Checkpoint for Wednesday 11 August 2010

6:51 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

6:43 PM.Researchers from the University of Otago say politicians and bureaucrats are putting the rights of adults ahead of the need to protect children when it comes to banning smoking in cars. Audio

6:39 PM.Foster parents are backing a government scheme to encourage permanent foster care placements, which they say will give much needed certainly for children and families. Audio

6:37 PM.The high profile company director Sir Ron Trotter has died at the age of 82 after a 10 year battle with cancer. Audio

6:33 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:24 PM.It could come down to voters in Queensland to decide which party governs Australia after next week's election. Audio

6:22 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:16 PM.Scientists are warning that a gene that makes bacteria resistant to nearly all antibiotics could spread around the world. Audio

6:07 PM.Lieutenant Tim O'Donnell has been farewelled at a two hour funeral service, with full military honours. Audio

5:54 PM.The Government's being accused of cowardice for refusing to give compensation to victims of police sexual abuse. Audio

5:50 PM.Public hospitals in Auckland have appealed unsuccessfully today to striking lab workers to halt rolling industrial action while they consider a revised pay offer. Audio

5:48 PM.News from the Waatea team. Audio

5:43 PM.The New Zealand manager overseeing Tonga's new ferry has guaranteed there will be no repeat of the Princess Ashika disaster, which killed 74 people last year. Audio

5:40 PM.The Finance Minister has signaled that the door is now wide open for private sector involvement in government infrastructure. Audio

5:36 PM.More than 700 people are now confirmed to have died in a massive landslide in north west China making it one of the deadliest incidents so far in the country's worst flooding in a decade. Audio

5:33 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:26 PM.The double-murderer David Tamihere appears close to being released from prison. The Parole Board has issued a report, which praises the 55-year-old's progress and transformation, two decades after he… Read more Audio

5:20 PM.The Finance Minister has signaled that the door is now wide open for the private sector to get into public assets such as schools, hospitals, prisons and state housing. Audio

5:18 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:16 PM.The latest U.N figures show civilian casualties in Afghanistan are the worst in nine years of conflict. Audio

5:12 PM.At the same time as the service in Linton emotional remembrance services were held at Burnham Military Camp near Christchurch and at Wellington Cathedral of St Paul in the Capital. Audio

5:08 PM.The first New Zealand soldier to die in combat in a decade has been fare welled at a two hour funeral service, with full military honours. Audio

5:00 PM.Funeral service held for Lt Tim O'Donnell, Remembrance services for fallen soldier held in Christchurch and Wellington, Civilian casualties in Afghanistan rise, Any new project over 25-million has to… Read more Audio