Checkpoint for Wednesday 8 December 2021

5:06 PM.Political pressure is building for Auckland's Covid boundary to be ditched immediately following revelations health officials recommended the invisible wall come down as soon as the traffic light… Read more Video, Audio

5:18 PM.The future of 24 stolen dogs is up in the air as an animal welfare organisation refuses to hand them over, whilst police demand they're returned to the owner.

Animal charity HUHA alleges the dogs… Read more Audio

5:21 PM.The traffic light gathering rules have doomed many New Years' eve fireworks displays across the country.

The requirement to check vaccine certificates.. even in the orange light.. have poured cold… Read more Audio

5:26 PM.Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz has told Checkpoint Tairāwhiti locals are being urged to get tested for Covid-19 after another positive result in wastewater testing.

"We have asked the government to do… Read more Video, Audio

5:34 PM.The sound of karate chops and the click of line dancing boots will fall silent at some Christchurch council halls soon, with groups moving out of the facilities because they've become too expensive.

… Read more Video, Audio

5:37 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:41 PM.Survivors of sexual assault say ACC's process for getting long-term help and financial support can cause more harm than good.

It comes as Checkpoint can reveal ACC assessors are told to look out for… Read more Audio

5:49 PM.Australia is joining the US in a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympic games in February over human rights abuses against Uighur minorities in China.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison says… Read more Audio

5:52 PM.The popularity of electric vehicles continues to rise and the automotive industry is steering into the trend.

So is New Zealand's most successful rally car driver, Hayden Paddon.

He's been working… Read more Audio

5:56 PM.A novel idea to get more books to new Northland readers is proving to be a roaring success.

The Whangārei Hidden Books initiative is pretty much as it sounds - kids' books are tucked away in spots… Read more Audio

6:06 PM.Six Air New Zealand baggage handlers have been arrested for their part in alleged drug smuggling at Aotearoa's border.

Authorities ended a six month long investigation with a bang today, arresting 14… Read more Audio

6:09 PM.Santa might be on the way, but you need to move quickly if you want to make sure your presents reach his sleigh.

It is the busiest Christmas ever for NZ Post. To make sure things arrive on time, the… Read more Audio

6:14 PM.The government is denying it chose convenience for the immigration system over the rights of families and children.

Two New Zealanders have taken the immigration minister to court about stopping… Read more Audio

6:17 PM.Businesses in Franz Josef and Fox Glacier are hundreds of staff short for the summer season with many struggling to find and afford workers.

A recent survey paints a grim picture of South Westland… Read more Audio

6:23 PM.An early study suggests the new Omicron Covid variant may be able to evade the Pfizer vaccine.

Scientists also believe Omicron can spread more easily and could out-compete Delta to become the… Read more Audio

6:26 PM.In Central Otago, a former gold mining town is undergoing another boom.

Cromwell is bursting at the seams, but one of the first projects to receive approval under the government's fast track… Read more Video, Audio