Checkpoint Podcast Options

4:40 PM.Tim Bennett was on the Interislander ferry when the earthquake struck. He describes how the quake felt on the water and how it took hours before he could go onshore.  Audio

4:36 PM.The national controller for Civil Defence has warned people should brace themselves for days of strong aftershocks following last night's 7.5 earthquake centred near Hanmer Springs Audio

4:31 PM.Two Kaikoura residents have been airlifted to Christchurch for medical treatment following the earthquake. Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says health services are managing. Audio

4:28 PM.Prime Minister John Key says the damage to Kaikoura and the surrounding areas is much worse than he first thought. He's just returned from an aerial survey of the area. Audio

4:18 PM.Anthea Prentice lives in Hundalee, just south of Kaikoura. She says the quake felt as if "giant hands" were shaking her house, which she believes is beyond repair. Audio

4:12 PM.GNS seismologist Bill Fry joins Checkpoint to discuss the 7.5 magnitude earthquake this morning, and the aftershocks which have followed. Audio

4:07 PM.A 7.5 quake which struck near Culverden, North Canterbury, just after midnight has caused significant damage, killed two people and closed roads. RNZ reporter Andrew McCrae has the latest. Audio

6:23 PM.The All Whites' next step towards the 2018 Football World Cup in Russia starts this weekend, with a match between New Zealand and New Caledonia in Auckland. Audio

6:15 PM.A report into a proposed dam in the Tasman District says the region stands to miss out on $700m if it doesn't go ahead - but it will need a substantial contribution from ratepayers. Audio

5:51 PM.A woman in her 20s has been found critically injured in a paddock south of Auckland, but police won't confirm reports she was stabbed. Audio

5:37 PM.A deal struck between the government and unions has given 24,000 caregivers security around their hours of work. RNZ employment reporter Max Towle reports. Audio

6:55 PM.Parliament congratulates Donald Trump on his election as America's 45th president. The Greens oppose the motion and New Zealand First leader, Winston Peters, claims the result was no surprise to him… Read more Audio