Checkpoint for Thursday 13 October 2016

6:22 PM.The Housing New Zealand Minister, Bill English, has rubbished claims by the labour party that Housing NZ is going broke - calling the claims irresponsible and stupid. Audio

6:18 PM.Most of the sections advertised as part of a land package in the tiny town of Kaitangata have been bought, and locals now think the idea could work elsewhere. Audio

6:16 PM.New Zealand is working on putting a resolution on Syria before the Security Council, saying the fact there has yet to be a international response is deplorable. Audio

6:13 PM.A higher than expected surplus, driven by a higher tax take, has left the government in the position to consider tax cuts. Audio

5:51 PM.Auckland golfer Phillis Meti has won the World Long Drive Championships in Oklahoma, her second time winning the title. Audio

5:47 PM.Canterbury's newly elected regional council is divided between environmentalists and those from farming backgrounds - but that could change, with four more councillors due to be appointed. Audio

5:44 PM.The Real Estate Institute says more New Zealanders are turning to new builds as a first home - but an Auckland estate agent says buyers still face an uphill battle. Audio

5:37 PM.Andrew King has won the mayoralty in Hamilton after an extremely tight race. Checkpoint spoke to him just after he had heard the news. Audio

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

5:28 PM.A forensic pathologist has described the horrific injuries suffered by New Zealand woman Warriena Wright, who fell 14 floors from a Gold Coast apartment, as Gable Tostee stands trial for her murder. Audio

5:25 PM.Donald Trump's campaign team has come out swinging over allegations that he groped women in the 1980s. Audio

5:13 PM.David Wales is the Ministry of Education's National Director of Special Education and joins Checkpoint to discuss the use of a seclusion room at Miramar Central School. Audio