Checkpoint for Monday 29 November 2021

5:08 PM.The new traffic light system is showing orange across most of the country on Friday, with just Auckland and 10 other North Island regions starting at red.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said Cabinet… Read more Video, Audio

5:18 PM.The government has announced all of the South Island will move orange in the new Covid protection framework.

That means no gathering limits for hospitality, weddings, funerals, close contact… Read more Video, Audio

5:20 PM.Last night an officer was seriously injured after being hit by a car while putting down spikes to stop it.

The seriousness of the incidents brought the Police Commissioner to Auckland, saying it has… Read more Audio

5:22 PM.The Rhythm and Vines festival has hit a sour note with local iwi who are calling for the festival to be canned due to Covid concerns.

The festival, that usually kicks off on the 28 December is… Read more Video, Audio

5:35 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6284282216001 Video, Audio

5:38 PM.Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai has told Checkpoint the red level of the traffic light system is not like alert level 2.

"It's quite different... We've been in a privileged position of level two, and… Read more Video, Audio

5:43 PM.Tairāwhiti will go red on Friday - one of several North Island regions to head into the tightest restrictions in the traffic light framework.

Our reporter Tom Kitchin joins Lisa Owen from Gisborne.

… Read more Video, Audio

5:45 PM.The Omicron Covid variant is spreading across the world, and with it fear of a major step-back in the pandemic.

More than a dozen people now have it in the Netherlands, eight in France, three in the… Read more Audio

5:50 PM."Beleaguered and weary" in the back room fight against Covid - that is how the team of 4,000 lab workers is feeling after what has been described as a "war-like onslaught" for their services according… Read more Video, Audio

5:55 PM.The Black Caps are facing an uphill battle to try to win their test against India, in India. Clay Wilson has the latest. Read more Audio

6:06 PM.For those areas in the red level of the new Covid traffic light system there are tougher restrictions, including 100 person limits in bars and restaurants.

Torben Land from the 2 Mile Sailing Club in… Read more Video, Audio

6:10 PM.The brakes could be on major summer festivals after the government revealed red lights for their regions in the new traffic light system.

Nita Blake-Persen reports. Read more Audio