Checkpoint Podcast Options

5:41 PM.Asia correspondent Erin Hale speaks to Lisa Owen about tensions running high in the South China Sea between the Philippines and China, Vladimir Putin's tour of Asia and Japan's tourism industry… Read more Audio

5:34 PM.Invercargill's embattled mayor Nobby Clark has refused to stand down following a Code of Conduct complaint. Audio

5:30 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:25 PM.Sports reporter Jonty Dine speaks to Lisa Owen about the Warriors heading to the Gold Coast to take on the cellar dwelling Titans on Saturday. Audio

5:18 PM.An internal investigation has confirmed a heavily pregnant woman aged in her 20s and her stillborn child died after the mother's admission to Palmerston North Hospital's intensive care unit was… Read more Audio

5:11 PM.A re-jigged grid means most of Northland has power back but the system is fragile with the risk of demand outstripping supply. Northland Chamber of Commerce chief executive Darryn Fisher joins Lisa… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.There were broken coffee machines, a scramble for generators and businesses left out of pocket in the Far North town of Kaitaia after Northland was plunged into darkness yesterday, Lucy Xia reports. Audio

4:42 PM.The expiry date is looming for the $80,000 reward leading to the safe return of 3 marokopa children taken by their fugative father, California psychologist Doctor Rebecca Bailey, who has extensive… Read more Audio

4:30 PM.RNZ sports journalist Jamie Wall speaks to Lisa Owen about the Super Rugby Pacific final between the Chiefs and the Blues. Audio

4:22 PM.Rotorua's seen a rapid reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour in the CBD over the past six months, Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell speaks to Lisa Owen. Audio

4:14 PM.Canada correspondent Ashleigh Stewart speaks to Lisa Owen about a heatwave affecting millions across the country, Canada taking further steps to ward off foreign interferrence and an airline that has… Read more Audio

4:06 PM.Multiple investigations are underway after a pylon toppled over cutting off power to most of Northland yesterday. The pylon ended up on its side in farmland in Glorit north of Auckland. At this stage… Read more Audio

5:43 PM.The proposal from Australia's main opposition party to go "nuclear" - and build seven nuclear reactors while scaling back renewables has already raised more questions than answers, Australia… Read more Audio

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

5:34 PM.Jonty Dine speaks to Lisa Owen about Kane Williamson saying he remains committed to the Black Caps despite declining a central contract with New Zealand Cricket. Audio

5:30 PM.Labour said National is ducking responsibility after realising it's a near impossible goal - but Mark Mitchell said he's just paying his New Zealand First partner due respect, Craig McCulloch reports.

5:20 PM.During parliaments inaugural scrutiny week, Health Minister Doctor Shane Reti has doubled down on National's election promise to fund 13 specfic new cancer medications and Pharmac Minister David… Read more Audio

5:12 PM.An entire region, more than 100,000 homes and businesses, was plunged back to a time before electricity about 11:00 today when a pylon connecting Northland to the national grid toppled over… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.An entire region, more than 100,000 homes and businesses, was plunged back to a time before electricity about 11:00 today when a pylon connecting Northland to the national grid toppled over, Peter de… Read more Audio

4:45 PM.Todd Kerekes speaks to Lisa Owen about his excruciating battle to get a refund from Qantas, after his wife was diagnosed with terminal cancer forcing the couple to abandon an extended trip to Aotearoa… Read more Audio

4:43 PM.The increase in people working from home after the pandemic and the more than 6000 public service jobs axxed by the coalition government means fewer people are in central Wellington on weekdays… Read more Audio

4:33 PM.Felicity Reid speaks to Lisa Owen about 9 players across mens and womens teams becoming Olympians for the first time and 15 players returning, hoping to add to their medal haul. Audio

4:31 PM.Visual journalist Marika Khabazi asked people in Paeroa how they feel about Aotearoa's economy. Video, Audio

4:26 PM.After two consecutive quarters of negative growth, GDP figures for the 3 months to the end of March rose 0.2%, some of the main gains in rental, real estate services and electricity generation, senior… Read more Audio

4:17 PM.United States correspondent Todd Zwillich speaks to Lisa Owen about Louisiana passing a law requiring all public school classrooms have the Ten Commandments on display and the Los Angeles school board… Read more Audio