Checkpoint for Wednesday 18 August 2021

5:09 PM.There are several new Covid-19 cases since Wednesday's 1pm press conference, Chris Hipkins told Checkpoint.

“We're seeing more cases coming through, I don't have details of those cases. But yes, I… Read more Video, Audio

5:21 PM.The first Covid-19 Delta community case revealed yesterday is a man from Devonport.

The North Shore suburb was quiet on Tuesday under Level 4 lockdown rules, but the pharmacy the Covid-19 case… Read more Video, Audio

5:30 PM.The latest Covid-19 cases have rocked the Coromandel Peninsula, where hundreds of people have today been tested and the community's set up its own roadblock.

The man who first tested positive for… Read more Audio

5:35 PM.Police are promising to be out in big numbers for the level four lockdown, telling people the rules will be enforced.

They made eight arrests at anti-lockdown protests in several areas of the… Read more Video, Audio

5:37 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6268417459001 Video, Audio

5:41 PM.Covid-19's grip on New South Wales is getting stronger, with a record 633 daily cases and three deaths.

There's growing frustration over the increasing cases and why tougher restrictions aren't being… Read more Video, Audio

7:49 PM.Air New Zealand is racing to get 50,000 people home from around the country inside the 48-hour government deadline.

Chief executive Greg Foran told Checkpoint it is a tough ask to meet the deadline.

5:56 PM.Rain in the capital helped encourage many Wellingtonians to embrace lockdown today.

It has also hit pause on the capital's major food event - Wellington On A Plate.

Jake McKee has more.

  Read more Video, Audio

6:10 PM.New Zealand's Covid-19 outbreak has grown to 10 and the Prime Minister has warned there will be more.

Jacinda Ardern also announced that, from midnight tonight, it will be mandatory to wear a mask… Read more Audio

6:16 PM.The doors have slammed shut at tens of thousands of businesses around Aotearoa with the country now in Covid-19 Alert Level 4 lockdown.

Once again, the wage subsidy will be on offer to employers… Read more Video, Audio

6:22 PM.South Island businesses are standing behind the lockdown, saying it's a gutting but necessary decision.

Tess Brunton reports. Read more Audio

6:26 PM.It's back to home for the hundreds of thousands of school children across Aotearoa today, with the return of level 4 lockdown. Tom Kitchin has more. Read more Audio