Checkpoint for Wednesday 21 October 2015

5:00 PM.Midwives pan research about child deaths as scaremongering; Police Minister confident new penalties will result in fewer fleeing drivers; A woman arrested for faking work visa applications; Farming… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.Pregnancies supervised by newly graduated midwives are much more likely to end in a baby's death. Audio

5:12 PM.Drivers who flee police will now have their licence disqualified for at least six months and could lose their car, under tougher penalties announced today. Audio

5:16 PM.A woman has been arrested for faking work visa applications on behalf of Filipinos trying to get a job in the dairy industry in New Zealand. Audio

5:21 PM.Dirty water, poor quality pasture and threatened marine species are front and centre in the first state of the environment report in eight years. Audio

5:25 PM.Councils could be forced to zone more land for housing, if section prices rise too far. Audio

5:29 PM.The Labour Party has confirmed Annette King as its deputy leader. Audio

5:35 PM.Sky Network Television expects its full-year net profit to be as much as 11 percent down on the year earlier, as additional programme expenses and new subscriber services increase costs. Audio

5:38 PM.A Christchurch woman who's failed to get a High Court to lift the name suppression on her sex-abuser says the fight is not over. Audio

5:42 PM.New Zealand's rowers have been snubbed by the international body, FISA, with none making the shortlist for the World Rower of the Year Awards. Audio

5:45 PM.The record influx of immigrants shows no sign of slowing. Audio

5:48 PM.Māori Television is to remain in Auckland. Audio

5:51 PM.A Taranaki whanau says its heart has been ripped apart by a drunk driver who killed a teenage family member. Audio

5:55 PM.Graves in Rarotonga's so-called Brych yard are being washed away by the sea. This is the cemetery where many patients of the disgraced 1970s cancer therapist Milan Brych are buried. There seems to be… Read more Audio

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

6:12 PM.Pregnancies supervised by newly graduated midwives are much more likely to end in a baby's death - according to Otago University researchers. Audio

6:18 PM.A Police Sergeant who arrested Michael Preston recalls the accused killer appearing calm and undisturbed by a large contingent of armed Police surrounding his property. Audio

6:19 PM.Opposition parties say the latest State of the Environment report makes for depressing reading. Audio

6:25 PM.A Perth bikie gang leader is challenging the Australian Immigration Minister's decision to deport him back to New Zealand because of his bad character. Audio

6:28 PM.The Police Minister is confident that tougher penalties for drivers who flee officers will send them a message it won't be tolerated. Audio

6:35 PM.A teacher accused of sexually abusing a boy has wept in Court as she denied sleeping with him or sending him text messages. Audio

6:38 PM.Police have released photos of the bedding found wrapped around the body of 10-year-old Alex Fisher, as they continue to piece together what happened. Audio

6:45 PM.A Golden Bay couple are preparing to sue the police over the way they were treated during the investigation into the 1080 blackmail case. Audio

6:47 PM.Amy Adams answers questions on crime statistics and broadband - and gets a ringing endorsement from her Prime Minister; Andrew Little asks John Key about foreign investment in land; Two Government… Read more Audio