Checkpoint Podcast Options

5:27 PM.Thompson and Clark hasn't just been paid by the government to spy on Greenpeace and earthquake claimants in Christchurch. It's also been monitoring the activities of another three activist groups… Read more Audio

5:19 PM.Barack Obama spent today travelling from Auckland to Northland, where he played golf with John Key. He will meet Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern tomorrow before attending an invite-only event with 800… Read more Audio

5:14 PM.Rodeos cannot legally continue as the way animals are treated goes against the Animal Welfare Act, a 92 page report by the Animal Law Association says. Video, Audio

5:08 PM.Fonterra's chairman John Wilson denies CEO Theo Spierings' departure is linked to the co-operative's $348 million half-year loss, but dairy farmers say it's only right that he leaves. Audio

6:21 PM.Tonga's government has instructed female students at one of its high schools that they should not be playing sports like rugby or boxing because it goes against Tongan culture and traditions. Audio

6:18 PM.Arthur Taylor and Philip John Smith are in court alleging a Department of Corrections strip search was illegally carried out after some inmates attacked staff at the prison in Paremoremo. Video, Audio

6:08 PM.Ms Bright said she found out in a letter from the High Court last week that her million dollar Auckland home will be sold to recover more than $30,000 in unpaid rates and penalty fees. Audio

5:55 PM.A new whisky distillery set to open in Reefton this year could eventually create as many as 50 jobs and is being hailed as a boon for the town, which has been affected by the downturn in mining and… Read more Audio

5:41 PM.A female pedestrian was killed in Arizona. It's the first fatality caused by an autonomous car and could deal a big blow to the burgeoning industry. Video, Audio

5:39 PM.The latest weather forecast with MetService meteorologist John Law. Video, Audio

5:27 PM.The government has announced plans for a review, a working group, an advisory group, or an investigation, every four days since it took power, despite having nine years in opposition to develop… Read more Audio

5:23 PM.The government may consider a total ban on set net fishing after five nationally endangered hector's dolphins were killed in a single net off the east coat of the South Island a month ago. Video, Audio

5:20 PM.Matamata born 59-year-old Chris Liddell has been appointed as deputy chief of staff for policy coordination, tasked with overseeing and coordinating Donald Trump's policy process. Video, Audio

5:15 PM.EQC CEO Sid Miller says the Crown agency's focus is on settling claims, but homeowners won't be able to take court action against insurers once their limitation periods expired. A source says EQC is… Read more Audio

5:09 PM.As IAG and Southern Response's limitation periods for claims resulting from the February, 2011 earthquake nears, Christchurch lawyer Peter Woods says the current situation is a "bloody mess". Read more Audio

6:25 PM.Weta Workshop has officially launched the world's first mixed reality development studio in partnership with American firm Magic Leap. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was one of the first to have a go.