Checkpoint for Thursday 22 June 2023

6:20 PM.Residents in Te Karaka in Tairawhiti are self evacuating with the region in a state of emergency Heavy rain's expected to last until Sunday Te Karaka Volunteer Fire Brigade Fire Chief Jamie Simpson… Read more Video, Audio

6:06 PM.An oceanographer, who co-led an expedition to create the first map of the Titanic on the ocean floor, believes authorities should narrow their search for the missing Titan to a five to ten kilometre… Read more Video, Audio

5:57 PM.It's not just New Zealand feeling left out in the cold by Taylor Swift.

A Queensland MP has launched a petition for her to add a show in his state, during her world tour next year. Liberal MP Andrew… Read more Audio

5:53 PM.The FIFA Women's World Cup touched down in Dunedin today as part of its trophy tour ahead of the tournament. Excitement is building in the southern city with only 28 days until the world cup kicks… Read more Audio

5:50 PM.Residents in Marlborough Sounds are making their views clear on the importance of road access, after flooding left them isolated two years ago. Last week, council told the worst affected residents in… Read more Audio

5:47 PM.Tairāwhiti Civil Defence has declared a state of emergency for the region. It says people in low lying areas shouldn't wait for official instruction and should leave if they feel unsafe. Meanwhile, in… Read more Video, Audio

5:43 PM.Parents and teachers in the Wellington's Strathmore are outraged a vape retailer's set to open near a bus hub that gets their children to and from school each day. It's sparked concern vape shops are… Read more Audio

5:33 PM.Michael Wood's future in politics remains in question - as the disgraced former Minister goes to ground - refusing to speak to media. The Labour MP resigned his remaining ministerial portfolios… Read more Audio

5:29 PM.Football's world governing body, FIFA, is preparing to weigh in on the racism claims in the All Whites' game against Qatar. Both nations strongly believe they had a player who was the victim of a… Read more Video, Audio

5:25 PM.On the outskirts of Gisborne, Te karaka residents are being urged to evacuate before it get too dark, and the river gets too high. The rain warning in Tairawhiti has been raised to red. Earlier this… Read more Video, Audio

5:19 PM.The Children's Minister admits he got his tone wrong when using an urgent debate on misconduct allegations at Oranga Tamariki to attack Christopher Luxon. The Prime Minister says Kelvin Davis made… Read more Audio

5:13 PM.Cutting secondary school teacher training altogether at Victoria University will have major consequences, with schools already struggling to fill staff shortages, according to a senior lecturer… Read more Video, Audio