Checkpoint for Tuesday 7 March 2023

5:54 PM.After the country's devasting floods, sponge cities are being floated as a solution to future downpours.

The term 'sponge city' is all about uncovering natural streams and using native plants to… Read more Video, Audio

5:50 PM.Smee is back in the sea - a green turtle that spent almost a year in rehab after being accidently hooked on a fishing line has been returned to the wild.

The turtle - named after Captain Hook's best… Read more Video, Audio

5:47 PM.The mayor of Gisborne has welcomed the government decision to focus its transport priorities to repair roads in cyclone-hit areas.

In its three-year plan, the government had wanted to reallocate some… Read more Audio

5:42 PM.The clock is ticking for farmers who need to get stock off their land of ahead winter, but cannot because cyclone damage has them penned in.

Some small rural communities are still completely cut off… Read more Video, Audio

5:36 PM.A second stoush has blown up around a government appointed chair and claims of political impartiality.

Last week it was health boss Rob Campbell - now it is the chair of Pharmac, Steve Maharey - a… Read more Audio

5:27 PM.UNICEF Australia is warning children need specific disaster recovery services, and you cannot just leave their wellbeing to chance.

Thousands of young Australian children need intensive mental health… Read more Video, Audio

5:23 PM.New Zealand Football's push-back to a Saudi Arabian tourism body sponsoring the women's Football World Cup has surprised the sport's bigwigs.

FIFA were reportedly caught off-guard by criticism of… Read more Video, Audio

5:18 PM.The trash talks started, but there's no fight on the cards. National MP Mark Mitchell is disappointed Police Minister Stuart Nash won't go head-to-head with him in a charity boxing match.

Mitchell… Read more Audio

5:14 PM.Some Muriwai residents are bringing in their own experts - saying they're sick of being stonewalled by the council.

Last night the council's geotech boss told Checkpoint some residents may have to… Read more Audio

5:07 PM.Coromandel could be in a hole lot of trouble with another chunk of a key highway disappearing down a hillside.

State Highway 25 between Whangamatā and Hikuai is open for essential travel only and… Read more Video, Audio