Checkpoint for Tuesday 29 March 2022

5:07 PM.The cost of construction is going through the roof as tradies struggle to get their hands on basic materials - with lead times stretching well into the second half of the year.

As the squeeze on… Read more Video, Audio

5:13 PM.Park you car on the street? If you are on a main road in Tāmaki Makaurau that space could be gone in the next few years.

Auckland Transport's draft parking strategy proposes less on-street parking… Read more Video, Audio

5:19 PM.Building costs are going up faster than houses with some tradies struggling to get their hands on basic materials and facing unknown freight costs.

Part of it is Covid and supply chain uncertainty… Read more Video, Audio

5:24 PM.New Zealand has reported its highest daily death toll for Covid-19 so far, with 34 people reported dead on Tuesday. 

Twenty-seven of the 34 who died with Covid over the past 10 days were aged over… Read more Audio

5:36 PM.It's slim pickings when it comes to labour for the kiwifruit harvest despite growers offering what they believe is top dollar for workers, along with other incentives.

The industry usually needs… Read more Video, Audio

5:43 PM.Long-serving Labour MP Louisa Wall is retiring from politics. Her achievements in Parliament have been praised across the political spectrum - most notably fighting to legalise same-sex marriage.

… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.The Defence Force has today been fined more than $300,000 after three soldiers sustained burns in a training exercise involving molotov cocktails.

The three will receive reparation of $100,000.

Our… Read more Audio

5:49 PM.Southland is grappling with an extreme dry spell that's prompted water restrictions across the region.

NIWA figures show Invercargill, Tiwai Point and Stewart Island had their driest summers on… Read more Audio

5:52 PM.A day after the Oscars, Will Smith has said sorry again for his shocking assault on comedian Chris Rock - this time to the comedian himself.

In explaining his actions, striding onto the stage and… Read more Video, Audio

6:07 PM.Anti-poverty campaigners say despite increases to government benefits, families will still be trapped in poverty as the cost of living skyrockets.

The second of two benefit increases comes into… Read more Audio

6:10 PM.More than 300 people have now died with Covid in this country.

34 new deaths have been reported today, bringing the total to 303.

It's the highest number reported in a single day. Andrew McRae… Read more Audio

6:14 PM.The Black Caps are back in action after a month-long break. A depleted New Zealand side are playing a rare series against The Netherlands - with the first of three one-day matches being played in Mt… Read more Video, Audio