Checkpoint for Wednesday 24 March 2021

5:07 PM.Olympians and the Black Caps have been given the green light to apply for Covid-19 vaccinations from next week, so they can head away for their events.

The government has confirmed strict criteria… Read more Audio

5:10 PM.In an attempt to help people buy their first home, the government has eased restrictions on First Home Grants and Loans.

Both are subject to property value caps. In Auckland, that cap will increase… Read more Video, Audio

5:17 PM.Some New Zealanders have not waited for an Australian travel bubble before taking holidays across the ditch - with about 27 people heading there and back over Christmas and New Year.

They are among… Read more Audio

5:21 PM.Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins joins Lisa Owen with the latest details on vaccinations.

He said vaccine special categories are about trying to strike balance for genuine need, and they will… Read more Video, Audio

5:31 PM.The National Party has taken aim at the Speaker Trevor Mallard again, labelling him a bully who is unfit to be in his job.

It's revealed details of a statement of claim in the defamation case of the… 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=6243283954001 Read more Video, Audio

5:41 PM.Whole sectors of the construction industry are being propped up by illegal exploited foreign workers according to Immigration New Zealand.

Ten Chinese nationals are being deported after they were… Read more Video, Audio

5:48 PM.Lawyers for the two men on trial over the Red Fox Tavern shooting and robbery more than 30 years ago have told the jury there's nowhere near enough evidence to find them guilty.

Chris Bush was gunned… Read more Audio

5:51 PM.New modelling from Te Pūnaha Matatini shows there is a short-term risk of a Covid-19 community outbreak from a border worker, as vaccinated workers might still spread the virus, even if they are not… Read more Video, Audio

5:55 PM.The families of Wellington border workers and front-line health staff are joining that coveted club of those who have got a Covid-19 jab.

Five community vaccination centres are now open with one in… Read more Video, Audio

6:08 PM.A Code Black has been declared at Dunedin Hospital - which is now at capacity.

The Southern DHB says the emergency department is still open, but it's asking the public to avoid it if possible and… Read more Video, Audio

6:12 PM.Real estate agents are either dropping listings or rushing through sales following the government's housing announcement.

Any investment property bought from Saturday onwards will be subject to a tax… Read more Audio

6:16 PM.The annual gathering of top New Zealand athletes takes place with something of a twist in Auckland tonight.

With much of the 2020 sporting calendar sidelined by Covid-19, this year's Halberg Awards… Read more Video, Audio

6:20 PM.Minister Andrew Little has vigorously defended SIS head Rebecca Kitteridge following her appearance in front of the Select Committee today.

Ms Kitteridge has been questioned by Parliament's… Read more Audio