Checkpoint for Friday 3 June 2022

6:26 PM.New beginnings and a new found confidence have the Black Ferns bullish about their chances of defending their World Cup title in October and November. Their quest begins in earnest on Monday when the… Read more Audio

6:20 PM.National Geographics, books about art and rock music were in the sights of the hardy crowd turning out for a popular annual secondhand book sale in Palmerston North today. Our Manawatū reporter Jimmy… Read more Audio

6:15 PM.New Zealand now has its own specialist research centre that will focus on the prevention of violent extremism in Aotearoa. He Whenua Taurikura - which translates to 'a country at peace' - delivers on… Read more Video, Audio

6:12 PM.St John is getting many more 111 calls than it usually expects at this time of year, putting the ambulance service under immense strain. Winter demand has come six weeks earlier than expected, as Jean… Read more Video, Audio

6:08 PM.Hospitals around the country are slammed with covid, staff shortages and an onslaught of seasonal ills. Dunedin Hospital's closed to visitors due to a high number of coronavirus cases and concerns it… Read more Video, Audio

5:56 PM.It may come as a surprise to some but Taranaki is officially the sunniest region in New Zealand - and it has the trophy to prove it! The Sunshine Cup arrived in New Plymouth this week - and was duly… Read more Video, Audio

5:50 PM.While the 96-year-old Queen was no doubt tucked up in bed on the other side of the world, back here a very special ceremony was held to mark her platinum jubilee. Ruth Hill was at the Wellington… Read more Video, Audio

5:45 PM.The Dairy and Business Association say it's time for the government to declare a crime emergency. It follows a spate of violent ram raids and dairy robberies mainly in Auckland, including one customer… Read more Video, Audio

5:35 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6307231332112 Video, Audio

5:35 PM.The borders are open, holiday is booked, but is your passport still valid? If it's not you may miss the plane due to high demand for renewals and lengthy delays, partly beause covid is hitting the… Read more Video, Audio

5:22 PM.This afternoon's shooting outside Papakura District Court followed a major police operation in Pakuranga last night. The two incidents are the latest in over a dozen gang-related shootings, arsons and… Read more Video, Audio

5:18 PM.The south Auckland suburb of Papakura was rocked by a shooting this afternoon... right outside its the district court, next to the police station. The incident unfolded just before one-o-clock, and… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.Multiple waves of winter illness are washing over a health system already under strain, and now the fight is on to keep clinicians heads above water. Dunedin Hospital is closed to visitors, Hawke's… Read more Video, Audio