Checkpoint for Wednesday 2 December 2020

5:07 PM.An investigation by New Zealand's highest watchdog has slammed the University of Auckland over its purchase of a $5 million house in one of the city's priciest suburbs for its vice chancellor to rent… Read more Video, Audio

5:17 PM.The government has declared a climate emergency and promised the public sector will go carbon-neutral by 2025.

But the threat of climate change is all too real for some owners of low-lying coastal… Read more Audio

5:21 PM."Kiwis bleat like Aussie sheep but don't condemn Afghan killings" was the headline on China's state-run media Global Times website today as the diplomatic spat hurtles on.

It's after New Zealand… Read more Audio

5:25 PM.The small community of Dannevirke is reeling after a crash yesterday that killed three young women who lived in the town.

The crash happened near the small township of Takapau in Central Hawke's Bay… Read more Audio

5:29 PM.Vets are hopeful a police dog that was shot in the jaw near Dargaville yesterday will eventually be able to return to work.

Police are not yet releasing the name of the dog, or specific details about… Read more Video, Audio

5:36 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Video, Audio

5:40 PM.The wheels have fallen off for a South Island cycle shop that has almost run out of children's bikes ahead of Christmas due to the freight gnarl up at Ports of Auckland.

The owner of Wensley Cycles… Read more Audio

5:47 PM.The mother of a slain police officer has begged politicians to introduce harsher punishments for those who murder police.

Diane Hunt's son Matthew Hunt was shot and killed during a routine traffic… Read more Audio

5:52 PM.The RSA killer William Bell has delivered an apology for his 'horrendous' crimes, before accusing Corrections officers of unfairness and unconscious bias today.

The triple murderer has been in the… Read more Audio

5:54 PM.Queenstown businesses are welcoming new changes aimed to help recruitment, but say they're no game-changer. Immigration New Zealand announced 21 tourism and hospitality roles have been added to the… Read more Audio

6:08 PM.There's a call for the University of Auckland's vice chancellor to pay back thousands of dollars in discounted rent for a $5 million house in one of the city's priciest suburbs.

The university bought… Read more Audio

6:16 PM.The government has declared a national climate emergency, acknowledging the urgency required to tackle the global crisis.

Its critics call the motion a mere "marketing stunt" but the Prime Minister… Read more Audio

6:19 PM.The wife of one of the 29 men who died in the Pike River mine is upset at ongoing speculation about what caused the explosion.

Some of the families have employed an electrical engineer to investigate… Read more Audio

6:23 PM.Cruel and degrading treatment at a Salvation Army home for unmarried mothers has been outlined to the inquiry into abuse in care.

Andrew McRae filed this report - and a warning some may find parts of… Read more Audio