Checkpoint

New research is casting doubt on whether teaching a child to read from the age of five is of any more benefit than starting at age seven. Audio

An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

Christmas sales may prove a saviour for some retailers this year with shoppers spending 2.8 billion dollars so far this month. Audio

News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

Returning to our top story, the shooting of a young constable in South Auckland early this morning - Greg O'Connor from the Police Association says he's the seventh officer to be shot in 18 months. Audio

The U.S. President Barack Obama has welcomed an important vote by the Senate as a victory for the American people that brings health care reform closer. Audio

Climate scientists say the levels of the greenhouse gas methane in the atmosphere have risen for the first time in three years. Audio

The constable, who was shot three times in a confrontation in South Auckland this morning, appears to owe his life to his armed colleagues who raced to his rescue - getting him to hospital in minutes.

It's the time of year when there's an onslaught of Christmas music - from Cliff Richard to Slade. Vinnie Wylie went in search of the most loved, and loathed, soundtracks to Christmas. Audio

The appointment to the Human Rights Review Tribunal of an outspoken critic of gay rights has sparked some controversy. Audio

If you posted festive season cards to Australia in the past week then there's a good chance they won't get to the recipients in time for Christmas. Audio

The Department of Conservation says it's devastated after the disappearance of several endangered eggs and chicks from New Zealand's rarest breeding bird, the fairy tern. Audio