Checkpoint Podcast Options

5:52 PM.More than 550 people narrowly escaped drowning on Wednesday after their smugglers' boat capsized in the Southern Mediterranean. Audio

5:47 PM.The Labour leader, Andrew Little, says today's Budget is not enough to fix New Zealand's biggest problems. Audio

5:42 PM.A hotel room shortage in Queenstown is raising concerns that international film productions could be deterred from bringing their business to the region. Audio

5:39 PM.The man charged with murdering his 10-year-old brother, Alex Fisher, has pleaded guilty. Ruth Hill was in court. Audio

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

5:23 PM.A grant of up to five-thousand dollars is being offered to people to leave Auckland - but what's waiting for them when they arrive in their new, regional home? Audio

5:11 PM.The Finance Minister, Bill English, discusses his eighth budget. Audio

5:09 PM.The Prime Minister, John Key, says Budget 2016 paints a picture of a country with a sparkling economy. But opposition parties say the Budget was a missed opportunity. Audio

6:52 PM.Tomorrow's budget dominates questions to ministers; Prime Minister continues to face questions about housing from Labour leader Andrew Little; Health Committee hears evidence on petition calling for a… Read more Audio

6:22 PM.The Wellington Sevens will remain in the capital for another three years. Wellington had been under pressure to hold onto the tournament after falling spectator numbers in recent years. Audio

6:08 PM.The Social Housing Minister has announced a $5000 grant to encourage people to move into empty state houses in cities other than Auckland. Audio

5:57 PM.A storm is brewing at an Auckland Catholic girls' school over the dress code for the ball. Year 12 and 13 students at St Dominics College have been given a list of rules for their dresses - no… Read more Audio

5:47 PM.The Warriors National Rugby League club has been thrown into further dissaray today with the announcement out-of-favour centre Konrad Hurrell has been axed from the team. And the Sevens will stay in… Read more Audio

5:44 PM.Auckland Transport is in a race against time to get Supergold cardholders to switch to its AT-HOP cards if they want to keep their free travel concessions. Audio

5:33 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:27 PM.Anxious patients with advanced melanoma are pushing for temporary access to the drug Opdivo while awaiting long-term decisions. Audio

5:23 PM.The police watchdog has outlined many mistakes that led to police failing to search for a suicidal man whose body was eventually found by a member of the public in the Waikato River. Audio

5:20 PM.Finance Minister Bill English is remaining typically tight-lipped about what's in the budget, though a few announcements have already been made. Audio

5:17 PM.As homeless children live in cars and garages, the government has been accused of breaching its obligations under the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child. Audio

5:10 PM.The government is offering people living in Auckland state housing or on its streets up to $5000 to leave the city and move to the regions. Audio