Checkpoint for Wednesday 11 August 2021

5:07 PM.It is likely New Zealand will escalate straight to a "short, sharp" level four lockdown should any new community cases of Covid-19 emerge.

Chris Hipkins issued the stark warning on Wednesday… Read more Video, Audio

5:20 PM.The mask appears to be slipping from people's faces on buses in Auckland.

Mask wearing is compulsory on public transport across the country but it's a rule many appear to be ignoring.

And those… Read more Video, Audio

5:22 PM.The government has quietly established a transfer zone for foreign shipping crew in a busy commercial area in Auckland.

Crew are transferred from international flights or a short MIQ stay to a… Read more Video, Audio

5:27 PM.Recovering meth addicts in the Far North are begging the government to boost local resources to help kick the drug.

Former users from across the motu have been visiting Kaitaia in a push to support… Read more Audio

5:32 PM.Interior decorating has proved contentious at Parliament today with the National Party decrying the relocation of a Winston Churchill portrait as deeply offensive.

The Greens say the Opposition… Read more Audio

5:38 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6267419250001 Video, Audio

5:42 PM.All Black TJ Perenara says he's insulted by comments made by a Hurricanes director and owner - and says the team's supporters deserve better.

Businessman Troy Bowker accused animation entrepreneur… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.Doctors fears New Zealand's health system could quickly collapse in the event of an outbreak of the Delta variant of Covid-19.

The Covid-19 Minister has warned the country would go straight to level… Read more Audio

6:06 PM.The company operating the Covid-19-struck ship Rio De la Plata admits it does not routinely test its crews for the virus.

Eleven of the 21 crew tested positive after arriving at the Port of… Read more Video, Audio

6:17 PM.The government is warning it will take a "swift and severe" approach to any future cases of Covid-19, and move quickly to Alert Level Four.

It comes as a long-awaited report into reopening our border… Read more Audio

6:22 PM.The government is putting $24.1 million of further funding towards Māori trades and training and reducing barriers to employment for rangatahi.

Social Development and Employment Minister Carmel… Read more Audio