Checkpoint

An airforce Hercules will leave for Tonga shortly (6pm) with a navy dive team on board as the focus of the ferry sinking now turns to the recovery of those trapped inside the vessel. Audio

An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

Rotorua Airport is going trans-Tasman, with Air New Zealand beginning twice-weekly flights to Sydney in time for Christmas. Audio

News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

The ACT MP David Garrett is in hot water again, this time he accused of challenging Labour MP, Clayton Cosgrove to"take this outside." Audio

The Labour MP, Chris Carter has come out swinging in his own defence over his use of taxpayer funded travel. Audio

John Dixon from the Rescue Coordination Centre joins us. Audio

Tonga's Transport Minister is rubbishing claims the ferry was not licensed and shouldn't have been operating because it was unseaworthy. Audio

In Tonga hundreds of desperate relatives have gathered throughout the day at the wharf in Nuku'alofa, waiting for news of those missing at sea. Audio

Authorities managing the historic Kokoda walking track in Papua New Guinea are stepping up efforts to limit the amount of weight some local porters are forced to carry. Audio

The United States has signed an agreement to forgive nearly 30 million US dollars in Indonesian debt in return for Jakarta agreeing to protect forests on Sumatra Island. Audio

Washington is trying to play down talk of a breakthrough with North Korea, following the release of two American journalists freed after almost four months in custody. Audio