Checkpoint for Thursday 23 September 2021

5:08 PM.New modelling has painted a bleak picture for New Zealand if it fails to vaccinate more than 85 percent of the population: either continuing lockdowns or the deaths of thousands of people every year.

5:10 PM.The vaccination rate for Māori is far behind that of the general population.

Māori Development Minister Willie Jackson says it is disappointing, but he believes things are improving.

  Read more Video, Audio

5:17 PM.Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a woman near a walkway in the Auckland suburb of Mount Albert.

Lena Zhang was reported missing after going for a walk yesterday… Read more Audio

5:20 PM.New Zealand needs to find better ways to deal with the effects of Covid-19 or risks being left behind by the rest of the world, according to a tech boss.

Businesses are calling on the government to… Read more Video, Audio

5:25 PM.The cruise ship industry says it needs some certainty around the border to save the industry and help towns who rely on their visitors.

Princess Cruises has announced its extending its pause of trips… Read more Audio

5:35 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report Audio

5:38 PM.The government is standing by its Covid-19 response for Māori, despite large disparities in both the number of cases and the vaccine rollout.

It has been criticised for acting too late, and for… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.Could Queenstown Lakes be the experiment with inclusionary zoning that New Zealand needs?

The district council is seeking feedback on plans that could see developers having to hand over homes or cash… Read more Audio

5:53 PM.In human couples getting cold feet often is not the best sign, but not for this couple of Gentoo penguins - Buster and 99 - who are celebrating their 24th anniversary at Kelly Tarlton's.

Contrary to… Read more Video, Audio

6:08 PM.New modelling shows New Zealand needs to vaccinate most people five years and up to keep the Covid-19 death rate about the same as the seasonal flu.

Te Pūnaha Matatini modellers say the higher the… Read more Video, Audio

6:16 PM.Police have launched a homicide investigation following the death of a woman near a walkway in the Auckland suburb of Mount Albert.

Lena Zhang was reported missing after going for a walk early… Read more Audio

6:19 PM.Two days into Auckland's new-found alert level 'three-doms', it hasn't been smooth sailing for the re-opened hospitality businesses.

Staff are wrangling customers to follow the strict rules and even… Read more Audio

6:23 PM.The government has announced who will lead the Māori Health Authority, which it hopes will address the staggering inequites Māori face in the health system.

Aotearoa's 20 district health boards are… Read more Audio

6:27 PM.Auckland Council is telling the government it is not keen on its Three Waters Reforms.

The proposed changes would see control of drinking, waste and storm water systems be taken from the hands of 67… Read more Audio