Checkpoint for Friday 4 March 2016

5:09 PM.Customs have seized 40 kilos of methamphetamine, valued around $40 million, and over $1 million in cash and luxury cars. Customs Investigation Manager Maurice O'Brien joins Checkpoint. Audio

5:13 PM.Police have responded to claims that Africans in Auckland received racist treatment. Superintendent Wally Haumaha joins Checkpoint. Audio

5:21 PM.And in a reserved decision released today, Prepared Produce Limited was fined $196,000 for six offences and ordered to pay $57,000 in reparation to three victims whose fingers were amputated in a belt… Read more Audio

5:23 PM.Wellington Night Shelter is making an urgent plea to ratepayers for extra money to keep the service open. Audio

5:27 PM.Hundreds of people have attended a funeral service at Orakei Marae for Dr Ranginui Walker, who died on Monday aged 83. Maori Issues correspondent Mihingarangi Forbes reports. Audio

5:36 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:39 PM.The crown has finished calling its witnesses in the trial of Russell Tully, the man accused of murdering Ashburton WINZ employees Peggy Noble and Leigh Cleveland. Sally Murphy reports. Audio

5:43 PM.Critics of the Trans-Pacific-Partnership, the TPPA, are calling on the Government not to make the same mistake when free trade talks start with the European Union, and keep them secret. Audio

5:47 PM.Mitt Romney, the Republican Party's last Presidential Candidate, he lost to Obama in 2012, has launched an almost unprecedented attack on Donald Trump. Audio

5:52 PM.Thursday will mark five years since a magnitude 9 earthquake struck Japan triggering a tsunami and killing almost 16,000 people. Audio

6:09 PM.Another opinion poll has shed doubt on the chances of a new flag for New Zealand. Audio

6:14 PM.Single sculler Mahe Drysdale and men's pair Hamish and Eric Murray will head New Zealand's biggest ever rowing team at the Rio Olympics in August. Audio

6:17 PM.The Breakers take on the Perth Wildcats in a must-win match tonight at the North Shore Events Centre. Audio

6:21 PM.With vote-counting underway in Samoa, which held its general election today, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia joins Checkpoint from the electoral office to discuss the results. Audio

6:23 PM.For her birthday, five-year-old Sophia Bidois asked friends to bring gifts for dogs in a South Auckland animal shelter, rather than presents for her. She and her mum joined Checkpoint. Audio

6:45 PM.Gang members and their families are now in the Government's sights, with the release of a multi-pronged anti-gang initiative. The Police Minister, and the Minister of Social Development have announced… Read more Audio