Checkpoint for Tuesday 5 February 2013

6:55 PM.An Australian paediatrician and infectious disease specialist says New Zealand is leading the world in combating rheumatic fever. Audio

6:39 PM.Latest figures show an annual rise in wages of one-point-eight percent but a union group says almost half of all workers got no pay increase at all. Audio

6:36 PM.Vanuatu's government says the scandal surrounding the super yacht Phocea is distraction which it wants to go away. Audio

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

6:23 PM.The budget airline, Jetstar, has appointed a New Zealander to head its operations here. Audio

6:11 PM.The Prime Minister's annual appearance today on the Waitangi marae has been marked not by the more usual protests, but by a stoush between two kuia over who should escort him on. Audio

6:08 PM.A Hastings paedophile has been caught and four boys rescued by police who say it's the worst case of its kind they've ever seen. Audio

5:53 PM.The risk of a stroke for under 55-year-olds may be doubled for those who use cannabis. Audio

5:48 PM.At Waitangi, the government and three Northland iwi, Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, and Ngai Takoto have agreed to jointly tackle social welfare problems. Audio

5:47 PM.The High Court has upheld a decision to strike off the Auckland lawyer, Barry Hart, for misconduct. Audio

5:45 PM.At Waitangi, the government and three Northland iwi, Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri, and Ngai Takoto have agreed to jointly tackle social welfare problems. Audio

5:41 PM.The Prime Minister has poured cold water on the Labour party leader's call for the country's honours list to be announced on Waitangi Day. Audio

5:37 PM.The managing director of a recruitment company is predicting wage increases of up to ten percent in some industries in two years time. Audio

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

5:25 PM.Groups representing school teachers, principals and trustees are worried the Government is considering changing the way it funds schools. Audio

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

5:18 PM.A week-long seige in an Alabama bunker has ended with the hostage-taker dead and the rescue of a five-year-old boy. Audio

5:15 PM.The police have revealed a young Auckland man who was burned to death withdrew tens of thousands of dollars hours before he disappeared. Audio

5:12 PM.The Prime Minister has made his annual appearance today on the Waitangi marae - after a stoush between two kuia over who should escort him. Audio

5:06 PM.A paedophile who was arranging to pay 500 dollars for access to a toddler has pleaded guilty to multiple charges - with police saying he's part of international child abuse ring. Audio

5:00 PM.Police crack an international paedophile ring. A kuia stoush at Waitangi and the week-long seige in an Alabama bunker is over. Audio