Checkpoint for Friday 29 July 2022

5:08 PM.An Australian tourist who fell into a geothermal sink hole in Rotorua is being offered help by the local tourism body.

The woman suffered serious burns yesterday, but is in a stable condition in… Read more Audio

5:14 PM.As schools head back for term three experts are warning parents and teachers to watch out for long Covid symptoms in children.

While research suggests it's less likely for a child to get long Covid… Read more Audio

5:17 PM.Let the Games begin! Birmingham in the UK has come alive for the Commonwealth Games with a big Kiwi contingent competing.

Felicity Reid has more from there.

  Read more Video, Audio

5:23 PM.The health system is under massive strain, and the new entity tasked with fixing it says workforce shortages are at the top of its list.

But a month into its new existence Health NZ - Te Whatu… Read more Audio

5:27 PM.Meanwhile health officials hope a new private hospital will help relieve the backlog of people waiting for surgery in Hawke's Bay.

Kaweka Hospital, in Hastings, held its official opening today. The… Read more Audio

5:35 PM.Hot cross buns are usually reserved for Easter, but one Auckland bakery had such high demand for their custom-made creations, they now sell them year-round. Read more Video, Audio

5:42 PM.A Young Nat appears to be behind the creation of fake mayoral contender websites that all link back to Leo Molloy.

The National Party says it's got nothing to do with local body elections and its… Read more Audio

5:44 PM.The head of the organisation tasked with cutting climate gases globally says New Zealand must follow through on its promise to halve emissions - and look at doing more.

COP26 President and UK… Read more Video, Audio

5:56 PM.'Kia ora koutou katoa' - a phrase Dr Ashley Bloomfield uttered more than 300 times as he fronted Covid media conferences through the last two and a half years.

His image was turned into tea towels… Read more Video, Audio