Checkpoint Podcast Options

5:43 PM.Checkpoint asked tourists at Auckland Airport if they would rent a car in New Zealand if forced to sit a driving test first - the majority said yes. Video, Audio

5:38 PM.An 8000-strong petition calling for foreign drivers to sit a practical driving test if they intend to stay in New Zealand for longer than three months, was presented at Parliament today. Video, Audio

5:35 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Video, Audio

5:27 PM.Eight more whales have restranded at Farewell Spit this afternoon and the Department of Conservation is worried more could come in. RNZ reporter Michael Cropp joins Checkpoint live from the scene. Video, Audio

5:24 PM.Meanwhile, fire crews and helicopters carrying monsoon buckets have contained a large blaze that ripped through parts of rural Hawke's Bay. Video, Audio

5:20 PM.Port Hills resident Stephanie Sisson was at home when she discoverd a fire was moving in on her property. She tells John Campbell what happened next. Video, Audio

5:18 PM.Peter Darling was evacuated today and says he's confident helicopters with monsoon buckets saved his house from being burned down. Video, Audio

5:15 PM.Properties have been damaged, residents evacuated - and a pilot has lost their life while fighting a large blaze on Christchurch's Port Hills. RNZ reporter Conan Young has the latest. Video, Audio

5:11 PM.A helicopter pilot has died after they crashed while fighting a fire in Christchurch's Port Hills. Selwyn Principal Rural Fire Officer Douglas Marshall joins Checkpoint. Video, Audio

5:07 PM.A helicopter pilot trying to extinguish a fire on Christchurch's Port Hills has died after his chopper crashed. Video, Audio

6:19 PM.A group from Turkey said their holiday was ruined after a Jetstar flight broke down at Dunedin Airport and was delayed for nearly 24 hours. Zac Fleming reports. Video, Audio

6:14 PM.Smoke can be seen throughout Chch as a large fire burns on the Port Hills. We're talking to a resident who lives nearby. Video, Audio

6:09 PM.Almost 100 individual fires roared across New South Wales at once, with intense heat, strong winds, and dry pasture make the flames spread fast, and change direction in wind gusts. Video, Audio

6:07 PM.Van Howard, owner of Tom's Cottages - near one of the fires burning in the Hastings District - says strong winds and hot weather are fanning the blazes. Video, Audio

5:55 PM.The CEO of Dunedin video game studio Rocketwerkz gives his staff unlimited leave, limits his salary to a notch above the highest paid worker, and has thrown out middle management. Read more Video, Audio

5:46 PM.Police say an attempted abduction in central Auckland today was sexually motivated. RNZ reporter Sharon Brettkelly has the latest details. Video, Audio

5:39 PM.Albie Epere says he was stomped on and bashed the moment he arrived at a state-run boys home near Levin in 1981, which lead him into a life of violence. Video, Audio

5:34 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Video, Audio

5:23 PM.Mayor of Warrumbungle Shire, Peter Shinton, talks to Checkpoint about the extent of fire damage, and the fires that continue to burn, across New South Wales. Video, Audio