Checkpoint for Tuesday 2 August 2011

6:56 PM.The life expectancy of New Zealand's biggest-ever gas field has been extended a little further with new drilling using the country's first automated rig. Audio

6:50 PM.The Government has announced it will spend close to four million dollars on legal costs for people living in Christchurch's residential red zone - if they accept an offer to sell their homes. Audio

6:47 PM.The Mana Party leader, Hone Harawira, has now been sworn in as an MP; The Maori Party is renewing its bid to bring in new oath laws, with one of its MPs introducing a members' bill for politicians and… Read more Audio

6:41 PM.Parliament paused today, as MPs expressed their deep sympathies and condolences to the people of Norway, following the bomb attack and mass shooting in the country. Audio

6:38 PM.Authorities in Vanuatu are investigating whether a lack of airport runway lights may be to blame for a light plane crash in Port Vila involving five New Zealand tourists. Audio

6:35 PM.The Prime Minister is again refusing to do televised debates with the minor party leaders and says he will only appear in four encounters during the campaign. Audio

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

6:26 PM.The Electricity Authority expects a new inter-island power hedge market to boost competition between power companies and constrain price increases. Audio

6:17 PM.There's no relief tonight for customers angry at the high price of milk. Audio

6:08 PM.A push is on for big changes to privacy laws, with the Privacy Commissioner told that currently she's virtually powerless to fix the public's complaints. Audio

5:56 PM.Trams for Auckland's waterfront are now officially on the rails, with the bright red vintage models to be unveiled to the public on Saturday. Audio

5:54 PM.An 57-year-old from Opotiki is in jail tonight awaiting sentencing for taking whitebait illegally, and threatening DOC rangers. Audio

5:51 PM.Two weeks after being kicked out of parliament's debating chamber, the Mana Party Leader, Hone Harawira has been sworn in as an MP; The Maori Party MP, Rahui Katene, has introduced a members' bill for… Read more Audio

5:48 PM.The English rugby team's new alternate black jersey is sending internet message boards and Twitter feeds red hot. Audio

5:43 PM.The US House of Representatives has passed a last-gasp package which will slash spending in return for raising the country's debt level and avoiding a catastrophic default. Audio

5:36 PM.Pay rates are levelling off despite further evidence the jobs market is getting stronger. Audio

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

5:27 PM.New Zealand has won a swag of medals at the World Hip-Hop Dance Champs in Las Vegas. Audio

5:24 PM.The Navy says the commander it's stood down didn't put his crew or half billion dollar warship in any danger, and there's nothing criminal in what went on. Audio

5:22 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:18 PM.Despite both Republicans and Democrats grumbling about the details, the US House of Representatives has approved a last-minute deal to address the budget deficit, raise the debt ceiling, and avoid a… Read more Audio

5:15 PM.The Privacy Commissioner has been told she is virtually powerless to fix complaints laid by the public, and reforms are needed to give her office more muscle . Audio

5:12 PM.The chief executive of Consumer New Zealand, Sue Chetwin joins us. Audio

5:07 PM.There's no relief tonight for customers angry at the high price of milk. Audio

5:00 PM.No let up for customers angry at the high price of milk. More clout, muscle and power for the Privacy commission and a swag of medals for New Zealand at the World Hip-Hop Dance Champs. Audio