Checkpoint for Friday 12 May 2023

5:51 PM.Are the days of the humble food court numbered? Empty shop fronts are a feature of many food courts which struggled to recover after the pandemic.

Operators say competition from flash new malls and… Read more Video, Audio

5:44 PM.It's billed as the 'beer Olympics'. More than 10,000 brews and 272 judges from 26 countries.

And against the stiffest of competition, Wellington Brewery The Garage Project has managed to score silver… Read more Video, Audio

5:33 PM.It's a town that knows about the impacts of climate change all to well.. and today the Prime Minister chipped in money for flood protection.

Westport has had several flooding events in recent years… Read more Audio

5:29 PM.Pike River Mine advocate and father Bernie Monk says the news that human remains have likely been found at Pike River is upsetting, but it strengthens his resolve for justice.

It's been more than 12… Read more Video, Audio

5:22 PM.The traditional Blues versus Crusaders Super Rugby rivalry has an added element this weekend.

Both head coaches are in their final "Super" season before they team up as All Blacks coaches next year.

5:15 PM.After years of Covid disruption, a poor snow season and uncertainty around the future of Mt Ruapehu's ski fields, people in the North Island town of Ohakune have something to smile about.

They're… Read more Audio

5:11 PM.Gore residents say they're sick of childish behaviour from their elected representatives - with councillors trying to oust their mayor.

The country's youngest mayor, Ben Bell, has been asked to… Read more Audio

5:04 PM.A damning inquiry into slash on the East Coast says the forestry industry has lost its social licence in Tai Rāwhiti - and should help foot the bill for the clean-up.

The report says the next five to… Read more Audio