Checkpoint for Thursday 14 October 2021

5:08 PM."Sobering but not unexpected." That is how health officials are describing today's 71 new Covid-19 community cases.

But there is a warning those numbers will get worse. A big part of the problem is… Read more Audio

5:12 PM.Along with 71 new cases in Auckland today, there are four new locations of interest in the suburb of Manurewa.

As the Covid situation worsens, south Auckland schools are looking to boost vaccination… Read more Video, Audio

5:17 PM.Some Auckland schools are battling virtual truancy and more than 50 percent of students dropping off the radar as they head back into online classes on Monday.

For hundreds of thousands of students… Read more Video, Audio

5:27 PM.After more than two years without a match, the Black Ferns have jetted off to Europe this afternoon for some much needed game time ahead of next year's World Cup.'

But while they're leaving for now… Read more Video, Audio

5:38 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6277016614001 Video, Audio

5:43 PM.There's been a mixed reaction from residents in Thames after the district's mayor said she won't take the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

Sandra Goudie says she's waiting instead for the Novavax vaccine… Read more Audio

5:47 PM.Disgraced retired businessman Ron Brierley has been sentenced to 14 months in prison with a seven-month non-parole period.

The 84-year-old appeared in a Sydney court today, having pleaded guilty in… Read more Audio

5:52 PM.Ground was broken today, in a sense, at the site of what will be Wellington City Mission's new community hub.

In the first of its kind for the country - the centre will host supportive housing units… Read more Video, Audio

5:55 PM.In the midst of the pandemic, Larnach Castle's 150th celebration faced an unusual quandary - not enough brains.

It's hosting a formal banquet to mark the milestone based on the menu its namesake -… Read more Video, Audio

6:07 PM.Daily new Covid-19 case numbers are rising in Auckland. The Ministry of Health's worst case scenario could see a peak of 5300 Delta cases a week next year. And that is just in Auckland and the… Read more Video, Audio

6:15 PM.A large shipment of rapid antigen tests is on its way to New Zealand and will soon be dished out across critical sectors.

It follows a coalition of some of New Zealand's biggest names in business… Read more Audio

6:19 PM.The Australian state of Victoria has set a new record with almost 2,300 daily Covid-19 cases being announced today. There have also been 11 more deaths. But the state premier, Daniel Andrews, isn't… Read more Audio