Checkpoint Podcast Options

6:19 PM.The Prime Minister has defended his government's record of helping low income families in the face of Opposition criticism. Audio

6:16 PM.Economists say a jump in Fonterra's forecast payout next season is worth an extra 2 billion dollars to the economy. Audio

6:12 PM.Schools can apply for judicial review of Hekia Parata's decision. Audio

6:09 PM.Emotions are running high at some Christchurch schools in the face of the Education Minister's final decision on their fate today. Audio

5:48 PM.Two Christchurch total immersion Maori language schools have been told neither of them has to move; Two brothers badly injured while serving in the Army say there's some new hope in their battle for… Read more Audio

5:47 PM.Senior soldiers are being urged to break ranks and demand more compensation for two brothers badly injured when they were in the Army. Audio

5:44 PM.Business owners at Dunedin's St Clair waterfront are beginning to fear for their buildings as sink holes in the esplanade continue to grow. Audio

5:41 PM.As a Motueka couple, forced to remove illegal houses on their property went to court today, their supporters set up a Mongolian tent, known as a yurt, outside in protest. Audio

5:37 PM.Far North people say they still don't have enough police officers in their towns - despite a blitz on youth crime. Audio

5:33 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:29 PM.The pharmaceuticals distributor, Ebos Group, is about to become New Zealand's third largest listed company in terms of sales, behind only Fonterra and Fletcher Building. Audio

5:22 PM.More now on the Minister of Education sticking with her proposals in February to close or merge earthquake-hit Christchurch schools, with the exception of some New Brighton schools. Audio

5:18 PM.To the US, where a digital currency exchange, Liberty Reserve, is being accused of helping criminals around the world launder more than 6 billion dollars in illicit funds linked to everything from… Read more Audio

5:15 PM.The Revenue Minister, Peter Dunne, has categorically denied any responsibility for leaking a highly sensitive report into the Government's electronic spy agency. Audio

5:13 PM.Economists say a jump in Fonterra's forecast payout next season is worth an extra 2 billion dollars to the economy. Audio

5:10 PM.Manning Intermediate is one of the three intermediates closing - along with Linwood and Branston. Audio

5:07 PM.The Minister of Education has stuck with her proposals in February to close or merge earthquake-hit Christchurch schools, with the exception of some New Brighton schools. Audio

5:00 PM.The final whistle blows for Christchurch schools. Fonterra's forecast payout is expected to be worth an extra 2 billion dollars to the economy and Peter Dunne denies leaking a highly sensitive spy… Read more Audio

6:50 PM.A Southland total immersion Maori language school is planning to take advantage of an expansion of the KickStart breakfast in schools scheme; The Government is to decide if Ngati Porou has rights to a… Read more Audio

6:43 PM.Sexual abuse support services say they're stretched to breaking point and desperately need ongoing funding from the Government. Audio

6:39 PM.An Australian anti-fluoride campaigner has taken a swipe at the Hamilton City Council, saying it can't ignore the risks to people from fluoridated water. Audio

6:33 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:28 PM.An Asburton firefighter says he's been to four or five collisions at the railway crossing where a train smashed into a truck this morning. Audio

6:25 PM.Tower has reported an 87% rise in its half year profit after selling off $181 million worth of businesses to focus on general insurance. Audio

6:22 PM.A wild wind that could have been a tornado has ripped off the roof of a house in Port Waikato leaving a mess that looks as if a candyfloss machine's gone mad in the paddocks. Audio