Checkpoint for Thursday 24 December 2020

5:58 PM.A New Year is a fresh start and after 2020's madness everyone's welcoming the opportunity with open arms. But after this year's curve ball, most people's hopes for the year - are much more simple. We… Read more Audio

5:50 PM.At Checkpoint, we love an animal story. From missing cats, to wandering pigs and rafts of otters - these tales have brought joy to us - and hopefully you - in what's been a challenging year. Audio

5:44 PM.From tantrums to trouble at dinner time and bed time - there are a lot of obstacles parents come up against with young children. A team at Auckland University has created two parenting apps, with the… Read more Audio

5:34 PM.A new hospitality helpline is being launched to support staff who may be getting a raw deal as they slog away at bars, cafes and restaurants over the coming months. Unite union has created the free to… Read more Audio

5:27 PM.Santa will be riding into town on a brisk southerly for Christmas tomorrow - but fear not, most of the country is in for a fine day. Warm and dry weather is forecast for most of the country - with… Read more Audio

5:23 PM.Police will be cracking down on hoons driving along beaches in the Horowhenua District this summer. People are allowed to drive on beaches up the coast, including Otaki, Himatangi and Waitarere, but… Read more Audio

5:20 PM.Paul Brislen is from electronic payments company Paymark joins Nita Blake-Persen Audio

5:16 PM.The sound of tills ringing throughout the land have all but drowned out jingle bells in stores this year. It's better than expected, after what's been a tough year for many. Our reporters around the… Read more Audio

5:11 PM.In the United Kingdom, millions more people in England are poised to enter the toughest tier of restrictions from Boxing Day - which includes stay at home orders. Our Worldwatch reporter - Perlina Lau… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.The spotlight is on New Zealand's border controls as a new Covid-19 variant sweeps the UK. Kiwis trying to get home from the UK are begging the government for more flexibility around booking managed… Read more Audio