Checkpoint

The Desert Road is closed and the ski town of Ohakune is cut off after a dumping of snow described as the heaviest in more than 20 years. Video, Audio

People have been evacuated due to heavy flooding in Wairarapa, while power has been cut to several areas throughout the country. The central North Island towns of Raetihi and Ohakune are cut off. Video, Audio

Watch Thursday's full programme here. Video

The Government admits it is still weighing up the introduction of Special Economic Zones, where laws could be by-passed to push through developments like coal mines and salmon farms. Video, Audio

Hail and heavy rain is now falling in parts of the North Island after a wintry blast closed roads and stranded travellers in the lower South Island and inland Canterbury today. Video, Audio

People in South Canterbury and Central Otago have spent the day under a blanket of snow. Bridget Burke spoke to a few folk who were in the thick of it. Video, Audio

People in South Canterbury and Central Otago have spent the day under a blanket of snow. Bridget Burke spoke to a few folk who were in the thick of it. Audio

World heavyweight boxing champ Joseph Parker and champion shot putter Dame Valerie Adams have helped New Zealand athletes prepare for the Youth Commonwealth Games in Bahamas next week. Video, Audio

The founding president of the Black Power, Reitu Harris, has died. Te Manu Korihi reporter Shannon Haunui-Thompson looks back on his life. Video, Audio

A month on from the Grenfell Tower tragedy, a disaster victim identification worker says it's the worst incident he's ever been involved in after more than 18 years in the job. Video, Audio