Checkpoint for Friday 14 March 2014

6:56 PM.Organisers of Auckland's Polyfest fear the annual schools cultural competition could be wiped out if tomorrow's final day is cancelled because of Cyclone Lusi. Audio

6:53 PM.A collective of hapu elders on Motiti Island is making it clear it's the authority on the Island, and believes the wreckage of the Rena should stay on Astrolable reef, near Tauranga; The newest branch… Read more Audio

6:38 PM.This week the Prime Minister announced the election date and his plan for a referendum on the New Zealand flag. Audio

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

6:23 PM.A survey has found that the vast majority of New Zealand companies are failing to meet the demands and expectations of the generation Y workforce, and that's hurting their business. Audio

6:21 PM.Expect to see bigger trucks carrying heavier loads on the country's roads with a new freight study predicting an increase in road transport of nearly 50 percent over the next three decades. Audio

6:15 PM.Scientists have sifted through years of Antarctic animal and plant research to figure out what will survive and what won't as global warming intensifies. Audio

6:13 PM.The aunt of a boy killed in a drive way is supporting the decision to charge the boy's great-uncle who ran over him with his four wheel-drive. Audio

6:08 PM.With the threat of Cyclone Lusi looming, the organisers of a major outdoor festival in New Plymouth have been checking the strength of the stages and setting up wind monitors. Audio

5:58 PM.A Bluebridge ferry master has denied there was any danger to the passengers or crew when his ship crossed Cook Strait twice with a hole in its hull. Audio

5:53 PM.People in Christchurch still cleaning up after last week's one in one hundred year flood are preparing once more for their homes to be inundated. Audio

5:50 PM.A collective of hapu elders on Motiti Island is making it clear it's the authority on the Island, and believes the wreckage of the Rena should stay on Astrolable reef, near Tauranga; A Kohanga Reo in… Read more Audio

5:48 PM.Large numbers of baby boomers are planning to move into smaller houses when they retire. Audio

5:44 PM.A Government-backed project is setting out to prove that when it comes to housing, small is the next big thing. Audio

5:39 PM.Russia's ambassador to the United Nations has told an emergency meeting of the Security Council that Moscow does not want war with Ukraine. Audio

5:36 PM.The search for the missing Malaysian passenger plane is set broaden to include the vast Indian Ocean - after the White House cited "new information" it might have flown for hours after vanishing… Read more Audio

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

5:28 PM.Cyber bullies who make highly offensive comments on social media may have to pay their victims compensation under a proposed new law. Audio

5:25 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:22 PM.The Labour Party leader has laid out a vision for a revamp of the economy but has offered little new information on how it would be achieved. Audio

5:20 PM.Aucklanders are being warned to get ready for flooding, slips, and road closures, as well as power and phone cuts. Audio

5:14 PM.Superintendent Andrew Coster is the District Commander for Southern Police. Audio

5:07 PM.The man who got justice for a young driver falsely accused by a police officer of crashing into him says he still feels there was a police conspiracy or cover up. Audio

5:00 PM.Conduct Authority says police failed to examine offer's false crash account, Police respond to IPCA report, NZ prepares for Cyclone Lusi, Cunliffe lays out vision but offers little on implementation… Read more Audio