Checkpoint for Friday 22 October 2021

5:08 PM.Once the Auckland region reaches 90 percent double-dosed with the vaccine, the newly revealed Covid-19 protection system comes into play.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has laid out a new traffic… Read more Audio

5:12 PM.Nita Blake-Persen speaks to Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins to ask whether Auckland will be in the new protection system by Christmas.

First she asks whether Northland should brace for… Read more Video, Audio

5:18 PM.Auckland will transition into the new 'traffic light' Covid-19 framework as soon as the region's three district health boards hit 90 percent of their eligible populations being fully vaccinated.

… Read more Video, Audio

5:25 PM.There's been more support announced for Auckland businesses today, some of which are feeling the full effects of the drawn out lockdown.

The resurgence support payment has been doubled and the wage… Read more Video, Audio

5:27 PM.Māori health experts are worried about the lack of a specific vaccination target for Māori in the reopening plan announced today.

Restrictions will ease once 90 percent of the population in each DHB… Read more Audio

5:35 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6278269415001 Video, Audio

5:38 PM.Being held hostage by the unvaccinated. That's how some Auckland businesses feel as a 90 percent vaccine target is set for opening up.

Whilst they wait - more support has been announced, but many… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.Checkpoint goes back to Newmarket where reporter Nick Truebridge hears from business owners about the support package announced by the government.

  Read more Video, Audio

5:45 PM.Australia is throwing open its doors to international travel with flights resuming in as soon as 10 days.

It comes as Victoria and New South Wales hit 70 and 80 percent double dose levels, ease… Read more Audio

5:52 PM.The Prime Minister has dangled the carrot of lifting some restrictions in the south if they can get the island 90 percent fully vaccinated.

Community and business leaders say this provides the step… Read more Audio

5:55 PM.Construction for a $50 million film studio in Upper Hutt, near Wellington, is well-underway.

Lane Street Studio is set to help the region meet its capacity issues in the creative sector, and already… Read more Video, Audio

6:09 PM.The government has announced a vaccination target for Aotearoa. All DHBs need to get 90 percent of their population double vaccinated so the country can move into the next stage of the Covid-19… Read more Audio

6:14 PM.Just two days after its level 3 lockdown lifted, Northland has recorded two new cases of Covid - with the possibility of a third.

The Ministry of Health says the two cases are contacts of a recently… Read more Video, Audio

6:23 PM.A new preventation programme designed and led by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to reduce the number of Māori tamariki and rangatahi entering state care has been given a funding injection from the government.

6:25 PM.A Christchurch woman who has a medical exemption to not wear a mask, says the judgement and stigma she faces in stores makes her condition even worse.

Jody Devine carries an exemption card to show… Read more Audio