Checkpoint for Wednesday 5 September 2012

6:57 PM.The Auckland Council is opposing proposed reforms to the local government act, which it says will fundamentally change its structure - just two years after amalgamating into the so-called super city. Audio

6:51 PM.To Australia now, where the search is on for the world's deadliest spider. Audio

6:48 PM.The Maori King's call for a national water rights hui is being commended by the Maori Council - which says the meeting will help stop government's ongoing mentality of trying to divide and conquer iwi… Read more Audio

6:41 PM.The first council plan anywhere in the country to set tough limits to tackle water pollution has won the backing of Environment Court, to the dismay of many farmers. Audio

6:37 PM.It has been confirmed that the kiwifruit vine killing disease, PSA, has spread to the Coromandel. Audio

6:34 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:23 PM.News from the business sector. Audio

6:20 PM.Otago University is planning to raise its cap on international students after pressure from the Tertiary Education Minister, Steven Joyce. Audio

6:14 PM.More now on the frightening death of a 12 year old Wellington schoolgirl, who died of suspected meningococcal disease on Monday. Audio

6:11 PM.The country's largest mussel processing factory in Tauranga has been placed into receivership threatening 20 permanent and 200 seasonal jobs. Audio

6:08 PM.Scores of jobs are being axed at the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter, one of Southland's largest employers. Audio

5:57 PM.Paralympians in New Zealand are furious at the coverage being given to their fellow athletes at the Games in London, and say it's the worst it has ever been. Audio

5:52 PM.A Maori housing advocacy group says banks need new lending policies to make it easier for whanau to buy their own homes. Audio

5:48 PM.The Maori King's call for a national water rights hui is being commended by the Moari Council - which says the meeting will help stop government's ongoing mentality of trying to divide and conquer iwi… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.Three men accused of taking part in a crime spree where cars were stolen, shops were ram raided and an attempt was made to burn down the Karori Police Station, have gone on trial in Wellington. Audio

5:42 PM.The number of complaints made about judges has leapt higher, but criminal defence lawyers warn the judiciary's watchdog is too overloaded to investigate them all. Audio

5:37 PM.The Prime Minister' decision to ban his MPs from attending a national hui on water rights is being slammed by the Green Party, as another blunder. Audio

5:34 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:28 PM.The captain of the sunken container ship, the Rena, is being deported tomorrow morning with his lawyer saying both he and the navigational officer have jobs to go home to. Audio

5:26 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:20 PM.I loved Barack just the way he was - those were the words from Michelle Obama when she took to the stage at the opening of the democratic convention in North Carolina today. Audio

5:17 PM.The Royal Commission into the Canterbury Earthquakes has heard the CTV building collapsed because of the incompetence of the man in charge of designing it. Audio

5:12 PM.Six Wellington children are taking antibiotics after the frightening death of a 12 year girl from suspected meningococcal disease. Audio

5:07 PM.Scores of jobs are being axed at the Tiwai Point Aluminium Smelter, which is one of Southland's biggest employers. Audio

5:00 PM.One of Southland's biggest employers axes 100 jobs. The alarmingly sudden death of a 12 year old girl from suspected meningococcal disease and the Rena's captain and navigational officer are about to… Read more Audio