Checkpoint Podcast Options

5:24 PM.An "unprecedented" spate of violent crimes coupled with a significant police shortage in Northland means dozens of officers are being sent to the region on rotations to help out. The special staff… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.Heart disease is costing the country nearly $14 billion a year in direct costs to the health system and early deaths of one in five New Zealanders. That was the stark analysis from Otago University… Read more Audio

4:45 PM.The government has announced it is 'considering' recognising Palestinian statehood, and will deliberate over the next month before taking its decision to the United Nations General Assembly. Australia… Read more Audio

4:43 PM.A sense of betrayal and an under-valuing of women's work. That was the resounding message at the first day of the People's Select Committee hearings, formed in response to the Equal Pay Amendment Act… Read more Audio

4:14 PM.Middle East correspondent Perry Wilton spoke to Lisa Owen about Israel's controversial plans to seize Gaza City triggering an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting. It comes as a growing… Read more Audio

2:30 PM.Christchurch's Te Kaha stadium is set to revive Super Rugby's 'Super Round'. The 'Super Round' - last held in 2024 - will be the first major sporting event hosted at Te Kaha which is scheduled to open… Read more Audio

2:25 PM.A heartless and disturbing trend is how an animal welfare trust is describing the killings of three more sealions. Oamaru police are investigating after three endangered sea lions were shot at the… Read more Audio

2:05 PM.It's the kind of price tag that might even make strongman Popeye cry. A 300g bag of spinach was $8.29 at one Auckland supermarket last week; or more than $27 per kg. This week it's worse with some… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the homelessness minister quitting, after she was accused of dodgy rent dealings, as well as UK Police turning to the public for… Read more Audio

5:37 PM.The Labour leader Chris Hipkins has rebuked his education spokesperson after finding out she ignored, then rejected offers to work with the government on NCEA reforms. ACT's David Seymour said if she… Read more Audio

5:33 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:29 PM.Provincial rugby gets in full swing this weekend with the Farah Palmer Cup kicking off its 26th season. While the Black Ferns prepare for their World Cup defence, players back home will be eager to… Read more Audio

5:23 PM.Closures, swapping to more export alternatives or dirtier substitutes are some of the options facing small to medium businesses struggling to get gas contracts. The Business NZ Energy Council said a… Read more Audio

5:16 PM.Only two of the teen boys who went through the government's controversial military-style boot camp trial haven't reoffended. Despite this, the agency and minister in charge are trumpeting its success… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.Israel's defence force is getting ready to take over Gaza city after the security cabinet approved the plan. Ahead of an hours long meeting, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told media he… Read more Audio

4:52 PM.For over a decade, a pair of huge eagles ridden by Gandalf the wizard greeted people as they arrived in the city famous for the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. But no longer. Today, Wellington… Read more Audio

4:46 PM.Business leaders and the Associate Energy Minister have been in crisis talks after a Taranaki manufacturer revealed looking to shutdown production for up to four months because it can't get a… Read more Audio

4:43 PM.It was all aboard the City Rail Link express today for the Prime Minister and Cabinet colleagues in another milestone for the multi-billion dollar project. A train did a special VIP test run in the… Read more Audio

4:28 PM.It has been an interesting last 24 hours for the All Blacks, as confirmation came through that Richie Mo'unga will be returning next season. Mo'unga will be eligible for test rugby in time for the end… Read more Audio

4:25 PM.There's a way that the money you're putting aside for your Lotto ticket could give you an almost certain $100,000 windfall. Lotto's Powerball is rolling over for a $20 million prize on Saturday. But… Read more Audio

4:18 PM.Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about Japan continuing to record a steep decline in population growth. Audio

4:06 PM.A children's reading book has been shelved by the Ministry of Education because it has apparently got too many Māori words in it. In a message to schools, it said student sized copies of 'At the… Read more Audio

5:42 PM.Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Australia wrestling with whether to introduce a new regulatory regime to try to control the unharnessed growth of artificial intelligence… Read more Audio

5:25 PM.The government has officially labelled product labels a problem and ordered a review. It said we currently have 30 codes, standards and regulations, and that is too many, with the current requirements… Read more Audio

5:25 PM.The White Ferns are leaving no stone unturned ahead of this year's Cricket World Cup in India. Linking up with the Chennai Super Kings, a select group of New Zealand batters are spending weeks… Read more Audio