Checkpoint for Thursday 9 December 2021

5:06 PM.In a world-first, the government plans to ban future generations of young New Zealanders from ever buying cigarettes in their lifetime.

It's one of a suite of measures hoped to drive down smoking… Read more Audio

5:09 PM.A series of investigations are underway into a Kaiapoi GP who's been filmed handing out medical certificates and schooling patients in how to pass them off as official vaccine exemptions.

Newshub… Read more Video, Audio

5:15 PM.Associate Health Minister Dr Ayesha Verrall talks to Lisa Owen about the ban on future cigarette sales.

  Read more Video, Audio

5:24 PM.Health workers on the front line of Covid say vaccination is the biggest defence this summer, as they hope to keep hospitals from being overwhelmed.

Reporter Louise Ternouth and camera operator… Read more Video, Audio

5:32 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:36 PM.Holiday bookings are dropping like Autumn leaves from a tree according to some Bay of Islands businesses.

The region is currently in red on the traffic light system and people travelling their way… Read more Video, Audio

5:47 PM.A third of caregivers are reluctant or unsure about vaccinating children aged five to 11 against Covid.

The government is currently looking at rolling out vaccines to the age group - given MedSafe… Read more Audio

5:51 PM.Counting down the days to Christmas might involve kids bouncing of bed every day busting to open the next window in the Advent calendar, and collect a tasty little treat or trinket along the way.

But… Read more Video, Audio

5:55 PM.The first electric ferry in the Southern Hemisphere will soon be switched on and leading the charge across the Wellington harbour.

The ferry will be launched next week, but the Prime Minister got her… Read more Video, Audio

6:05 PM.Skyrocketing Auckland house prices are being blamed for causing mental health problems and relationship issues by some at the raw end of the city's market.

The average Auckland house price rose… Read more Audio

6:09 PM.Imagine working in a rest home and having to choose who gets care and who misses out.

Care workers who took their plea for enforceable minimum staff numbers to Parliament today, say that's what's… Read more Audio

6:12 PM.Hoons are causing waves of a different kind at a Kāpiti beach. Locals say quad bikes, four wheel drives, utes and motorbikes are cutting up their coastline between Peka Peka and Te Horo, even though… Read more Video, Audio

6:16 PM.The Black Caps have touched down on home soil - fresh from their test series defeat to India.

But it's the feats of spinner Ajaz Patel that will long be remembered for cricket fans across the globe.