Checkpoint for Friday 22 July 2011

6:56 PM.Ngapuhi hapu are threatening legal action, if mandating hui are held to settle their treaty claims; The whanau of the the late Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan has announced there'll be a memorial service to… Read more Audio

6:38 PM.Chris Bramwell looks at what the arrival of the Mana Party means for the political landscape. Audio

6:32 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:22 PM.The listed shower and tapware designer, Methven, is forecasting to nearly double its profit this financial year, by cutting its product range and making its internal operations more efficient. Audio

6:15 PM.The Education Minister's attempts to paint early childhood education funding in a good light, have fallen on stony ground at a conference in Rotorua today. Audio

6:06 PM.The Prime Minister John Key says the high value of the New Zealand dollar is threatening to dampen economic growth. Audio

5:53 PM.The entire country is being warned to brace for an icy Antarctic blast this weekend which could bring snow to sea level in some parts. Audio

5:49 PM.The Labour MP Parekura Horomia has paid tribute to the former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister, Whetu Tirikatene Sullivan who has died at the age of 79. The biggest tribe in the country is deadlocked… Read more Audio

5:47 PM.Volunteer firefighters say their ability to do their job could be compromised if their professional colleagues strike for a prolonged period. Audio

5:44 PM.United Future is pushing for a flexible retirement age, with retirees deciding when they would take pension payments, from the age of 60. Audio

5:37 PM.There's relief for about 40-thousand homeowners in Canterbury, who today have been told they won't have to abandon their quake-damaged properties. Audio

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

5:27 PM.Senior Government Ministers have expressed their sadness at the death of Whetu Tirikatene-Sullivan. Audio

5:23 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:17 PM.The Prime Minister, John Key, will meet with the US president, Barack Obama, at the White House in the early hours of tomorrow morning. Audio

5:15 PM.With the first phase of the inquiry finishing today, Bernie Monk - a spokesperson for the families of the 29 men - says a lot more information has come to light than he expected. Audio

5:15 PM.The Transport Minister, Steven Joyce, is rejecting a call to review the rules for private hire cars saying existing laws are enough to deter taxi companies from falsely claiming to be private… Read more Audio

5:12 PM.The chief executive of the Pike River coal company Peter Whittall has rejected a claim that the company put men and resources into developing a coal face instead of a second exit. Audio

5:07 PM.The National Party is stepping in to help out the leader of another of its support parties, this time in the Wellington seat of Ohariu. Audio

5:00 PM.National confirms support deal for Dunne in Ohariu; More tough questions for Peter Whittall at Royal Commission; Bernie Monk says first part of inquiry revealed a lot; Key ready for Obama tomorrow… Read more Audio