Stories by Alex Ashton

The Detail; a daily podcast helping you make sense of the news. Presented by Sharon Brettkelly and Alex Ashton. Debuts Monday April 29. Audio

A West Auckland caravan park received nearly half a million dollars of government money in just two years, through its residents' emergency housing grants. Audio

Footage of a cow being dragged face-first along the ground by a tractor was given to the Ministry for Primary Industries a year ago, but there has still been no decision on possible charges. Video, Audio

Compass has increased its prices for the six DHBs which signed up to a nation-wide hospital food contract. The savings from the contract fall $110m short of what was expected. Audio

Barry Hawes was the first person in New Zealand to receive the immunotheraphy drug Opdivo for free. That was in July and in the three months since his tumour has shrunk significantly. Video, Audio

Two sisters were living in an overcrowded house with 16 others and their newborn babies until their midwife referred them to a housing provider, because they did not know who to ask for help. Video, Audio

Is Auckland's mayoral race a done deal already? Checkpoint reporter Alex Ashton headed out to the streets to ask the public what they think about the upcoming local body election. Video, Audio

Beneficiaries are paying hundreds to live in cabins and caravans in West Auckland, which they say are mouldy and infested with cockroaches. The owners of Western Park Village were not happy when… Video, Audio