against her in the space of her five year legal career, including billing her ex-partner's estate for more than 60 thousand dollars, despite… Read more Audio

5:50 PM.The Cricket World Cup quarter-finals are now underway, with Sri Lanka taking on South Africa at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Audio

5:42 PM.The Crown institute AgResearch has been told to write a much more detailed case to justify a job-changing and controversial overhaul it has already begun. Audio

5:37 PM.A High Court jury has heard that Mark Lundy told a fellow inmate he was in jail because his daughter had seen what he was doing to his wife. Audio

5:35 PM.The New Zealand dollar is range-bound today, after falling overnight in line with weaker global dairy prices. Audio

5:25 PM.Israel's general elections appears to have ended in a dead heat between the two main parties. Audio

5:20 PM.The father of a New Zealander jailed for insulting the Buddhist religion in Myanmar, says he and his wife are shocked and hurt by the court's decision. Audio

5:17 PM.We spoke to our reporter Koroi Hawkins in Mele. Audio

5:16 PM.A New Zealand military plane has touched down on one of the worst-hit Vanuatuan islands, amid reports that aid is being held up in warehouses - but the Hercules C-130 didn't bring any food. Audio

5:10 PM.Alex Wright says Dr Reti was trying to bully her. Audio

5:06 PM.A Northland group campaigning to get its dusty and dangerous forestry roads to be sealed, has been told by a National MP to back off until after the by-election. Audio

5:00 PM.Northland MP tells dusty roads campaigners to back off;Alex Wright on being told to back off;NZ plane with aid touches down on hard-hit island;Our reporter Koroi Hawkins in Vanuatu;Philip Blackwood's… Read more Audio