Checkpoint for Friday 18 February 2022

5:07 PM.Protesters have escaped any imminent police crackdown as they flout the law outside Parliament, blocking roads and setting up more and more tents.

Community leaders have added their cries to the… Read more Video, Audio

5:12 PM.Police Association boss Chris Cahill says he agrees with the police's decision-making on the Parliament protest.

"I certainly know from Wellingtonian point of view, they'll be frustrated, but we have… Read more Video, Audio

5:18 PM.Omicron is continuing its silent creep through the community - with almost 2,000 cases reported today.

There are 73 people in hospital with the virus and one in ICU. The high demand for tests has… Read more Video, Audio

5:23 PM.On Monday the Ministry of Health issued a statement advising that of the 20.000 swabs taken in Auckland, about 80 to 90 percent of those who turned up didn't need to.

Royal NZ College of GPs Dr Bryan… Read more Video, Audio

5:32 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6298012494001 Video, Audio

11:35 AM.The speed limit on a notorious stretch of highway has dropped to 80km/h an hour today.

Motorists will now have to drive slower for about 70 kilometres between Napier and Taupō in a bid to make the… Read more Video, Audio

5:42 PM.Immunisation Advisory Centre Medical Advisor Professor Peter McIntyre has told Checkpoint there has been "mandate creep" in schools where children are not mandated to be vaccinated, but are being… Read more Video, Audio

5:49 PM.A quiet park in Palmerston North is a world away from the full stadiums of India, or even a packed Basin Reserve.

But for former Black Cap men's cricket international Andrew Penn, it's the scene of a… Read more Audio

5:53 PM.Now to the cross-country capers of a mum and her 6-week old, who've been warming hearts around Dunedin.

Hiriwa and her baby have been spotted in various locations around the town - the sea lions have… Read more Video, Audio

6:06 PM.Eden Park says its financial viability is at risk as it stares down the barrel of a third straight year of disruptions due to Covid-19 settings.

Meanwhile, uncertainty over just how long the country… Read more Video, Audio

6:12 PM.The Principal Youth Court Judge says there is a clear lack of targeted support for young female offenders, and he wants action.

It's a message backed by the Children's Commissioner and a top child… Read more Audio

6:16 PM.The laptop's perched on the kitchen table, comfy pants in position, maybe even some funky old socks on too - and the watercooler conversations are no more.

The line between home and work has been… Read more Audio

6:20 PM.Christchurch City Council had a record number of noise complaints lodged at the end of last year.

It's thought to be caused by event cancellations, which has left people nowhere to party but home.

… Read more Video, Audio