Checkpoint

The All Blacks went to the nation today for their last public appearances in the provinces before the Rugby World Cup. Audio

The Australians have shorn a world record off New Zealand - for the heaviest fleece from a merino sheep. Audio

New Zealand has indefinitely suspended more than a million dollars of annual aid to Nauru, because it remains unconvinced the government there has done anything to improve basic civil and human… Read more Audio

The gaffe-prone National MP Maurice Williamson has apologised after his sexually explicit jokes at a conference awards dinner prompted several delegates to walk out. Audio

The Prime Minister has backtracked on his earlier refusals to boost the number of refugees New Zealand takes under its annual quota. Audio

The family of a six-year-old girl and her grandmother who died in a fire early this morning are telling police there were working smoke alarms in their Palmerston North state house. Audio

Six year old and her grandmother die in house fire, Government backtracks on refugee stance, MP Williamson apologises for sexually explicit jokes, Foreign Minister indefinitely suspends aid for Nauru… Read more Audio

Hawkes' Bay iwi Ngati Kahungunu says it's deeply concerned about the uncovering of a black market fishing operation in its rohe; A South Taranaki iwi says whitebaiters have nothing to fear from its… Read more Audio

Investors in an Alan Hubbard investment fund are complaining statutory managers have left them out of pocket but one commentator says they should stop whining. Audio

The arrival of spring in Australia means magpies swooping to attack. A new study reveals the birds can recognise people who disturb them for up to five years. Audio

A new era in bus commuting is about to begin in Auckland with 53 double decker buses rolling out across major routes. Audio

The police say head injuries suffered by a six month old Raumati baby were of the same intensity as from a high speed car crash. Audio