Checkpoint for Friday 17 December 2021

5:08 PM.The Minister of Social Development has launched an internal review after she missed several red flags around multimillion dollar spending on private rentals for the homeless.

The Auditor-General this… Read more Video, Audio

5:12 PM.Genomic testing is underway to determine whether the Omicron variant has spread amongst other passengers onboard a flight from Dubai to Auckland.

At least two other passengers onboard the flight… Read more Audio

5:20 PM.Primary schools could be welcoming children back to class with a Covid vaccination next year.

Principals say they have been asked to consider being part of the drive to immunise children between the… Read more Audio

5:20 PM.Police warn there's been a spike in the people selling puppies that do not actually exist - usually through online trading sites and fake webpages.

The dogs go for thousands and buyers are pushed to… Read more Audio

5:21 PM.An unthinkable tragedy. Tasmania's community of Devonport is shaken and in mourning after five children died after falling from a bouncy castle that was swept into the air by a gust of wind.

The… Read more Audio

5:32 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6287254525001 Video, Audio

5:38 PM.There are fears Queenstown's hurting hospitality sector may be brought to a screeching halt if a Covid case occurs among workers.

The resort's hospitality sector is unique in its tight-knit nature… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.Te Pae, Christchurch's near $450 million convention centre, has been officially opened this afternoon with a pōwhiri and unveiling by Mayor Lianne Dalziel and Minister Megan Woods.

Billed as a legacy… Read more Video, Audio

5:50 PM.A sad story with a happy ending, one that touched Checkpoint listeners and galvanised action for a migrant family in need. Mother-of-two Tarri Caraquez was in lockdown in Auckland with a two-month-old… Read more Audio

5:55 PM.About this time every year there's a music chart battle between Christmas songbirds for the top album or single.

But in Australia some actual birds are knocking other music artists off their perch… Read more Video, Audio

5:58 PM.Months of lockdown, a border finally reopen for summer, and Christmas just around the corner.

It's been an interesting year to say the least.

Reporter Louise Ternouth and camera operator Marika… Read more Video, Audio

6:07 PM.Millions of dollars is being pumped into athletes wellbeing to make sure top performers are looked after.

It's as High Performance Sport New Zealand acknowledges not enough has been done to cater for… Read more Audio

6:11 PM.It has some of the lowest immunisation rates in the South Island, but the West Coast is now only 1500 shots shy of achieving ninety percent fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

In mid October, just… Read more Audio

6:24 PM.Well, that's nearly us done for the year. No one thought it could be worse than 2020, but for many it was.

A lot has happened this year, so much we could never dream to pull together a best of the… Read more Audio