Checkpoint for Thursday 18 March 2021

5:06 PM.New Zealanders and Australians could be winging their way over the Tasman for quarantine free visits by the end of next month.

Since Australia pulled out of trans-Tasman bubble talks in February… Read more Audio

5:46 PM.One of the country's largest trucking companies is struggling to identify a driver caught on camera performing a risky overtaking manoeuvre on State Highway 2.

Video of the heart-in-your-mouth… Read more Video, Audio

5:11 PM.The prospect of being able to leave the country for a holiday in Australia raises the question about what happens if either country has an outbreak, and the borders snap shut.

So where does that… Read more Audio

5:14 PM.The government is still working on a framework for special exemptions for a vaccine.

Olympians and Black Caps are among those who could be eligible for early access to a vaccine, under the national… Read more Video, Audio

5:18 PM.Tensions are building in tourist towns where motels are now filling up with people unable to afford a place to live.

About 100 people turned up to a meeting in Napier last night, which was organised… Read more Audio

5:22 PM.The Director-General of Health is being handed what's being described as a political hot potato no one wants to touch.

From March next year, Ashley Bloomfield will be in control of water… Read more Audio

5:26 PM.A family court judge has ordered a four-year-old be vaccinated against her father's wishes.

The little girl has three guardians. Oranga Tamariki and her mother agreed to her being immunised in line… Read more Video, Audio

5:37 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6241482398001 Video, Audio

5:42 PM.The Tourism Minister has copped some flak from operators who are frustrated they couldn't meet with him during his trip south.

Stuart Nash has been visiting businesses in Invercargill today before… Read more Audio

5:52 PM.Her height - or lack of it - is what initially stopped her signing up for the police, but age has not been a barrier for Lynda Perry who is officially the oldest "new" constable to graduate police… Read more Video, Audio

6:07 PM.The America's Cup is safely secured in Team New Zealand's hands, and now there's mounting pressure for the event itself, to stay put in New Zealand waters.

But Team New Zealand's boss Grant Dalton… Read more Video, Audio

6:11 PM.The government is plonking the issue of water fluoridation in the basket of Director-General of Health Dr Ashley Bloomfield.

It's a hot button issue which has spurred fierce debate among several… Read more Audio

6:13 PM.A new attempt to block a controversial development in Wellington has failed, but that does not mean it is smooth sailing ahead.

The High Court has dismissed an application to review the decision to… Read more Audio

6:18 PM.Former All Black Julian Savea is learning to speak Samoan, to have a deeper connection with his heritage.

After three years in France, Saveas back playing for the Hurricanes - where his younger… Read more Audio

6:22 PM.Many fans are still basking in the glory of Wednesday's America's Cup victory perhaps none more than uber fan Aaron Happy.

Happy by name, happy by nature, and also highly superstitious - Aaron… Read more Video, Audio