Checkpoint for Friday 1 March 2024

5:41 PM.Kumara's back in abundance after many crops were devastated by Cylone Gabrielle. About 97% of Aotearoa's kumara is grown in Northland, due to warm climate and good soil, but much if it was left… Read more Audio

5:29 PM.With one of the highest skin cancer rates in the world and melanoma the most common cancer in New Zealand, there's no doubt, Kiwis know it's vital to slip slop slap and wrap. But to meet the… Read more Audio

5:26 PM.The Black Caps have had a horror start to their batting innings against Australia on day two of the first cricket Test in Wellington. Losing their first 3 wickets in just 6 balls has put the hosts on… Read more Audio

5:19 PM.TVNZ has announced a 16.8 million dollar loss for the six months ended December. It comes in the wake of Wednesday's revelations that Newshub's newsroom may be gone by the middle of the year. So could… Read more Audio

5:16 PM.Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is digging in over his choice to collect a 52-thousand-dollar allowance to live in his own mortgage-free apartment in Wellington. 

He says he's entitled to the… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.Victims of the Whaakari White island eruption and their families have been awarded more than ten million dollars in reparations. Five companies that took tourists to the volcanic island before the… Read more Audio

4:47 PM.If a big earthquake hits, do you have a plan for how you would get home? In Wellington, a big one could take out roads and public transport out of the city. This afternoon, hundreds of people are… Read more Audio

4:43 PM.Hundreds of Newshub staff could be staring down the barrel of redudancy in just 4 months and the company is not the only one shedding staff. Newshub's owned by Warner Brothers and one of the bosses… Read more Audio

4:37 PM.This weekend marks the start of the third edition of Super Rugby Aupiki and the elite level women's competition has been doubled in length. Sports journalist Jamie Wall speaks to Lisa Owen. Read more Audio

4:31 PM.The Prime Minister is digging in over his choice to claim a $52,000 optional allowance to live in his own mortgage free apartment in Wellington. Christopher Luxon says he is entitled to the payment… Read more Audio

4:27 PM.Auckland Transport officials are assuring East Aucklanders that progress on the Eastern Busway will bring relief to their traffic frustration. Officials were keen to showcase the project's latest… Read more Audio

4:25 PM.Three companies that profited from tours on Whakaari / White Island have been ordered to pay reparations of more than 10 million dollars. The week long sentencing drew to a close in the Auckland… Read more Audio

4:20 PM.Canada correspondent Ashleigh Stewart speaks to Lisa Owen about Canada's winter, a controversial secularism law in Quebec passing a constitutional challenge and an audio clip of bangs being released… Read more Audio

4:07 PM.A burning question; should the government take GST of sunscreens and make it cheaper to guard against melanoma? New Zealand skin care brand, Raaie has launched a petition asking the government to… Read more Audio