Checkpoint for Monday 18 February 2013

6:50 PM.A Christchurch Maori language immersion school believes the Education Minister Hekia Parata has finally taken into consideration their strong recommendation not to merge with another kura kaupapa; The… Read more Audio

6:46 PM.The Insurance Council says many New Zealanders are under insured and exposed to great risk. Audio

6:43 PM.New evidence shows children who watch a lot of television, are more likely to become aggressive and commit crimes. Audio

6:35 PM.The seven schools the Government still wants to close in Christchurch may have to shut their doors by the end of the year, up to two years earlier than originally planned. Audio

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

6:21 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

6:21 PM.The steel construction and heavy engineering sector says the Government's under cutting it by using inferior products from overseas for roads and other big public construction projects. Audio

6:19 PM.The Institute of IT Professionals says a cyber attack plaguing Telecom customers has the potential to be the biggest data breach ever in New Zealand. Audio

6:12 PM.Matt Bateman is the Principal of Burnside Primary which had been told it was going to close - now it'll stay open. Audio

6:08 PM.Some Christchurch schools are preparing a last-ditch fight tonight against the Government's plan to close or merge them. Audio

5:57 PM.The Crown will seek preventive detention for a former Wellington art gallery owner who sexually abused young boys and posted images of his offending online. Audio

5:53 PM.An Italian court has convicted three builders and a technician for their work on a university building that collapsed in the 2009 L'Aquila earthquake - killing 8 students. Audio

5:49 PM.Parents, children and teachers at Christchurch schools facing the axe are preparing a last-ditch fight tonight after learning that the Government still wants to close or merge them. Audio

5:46 PM.A Christchurch Maori language immersion school believes the Education Minister Hekia Parata has finally taken into consideration its strong recommendation not to merge with another kura kaupapa; The… Read more Audio

5:41 PM.The lawyer for CNE security, Gary Pollock, says his client denies any wrongdoing. Audio

5:35 PM.The insurer for the container ship Rena plans to leave the rest of the wreck on the Astrolabe reef, off the Tauranga coast. Audio

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

5:26 PM.New Zealand will continue to have a small military presence of 27 people in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of the Provincial Reconstruction Team from Bamiyan province. Audio

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

5:19 PM.The Auckland Police are warning the public not to approach a man they are looking for after three armed robberies at busy tourist spots yesterday. Audio

5:15 PM.Among the six mergers slated to proceed, Phillipstown primary would merge with Woolston on Woolston's site, opening next year. Audio

5:09 PM.One school slated for closure that's won its argument to stay open is Burnside Primary - staff were celebrating this afternoon over a glass of wine. Audio

5:07 PM.The Government has pared back its overhaul of Christchurch schools, today announcing it's given 12 schools a reprieve from its original aim to close or merge 31 schools. Audio

5:00 PM.A reprieve for some schools in Christchurch. Tourist hot-spots are targeted by a pistol-wielding robber and a small New Zealand military team will stay in Afghanistan for longer. Audio