Checkpoint for Thursday 3 December 2020

5:01 PM.Some tourism operators in the Cook Islands say they're at their wits' end, after months of promised updates - and ongoing delays to getting a travel bubble with New Zealand put in place.

The Covid-19… Read more Audio

5:11 PM.Ports of Auckland has had a torrid past few months, with increasing pressure from importers and retailers to speed up stock movement through the port.

The company insists the delays are due to staff… Read more Video, Audio

5:17 PM.It's not clear when the Pakistan cricket team will be able to train, or if all the players will be released from MIQ in time for the first match of the tour after some of the squad tested positive for… Read more Video, Audio

5:22 PM.Watermelon farmers in Tonga have shed tears of joy over the announcement their exports would be allowed into New Zealand again, on a trial basis.

The Ministry for Primary Industries has issued a… Read more Audio

5:26 PM.It's hoped a major investment in Auckland's recycling infrastructure will ensure hundreds of tonnes of previously dumped plastic doesn't end up in the tip.

Hard to recycle plastics have been… Read more Video, Audio

5:30 PM.Plans for a proposed airport in a small South Island town faced strong push back during a Christchurch City Council meeting today.

Just a day after the New Zealand Government declared a climate… Read more Video, Audio

5:41 PM.The social housing waitlist has reached a record high - nearly 22,000 applicants are now on the housing register, while the government is promising to deliver an extra 18,000 public and transitional… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.One of the vaccines New Zealand is pinning its hopes on has been given the green-light in the UK, and rollout is due to start there in the next few days.

While it hasn't been approved here yet -… Read more Audio

5:46 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Video, Audio

5:52 PM.A major retail chain's decision to stock dolls with Down Syndrome means children will have better access to toys that reflect them; according to one advocacy group.

The dolls will join the K-mart… Read more Video, Audio

6:08 PM.Covid-19 Recovery Minister Chris Hipkins has burst any dreams of a Cook Islands travel bubble by Christmas, but has the message been officially delivered to the islands?

NZ government officials… Read more Video, Audio

6:15 PM.The political consensus over an inquiry into Pharmac looks to be breaking down - with Labour and National at odds over how it should be run.

National today asked the newly-formed health select… Read more Audio

6:18 PM.It's officially a climate emergency, but what will it cost the country?

Parliament yesterday voted for the emergency declaration, which comes with a commitment for the public service to be… Read more Audio

6:21 PM.The child sex offender and prison escaper, Phillip John Smith, has been back in court for another legal fight as he pushes to be interviewed by a journalist.

Last year, Corrections rejected Stuff's… Read more Video, Audio

6:24 PM.The Māori Party is back and louder than ever. The co-leaders, supported by hundreds who travelled the length of the island to be at Parliament today, made their maiden speeches in the House this… Read more Audio

6:27 PM.The Māori All Blacks and Moana Pasifika team have left their training boots on the bus this afternoon for a Pōwhiri at the Tūrangawaewae Marae in Northern Waikato.

The two teams are in town ahead of… Read more Audio