Checkpoint

Government critics say allowing local councils to contract out water services for 35 years will open the floodgates to privatisation. Audio

Maritime New Zealand is insisting this country's environmental safeguards against oil spills from offshore platforms are as stringent as anywhere in the world. Audio

Exporters are beginning to feel the fallout from the European debt crisis, which has sent global markets into a tailspin. Audio

In New York nominations have been announced for this year's Tony awards celebrating the best of Broadway theatre. Audio

The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has delivered a last-minute passionate appeal for undecided voters to support him in his hour of need. Audio

The Department of Conservation has decided to lay charges against five Norwegian hunters who shot and killed two protected kereru - and posted a video of their exploits on the internet. Audio

The private Auckland school accused of poaching a rugby player maintains it never actively sought to lure a talented student from a low decile school. Audio

News from the Waatea team. Audio

Engineers are about to begin a complicated operation to try an avert an environmental disaster in the Gulf of Mexico where oil is gushing from an undersea well. Audio

People who have left university or polytech and are still paying off student loans now face a 50-dollar annual administration fee. Audio

Government agencies are still not doing enough to ensure that huge amounts of sensitive personal information about members of the public is kept safe. Audio

An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio