Checkpoint for Wednesday 16 March 2022

5:07 PM.New Zealand is ready to welcome the world back - that's the message from the Prime Ministerial podium - as the country's reopening is accelerated.

The timeline for easing border restrictions has… Read more Audio

6:17 PM.The resignation of Simon Bridges is forcing a by-election for the Tauranga seat.

Bridges yesterday announced his departure from politics, leaving the National stronghold seat up for grabs.

But who… Read more Audio

5:11 PM.The welcome mat is out for tourists but it could be another four years before Aotearoa's back to pre-Covid visitor numbers.

And the industry says it will need extra financial help despite today's… Read more Video, Audio

5:17 PM.A stark warning from GPs today - a visit to the clinic is going to get more difficult as they face a major shortage.

The Royal College of General Practitioners says more medical students need to be… Read more Audio

5:21 PM.There's a glimmer of hope for peace in Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelenskyy conceded NATO membership is unlikely for his country.

He says peace talks with Russia are beginning to "sound more… Read more Audio

5:25 PM.The lights were out far and wide in the Thames-Coromandel district, and even part of the Hauraki district for several hours today, costing some businesses big time.

All because a chunk of wayward… Read more Video, Audio

5:34 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6300820251001 Video, Audio

5:37 PM.Aotearoa is ready to welcome back the world, but how are they going to get here.

The number of international carriers coming into the country has slimmed down considerably since Covid hit.

In… Read more Video, Audio

5:44 PM.Bay of Islands businesses are getting ready to say haere mai to tourists.

In Paihia, where jobs and livelihoods are hanging by a thread, the earlier opening dates are just the news locals needed.

… Read more Audio

5:47 PM.Families will soon be able to get rapid antigen tests from schools and early childhood centres.

The government is providing nearly a million RAT kits in a bid to keep education going as the Omicron… Read more Audio

5:50 PM.Warriors fans will still have to wait until July to see an NRL game played in Auckland, despite the government's decision to allow Australians into the country early.

Club chief executive Cameron… Read more Audio

5:52 PM.Covid is running through the Super Rugby teams - with all three games postponed this weekend because of cases in the Blues, Highlanders and Crusaders.

There'll now just be one game this weekend -… Read more Audio

5:55 PM.KiwiRail's oldest diesel shunt is rolling full steam ahead into retirement.

The 85-year-old locomotive known as TR-56 is being replaced by a zero-emission electric shunt.

Our reporter Soumya… Read more Video, Audio

6:06 PM.It's the news Auckland's downtown has been longing for - tourism is coming back, and sooner than expected.

Vaccinated Australians are now welcome from April 13.

Vaccinated travellers from other… Read more Video, Audio

6:12 PM.Thousands of Australians are homeless in the wake of the devastating floods in eastern Australia.

The town of Lismore was one of the worst hit, and while the water may have receded, many homes are… Read more Video, Audio