Checkpoint for Thursday 7 February 2019

6:18 PM.Rhianne Tarau is gearing up for her biggest year yet - she is heading to the United States in July for space camp, the next step in achieving her goal of being the first Māori woman to head into… Read more Video, Audio

6:14 PM.What do you take when you know you could lose it all? Tasman evacuees Ian and Maureen Grage describe what they packed as the fire approached, before they were forced to leave their homes behind. Video, Audio

6:08 PM.The wind has intensified and changed direction, forcing the evacuation of another 25 properties, this time in Teapot Valley. But Tasman Fire Incident Controller John Sutton says they're still… Read more Audio

5:53 PM.Rodeo fans and animal welfare campaigners are at loggerheads over the future of the sport, with frustration on both sides, to the point where scuffles broke out at an event in January. Video, Audio

5:49 PM.Organisers of the Waimamaku Wild West Festival in the Far North have apologised for their ignorance after they promoted the event with images of people dressed as cowboys pretending to shoot Native… Read more Video, Audio

5:36 PM.National MP Sarah Dowie has made her first public comments since it was announced she's being investigated by police for allegedly sending a text to fellow MP Jami-Lee Ross telling him he deserved to… Read more Audio

5:25 PM.Family members of Hamuwera Holloway, who was killed at an Auckland factory last year, stormed out of the High Court this morning as his co-worker Lima Terry Feleti was sentenced to home detention. Audio

5:21 PM.Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi says an "initial" contribution of $20,000 for the Tasman mayoral relief fund is sufficient at the moment and will be reassessed if matters get worse. He spoke with… Read more Audio

5:15 PM.Tasman residents had to leave their belongings, animals and farming equipment behind when they were forced to flee their homes as a fire approached on Tuesday. They shared their stories with reporter… Read more Video, Audio

5:14 PM.Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who arrived in Nelson today, says the emergency response is well co-ordinated, and has assured authorities on the ground more resources are available should they need… Read more Video, Audio

5:12 PM.Teapot Valley resident Simon Marshall says he's inside the cordon on Teapot Valley road, watching the fire come towards him and his house. Civil Defence says the increased wind and humidity means 25… Read more Video, Audio

5:09 PM.Residents in Teapot Valley, Tasman, have been ordered to evacuate this afternoon, as the Pigeon Valley fire continues to rage. Reporter Alex Ashton joins Checkpoint live from the cordon. Video, Audio

5:00 PM.Watch today's full programme here. Video