Checkpoint Podcast Options

5:48 PM.The skies above New Zealand will be lit up by a very rare blue moon tonight, the likes of which you won't see again for a long time. While blue moons are actually fairly common, for one to coincide… Read more Video, Audio

5:45 PM.Parliament has signed off for the term with the traditional adjournment debate. A testy week full of cuts, censures, and claims of fiscal holes has finally come to a close, with MPs now let off into… Read more Audio

5:36 PM.Stilt houses could be the answer to avoiding rising tides and flood waters, according to a report for NIWA. The research by cost construction experts WT partnership found for some homes, lifting them… Read more Video, Audio

5:26 PM.A whopper of a lie, or greedy diners with big expectations. Burger King's landed in court over its marketing for the Whopper burger; central to the dispute is whether the chain's instore menu boards… Read more Video, Audio

5:22 PM.In a major about-turn, Qantas has responded to a public outcry and removed the expiry dates of Covid travel credits which were due to run out at the end of this year. Qantas customers can now request… Read more Audio

5:14 PM.Migrant workers allegedly caught up in an immigration fraud and living in over crowded conditions could soon be without any roof over their heads and zero income. Earlier this week Immigration NZ… Read more Video, Audio

5:07 PM."The status quo is not an option." New Zealand Rugby's been handed a scathing review of the state of the game, and its governance. It says NZR's structure is "not fit for purpose" and has an inability… Read more Video, Audio

6:16 PM.To the United States now where authorities are warning Hurricane Idalia has the makings of an 'unprecedented event' for the Big Bend area of Florida. The storm is fast approaching and gaining… Read more Video, Audio

6:10 PM.After well over a century, a rural school is closing its doors today. A victim, its principal says, of the cost of living. Papatawa School, near the Manawatu Gorge, had just two pupils return this… Read more Audio

6:07 PM.People calling 111 in mental distress will soon be met by a joint response involving police, mental health professionals, ambulance officers, and in some cases, iwi. The Police Minister has announced… Read more Audio

5:49 PM.Things have hit a bum note with Queenstown's famous singing sheep dog. Happy and his owner have been busking together in the resort for more than two and half decades. But an alleged gnarl up has led… Read more Video, Audio

5:46 PM.Some Aucklanders are putting their houses on stilts to avoid flood waters. Research commissioned by NIWA says it's a cost-effective solution, but it won't work for everyone. Felix Walton has more. Read more Audio

5:35 PM.Incoming New Zealand Cricket chief executive Scott Weenink describes himself as a Test cricket romantic who will focus on the longer format of the game. The businessman and former Wellington… Read more Video, Audio

5:26 PM.The National party's unveiled a tax plan worth $14.6 billion dollars over four years, that it says is targeted at the squeezed middle. National says a family with children and on the average household… Read more Video, Audio

5:17 PM.Christchurch police fear someone could be killed as children in virtual car theft rings compete to steal as many vehicles as posible, driving them erratically and posting their near fatal antics on… Read more Video, Audio

5:07 PM.The National Party has unveiled its long-awaited tax relief plan, which could see some families $125 better off, per week. National is promising to introduce four new taxes to cover the cost… Read more Video, Audio

6:07 PM.After six months of waiting, dozens of Muriwai residents have been given the news no-one wanted. Your property might be bought out, but it might not. Residents will tonight be able to vent their… Read more Video, Audio

5:53 PM.Mystery surrounds the appearance of a stylised skull carved into the sandstone cliffs at Waipipi Beach near Waverley in South Taranaki. The creation is reminiscent of Rolling Stones guitarist Keith… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.There could be a decision on whether or not a proposed airport in Central Otago goes ahead within the next year. Christchurch Airport today unveiled details, including its preferred runway alignment… Read more Audio

5:36 PM.A skiier sharing tips with his friends on the slopes says staff at Wanaka's Treble Cone threatened to cancel his pass for unauthorised coaching, if he didn't stop immediately. James Sorrenson was on… Read more Video, Audio

5:25 PM.Muriwai home owners still have no idea how the value of their flood damaged properties will be calculated for the joint government/council buy-out scheme 24 Muriwai properties were yesterday deemed… Read more Video, Audio

5:22 PM.All Blacks lock Scott Barrett has been cleared to play in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup after recieving a red card in the warm up test against the Springboks on Sunday. Barrett was sent off… Read more Video, Audio