Checkpoint Podcast Options

6:23 PM.Lawyers defending Michael Jackson's doctor say the singer was unconscious before a news conference in London, in the months before his death, and seemed to be drunk when he faced reporters. Audio

6:21 PM.The outgoing Green MP Sue Kedgley has called for a major reform of Parliament's rules, describing the institution as a boys' club that's out of step with the rest of the world. Audio

6:18 PM.Pumpkin Patch's accounts have plunged into the red, and the company has announced the resignation of its chief executive. Audio

6:14 PM.There are claims the Historic Places Trust has been gutless, failing to save quake-damaged Christchurch buildings from demolition. Audio

6:12 PM.MAF is to spend $400,000 and 10 years combating a new and destructive termite found in a home in Waikanae. Audio

6:08 PM.Researchers have discovered a common bacteria that causes skin infections like boils is also linked to the development of food allergies. Audio

5:53 PM.A deal's been struck to give free tickets to hundreds of people who missed all or part of the Rugby World Cup's opening ceremony and first match because Auckland's trains couldn't cope with the huge… Read more Audio

5:46 PM.The descendants of a Te Whakatohea chief, who was wrongfully accused and executed in the 1860s, are to receive another government pardon - but this time it'll be acknowledged in law; The man chosen by… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.Farmers in isolated parts of coastal Waikato are being warned not to take the law into their own hands after a spate of sheep rustling near Raglan. Audio

5:39 PM.New figures show Auckland has pollution levels nearly double that of Sydney, and the worst among New Zealand's major cities. Audio

5:34 PM.Housing New Zealand wants to build 1400 new houses over the next five years, and upgrade another 14,500 or almost half its entire stock in the city, to meet demand. Audio

5:31 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:27 PM.About two thousand Warriors rugby league fans have taken their last chance to see their team in action before they try to win the NRL grand final. Audio

5:25 PM.Parliament is about to go into urgency to debate the Government's Bill to allow the police to resume covert video surveillance. Audio

5:23 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:17 PM.The Prime Minister is still promising to deliver continued growth here in the face of new forecasts showing the world economy is slowing. Audio

5:13 PM.The deadly flesh-eating disease, necrotising faciitis, is on the rise in New Zealand with a seven-fold increase in the number of cases. Audio

5:11 PM.Listening to that is Shirley Afoa, whose All Black son John Afoa bought her a ticket to the opening match. Audio

5:07 PM.A deal has been struck to give free tickets to hundreds of people who missed all or part of the Rugby World Cup's opening ceremony and first match because of rail disruption. Audio

5:00 PM.The compensation deal for rugby fans held up on the World Cup's opening night. The deadly flesh-eating disease, necrotising faciitis, is on the rise and about two thousand Warriors rugby league fans… Read more Audio

6:55 PM.Telecom shareholders say they have been given no choice but to support a plan to split the company up. Audio

6:51 PM.A Wellington trust is refusing to bail out its company, EnergySmart, which has gone into liquidation - despite having 30 million dollars in assets. Audio

6:47 PM.The husband of the late Maori Queen has been given an honourable and rare burial to recognise the huge support he gave to his late wife; The Ngai Tahu leader, Mark Solomon, is questioning why there… Read more Audio

6:46 PM.About three hundred students are now at the Auckland Central Police Station . Audio

6:39 PM.To London, where our correspondent Barney Burnham has the latest news from the UK. Audio