Checkpoint for Thursday 1 December 2011

6:58 PM.A dangerous spike in methane gas at the Huntly coal mine last month has caused unease in the town. Audio

6:51 PM.The Labour MP, David Cunliffe, says he does not believe the withdrawal of David Parker from the race for the Labour leadership will hurt his chances. Audio

6:47 PM.Auckland Council's Independent Maori Statutory Board is proposing the Council budgets almost 300 million dollars for Maori, as part of its Long Term Plan over 10 years; Webbs Auction House in Auckland… Read more Audio

6:44 PM.An elderly Indian woman might be forced to leave her husband of 60 years, because she has failed in her bid to get New Zealand residency. Audio

6:35 PM.Tehran is warning of further retaliation against Britian after London ordered Iranian diplomats out of the country. Audio

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

6:25 PM.The Law Society says the closure of the Rangiora courthouse has sent the region's justice system back to its worst days after February's earthquake. Audio

6:22 PM.New Zealand is in trouble on the first day of the first cricket test of the summer, against Australia in Brisbane. Audio

6:19 PM.The impact of Europe's debt crisis on global growth is likely to lead to further declines in New Zealand's purchasing power against the rest of the world. Audio

6:16 PM.In a shock move the Labour MP, David Parker, has pulled out of the contest to replace Phil Goff as leader. Audio

6:13 PM.Our Northland reporter Lois Williams has been at the scene today - she joins us. Audio

6:08 PM.Police divers are aiming to extract the bodies of two men from a downed helicopter off the Northland coast, by nightfall. Audio

5:58 PM.An Auckland man is 6 million dollars richer after this week's winning Lotto numbers came to him in a dream. Audio

5:53 PM.Lawyers and court staff want to know why six court houses have been closed so abruptly today for earthquake strengthening work, without proper contingency plans in place. Audio

5:48 PM.A tender price of between eight and 12 million dollars has been accepted for New Zealand's only privately owned Maori meeting house, built near Taupo over a hundred and 40 years ago; Auckland… Read more Audio

5:41 PM.A mother whose ex-boyfriend is charged with murdering her baby has been accused of lying to the police and the court. Audio

5:38 PM.The Auckland Chamber of Commerce says industrial action at Ports of Auckland is already starting to cost businesses and disrupt pre-Christmas planning. Audio

5:35 PM.The insurance company which stopped providing cover for earthquakes in September, is now pulling out of the New Zealand market altogether. Audio

5:32 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:26 PM.The Department of Labour says it's confident it has the expertise to recognise and investigate any problems at the Huntly East Mine but will bring in outside experts if necessary. Audio

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

5:21 PM.The support agreements between National, and ACT and United Future are starting to take form and both minor party's are confident they're working toward meaningful concessions. Audio

5:19 PM.David Shearer joins us. Audio

5:16 PM.In a shock move, one of the MPs vying for the Labour Party leadership, David Parker has pulled out, just two days after declaring he would be in the race. Audio

5:14 PM.The principal rural fire officer in Northland, Miles Taylor has been out on the peninsula all day, and joins us. Audio

5:13 PM.Sarah Kennett, a spokesperson for the Northland police, joins us. Audio

5:10 PM.Robert Brown was the first to call 111 after spotting the fire while driving to his bach just north of Matai Bay. Audio

5:08 PM.Robert Brown thought he was going to die at the water's edge as the flames roared towards him and the group was showered with burning ash and debris. Audio

5:00 PM.Police divers work to recover the bodies of two men killed in Northland's helicopter crash. David Parker pulls out of the Labour leadership race and inspector meets coalmine company over dangerous gas… Read more Audio