Checkpoint for Thursday 20 February 2020

5:06 PM.Two passengers with coronavirus on the Diamond Princess cruise ship have died.

Media reports from Japan say the man and woman were both aged in their 80s.

New Zealand's Director General of Health… Read more Video, Audio

5:12 PM.Trevor Overton and his wife were onboard the Diamond Princess.

They were among the 180 Australians and six New Zealanders onboard the Qantas charter flight to Darwin.

Whilst the New Zealanders have… Read more Video, Audio

5:20 PM.Warning: Report contains details that will be upsetting to some listeners New details have emerged in the horrific killing of a family set alight in Brisbane.

A growing number of floral tributes are… Read more Video, Audio

5:23 PM.Oranga Tamariki says it is standing by its decision to return a four-year-old boy who had suffered severe injuries in June to his immediate family in Flaxmere despite some whānau saying they opposed… Read more Video, Audio

5:28 PM.Forecast rain over the next 48 hours is unlikely to break the drought in Northland but could cause further headaches for Westland.

A heavy rain warning is in place for the West Coast south of Otira… Read more Video, Audio

5:34 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Video, Audio

5:38 PM.The Prime Minister invited herself round to Flaxmere Primary School on Thursday for a free lunch, as the government launched its $45 million initiative in 31 schools.

The 460 students at Flaxmere are… Read more Video, Audio

5:41 PM.A jury has retired to consider its verdict in the case of a woman accused of murdering her abusive partner in their south Auckland home.

Karen Ruddelle admits stabbing Joseph Ngapera in their… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.New Zealand First is continuing to push for more changes to the latest firearms legislation.

The Police Minister relies on the party's votes to get the law passed. Last April, a law banning certain… Read more Video, Audio

5:49 PM.Warning: Report contains graphic details that will upset some listeners. A West Auckland man who attacked his unwell mother says he wasn't thinking when he picked up the hammer he used to kill her.

… Read more Audio

6:10 PM.Live radio commentary of New Zealand cricket matches appears to be over.

Media company NZME announced today that it had failed to reach an agreement with New Zealand cricket for next season's… Read more Audio

6:13 PM.The management of a dangerous chemical spill in Hawera on Wednesday has been described as a bit of a communications cock-up.

A South Taranaki iwi leader says the alerts - one of which screeched like… Read more Audio

6:18 PM.Australasia's first Autism Resource Centre has opened its doors this afternoon.

What started as an empty warehouse in Petone has been transformed over the past five years and now features custom… Read more Video, Audio

6:23 PM.Sticky, clammy conditions have been making things difficult for many Aucklanders, who say they're sick of feeling sweaty every time they leave the house.

The city has been experiencing high humidity… Read more Video, Audio

6:26 PM.The New Zealander of the Year Award winner will be revealed at a star studded event in a few hours time.

The top category's finalists are Peter Beck, Jane Harding, and Jennifer Ward-Lealand Te… Read more Audio