Checkpoint for Tuesday 3 November 2015

6:52 PM.Marama Davidson takes Russel Norman's seat on the Green benches. MPs stand in silence in memory of Dr Bruce Gregory (Northern Maori 1980-1993) who died on Thursday. Prime Minister moves motion… Read more Audio

6:45 PM.US researchers have found the Southern Ocean is acidifying so quickly that key organisms in the food chain will struggle to survive as soon as 2030. Audio

6:43 PM.Solar energy enthusists are rejecting a warning from the Electricity Authority that rapid investment in solar technology with back-up batteries could be an expensive mistake. Audio

6:41 PM.Solar energy enthusists are rejecting a warning from the Electricity Authority that rapid investment in solar technology with back-up batteries could be an expensive mistake. Audio

6:35 PM.One of the country's biggest banks is signalling a slowdown may already be underway in Auckland's rampant house market. Audio

6:28 PM.A speed management project being piloted in Waikato could raise the speed limit on the expressway but cut it on other roads. Audio

6:24 PM.Scientist Bill Ballantine, who's hailed as the father of marine conservation in this country, has died aged 78. The Northlander was a driving force behind the creation of one of the world's first… Read more Audio

6:20 PM.A union representing health workers says it's not surprised that the police are spending more time dealing with accute mental health patients. The public sector union PSA says mental health remains… Read more Audio

6:12 PM.It's a New Zealand bred horse first and one raised here third in the Melbourne Cup, with Prince of Penzance carrying to victory the first ever woman to win Australasia's most famous race. Audio

6:08 PM.Filipino dairy workers who admit they lied when applying for a visa to work in New Zealand are being given another chance. Immigration New Zealand has been reviewing the past year's visa applications… Read more Audio

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

5:57 PM.Parliament has paid tribute to the All Blacks for winning the rugby world cup. Audio

5:56 PM.The Green Party has sworn in its newest MP, Marama Davidson, who will take on the Maori Development portfolio and become the fourth member of the party's Maori caucus. Her arrival means Parliament 20… Read more Audio

5:52 PM.Kim Dotcom's lawyer says none of the 13 charges against the internet businessman can be used to extradite him. Mr Dotcom and three other men face being sent to the United States on copyright… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.Wellington now has three suburbs where properties on average are valued at one million dollars, with more expected to join the club over coming years. Audio

5:38 PM.The rugby union won't be banking a truckload of money overnight despite having the only back-to-back winners in World Cup history. Audio

5:35 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:30 PM.New Zealand rich lister Sir Owen Glenn is toasting his Melbourne Cup success. Just a half hour ago his thoroughbred Criterion placed third in Australasia's biggest race. Audio

5:27 PM.The New Zealand bred horse and rank outsider Prince of Penzance has carried the first woman jockey to victory in the Melbourne Cup. The gelding burst from the pack in the final straight. Audio

5:26 PM.The Electricity Authority is warning that rapid investment in solar technology with back-up batteries could be an expensive mistake. It puts the potential wasted investment at up to $5 billion over… Read more Audio

5:24 PM.New Zealand bred horse Prince of Penzance has won the Melbourne Cup Audio

5:20 PM.The Finance Minister, Bill English, says the Government won't be reining in the record profits made by the country's main Australian-owned banks, as long as they pay their tax. BNZ, ANZ, Westpac and… Read more Audio

5:16 PM.The cash-strapped Canterbury District Health Board has come out on top today in a battle over finances with the Government. Relations between the DHB and the Ministry have been strained as the DHB's… Read more Audio

5:11 PM.A Hawkes Bay father, who called the local district health board for help, was told to call the police to deal with his daughter who was suffering from a psychotic episode. Audio

5:08 PM.The TAB's Mark Stafford comments on the first female jockey to win the Melbourne Cup. Audio

5:00 PM.Father told to go to police during daughter's psychotic episode; Govt gives stretched Canterbury DHB $16 million; NZ-bred horse carries first woman jockey to Melbourne Cup win; New rules for Filipino… Read more Audio