Checkpoint for Monday 31 January 2022

5:08 PM.A New Zealand woman was forced to care for her new-born in the NICU without any family support because her multiple attempts at securing an emergency MIQ room were rejected.

There are growing calls… Read more Audio

5:12 PM.The National Party is 'back' - or at least that's the message Christopher Luxon delivered at the party's caucus retreat in Queenstown today.

MPs descended on the resort town this morning where they… Read more Video, Audio

5:15 PM.Te Tai Tokerau tourism and hospitality businesses are reporting a quieter Auckland Anniversary weekend than most.

Two suspected Omicron cases in the region, connected to the Soundsplash music… Read more Audio

5:21 PM.It's been a scorching hot day across much of the country, with temperatures nudging 30 degrees in the Hutt Valley.

RNZ reporter Soumya Bhamidipati joins us with the latest from Avalon Park, where… Read more Video, Audio

5:25 PM.It's time for National to show more heart - that's one of the key messages from leader Christopher Luxon at the party's Queenstown retreat.

Luxon told his MPs the party can't just be about economic… 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=6294533430001 Video, Audio

5:38 PM.Only about 60 percent of eligible people have had their Covid booster shot so far, even though we are told it is the best defence against the highly transmissible Omicron variant.

In real numbers… Read more Video, Audio

5:47 PM.Summer events are being quickly cancelled as Omicron creeps into the community - prompting fears some businesses won't survive the red light.

The government's offering some help to those who've had… Read more Video, Audio

5:50 PM.Grab your hiking boots - Lake Waikaremoana will reopen to visitors next month.

Te Urewera was shut back in August when Delta arrived and the country went into level 4.

Tūhoe, the iwi and kaitiaki of… Read more Video, Audio

5:55 PM.Lydia Ko's early retirement plans look to be on shaky ground after winning her 17th LPGA title - with a place in the prestigious golfing hall of fame is within her grasp.

The 24-year-old secured a… Read more Video, Audio

6:08 PM.As thousands of kids head back to the classroom this week, a rapidly growing number of families are choosing to keep their tamariki at home for school.

Figures from the Ministry for Education show… Read more Video, Audio

6:13 PM.New year, new variant, but same old Covid. We're now into a third year living with the virus, but with waning energies about how to deal with Covid among us.

Kim Moodie has a look at the impact of… Read more Audio

6:16 PM.Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal has turned back the clock to power to a historic win in Melbourne.

Nadal, who is 35-years-old, became the first man to claim a 21st Grand Slam title after spending… Read more Audio

6:20 PM.Locals and leaders in Hawke's Bay are making last-ditch attempts to try and stop lower speed limits on the highway between Napier and Taupō.

The speed limit on most of the road is set to change from… Read more Audio