Checkpoint for Friday 5 March 2021

4:31 PM.Covid-19 modeller Professor Shaun Hendy from Auckland University research centre Te Pūnaha Matatini says it was an obvious call to drop Covid-19 alert levels, after five days of no new Covid-19… Read more Video, Audio

4:45 PM.Checkpoint reporter Nick Truebridge is outside Hunters Plaza in the Auckland suburb of Papatoetoe.

He says people he has talked to are thrilled about the move to alert level 2. Read more Video, Audio

4:49 PM.Dr Ashley Bloomfield has issued a Section 70 order to anyone who attended City Fitness gym at Hunter's Plaza in Papatoetoe on Feb 20 between 11:15am and 1:45pm, or Feb 26 between 3:25pm and 4:30pm.

… Read more Audio

4:51 PM.Auckland Grammar headmaster Tim O'Connor has just heard the news that Auckland is moving from Covid-19 alert level 3 to alert level 2 on Sunday at 6am.

He talks to Lisa Owen about what it means for… Read more Video, Audio

4:53 PM.Michael Baker is an epidemiologist from Otago University and expert on the spread of Covid-19.

He tells Lisa Owen the move to alert level 2 for Auckland and alert level 1 for the rest of New Zealand… Read more Video, Audio

4:57 PM.Political reporter Katie Scotcher joins Lisa Owen with details of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern's press conference which began at 4pm. Read more Video, Audio

5:07 PM.It's been an extraordinary day with the government and health and emergency services dealing with the decision on whether to shift Covid-19 alert levels, and three significant earthquakes offshore.

… Read more Video, Audio

5:12 PM.Communities in Northland were also told to head inland and to higher ground.

Our reporter Nita Blake Persen and cameraman Nick Monro filed this report from Whangārei. Read more Video, Audio

5:17 PM.Auckland will leave lockdown and drop down to alert level 2 at 6am on Sunday. The rest of the country will move to level 1 at the same time.

The decision was made following news there are no new… Read more Video, Audio

5:19 PM.Auckland Mayor Phil Goff says the city, particularly south Auckland, needs to be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccine. He told Checkpoint he has pushed the idea with the Prime Minister. 

"Where do you… Read more Video, Audio

5:27 PM.Friday morning got off to a shaky start, and there was little respite for thousands of coastal residents who were sent scrambling for the hills.

There were three significant quakes - the first… Read more Video, Audio

5:32 PM.A man charged with making threats to kill worshippers at two Christchurch mosques was remanded in custody after an appearance in court this morning.

The man is accused of posting on a website popular… Read more Audio

5:38 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6237350383001 Video, Audio

5:43 PM.Auckland students have missed months of classroom time due to Covid-19 over the past year, with about about 250,000 children being taught from home this week as Tāmaki Makaurau endured alert level 3.

5:48 PM.Southland Mayor Gary Tong says Destiny Church leaders Hannah and Brian Tamaki are not welcome in his region.

Tong says if leaving Auckland under the cover of darkness to avoid the level 3 lockdown… Read more Audio

5:48 PM.The Auckland Church community say the actions of Destiny Church Leaders leaving are wrong and the couple should be leading by example.

Church leaders say they're offering online church services and… Read more Audio

5:58 PM.Our reporter Nick Truebridge is in the heart of Papatoetoe township and joins Lisa Owen with the latest details. Read more Video, Audio

5:59 PM.The Education Ministry ordered schools to enrol 205 children last year because principals were digging their toes in and refusing to accept them.

The Principals Federation has suggested defying such… Read more Audio

6:08 PM.Three earthquakes, tsunami warnings and thousands of people heading for the hills.

For residents of towns on the East Cape the alert came in the middle of the night, after an earthquake off the coast… Read more Audio

6:13 PM.Auckland will move to alert level 2 at 6am on Sunday, while the rest of the country will move to level 1.

Cabinet made the decision today, after a fifth day in a row of no new community cases.

… Read more Audio

6:17 PM.The Anglican Bishop of Christchurch says he will be getting the Covid-19 jab when it is offered because protecting your community is the Christian thing to do.

The comments are in stark contrast to… Read more Video, Audio

6:23 PM.More history awaits New Zealand's reigning sportsman of the year in Las Vegas this weekend.

Already the middleweight world champion, mixed martial arts star Israel Adesanya will attempt to claim a… Read more Audio

6:27 PM.A change in alert levels means Crowded House can actually have a crowded house when their tour kicks off next week in Christchurch.

[embed]… Read more Video, Audio