Checkpoint for Friday 12 June 2015

5:00 PM.Manhunt on for sex attacker who stomped woman on lunchbreak;Club player banned for 45 weeks for vicious shoulder charge;Kauri tree-climber convicted but escapes punishment - for now;PM Abbott refuses… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.A manhunt is underway for a man who sexually assaulted a woman at knifepoint on her lunchbreak in Lower Hutt. Audio

5:10 PM.A young club rugby player has been banned for an entire season for a vicious shoulder charge, described as a sledgehammer tackle, that caused horrific injuries to an opposing player. Audio

5:14 PM.A man who spent three days trying to protect a threatened Kauri tree in Auckland, by camping out high in its branches, has been formally convicted, but has escaped punishment. Audio

5:17 PM.The Australian Prime Minister has refused to deny his officials have paid people smugglers to go away saying they'll stop the boats by 'hook or by crook'. Audio

5:21 PM.A currency analyst is predicting the falling New Zealand dollar could slump to its lowest mark against the US greenback since the global financial crisis. Audio

5:27 PM.In Melbourne, a 17 year old's failed get-rich-quick scheme that cost his elite private school classmates thousands, could yet result in criminal charges. Audio

5:35 PM.Activity in the manufacturing sector is still growing, but not as fast as it has been. Audio

5:38 PM.More than a week after Dunedin suffered it's once in a 100 years downpour, the city council now says more than 1200 properties have been flooded. Audio

5:40 PM.Wellington's water company says it can't afford the multi-million dollar suggestions on how to stop flooding around the Basin Reserve. Audio

5:43 PM.The Crown says Cissy Chen was murdered by her long-time partner, who she was about to break up with and have him cut from her will. Audio

5:45 PM.A sovereignty group is calling for the Maori flag to hold equal status to the New Zealand flag; Papakainga, or multi-generational housing, are on the cards for state housing tenants in Tamaki, in… Read more Audio

5:46 PM.A man who took part in an advertising scam described by the Crown as a parasitic crime, motivated by greed, is tonight beginning a 3-year jail sentence. Audio

5:55 PM.Researchers who've been trying to find letters written by Anne Frank's father to his Australian pen pals, have made a New Zealand connection. Audio

6:05 PM.An update from the team at Radio NZ. Audio

6:15 PM.Indonesian prosecutors in Bali say they're only seeking an 18 year jail sentence, not the death penalty, for New Zealander Antony Glen de Malmanche, accused of smuggling methamphetamine into… Read more Audio

6:20 PM.New Zealand neuroscientists say they've reached an 'exciting' phase in the development of a new drug for spinal cord injuries. Audio

6:23 PM.A hardy handful of protesters gathered around their local post box in New Plymouth today, with one saying he might chain himself to it. Audio

6:26 PM.Victims of paedophile priests have shrugged off the Pope's latest move to hold accountable bishops who've covered up abuse. Audio

6:35 PM.Not long after Labour elected Andrew Little as leader he announced the party would confront what he said was one of the biggest challenges facing New Zealand: the future of work. Audio

6:48 PM.A sovereignty group is calling for the Maori flag to hold equal status to the New Zealand flag; Papakainga, or multi-generational housing, are on the cards for state housing tenants in Tamaki, in… Read more Audio

6:56 PM.Vanuatu has dumped its prime minister yet again, at a crucial time for the country's recovery from Cyclone Pam. Audio