Checkpoint for Monday 21 December 2020

5:51 PM.As we round off the year we're taking a look back at the year that was 2020. With elections both here and the US it's been a tumultuous time in politics - with more oustings, resignations and scandals… Read more Audio

5:49 PM.As we enter the festive season, full of barbeques, picnics and leftovers - people are being reminded of the three C's to keep their whanau and guests safe. Minister for Food Safety Dr Ayesha Verrall… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.A fire on Bay of Plenty's Matakana Island is still burning a week after it started.The fire broke out last weekend and crews remained on scene all week but it flared up again on Saturday. Riley… Read more Audio

5:42 PM.Million dollar houses are now being sold in one of Auckland's lowest income suburbs, another sign to non-owners that the market is out of control. Jordan Bond reports. Audio

5:38 PM.The Covid 19 lockdowns saw many people swap the office for a spare bedroom, a dining room table or a kitchen bench. Now, chiropractors say they've seen an increase in posture related issues - and… Read more Audio

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

5:25 PM.There are calls for a national review of photographs taken of young people by police, after it was revealed officers in Wairarapa had illegally taken photos of young Maori in the district. A local… Read more Audio

5:25 PM.The year's been dominated by Covid-19 - the lockdowns, the elbow bumps, our bubbles, the home office, hand santiser - genome sequencing, and the QR code.Now that we're nearly at the end of it, we… Read more Audio

5:21 PM.Covid is looming large over Christmas plans for many Sydney residents, despite a massive drop off in new case numbers. New South Wales today recorded 15 coronavirus cases, all of which are linked to… Read more Audio

5:16 PM.European nations are imposing travel bans on the UK after it reported a more-infectious coronavirus variant. Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands and Belgium are all halting flights. Here… Read more Audio

5:11 PM.A two kilometre exclusion zone is in place around the Mount Ruapehu crater lake - Te Wai a-moe - after GeoNet raised its volcanic alert level. The temperature in the crater lake has risen to 43… Read more Audio

5:09 PM.Tonight, we bring you the story of a Kiwi father's frustrating fight to join his mentally unwell son in managed isolation. The man's son is due to arrive home from Australia tomorrow and, as things… Read more Audio