Checkpoint for Wednesday 23 February 2022

5:07 PM.Wellington businesses are becoming increasingly impatient at the demonstration that's pushing foot traffic away from them. Wellingtonians appear to be giving the Parliament protest a wide berth… Read more Video, Audio

5:13 PM.Wellington mayor Andy Foster has been criticised for meeting with anti-mandate protesters. One of his colleagues - councillor Nicola Young has called it "an embarrassment".

She spoke to Lisa Owen.  Read more Video, Audio

5:19 PM.Massive demand for Covid-19 testing means RATs will now be the go-to at Auckland testing centres, as labs deal with a huge backlog in PCR swabs.

There are 3297 new community Covid-19 cases today -… Read more Audio

5:23 PM.The government has called the Russian Ambassador in, amid growing tensions in Ukraine. Western allies are cracking down on Moscow - and have been quick to impose sanctions.

But few believe it will… Read more Audio

5:27 PM.Auckland cafes and restaurants are having to shut up shop as Omicron reaches staff and rising cases keep customers at home.

This comes after the government announced a new Covid-19 support payment… Read more Video, Audio

5:34 PM.The Reserve Bank has acted to curb rampant inflation and it is going to sting. It's lifting the Official Cash Rate to 1 percent.

Experts say it's going to hurt struggling businesses, first-home… Read more Audio

5:38 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report Audio

5:40 PM.The government's emergency Covid laws restricting freedom of movement can no longer be justified, according to a leading QC.

Prominent Lawyer Lady Deborah Chambers believes government rules around… Read more Video, Audio

5:46 PM.The Omicron outbreak's taking its toll on paramedics, with Auckland down nine ambulances on Saturday night because of a lack of staff.

St John is putting it down to illness and self isolation… Read more Audio

5:52 PM.Misinformation researchers are concerned the protest at Parliament is vulnerable to being captured by extremists, as the idea of any leadership within the blockade area slips away.

In recent days… Read more Audio

5:56 PM.New Zealand's top athletes will be celebrated at the Halberg Awards in Auckland tonight.

The annual awards are back after a year off due to Covid-19 playing havoc with the sporting calendar.

But… Read more Video, Audio

6:07 PM.As the West cracks down on Russia with sanctions, the New Zealand government's called its ambassador for a please explain. And Te Pirimia Jacinda Ardern says travel bans and export controls are a… Read more Video, Audio

6:12 PM.A doctor who sent 600 anti-Covid-vaccination texts to patients has been appealing his suspension in court today.

Dr Matthew Shelton discouraged patients from getting the vaccine, and allegedly told… Read more Audio

6:16 PM.The Buller District is still recovering from torrential rain and flooding that caused widespread damage to infrastructure earlier this month.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern arrived in Westport this… Read more Video, Audio

6:20 PM.Hundreds of Covid-19 care packages are being delivered to isolating Otago Univeristy students as Covid spreads.

The student flatting strip Castle Street, and parties held there, were recently… Read more Video, Audio