Checkpoint for Monday 13 May 2013

6:56 PM.The prospect of West Papuan membership in the Melanesian Spearhead Group appears close. Audio

6:54 PM.The Government is proposing to remove the right to patent computer software. Audio

6:46 PM.The Maori Affairs Committee says it's been a 'heck of a couple of weeks' after the death of its deputy chair, and anticipated resignation of another member; Meanwhile, the chief executive of Ngati… Read more Audio

6:43 PM.Three days before the Finance Minister, Bill English, delivers his fifth Budget the Green Party has accused him of failing in his bid to rebalance the economy. Audio

6:40 PM.Research into premature babies by the University of Otago, is expected to change hospital practices worldwide. Audio

6:36 PM.Gambling addiction experts say the SkyCity convention deal will increase problem gambling. Audio

6:33 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

6:27 PM.Some tertiary institutions want the Qualifications Authority to have the power to go undercover to catch student cheats and those who help them. Audio

6:24 PM.The value of Kiwi Income Property Trust's portfolio of shopping centres and office buildings has risen 21 million dollars . Audio

6:19 PM.Opponents of a proposal to let more resthomes offer only more expensive, premium rooms say this could lead to a shortage of affordable care. Audio

6:16 PM.The Waitangi Tribunal investigating Ngapuhi land claims has been on a boat tour today past islands that today are either millionaires' playgrounds or part of the conservation estate. Audio

6:14 PM.Listening to that is constitutional lawyer, Mai Chen. Audio

6:08 PM.The Labour leader, David Shearer, says it's outrageous that future governments are being tied to a deal with SkyCity to build a convention centre in Auckland. Audio

5:57 PM.The police union in Tasmania says restricting rules around pursuits has led to officers being taunted by people in speeding cars or flaunting dangerous driving. Audio

5:50 PM.New Zealanders hiding their tax dollars in offshore havens are being targeted through a new international information-sharing agreement. Audio

5:47 PM.The Maori Affairs Committee says it's been a 'heck of a couple of weeks' after the death of its deputy chair, and anticipated resignation of another member; Meanwhile, the chief executive of Ngati… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.A forensic pathologist has told a High Court murder trial in Christchurch that drowning in a cooking pot of water would be an extraordinary form of suicide. Audio

5:37 PM.In return for building a four hundred million dollar convention centre in Auckland the casino gets its licence extended out to 2048, as well as another 230 pokie machines, and 40 more gaming tables. Audio

5:33 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:27 PM.Police officers in New Orleans are hunting for the gunmen who opened fire on hundreds of people marching in a neighbourhod Mother Day's parade. Audio

5:24 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:20 PM.The Qualifications Authority is being urged to go undercover to catch student cheats. Audio

5:18 PM.An acquaintance of Aaron Gilmore, says he got a text saying "Utu. You should learn what that means" from the beleaguered National Party MP's phone this morning. Audio

5:11 PM.Listening to that - the Minister for Economic Development, Steven Joyce. Audio

5:07 PM.Labour and the Greens say future Governments should not be held to the deal to pay compensation to SkyCity if the convention centre deal is changed. Audio

5:00 PM.The compensation deal for Skycity casino. Calls for education officials to go undercover to nab cheats and Aaron Gilmore is accused of sending revenge text messages. Audio