Checkpoint for Tuesday 31 October 2017

6:23 PM.Ministry of Social Development is defending its systems after it was revealed more than 52,000 pensioners were overpaid last year. Audio

6:20 PM.Taranaki medical officer of health Dr Jonathan Jarman has linked problem gambling to suicide at a public hearing into the New Plymouth District Council's gambling venues policy. Audio

6:18 PM.Police have announced nobody will be prosecuted after a balcony collapsed at an impromptu courtyard gig by the band Six60 in March last year, which injured 18 people. Audio

6:17 PM.The Government has been criticised once again for negotiating with a Maori body that did not have the backing of one of the hapu it claimed to represent. Mihingarangi Forbes reports. Audio

6:14 PM.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will travel to Sydney on Sunday to meet her Australian counterpart Malcolm Turnbull in her first official overseas engagement as Prime Minister. Audio

6:08 PM.Residents of Invercargill and Bluff are being urged to conserve water after an explosion at a water pumping station put a worker in hospital. Water manager Alister Murray joins Checkpoint. Audio

5:51 PM.Two Northland councils, which are 100 per cent pakeha, have voted once again against creating Maori seats. Audio

5:47 PM.Some customers say they've had their food delivery cancelled for the second day in a row as My Food Bag battles with teething issues at its new warehouse. Audio

5:43 PM.Three Westland District Council staff have been paid a total of $230,000 in severance payments and the council has a $2m deficit in it annual operating costs. Earlier this week it was revealed that… Read more Audio