Checkpoint Podcast Options

6:37 PM.Hawke's Bay voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to amalgamate five councils into one. Audio

6:29 PM.A report by the Federation of Family Budgeting Services shows the total amount of unpaid debts held by those it helps, has dropped. Audio

6:24 PM.An emeritus professor of political science at the University of Sydney, Rod Tiffen, says Australian politicians are far more ruthless now than ever before. Audio

6:21 PM.The Prime Minister says while Malcolm Turnbull will be a more moderate face for the top job in Australia, it will be business as usual for trans Tasman relations. Audio

6:16 PM.Silver Fern Farms says a new deal with China's largest meat company will turbo charge its growth. Audio

6:06 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:55 PM.Porirua hit the headlines recently with a public outcry against the council imposing regulations on car-washing to prevent contamination of the stormwater network. Audio

5:52 PM.A New Plymouth taxi firm is a little red faced after one of its drivers lost control of his car in the city's maternity ward car park. Audio

5:48 PM.The Government says it will spend more money on social services for those most in need; if that's what's needed. Audio

5:47 PM.A committee set up to examine fresh water quality issues in the Porirua catchment will soon begin consulting with the community; the Productivity Commission's report into social services has found… Read more Audio

5:44 PM.The Prime Minister has told Labour to man-up and be honest with the public over its position on changing the flag. Audio

5:42 PM.Christchurch residents are cutting back on food, and the elderly are turning off their heaters in order to pay their increasing rates bills. Audio

5:37 PM.Hawkes Bay voters have overwhelmingly rejected a proposal to amalgamate five councils into one. Audio

5:34 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:29 PM.About 30 protestors have been arrested after clashing with police trying to stop them storming the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade building in Wellington. Audio

5:22 PM.The former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has blamed a febrile media culture and poll-driven panic for his demise in his final speech as the country's leader. Audio

5:21 PM.The police have made several arrests throughout the country after a haul of methamphetamine with a street value of one million dollars was found in a car at the ferry terminal at Picton early this… Read more Audio

5:18 PM.It's been revealed in Parliament that the private prison operator Serco has been let off hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines for serious contract breaches. Audio

5:14 PM.China's largest meat company is taking a half share in Silver Fern Farms by investing $261 million in the meat processor. Audio

5:12 PM.A man was killed at a massive explosion from a fuel tank at a factory in South Auckland. Reporter Mohamed Hassan is at the scene. Audio

5:08 PM.A man killed at a massive explosion from a fuel tank at a factory in South Auckland was apparently weilding on top of the silo just minutes before it blew up. Audio

5:00 PM.Man welding a fuel tank in Wiri as it exploded, Reporter at scene of fuel tank explosion in Wiri, China's largest meat company takes 50% of Silver Fern Farms, Serco let off $375k in fines, Arrests… Read more Audio

6:49 PM.Justice Joe Williams says the focus should shift to Maori language "places"; Wananga will have to publish information about how their graduates are faring after they've finished their degree or… Read more Audio

6:46 PM.The Children's Commissioner is defending the government's handling of the funding in the social sector, but he says its come at the expense of early intervention programmes Audio

6:42 PM.As Auckland Council fends off questions over charging primary schools for the use of public parks, the manager of a Northshore football team was so frustrated at the condition of their local pitch, he… Read more Audio