Checkpoint for Tuesday 21 January 2020

5:10 PM.The destruction of Whānau Ora by stealth or a politically motivated public stoush - which is it?

A group of five prominent Māori kuia, including Dame Naida Glavish, Dame Tariana Turia,and Merepeka… Read more Video, Audio

5:25 PM.Airports in Australia are the latest to begin screening passengers flying in from the Chinese city of Wuhan, where a pneumonia-like virus has infected hundreds of people.

The number of people in… Read more Audio

5:28 PM.The government says it remains focused on mitigating climate change impacts rather than preparing for climate refugees - despite a recent United Nations ruling.

In a landmark ruling, the UN has said… Read more Audio

5:34 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:40 PM.Farmers in Northland say they're becoming increasingly worried about water and feed reserves, as the region tracks toward a drought.

Widespread dry spells - with no significant rain forecast for the… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.Two people have been arrested following two gang-related shootings in Ruatoria and Taradale over the weekend.

Mongrel Mob and Black Power members fought in Taradale on Sunday, and one man was shot… Read more Audio

5:46 PM.More than 20 new district court judges have been appointed today in a bid to speed up trial times and improve people's access to justice.

Eleven new judges have been promoted to replace retiring… Read more Audio

5:49 PM.Convicted drug smuggler Karel Sroubek has been refused early release from prison for the fourth time.

The Czech kick-boxer - also known as Jan Antolik - is four years into a six-year jail sentence… Read more Video, Audio

5:54 PM.The baking January sun tends to lend itself more to cricket than rugby, but Super Rugby is already gearing up for kick-off. Read more Video, Audio

6:07 PM.The head of Whānau Ora is warning the policy's Minister Peeni Henare that if he continues to allow government agencies to dip into their funding, he can kiss Māori progress goodbye.

It comes as… Read more Audio

6:15 PM.A mysterious smell - likened to rotting fish or dead animals - is continuing to plague Christchurch's eastern suburbs.

Residents in Bromley, Linwood and Woolston have been complaining about the… Read more Audio

6:22 PM.Rally New Zealand will make history at Mt Smart Stadium when it returns as part of the World Rally Championship in Auckland.

On Tuesday organisers announced the stadium in Penrose will act as a hub… Read more Audio