Checkpoint for Tuesday 24 March 2015

6:50 PM.Ministers face questions about Housing & Workplace Relations. Audio

6:48 PM.A waka tour company has joined Auckland's largest hapu in demanding the plan by the Ports of Auckland to build two wharf extensions be stopped; Three highschool teams from French Polynesia are taking… Read more Audio

6:35 PM.The head of Auckland Grammar is backing St Bede's decision to pull two students from a sports event, and says the matter should never have ended up in court. Audio

6:25 PM.Campaigners against homophobia in sport are welcoming the heavy fine levied against a New South Wales forward after he called ACT Brumbies players faggots at the weekend. Audio

6:21 PM.The police say they have busted a black market synthetic cannabis ring being run out of a central Christchurch flat. Audio

6:18 PM.In Seoul, John Key, a day on from signing the FTA, had this to say about Winston Peters and the trade deal. Audio

6:15 PM.The deputy Prime Minister, Bill English, says he's not scaremongering by raising fears about the future of trade deals if Winston Peters wins this weekend's Northland by-election. Audio

6:12 PM.Now to Eden Park where rain has stopped play between New Zealand and South Africa for more than an hour. Audio

6:06 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:52 PM.The Government is not ruling out selling off thousands of state houses to private developers. Audio

5:50 PM.A defence lawyer of a man accused of burning a man to death says it was not an execution, but an attempt to hide evidence and avoid any responsibility for his death. Audio

5:48 PM.A waka tour company has joined Auckland's largest hapu in demanding the plan by the Ports of Auckland to build two wharf extensions be stopped. Audio

5:45 PM.The moth-balled Stratford maternity unit in Taranaki looks set to close permanently. Audio

5:42 PM.Opposition parties have used Parliament's Question Time to accuse the Government of using the country's spy agencies for its own political purposes. Audio

5:40 PM.Rain has suspended the cricket at Eden Park where South Africa is putting in a dominating batting performance against the Black Caps. Audio

5:38 PM.The police have confirmed they have found an oil slick on the surface of Curio Bay in the Catlins where the search for a missing 11 year old boy is focussed. Audio

5:35 PM.The New Zealand dollar has continued to strengthen against the US dollar. Audio

5:25 PM.A Jury has seen a recorded interview in which Mark Lundy groaned and cried as a detective showed him a photo of his wife's injuries. Audio

5:20 PM.A German tourist who killed a woman when he ran a stop sign in Canterbury has been disqualified from driving and ordered to pay fifteen thousand dollars to her family. Audio

5:17 PM.New Zealand First does have members bill which aims to stop New Zealand governments allowing overseas investors to sue if their profits are threatened by domestic laws. Audio

5:14 PM.The Prime Minister is warning that Winston Peters, could sink the just signed free trade agreement with Korea if he wins the Northland by-election. Audio

5:10 PM.Former New Zealand player and selector Glenn Turner is watching the match from his home in Wanaka. Audio

5:07 PM.First to the world cup cricket semi final at Eden Park. The Proteas won the toss and elected to bat. Trent Boult removed both South African opening batsmen before this, as Rilee Russouw went after… Read more Audio

5:00 PM.Live to the Black Caps semi final;Glenn Turner for more on Black Caps;PM warning Peters could stymie Korea FTA;Winston Peters responds;German tourist sentenced for fatally running stop sign;Jury sees… Read more Audio