Checkpoint for Thursday 18 October 2018
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Tongan fans going wild for Mate Ma'a Tonga
6:25 PM.Fans are gearing up for this weekend's historic match between Tonga's National Rugby League Team 'Mate Ma'a Tonga' and the world champion Australian Kangaroos. As Indira Stewart reports, this year's… Read more Video, Audio
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Jury considering verdict for sex-accused rugby coach
6:22 PM.Alosio Taimo has been on trial in the High Court at Auckland for nine weeks. He faces 106 charges of sexual offending against 18 young boys throughout a three-decade period. Audio
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West Coast locals on whether Maureen Pugh is 'f***ing useless'
6:18 PM.The former Westland Mayor was National's candidate for the West Coast - Tasman electorate in the 2014 election and is now a list MP. What do people in her area think? Video, Audio
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Jami Lee-Ross 'considering legal options' over allegations
6:14 PM.Jami-Lee Ross now stands accused of bullying, manipulation and engaging in toxic sexual affairs - after a spectacular report on the Newsroom website laid out allegations from four women. Audio
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Who is Zhang Yikun, the alleged donor of $100,000 to National?
6:08 PM.Zhang Yikun has rubbed shoulders with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Auckland Mayor Phil Goff and Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha. Read more Audio
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Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch puppeteer retires from Sesame Street
5:57 PM.Caroll Spinney - who played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street - is hanging up his feathers and coming out of the garbage can for good. Audio
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Silver Ferns one win away from Consellation Cup
5:50 PM.If the Silver Ferns beat Australia by 14 goals or more in the fourth and final match in Wellington tonight it means they'll level the series at 2-all but give them the series win on goal difference… Read more Video, Audio
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Principals sceptical Govt can fix teacher shortfall
5:47 PM.Secondary schools struggling with the teacher shortage need to brace themselves - it could get a lot worse. Education Ministry modelling shows they are facing a shortfall of 2200 teachers by 2025. Audio
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Home heating, vehicle use causing poor air quality in NZ
5:44 PM.A Government report on the country's air quality shows there has been an improvement, with levels of some pollutants declining, but there are persistent problems. Audio
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Evening business for Thursday 18 October
5:34 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Video, Audio
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Brothers die in helicopter crashes three months apart
5:28 PM.Two Department of Conservation staff have died after a helicopter crash near Wanaka Airport. Nick Wallis, the youngest son of aviation pioneer Sir Tim Wallis, was the pilot. His brother Matthew also… Read more Audio
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Jami-Lee Ross texts ‘no smoking gun’
5:24 PM.Jami-Lee Ross and National Party president Peter Goodfellow have released texts between Mr Ross and the party's general manager Greg Hamilton. Deputy Political Editor Chris Bramwell goes through what… Read more Video, Audio
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Bridges deals with fallout of ‘Chinese’ ‘Indian’ comments
5:20 PM.National Party leader Simon Bridges says he's confident his "friends" in the Indian Sikh community back him, will vote for his party in a Botany by-election, and want National back in government. Mr… Read more Audio
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National aware of Jami-Lee Ross grievances for years
5:09 PM.The National Party has known for a couple of years about grievances regarding Jami-Lee Ross' conduct, and got one complainant to sign a confidentiality agreement, sources have told Checkpoint. Read more Video, Audio
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RNZ Checkpoint for Thursday, 18 October 2018
5:00 PM.Watch Thursday's full show here. Video
