Checkpoint for Wednesday 30 September 2015

6:50 PM.MP Rino Tirikatene is calling the Governement out over lack of consultation in establishing the Kermadec Ocean sanctuary. Hapu opposing the settlement of their Treaty claims under Ngapuhi's Tuhoronuku… Read more Audio

6:43 PM.The first of two cast-iron sculptures by the creator of the UK's Angel of the North, Anthony Gormley has been installed, in the middle of the Avon River in Christchurch. Audio

6:41 PM.Ratepayers in and around Wellington could get more bang for their buck with the region's mayors describing talks to co-ordinate services as a far cry from the hysteria that characterised an earlier… Read more Audio

6:39 PM.More people are taking to the web to get synthetic cannabis in the hope they won't get caught. Audio

6:26 PM.Dame Malvina Major, has announced that she's retiring from singing Audio

6:22 PM.New Zealand veterans of the government protest against nuclear testing in the Pacific are hoping a report due out soon will prompt a closer look at the impact of radiation on their children and… Read more Audio

6:18 PM.Auckland homes could become twice as affordable in fifteen years time, through higher density housing, and lower construction costs. Audio

6:12 PM.Australia's now moving to reconsider how it has ramped up detaining and deporting New Zealand after signs of strain in the two countries' relationship. Audio

6:07 PM.An update from the team at RNZ Sport. Audio

5:56 PM.Hutt City's defending its response to big floods back in May though an internal report shows emergency managers had only limited use of a computer system used to record all the flooding information. Audio

5:53 PM.Muaupoko iwi members advocating for the clean-up of Lake Horowhenua have had a visit from Maori Development Minister, Te Ururoa Flavell. Hapu opposing the settlement of their Treaty claims under… Read more Audio

5:47 PM.Veterans of government protest against French nuclear testing in the Pacific hope testing of soil and water in Mururoa by a team of New Zealand scientists will provide evidence of the effects of… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.A New Zealand immigration consultant is warning that a recent crackdown on farm workers brought in from the Philippines will start hurting dairy farmers who need their labour Audio

5:38 PM.One day after the Russian President, Vladimir Putin, accused the US President of failing to stop Islamic State's spread, Mr Obama has called on world leaders to launch a long-term counter-terrorism… Read more Audio

5:35 PM.A 10-year-old Gisborne boy has had stitches after he was attacked by a large seal in northern Hawke's Bay. Audio

5:33 PM.The number of building consents fell in August after a strong gain in July, but the construction sector remains strong. Audio

5:26 PM.Valuable beehives are luring busy thieves in Northland. Audio

5:23 PM.A senior engineer at Mighty River Power got the shock of his life when he came back from a three week holiday overseas to find he'd racked up a 23 thousand dollar bill on his company phone. Audio

5:20 PM.The main route to the West Coast from Christchurch is still closed because of a large rock slip, but the Transport Agency hopes to reopen one lane by six o'clock. Audio

5:16 PM.Auckland homes could become twice as affordable in fifteen years time, through higher density housing, and lower construction costs. Audio

5:12 PM.New Zealand will receive more information about pending deportations from Australia under a new information sharing arrangement. Audio

5:08 PM.Two young children with New Zealand mothers are being detained in the community awaiting deportation from Australia. Audio

5:00 PM.Australia moves to deport young children of New Zealand mothers. The engineer who racked up a 23 thousand dollar bill on his company phone and who is stealing beehives in Northland? Audio