Checkpoint

Ambulance services warn the safety of their patients and paramedics are at risk and more funding is urgently needed or they will face a crisis situation. Audio

The son of wealthy wine magnates sentenced to 300 hours of community work and ordered to pay $5000 after assaulting a police officer should have gone to prison, the police association says. Audio

An Auckland court has heard how a group of Fijian workers came to New Zealand for a better life, but were met with exploiation and exorbitant fees when they got here. Edward Gay was in court. Audio

Paralympian Liam Malone has won gold in Rio in the 200 metres race, smashing the world record set by Oscar Pistorius. Audio

Swimmer Sophie Pascoe has won her third gold medal at Rio, taking her tally of Paralympic medals to 14 in total, 9 of them gold. Audio

The government plans to create new offences with tougher sentences in a bid to reduce New Zealand's "horrendous" family violence rate. Audio

A baby, a toddler and their mother have been injured after a SUV crashed into them in Pukehina, Bay of Plenty. Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson joins Checkpoint. Audio

Americans have been paying tribute to close to 3000 people who died 15 years ago in the Twin Tower attacks on 9/11. Our correspondent William Denselow joins Checkpoint from New York. Audio