Lisa Owen

In Wellington the Newtown and Mt Cook communities are in shock after the fatal fire at Loafers Lodge on Adelaide Road.

Checkpoint reporter Jimmy Ellingham talks to neighbouring residents.

  Video, Audio

There is no sprinkler system in the Loafer's Lodge, which has three residential floors and more than 90 residents.

Witnesses said the fire alarms did not go off automatically, and residents ran down… Video, Audio

Political leaders addressed Parliament this afternoon, acknowledging the loss of life, those left displaced, and the dedicated work of police, fire and medical staff at the tragic scene at Loafers… Audio

A former tenant of Loafers Lodge says fire drills and alarms were a regular occurence but it was up to residents to decide whether to evacuate in the evenings because there was no overnight security… Audio

Firefighters first on the scene are struggling with what they encountered.

The property housed a range of tenants, some of them had lived there for years, others not so long, and many of them were… Video, Audio

Work is starting on a new intersection to a Defence Force site along a traffic pinch point in the lower North Island.

A roundabout will be built at the entrance to the Ōhakea Air Force base so the… Audio

As Nelson recovers from the devastating August floods - the full extent of slip damage across the region is becoming clearer.

Thirty three homes were damaged by landslide debris that came from… Video, Audio

More than 300 households whose homes were wrecked in the cyclone and Auckland floods, are still waiting to be housed - or are in limbo.

The hold up is partly because the Temporary Accomodation… Audio

In response to the claim that NCEA Level 1 is being "dumbed down", Education Minister Jan Tinetti says she has been told by other schools that the changes to NCEA are "giving a more robust nature to… Video, Audio

An Auckland football club has apparently scored an own goal amid allegations it's disrespecting its top women players.

Western Springs Association Football Club wished all the "Springs Mums" a happy… Video, Audio

An historic first All Blacks Test in Fiji is increasingly likely as New Zealand Rugby seeks to strengthen its ties in the South Pacific.

The All Blacks are scheduled to play Fiji in New Zealand next… Video, Audio

Are the days of the humble food court numbered? Empty shop fronts are a feature of many food courts which struggled to recover after the pandemic.

Operators say competition from flash new malls and… Video, Audio

It's billed as the 'beer Olympics'. More than 10,000 brews and 272 judges from 26 countries.

And against the stiffest of competition, Wellington Brewery The Garage Project has managed to score silver… Video, Audio

It's a town that knows about the impacts of climate change all to well.. and today the Prime Minister chipped in money for flood protection.

Westport has had several flooding events in recent years… Audio

Pike River Mine advocate and father Bernie Monk says the news that human remains have likely been found at Pike River is upsetting, but it strengthens his resolve for justice.

It's been more than 12… Video, Audio

The traditional Blues versus Crusaders Super Rugby rivalry has an added element this weekend.

Both head coaches are in their final "Super" season before they team up as All Blacks coaches next year.

After years of Covid disruption, a poor snow season and uncertainty around the future of Mt Ruapehu's ski fields, people in the North Island town of Ohakune have something to smile about.

They're… Audio

Gore residents say they're sick of childish behaviour from their elected representatives - with councillors trying to oust their mayor.

The country's youngest mayor, Ben Bell, has been asked to… Audio