Checkpoint

The Children's Commissioner says the government should consider paying parents to look after babies at home instead of putting them into childcare. Audio

More than a houndred people with businesses in Christchurch's CBD have stormed a cordon into the Red Zone, in frustration at still not being allowed access to their buildings - one month on from the… Read more Audio

At least half of New Zealand's city and district councils are expected to have the power to instantly fine illegal freedom campers in time for the influx of visitors for the Rugby World Cup this year.

The Royal Commission into the Pike River mine disaster has announced it will hold all its hearings in Greymouth. Audio

The Children's Commissioner says the government should consider paying parents to keep babies at home instead of in care. Audio

News from the Waatea team. Audio

A civil defence ban on demolishing buildings in the centre of Christchurch is being extended until at least the end of the week. Audio

The International Monetary Fund says the Government must get its finances back on track despite the earthquakes or risk being punished by foreign lenders with higher interest rates. Audio

Some authorities in Japan appear cautiously optimistic about the attempts to prevent a full scale meltdown at the Fukushima nuclear plant. Audio

An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

KiwiRail expects to decide the future of the TranzCoastal train service between Picton and Christchurch in the next few weeks. Audio

The Prime Minister says there are likely to be spending cuts in areas other than health and education, as the government seeks to reduce its expenditure further. Audio