Checkpoint for Wednesday 31 May 2023

6:14 PM.Gore's residents and ratepayers are facing a rates hike of more than 11 percent and they're not happy about it. Adding to their angst is the fact there'll be no formal public consultation about the… Read more Video, Audio

6:11 PM.Auckland's mayor has divided councillors with his proposal to plug their $325 million budget hole.

Wayne Brown is expected to publicly unveil his final plan to address the shortfall tomorrow - but… Read more Video, Audio

6:07 PM.National Party leader Christopher Luxon says the level of te reo used in government departments is a "problem".

He made the comments at a recent public meeting on his "Back On Track" tour.

He said… Read more Video, Audio

5:55 PM.Sir Ashley Bloomfield says his parents were at the front of his mind while he was being knighted today.

The former director general of health received the honour in Wellington this morning in… Read more Video, Audio

5:51 PM.The first event in Wellington's massive new convention centre, Tākina, is kicking off tonight.

And it's not one you would expect. Six million pieces of LEGO have turned into huge dinosaurs for the… Read more Video, Audio

5:46 PM.A law aimed at stopping freedom campers leaving number twos around the country side is crap according to opponents who say they will continue fight it.

The Self Contained Motor Vehicle… Read more Video, Audio

5:43 PM.Bidding wars and so-called fake resignations are dominating a competitive job market according to a survey of more than a thousand businesses with half a million workers.

The market report by Frog… Read more Video, Audio

5:38 PM.Residents of the Christchurch suburb of Bromley are at breaking point as the saga over the wastewater treatment plant lingers on.

Christchurch City Council is awaiting a settlement from its insurer… Read more Audio

5:24 PM.The Crusaders' injury-crisis has reached the point that the Super Rugby Pacific side is recalling ageing former All Blacks to bolster the ranks.

Midfielder Ryan Crotty is back training with the team… Read more Video, Audio

5:17 PM.New pay offers have failed to stop secondary and area school teachers resuming industrial action and primary teachers could yet join them.

The Education Ministry made revised offers to all three… Read more Audio

5:11 PM.Sims Metal chief operating officer David Burrows is based in Australia. He has apologised for the disruption caused and says the company will conduct a full investigation. Read more Video, Audio

5:07 PM.A massive fire in Auckland has sent huge clouds of toxic smoke into the air, forcing people to stay inside and causing major disruption.

The fire broke out in a scrap metal yard in Ōtāhuhu overnight… Read more Video, Audio