Checkpoint for Monday 3 October 2016

5:29 PM.The Prime Minister says it is hard to put a specific figure on how many children live in poverty in New Zealand - but the Salvation Army disagrees, and meanwhile, says the problem is ever increasing.

5:43 PM.A young Dunedin cleaner killed his supervisor because she was complaining against him according to the Crown. Ian Telfer reports. Audio

5:49 PM.Turnout in the current local body elections is up from previous years in the South Island, as the voting period nears its end. Audio

5:54 PM.The Government has unveiled a new plan to boost kiwi numbers above 100-thousand by 2030, but the Greens say it relies on more than a million dollars from charity to work. Audio

5:57 PM.New Years Eve celebrations which attract thousands of young people at Mount Maunganui could be canned after they were deemed too costly and unsafe. Audio

6:07 PM.The former Conservative CEO Christine Rankin, recounts what it was like to work in the Party while a scandal unfolded within its ranks. Audio

6:11 PM.As resident doctors around the country announce strike action over working conditions, the DHBs they work for say they're mystified by the union's claims and have tried to fix the issues. Alex Ashton… Read more Audio

6:20 PM.Figures release to RNZ show a policy to encourage skilled migrants to leave Auckland is not working as desired - and experts blame a lack of jobs in the regions. Audio

6:27 PM.The historic Auckland ferry which sunk in March, the Kestrel, will be made into a restaurant and hotel. Audio