Checkpoint Podcast Options

4:15 PM.Canada correspondent Ashleigh Stewart speaks to Susana Lei'ataua about Canada's Niagara region declaring a state of emergency due to an eclipse, Canada's plans for a free school lunch programme and… Read more Audio

4:07 PM.Ratepayers in Porirua are being told they'll have to pay more if they want their glass recycled. Currently glass is crushed and used in roading and drainage at the tip - rather than living to see… Read more Audio

5:27 PM.The future of free school lunches is in doubt with the programme up for review as part of next month's Budget. The coalition has said funding for Ka Ora, Ka Ako - which feeds about 230,000 students a… Read more Audio

5:25 PM.England have dominated the White Ferns during their cricket tour of Aotearoa. With the T20 series already in the bag, England had the opportunity to seal the one-day series in Hamilton. Felicity Reid… Read more Audio

5:16 PM.The cost of building could soon become cheaper. The Government has today announced plans to cut red tape - including relaxing rules around new building products and removing projects under $65,000… Read more Audio

5:07 PM.Destroyed, distressed, and disappointed, public servants are reeling as government departments continue to bring down the axe on jobs to save cash. The Ministry of Health has confirmed it will cut 134… Read more Audio

4:50 PM.It's the daily caffeine hit many of us can't live without, but like everything else, prices seem to be creeping up for a cup of coffee. Visual journalist Nick Monro went to ask people what they're… Read more Video, Audio

4:47 PM.Christchurch is once again set to have a primary birthing unit this month. St George's Hospital closed the city's only unit last June when its maternity contract with Health Canterbury came to an end… Read more Audio

4:41 PM.The cost of living crisis is being felt nationwide, but nowhere more so than some of the charities set up to help those most in need. Just this week the disability not-for-profit "StarJam" which has… Read more Audio

4:26 PM.A cricket fan has been left gobsmacked after finding recycling efforts at Christchurch's Hagley Oval - were quite literally rubbish. Sue Craig-Stewart who has been recycling for 40 years was watching… Read more Audio

4:24 PM.The New Zealand Sevens teams are back in action this weekend for the iconic Hong Kong leg of the World Series. While the women sit just behind Australia at the top of the standings, the men have been… Read more Audio

4:15 PM.United States correspondent Todd Zwillich speaks to Susana Leiataua about pressure mounting on Joe Biden to get tougher on Israel following the deaths of aid workers and the judge in Donald Trump's… Read more Audio

4:06 PM.The Race Relations Commissioner has joined criticism of the government for removing references to Maori experiences in the New Zealand plan to eliminate racism. Yesterday, the National Iwi Chairs… Read more Audio

5:48 PM.New research from Victoria University suggests even building a giant wall in the sea wouldn't be enough to stop sea level rise from two crucial Antarctic glaciers. Pine Island and Thwaites glaciers… Read more Audio

5:31 PM.The Black Caps are calling on a new captain to lead the side in a T20 series in Pakistan. Michael Bracewell is back in the New Zealand squad for this month's five-match tour and he'll take on the… Read more Audio

5:27 PM.A 14 year old campaigning to get international flights back to Dunedin has today put his case to the country's Prime Minister. Up until the Covid-19 pandemic hit, Virgin Australia flew directly… Read more Audio

5:17 PM.A major earthquake has struck off Taiwan's eastern coast prompting tsunami warnings throughout the region. The 7.7 magnitude quake, had its epicenter 18 kilometers south of the city of Hualien and… Read more Audio

5:12 PM.More than 8000 health workers were allowed to keep working during the pandemic, despite not being fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The data shows health providers - including district health boards… Read more Audio

5:07 PM.'An inappropriate level of youth crime.' The country's southern most city is holding a public meeting as Invercargill experiences a surge in crime. The mayor Nobby Clark says as well as youth crime… Read more Audio

4:55 PM.Music is probably one of the last things you'd pay attention to when out for a meal or drink - but it can make or break the whole experience.

We've all been to a restaurant or bar where the music is… Read more Audio

4:45 PM.A massive earthquake has rocked Taiwan and prompted tsunami warnings in Japan and the Phillipines. Earlier, the quake was reported to be M7.2, but the Japan Meteorological Agency has upgraded the… Read more Audio