Checkpoint

Military helicopters, elite police units and a bulldozer have been used in raids on gangs in the upper South Island and Auckland today, with drugs and weapons, including pipe bombs, seized. Audio

Rapid assessment teams are being sent out across quake hit Canterbury with the Earthquake Commission promising that up to 180-thousand homes will be inspected within the next eight weeks. Audio

Plans to allow the people of Christchurch to walk through part of the city centre on their way to next week's memorial service have been canned because its too dangerous. Audio

Commemorative walkthrough Christchurch is canned, EQC deploys rapid assessment teams in Canterbury, Police seize drugs and pipe bombs in gang raids, Harawira won't rule out fighting Maori Party for… Read more Audio

The Space Shuttle Discovery has made its final landing in Florida. Audio

One of the official Rugby World Cup travel agents says moving the games scheduled for Christchurch would mean a huge logistical operation to change accommodation and transport for thousands of fans. Audio

News from the Waatea team. Audio

An economic forecaster says it's well and truly time to take climate change seriously and international visitors should stay home and watch the Rugby World Cup on TV. Audio

Two top legal associations have called for a bill on criminal prosecutions to be put on hold, saying the justice system needs a fundamental re-think. Audio

An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

The Banking Association is warning owners of leaky homes they will not necessarily be entitled to a loan to cover repairs, if they sign up to the government package soon to be on offer. Audio

ASB's chief economist, Nick Tuffley, told business reporter, Ben Brown, the results show discretionary spending is coming under pressure from the likes of higher fuel prices. Audio