Tess Brunton
Multi-million dollar cycle trail project gets green light
A multi-million dollar cycle trail project in Otago has been given the green light after more than a decade searching for funds. Video, Audio
Outrage over delay to defrock Otago priest
Survivors of sexual abuse say they are outraged it took more than 15 years to defrock a paedophile priest after he was convicted. Video, Audio
Mandatory safety standards could be on cards for quad bikes
Mandatory safety standards for quad bikes could be on the cards following the coroner's report on the death of a West Coast farm assistant. Audio
Man petitions Parliament for faster home modifications for disabled
A disabled Dunedin man who has waited more than 18 months for his bathroom to be modified is taking his fight to Parliament, hoping other people don't have to endure what he has. Audio
How will NZ tourism grow in face of climate change?
The tourism industry has a difficult job ahead with an ambitious target to be earning 50 billion dollars by 2025 - while at the same time playing its part to combat global warming. But how do you… Audio
NZ yet to fully value Māori culture, language - tourism leaders
Tourism operators say New Zealand still has a long way to go to properly value Māori culture and language. Cultural tourism has increased dramatically over the past few years with more Māori… Audio
'We have pretty much nothing' - Te Anau maternity services
Te Anau residents say promised maternity services haven't been delivered, leaving mothers and midwives in a precarious situation. The Southern District Health Board announced a maternal and child hub… Audio
Milton family stuck with flood-prone house
When the Lambert family bought their cottage in 2006, it had been 15 years since the last big flood hit the small town of Milton. Since then, it's flooded every two to three years, inundating their… Video, Audio
Heightened security at mosques as Ramadan begins
A former New Zealand Army Major is helping to boost security measures at mosques across the country, as Muslims prepare for the holiest month in their calendar. Audio
Wanaka locals concerned about infrastructure amid airport plans
Wanaka could have jets landing at its airport within six years as part a proposed new airport model for the region, but some say decisions have been taken without proper consultation. Video, Audio
Auckland Islands helicopter crash: Survivors tell their tale
The survivors of a helicopter crash off the Auckland Islands have reunited to tell their harrowing tale. Video, Audio
Helicopter crash survival story hailed as a ‘miracle’
The survivors of a helicopter crash near Auckland Islands have begun returning home to Te Anau today. They will be interviewed in the coming days as part of a Transport Accident Investigation… Audio
Helicopter crash survivors treated at Invercargill hospital
The three men who survived a helicopter crash near the Auckland Islands are back on the mainland, where they are being treated at Southland Hospital. Reporter Tess Brunton joins Checkpoint from… Video, Audio
Revamped Maniototo Hospital opened after years of fundraising
A Central Otago community's hard work has paid off with the opening of a new multi-million dollar hospital. The revamped Maniototo Hospital - which includes 29 new beds - begins a new era of medical… Audio
Public paying to keep industrial waste off roads
Stock effluent disposal sites are used to keep animal waste off New Zealand roads and prevent it from seeping into the environment. But local authorities and the Transport Agency are responsible for… Audio
Toxic material washing up after floodwaters spread rubbish
On the West Coast, toxic material is washing up after floodwaters spread rubbish from an abandoned landfill. While the river spreading the rubbish from the closed Fox Glacier Township Landfill has… Audio
Iraqi refugee family says Dunedin accommodation making them sick
A Iraqi refugee says his family has had to endure cold and damp living conditions in Dunedin because they weren't provided a full picture of the home they were moving into. Video, Audio
West Coast residents lose ‘lifeline’ south of Franz Josef
It usually takes just 25 minutes to travel between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, but it's now a 12-hour drive after the Waiho Bridge was washed away by the rising river. Video, Audio
Dunedin City Council vows to oppose racism
Dunedin City Council has vowed to oppose racism in the city in a show of solidarity to the Muslim community after the attacks. The accused gunman lived in the city and had identified the Dunedin… Audio
Student climate change protest
Students across the country are taking to the streets today as a part of a worldwide protest against climate change. Elspeth Tilley tells us why it's important to encourage young people to challenge… Audio