Checkpoint for Wednesday 25 September 2024

5:41 PM.West Papua freedom advocates are concerned Indonesia will launch a military assault now that New Zealand pilot Phillip Merhtens has been released. Mr Merhtens was held captive for almost 600 days by… Read more Audio

5:31 PM.South Africa correspondent Elna Schutz spoke to Lisa Owen about African states wanting a bigger seat at the United Nations table, Tunisians asking for a case to be seen by the International Criminal… Read more Audio

5:27 PM.Businesses along Auckland's waterfront say they need reassurance the Wynyard Crossing Bridge WILL re-open before the SailGP regatta in January. Tickets to the global sailing championship which the… Read more Audio

5:23 PM.The Black Caps are looking to move forward against Sri lanka following their stall in Galle. New Zealand went down by 63 runs in the first test, but get a shot at redemption at the same ground… Read more Audio

5:21 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:14 PM.A massive Northland power outage caused by a toppling Transpower pylon was entirely avoidable and a senior engineer had raised concerns about maintenance crew training two years earlier. This is… Read more Audio

5:11 PM.The government's social housing agency is set to cut 321 jobs, part of the government-ordered down-sizing affecting organisations across the public service. That's on top of previously announced cuts… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.One person is confirmed dead and a rescue operation is still underway after an avalanche in the Southern Alps. The incident in the Arrowsmith Range was reported just before 12:30. The Rescue… Read more Audio

4:47 PM.DOC is appealing for information after some one shot a baby sea lion and left it to die a slow and painful death in the Catlins estuary on Monday. A ranger went to investigate after people reported a… Read more Audio

4:42 PM.Entirely avoidable, this is the conclusion of a report into a collapsed pylon that cut power to thousands of Northland businesses causing economic losses of up to 80 million dollars. The much… Read more Audio

4:33 PM.Ruapehu officials are hoping a new dining experience on the Northern Express will help boost tourism in the region. The scenic train which runs between Wellington and Auckland has introduced a… Read more Audio

4:29 PM.New Zealand sprinter Zoe Hobbs will be among a group of international stars lighting up the track at a glitzy new event later this week.The inaugural Athlos track meet will kick off in New York on… Read more Audio

4:25 PM.As part of art week, there will be installations, exhibits and walking tours in Auckland city's galleries and streets, lanes and spaces. It's supported by the business group Heart of the City, who… Read more Audio

4:15 PM.Asia correspondent Erin Hale spoke to Lisa Owen about a monumental corruption trial involving a former minister in Singapore, China handing out a massive stimulus to help revive its dwindling economy… Read more Audio

4:12 PM.Visual journalist Nathan McKinnon asked people in Christchurch's CBD how they would rate their wellbeing at the moment. Audio

4:06 PM.New Stats NZ data on our collective wellness shows peoples trust is declining in key institutions; the police, parliament, media, courts, heath and education systems, all down in the trust stakes… Read more Audio