Checkpoint is RNZ’s weekday drive-time news programme. Our multi-media show broadcasts on 101FM, and you can also watch it live on our website, Freeview Channel 50 and Face TV on Sky Channel 083 every weeknight from 5pm, where we tackle the stories of the day. Hosted by Lisa Owen. Send news tips a…
Most Australians want to stick with the US alliance, despite dwindling public opinion towards the Trump administration and its effects on democracy.
News from the business sector, including a market report.
Hello Fresh has been fined for a hard sell campaign that turned misleading for customers.
Dr Tanya Wilton is an ED doctor at Hutt Hospital. She tells Lisa Owen it was shocking to hear the Health Minister accuse senior doctors of being unethical over strike action.
Health Minister Simeon Brown has scolded senior doctors in a take-no-prisoners address to their annual conference in Wellington today. In his speech, he accused them of crossing an "ethical line" for choosing strike action, and said they were putting politics before patients. But his words were met with groans, laughter and cries of disbelief from the couple of hundred specialists packing the room - some of whom will be walking off the job again next week over deadlocked contract negotiations. Ruth Hill was there and sent this report.
Five months after the discovery of asbestos closed Auckland Museum, its finally reopened the doors to the majority its main attractions - including the cherished volcano house. Remediation work to get rid of the asbestos could exceed $10 million, while a 10 percent decline in visitor numbers left the museum with no choice but to disestablish 31 roles. But as Louise Ternouth reports, it's hoped today's re-opening will help bring the museum back to life.
Outgoing Kaipara Mayor Craig Jepson has called an emergency meeting just 24 hours before the final results of a cliffhanger election will be announced. The Mayor has requested the meeting be held behind closed doors in Mangawhai. RNZ Northland reporter Peter de Graaf joins Lisa Owen with the details.
A towering figure in New Zealand's political history. A leader of conviction and a servant of the people.
Inland Revenue has got millions of extra funding in recent years, which is helping it get tax debt under control as well as cracking down on anyone who's dodging their responsibilities. That's seen Baycorp used to chase tax debt, student loan debtors facing arrest at the airport and money being taken from bank accounts at a much faster rate. Some experts say it's a big shift in approach but also a necessary one. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds explains.
The NRL has issued a decree that any player signing with R360 will face a 10-year ban from returning. It's another in a string of developments around the rebel competition which could shape up as a real threat to both codes if it ever gets off the ground. Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.
Instead a children's charity is calling on him to urgently pass a law that could help end child labour even if it means joining forces with opposition MPs.
US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump authorising the CIA to conduct operations in Venezuela. It follows a number of recent fatal strikes on alleged Venezuelan drug smuggling boats conducted by the US.
There's a renewed push for police to wear body cameras and its coming from the front line. The Police union says officers support being wired for sound and vision on the job.
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about UK Prime Minister Keir starmer addressing parliament after returning home from the Gaza peace summit, as well as a discovery of dinosaur footprints in Oxfordshire revealing more about the prehistoric reptiles.
"A slap in the face". That's the response from a Resene worker over the latest pay offer from the paint company to its factory workers. Employees, unions and supporters gathered outside Resene's head office in Lower Hutt this morning. They say most workers are currently just over minimum wage - but they're demanding to be paid the living wage. Nick James reports.
News from the business sector, including a market report.
It wasn't a win on the scoreboard for the All Whites but they did manage to ruin Norway's nine-game winning streak this morning. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.
Despite the pause in hostilities humanitarian agencies have said no where near enough aid is getting into the decimated Gaza strip. Israel is refusing to open the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza. It has told the UN that it is halving the number of aid trucks it previously agreed to let into the Palestinan territory each day. Save the Children's Humanitarian Director in Gaza, Rachael Cummings spoke to Lisa Owen.
An Awakino mother rescued from floodwaters surrounding her home says she feels incredibly lucky her family got out when they did. Jamie Ward had her three children and a cousin in her care as flood waters began lapping over her deck. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.
The average Kiwi household is unknowingly spending nearly $80 a week on products linked to extreme exploitation of workers, or 'modern slaves'. A World Vision report estimates in 2022 New Zealand imported almost $8 billion worth of goods linked to forced or child labour and there's growing frustration about what some see as a lack of political will to introduce laws that could help stop slavery. World Vision's head of advocacy and justice, Rebekah Armstrong spoke to Lisa Owen.
The Department of Conservation is launching a new cadet programme for rangers to get on the job experience. DOC says it wants to invest in its future workforce & protect New Zealand's unique eco system at the same time. Karl Beckert from DOC spoke to Lisa Owen.
