Checkpoint for Monday 22 September 2025

5:45 PM.United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the reaction to the UK formally recognising the state of Palestine, as well as Jeffrey Epstein being linked back to another member of… Read more Audio

5:37 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:34 PM.The first of an expected 170,000 cruise ship visitors to New Zealand this year have hit the streets of Auckland today, with the arrival of the Crown Princess. Retailers and tourism operators are keen… Read more Audio

5:29 PM.New Zealand driver Liam Lawson finished fifth at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku this morning. Despite the result being the 23-year-old's best to date in Formula 1 he isn't getting too excited just… Read more Audio

5:25 PM.The Prime Minister says the government won't be rushed into revealing its decision on recognising Palestinian statehood. The Foreign Affairs minister Winston Peters is in New York and is expected to… Read more Audio

5:14 PM.A massive hike in fees for a popular US work visa has some New Zealand job seekers panicking. US President Donald Trump announced that he is imposing a $170,000 NZD application fee for a particular… Read more Audio

5:09 PM.Each year thousands of hospital workers are assaulted on the job. New figures obtained by Checkpoint show a 30% rise in assaults in just two years to over 7000 in the 12 months to June. One frontline… Read more Audio

4:49 PM.The owners of Wellington's Chocolate Fish cafe want a clear pathway to residency for hospitality workers from overseas. In an open letter to the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality, they say hospo… Read more Audio

4:45 PM.Teacher unions and the Principals Federation are worried non-disclosure agreements are stifling genuine consultation over school reforms. They say the agreements create an unprecedented level of… Read more Audio

4:35 PM.A Black Power member accused of killing a former gang president in Lower Hutt has had his charges withdrawn. Wipuhara Kapene was accused of murdering Albert Enoka after he was shot dead at a Naenae… Read more Audio

4:30 PM.After a crushing defeat to the Springboks the All Blacks turn their attention to the Bledisloe Cup. Coach Scott Robertson's side will want to put the record loss behind them as they gear up to take on… Read more Audio

4:24 PM.The government has said it is speeding up a suite of classroom upgrades and school maintenance projects to help boost the struggling construction sector. It has announced a near half-billion-dollar… Read more Audio

4:14 PM.Middle East correspondent Perry Wilton spoke to Lisa Owen about several countries coming out and recognising Palestine as a sovereign state. Audio

4:06 PM.Raglan's Xtreme Zero waste recyling centre is banning cast-offs from the China based fast fashion giant Shein. It says the poor quality and the sheer volumme Shein garments mean its a real challenge… Read more Audio