Checkpoint for Thursday 21 December 2023

5:43 PM.Christchurch's Methodist Mission has been a hive of holiday cheer today, as donated Christmas hampers were dropped off and given to those struggling to put a meal on the table. Volunteers, dressed as… Read more Audio

5:35 PM.Animal Control Officers will be out in force at Auckland's West Coast beaches , making sure nobody's breaking the rules. Piha is one of the region's worst beaches for bad behaviour from dog owners… Read more Audio

5:26 PM.Locals in a tiny Central Hawke's Bay town want a new vape store gone. A petition delivered to the council calling for the closure of the shop in Otane has gathered 500 signatures. But the shop owner… Read more Audio

5:22 PM.New All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has confirmed his management group for the upcoming season and it's a lengthy list of people. Seven remain from past coach Ian Foster's era, eight have experience… Read more Audio

5:17 PM.Latest figures show road crashes are costing the country billions of dollars. With summer holidays just round the corner, a former road safety officer is reminding people to be safe. Our reporter Emma… Read more Audio

5:09 PM.Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has ruled out expelling the Russian ambassador. This, despite his coalition partners National and ACT calling for an expulsion earlier this year. MPs had their… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.A prisoner is dead and another is in a serious condition after an assault in the kitchen at Auckland South Corrections Facility Read more Audio