Checkpoint Podcast Options

4:32 PM.The big dry has been creeping across parts of the top of the South Island into the Tasman District. A drought was declared in the region last month - with some saying its the worst they've seen in 50… Read more Audio

4:28 PM.After four Olympic Games and five FIFA World Cups Football Fern Ria Percival is hanging up her boots. The midfielder played 166 times at senior level, more than any other female or male player in New… Read more Audio

4:27 PM.The Prime Minister has set nine government targets for the public service - giving it until 2030 to achieve them. Christopher Luxon said he's bringing back targets - originally introduced by Sir John… Read more Audio

4:15 PM.Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown speaks to Lisa Owen about Israel announcing it's withdrawing a large number of troops from southern Gaza, a new round of ceasefire talks getting underway in Cairo… Read more Audio

4:06 PM.An investigation is underway after a car catapulted over a four metre high safety fence during a streetstocks race at a Dunedin speedway track, narrowly missing spectators. Video of the incident at… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.The clash of roller skates echoed through the Trust Arena in West Auckland today at the first day of the Rainbow Games. Twelve sporting events will take place across Auckland from today until Sunday… Read more Audio

5:24 PM.A twice-flooded northern Hawke's Bay primary school is continuing to hold its lessons at a Mormon church. Its classrooms were damaged in Cyclone Gabrielle and Nuhaka school is hoping to be back in… Read more Audio

5:22 PM.Dame Noeline Taurua has been reappointed as coach of the Silver Ferns. Netball New Zealand said Dame Noeline has shown she's the right person for the job, and will stay in the role for another two… Read more Audio

5:19 PM.Thousands of students around the country put down their pens and pencils and picked up their placards and flags today. Schools Strikes 4 Climate rallies were held throughout the country with young… Read more Audio

5:14 PM.A South Island school for students with complex needs said a Ministry review of school building projects will leave some of its students with nowhere to go next year. The Ministry of Education is… Read more Audio

4:55 PM.A reminder, clocks go back an hour this weekend as we head into winter. Louise Ternouth asked people what they think of daylight saving and how they cope with it. Read more Audio

4:50 PM.A drop in domestic travellers combined with increasing overheads are believed to be behind a number of Queenstown eateries closing their doors in recent months. The resort town is still recovering… Read more Audio

4:37 PM.Whangarei's acclaimed but controversial Hundertwasser Art Centre could run out of money by October 2025 - raising the prospect that ratepayers may have to cough up to keep it open. That's despite… Read more Audio

4:28 PM.Jamie Wall speaks to Susana Lei'ataua about the Warriors aiming to make it three wins in a row in the NRL and the Wellington Phoenix playing over in Australia. Read more Audio

4:25 PM.Playing chicken with trains continues to plague the Waikato town of Ngāruawāhia. A new video on social media shows seven kids jumping from the rail bridge into the Waikato River just as a train engine… Read more Audio

4:15 PM.Canada correspondent Ashleigh Stewart speaks to Susana Lei'ataua about Canada's Niagara region declaring a state of emergency due to an eclipse, Canada's plans for a free school lunch programme and… Read more Audio

4:07 PM.Ratepayers in Porirua are being told they'll have to pay more if they want their glass recycled. Currently glass is crushed and used in roading and drainage at the tip - rather than living to see… Read more Audio

5:27 PM.The future of free school lunches is in doubt with the programme up for review as part of next month's Budget. The coalition has said funding for Ka Ora, Ka Ako - which feeds about 230,000 students a… Read more Audio

5:25 PM.England have dominated the White Ferns during their cricket tour of Aotearoa. With the T20 series already in the bag, England had the opportunity to seal the one-day series in Hamilton. Felicity Reid… Read more Audio

5:16 PM.The cost of building could soon become cheaper. The Government has today announced plans to cut red tape - including relaxing rules around new building products and removing projects under $65,000… Read more Audio

5:07 PM.Destroyed, distressed, and disappointed, public servants are reeling as government departments continue to bring down the axe on jobs to save cash. The Ministry of Health has confirmed it will cut 134… Read more Audio