Checkpoint Podcast Options

5:25 PM.The quest to find a host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games is coming to a close. After the Australian state of Victoria withdrew as the original host in July because of rising costs several other… Read more Audio

5:17 PM.A former cabinet minister says MPs need to stop turning down payrises and take what they're offered. It's been six and a half years since Members of parliament got a pay bump. Jacinda Ardern… Read more Audio

5:15 PM.A central Auckland lodge decimated by a fire was among 37 boarding houses investigated after the Loafers Lodge fire in Wellington. Ten people were evacuated from Parnell's City Garden Lodge yesterday… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.The Prime Minister has outlined nine measureable goals or so called Better Public Service Targets. Among them; An aim to get 95% of people elective treamtments within four months. Getting 95% of… Read more Audio

4:56 PM.MPs could be in for a pay rise after having no increase in the last six years. The independent Remuneration Authority is due to deliver its decision on MP pay in the next couple of weeks. Georgie… Read more Audio

4:52 PM.New Plymouth ratepayers are being asked to choose between closing the much-loved Brooklands Zoo or funding up to nine million dollar of upgrades. Most of the work is required to meet regulatory… Read more Audio

4:50 PM.Ethnic communities say the proposed changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa scheme is a positive step but more needs to be done. Immigration minister Erica Stanford announced the changes Sunday… Read more Audio

4:45 PM.It's a monster budget hole that could mean Christchurch Cathedral remain in ruins. The Christchurch Cathedral Reinstatement Trust said cost of rebuilding the iconic building has ballooned from 104… Read more Audio

4:32 PM.The big dry has been creeping across parts of the top of the South Island into the Tasman District. A drought was declared in the region last month - with some saying its the worst they've seen in 50… Read more Audio

4:28 PM.After four Olympic Games and five FIFA World Cups Football Fern Ria Percival is hanging up her boots. The midfielder played 166 times at senior level, more than any other female or male player in New… Read more Audio

4:27 PM.The Prime Minister has set nine government targets for the public service - giving it until 2030 to achieve them. Christopher Luxon said he's bringing back targets - originally introduced by Sir John… Read more Audio

4:15 PM.Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown speaks to Lisa Owen about Israel announcing it's withdrawing a large number of troops from southern Gaza, a new round of ceasefire talks getting underway in Cairo… Read more Audio

4:06 PM.An investigation is underway after a car catapulted over a four metre high safety fence during a streetstocks race at a Dunedin speedway track, narrowly missing spectators. Video of the incident at… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.The clash of roller skates echoed through the Trust Arena in West Auckland today at the first day of the Rainbow Games. Twelve sporting events will take place across Auckland from today until Sunday… Read more Audio

5:24 PM.A twice-flooded northern Hawke's Bay primary school is continuing to hold its lessons at a Mormon church. Its classrooms were damaged in Cyclone Gabrielle and Nuhaka school is hoping to be back in… Read more Audio

5:22 PM.Dame Noeline Taurua has been reappointed as coach of the Silver Ferns. Netball New Zealand said Dame Noeline has shown she's the right person for the job, and will stay in the role for another two… Read more Audio

5:19 PM.Thousands of students around the country put down their pens and pencils and picked up their placards and flags today. Schools Strikes 4 Climate rallies were held throughout the country with young… Read more Audio

5:14 PM.A South Island school for students with complex needs said a Ministry review of school building projects will leave some of its students with nowhere to go next year. The Ministry of Education is… Read more Audio

4:55 PM.A reminder, clocks go back an hour this weekend as we head into winter. Louise Ternouth asked people what they think of daylight saving and how they cope with it. Read more Audio

4:50 PM.A drop in domestic travellers combined with increasing overheads are believed to be behind a number of Queenstown eateries closing their doors in recent months. The resort town is still recovering… Read more Audio

4:37 PM.Whangarei's acclaimed but controversial Hundertwasser Art Centre could run out of money by October 2025 - raising the prospect that ratepayers may have to cough up to keep it open. That's despite… Read more Audio

4:28 PM.Jamie Wall speaks to Susana Lei'ataua about the Warriors aiming to make it three wins in a row in the NRL and the Wellington Phoenix playing over in Australia. Read more Audio

4:25 PM.Playing chicken with trains continues to plague the Waikato town of Ngāruawāhia. A new video on social media shows seven kids jumping from the rail bridge into the Waikato River just as a train engine… Read more Audio