A rescue mission of the country's rarest kiwi species is being rewarded. The rowi population in South Westland dropped to an estimated 160 birds in the 1990s. But there's been a lot of mahi to bring them back from the brink. Tess Brunton has more.
The fallout from the Silver Ferns coaching saga has deepened over the past 24 hours after selector Gail Parata revealed she's resigned in protest over Netball New Zealand's treatment of Dame Noeline Taurua. Amid another flurry of headlines, the Silver Ferns flew out to Melbourne today ahead of their Constellation Cup opener on Friday. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.
Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about a garment factory fire in Bangladesh that has killed more than a dozen people, as well as the US charging a Cambodian man at the centre of an alleged crptocurrency scam and seizing more than $20 billion in Bitcoin.
MPs have been told to smarten up their act, amid supposed slipping standards in Parliament, from no-shows through to no shoes. Politicans from across the political spectrum weighed in with their thoughts.
Speaker of the house Gerry Brownlee has signalled a crack down and wants to change the rules around attendance, dress standards and leave. He said he will make greater use of punishments to ensure respect is shown to members and the house. Former senior National government Minister, attorney general and chair of the privileges committee, Chris Finlayson spoke to Lisa Owen.
Australia correspondent, Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the federal government watering down its planned overhaul of the country's superannuation system. It had promised the changes would make the system fairer by targeting high net-worth individuals with retirement super savings of $3 million or more.
News from the business sector, including a market report.
Heavy rain has smashed parts of the central north island, causing flooding and closing highways. In the northern Ruaphehu region, the three townships of Ohura, Matiere and Tokorima were cut off because of slips and flooding. Ruapehu Civil Defence Controller Clive Manley spoke to Lisa Owen.
A medical tourist who is suffering debilitating complications after her stomach surgery in Turkey went wrong is issuing a warning. Sherie had gastric sleeve or weight loss surgery to reduce the size of her stomach about three months ago, but 13 weeks on she is still being fed through a nasal tube and hasn't been able to work. Sherie spoke to Lisa Owen.
There were eager shoppers as far as the eye could see at the opening of the South Island's biggest supermarket on the outskirts of Christchurch today. The $40 million development in Rolleston will serve the more than 30,000 people who live in what was once a small rural township. But as Keiller MacDuff reports, not everyone's excited about the mega store.
Te Pāti Māori has accused one of its MPs of "major overspending issues" and her son of abusing Parliamentary security. The late-night email sent to party members and obtained by RNZ makes a string of allegations against the MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi - and her son Eru, a spokesperson for the Toitū Te Tiriti movement. Acting political editor, Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.
Global ticket reseller Viagogo has told the Court of Appeal that it did not mislead consumers. Last year it lost its legal battle with the Commerce Commission after being found to have repeatedly misled customers over its status as an official outlet for tickets. It's appealing parts of that decision. Krystal Gibbens reports.
The White Ferns are in a must-win situation at the halfway point of the Cricket World Cup. Tonight they play Sri Lanka in Colombo and need a second victory to keep their hopes of a semi-final place in the 50-over tournament alive. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.
It's hoped a full house at Christchurch's new stadium will also mean full bellies, as ticket go on sale for its first event. The event is virtual and money from each ticket will buy a lunch for a child in need - who goes to a school that doesn't get government funded meals. Full Bellies programme manager Tayla Neal spoke to Lisa Owen.
United States correspondent, Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the 16 victims of a fatal explosion in Tennesee who have now been identified, as well as President Donald Trump threatening China with a 100% tariff.
Could we be on the cusp of an amateur gold rush? In the past year the price of gold has increased 65%, to over $7000 dollars an ounce. Mal Blown is one of the amateur gold hunters who has jumped into searching, running a Facebook page and Youtube channel dedicated to the craft called Mal's Gold Adevntures. Blown is now giving up his day job to pursue gold hunting professionally, and spoke to Lisa Owen.
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK Prime Minister attending the internation peace summit in Egypt, as well as hour long queues forming at airports around Europe due to the roll-out of a new entry-exit system.
The Pike River film premieres in New Zealand tonight at the Regent Theatre in Greymouth on the West Coast. It tells the story of the fight for justice following the disaster through the eyes of Anna Osborne and Sonya Rockhouse, who both lost family members in the 2010 tragedy in which 29 men lost their lives. Samantha Gee is in Greymouth and spoke to Lisa Owen.
News from the business sector, including a market report.
Mountain biker Sammie Maxwell has faced battles on and off the bike and today she became the first New Zealander to win a Cross Country World Series title. The 23-year-old clinched the title in the final round in Canada - a success she put down to her ability to ask for help. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.