Checkpoint

One of New Zealand's most successful lawn bowlers is calling time on her career after more than 20-years at the top level. Val Smith, from Nelson, leaves elite bowls as New Zealand's most capped… Read more Audio

The football fields of Buenos Aires seem a world away from Auckland, but it's there you can find one of New Zealand's brightest sporting talents. The 13 year old Joaquin Reinoso is about to take on… Read more Audio

Donald Trump once said trade wars are 'good, and easy to win,' now he's warning there may be some pain for US consumers after all. He's launched tariffs for Canada, Mexico and China - and all three… Read more Audio

SkyCity wants to build a supersized outdoor deck, so more patrons at its Auckland casino will be able to smoke and gamble, at the same time. Audio

"We want to get on with our own business" - that's the call from iwi chairs, as they meet in Waitangi today. Their hui coincided with the Prime Minister announcing he'll be spending Waitangi in the… Read more Audio

Thousands of commuters in Lower Hutt are caught up in congestion that's lasted hours after a crash on the Wainuiomata Hill Road this morning. It's the only road in and out of the valley that's home to… Read more Audio

Waikato man is on a mission to rehome a catalogue of cats after becoming too ill to run his rescue. Wayne Proffitt, started rescuing cats about twenty years ago after he noticed them getting injured… Read more Audio

Pens, gluesticks and exercise books may seem like absolute basics for a child in a classroom but many kids are relying on donated stationary to start the school year. A community-run group in Lower… Read more Audio

The All Black flanker was named by coach Tana Umaga to lead his side for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific season. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen. Audio

More Israeli hostages have been released in exchange for Palestinians, including hundreds who had been detained without charge or trial. It was the latest in a series of high stakes swaps as part of… Read more Audio

Not everyone's sweet with a proposal to expand a sugary drink ban at Palmerston North council facilities. Fizzy drinks were replaced at libraries and community centres by milk, water and zero calorie… Read more Audio

Japan correspondent Chris Gilbert spoke to Lisa Owen about a days-long effort to rescue a trucker stuck in a massive sinkhole in the Saitama region continuing. Audio