Checkpoint for Tuesday 16 May 2023

6:14 PM.In Wellington the Newtown and Mt Cook communities are in shock after the fatal fire at Loafers Lodge on Adelaide Road.

Checkpoint reporter Jimmy Ellingham talks to neighbouring residents.

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6:08 PM.There is no sprinkler system in the Loafer's Lodge, which has three residential floors and more than 90 residents.

Witnesses said the fire alarms did not go off automatically, and residents ran down… Read more Video, Audio

5:56 PM.Political leaders addressed Parliament this afternoon, acknowledging the loss of life, those left displaced, and the dedicated work of police, fire and medical staff at the tragic scene at Loafers… Read more Audio

5:53 PM.A former tenant of Loafers Lodge says fire drills and alarms were a regular occurence but it was up to residents to decide whether to evacuate in the evenings because there was no overnight security… Read more Audio

5:48 PM.New Zealand's most deprived children are suffering the most from preventable diseases.

That's according to the third report on the State of Child Health by research charity Cure Kids, released today.

5:44 PM.Security concerns surrounding an America's Cup warm-up regatta in Saudi Arabia has prompted one challenger to refuse to participate.

American Magic are opting out of the racing off Jeddah later this… Read more Audio

5:38 PM.In Gore there's been a big backdown on a move to express no confidence in the mayor, Ben Bell.

The 24 year old mayor and the council's chief executive, Stephen Parry, haven't been speaking for… Read more Video, Audio

5:35 PM.Let's return to the devastating fire in Wellington now. Loafers Lodge was home to some deportees from Australia, known as 501s.

501 deportee advocate Filipa Payne talks to Lisa Owen.

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5:22 PM.A Loafers Lodge resident has described crawling on the floor through thick black smoke and running for his life, to get out of the burning building.

The resident, who didn't want to give his name… Read more Video, Audio

5:18 PM.A woman has been charged with murdering two young children in the Northland town of Ruakākā.

The children were found dead in their home yesterday morning, and the woman accused of killing them… Read more Audio

5:14 PM.Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau talks to Checkpoint reporter Jimmy Ellingham about the devastating fire at Loafers Lodge on Aidelaide Road.

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5:10 PM.Residents of Wellington's Loafers Lodge were woken to plumes of smoke and roaring flames billowing out of the hostel in the early hours of this morning.

Footage sent in to RNZ by one of the residents… Read more Video, Audio

5:07 PM."It doesn't get worse than this." That from a fire commander at the blaze that's claimed multiple lives at Loafer's Lodge on Wellington's Adelaide Road.

The building appears to have caught fire just… Read more Video, Audio