Checkpoint for Friday 16 July 2021

5:07 PM.The country came to town today as farmers expressed their frustration at what they call a barrage of red tape and new taxes.

They came by tractor and ute to 50 centres, from Kaitaia to Invercargill… Read more Video, Audio

5:12 PM.The strikes are off and nurses are set to vote on the government's revised pay offer.

After hitting a deadlock in pay talks, nurses had agreed to three strikes over the next few months.

But late… Read more Video, Audio

5:18 PM.It's been revealed a cop killer tried to hide his gun among pine needles in a patch of bush after fleeing from the scene.

Police have detailed how they tracked down Eli Epiha, after he shot dead one… Read more Audio

5:21 PM.A state of emergency has been declared in Buller - because of heavy rain and flooding, in what's been described as a one in 50 year event.

Residents in low lying areas, or those who've had trouble… Read more Video, Audio

5:28 PM.About 40 percent of Australia's population is back under lockdown after Covid-19 outbreaks in multiple states.

This morning, Victorians began their fifth lockdown of the pandemic.

But it's New South… Read more Audio

5:34 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6263908025001 Video, Audio

5:39 PM.A Queenstown migrant worker says the extension of essential skills visa is the best birthday present.

From Monday, people on essential skill visas who make less than $27 an hour will be able to stay… Read more Video, Audio

5:48 PM.The clock is ticking down to the Tokyo Olympics - with just one week to go until the games kick off.

Athletes from around the world have been jetting in to Japan - including some of New Zealand's… Read more Audio

7:48 PM.After more than year of waiting for a Ministry of Social Development review, a woman who was unfairly sanctioned for failing to name her child's father has been repaid.

Under the sanction, many women… Read more Video, Audio

6:14 PM.Nurses have cancelled their upcoming strike after a breakthrough in pay negotiations with the DHBs.

The Nurses Organisation has agreed to take the government's latest offer back to their members to… Read more Audio

6:16 PM.Inflation has hit a ten year high, meaning our food is more expensive, fruit and veges in particular.

Latest stats for the June quarter show prices have shot up more than 7 percent since March and… Read more Video, Audio