Checkpoint for Friday 5 February 2016

5:07 PM.While holding a media conference after the Iwi Leaders Forum at Waitangi today, a sex toy was thrown at Minister for Economic Development Steven Joyce by a protester. Audio

5:16 PM.Maori Issues Correspondent Mihingarangi Forbes is at Waitangi. Audio

5:19 PM.A threat to Work and Income staff in Christchurch this morning forced the closure of WINZ offices right across Canterbury. Audio

5:25 PM.Serial animal neglecter Anne Power was found guilty of ill-treating a horse which starved to death in her care and forced to give up some of her animals to the SPCA. Audio

5:28 PM.The NRL Nines will kick off in Auckland tomorrow rain or shine, with some of rugby league's biggest stars set to take the field. Audio

5:28 PM.The NRL Nines will kick off in Auckland tomorrow rain or shine, with some of rugby league's biggest stars set to take the field. Audio

5:35 PM.News from the business sector including a market report. Audio

5:39 PM.The botched handling of an indecency charge against a Malaysian defence attache has been blamed on an ambiguous email sent by a stressed foreign affairs staffer. Audio

5:46 PM.A silent hikoi has followed in the footsteps of prisoners taken during the sacking of Parihaka in 1881, marking the start of Waitangi commemorations in New Plymouth today. Audio

5:49 PM.A former Napier City Councillor asked a friend if Google Earth showed live video just days after his wife died, a Court in Canada has been told. Audio

6:08 PM.Opposition MPs were welcomed onto the marae at Waitangi without much fanfare, after the Prime Minister and his Government ministers refused to go. Audio

6:16 PM.Working families say rental prices, coupled with the housing shortage in Auckland are so severe, they've had no option but to live with their children in draughty, cold garages, or on the floors of… Read more Audio