Checkpoint for Tuesday 23 April 2013

6:56 PM.Health and youth workers say they're seeing more and more children using legal highs, some as young as nine years old. Audio

6:52 PM.A Russian couple living in Auckland who had their daughter taken away last week by Child Youth and Family say they went to the media in Russia about the case because they were desperate for help. Audio

6:49 PM.The architect of a successful Maori learning programme says the Government is cheapening it by replacing the core aspects of the syllabus; The head of a Maori tourism group says New Zealand as a host… Read more Audio

6:44 PM.Police in Papua New Guinea have boosted the number of officers in Madang Province to investigate the gang rape of an American academic by a mob of armed youths. Audio

6:37 PM.The Green Party fears time is running out to make changes to the MMP voting system before the next election. Audio

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

6:28 PM.The entire Tongariro Alpine Crossing is re-opening in three weeks time because there's less chance now of the volcano erupting. Audio

6:26 PM.New research has found nearly half of small and medium businesses have employees who work from home or away from the office. Audio

6:23 PM.A new study has found that the chance of feeling lonely may decrease with age. Audio

6:18 PM.The Police say it is sheer luck nobody was killed when two passenger planes where struck by hand held lasers last night at Wellington Airport. Audio

6:11 PM.More now on the man accused of killing a service station worker in Turangi almost 34 years ago. Audio

6:08 PM.Jeremy McLaughlin has been found GUILTY of the murder of teenager Jade Bayliss. Audio

5:56 PM.After nearly six decades on display at the National Museum of China, a traditional Maori feather cloak is home for a limited time at Te Papa Museum. Audio

5:52 PM.Opposition parties say the Government is running scared of their energy policy after government ministers claimed their proposed emissions trading scheme would push up power prices. Audio

5:47 PM.The architect of a successful Maori learning programme says the Government is cheapening it by replacing the core aspects of the syllabus; The head of a Maori tourism group says New Zealand as a host… Read more Audio

5:41 PM.Police specialist teams are still working at the site of a meth lab explosion in a Mount Maunganui house and say no one has yet been charged. Audio

5:38 PM.The Supreme Court has knocked back the Urewera Four's attempt to have their convictions and sentences overturned. Audio

5:35 PM.A testy debate on whether Auckland Council is rushing its thirty year growth plan has turned out to be triggered by a misunderstanding. Audio

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

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

5:23 PM.The Green Party fears time is running out to make changes to the MMP voting system before the next election. Audio

5:19 PM.The Police say it is sheer luck nobody was killed when two passenger planes where struck by hand held lasers last night at Wellington Airport. Audio

5:14 PM.Canadian police have arrested two men for plotting to derail a Toronto passenger train in an operation they say was backed by al-Qaeda elements in Iran. Audio

5:09 PM.A jury has heard that the man accused of killing a service station attendant almost 34 years ago, called his victim a "black bastard" before shooting him in the head. Audio

5:07 PM.A jury has just found Jeremy McLaughlin guilty of murdering the 13 year old Christchurch girl Jade Bayliss. Audio

5:00 PM.A guilty verdict for the man charged with murdering school girl Jade Bayliss. A 34 year old cold case trial opens in Rotorua and the police say it's "sheer luck" nobody was killed by a laser strike. Audio