Michael Cropp
Farm creep defies belief, say environmentalists
A regional council report details "agricultural encroachment" on the margins, or berm lands, of 24 of Canterbury's rivers. Audio
New water networks for Wellington years away
Business leaders have called for the fast tracking of projects to strengthen Wellington's water supply, after the city came perilously close to being cut off at the weekend. Audio
Lower speed ticket limits could be making roads more dangerous
Strict holiday speed limits could inadvertently be making drivers more stressed, reducing their ability to spot hazards, and making the roads more dangerous. Recent research at the University of… Audio
ANZ staff evacuate Wellington premises
ANZ staff have evacuated their offices in central Wellington's Tory Street over fears that concrete panelling on the building could fall off. Michael Cropp joins Checkpoint from the scene. Audio
Residents rescue treasured belongings from Wellington apartment
About 70 residents were allowed into an off-limits quake-damaged, central Wellington apartment block to retreive some of their precious belongings, including a hungry but alive goldfish. Video, Audio
Gisborne starts to return to normal as power back on
Power is back on in Gisborne, but the lines company is warning residents to prepare for further power cuts within the next few days. Our reporter Michael Cropp is in the city. Audio
Businesses in Gisborne to re-open today, with power
Power is back on for 40,000 people in Gisborne following Monday's fatal plane crash. Audio
Gisborne power's back on, businesses re-opening
The power's back on in Gisborne - and business are re-opening this morning. Audio
Power gradually restored in Gisborne
Power is starting to come back on in Gisborne and the East Cape area this evening. RNZ reporter Michael Cropp joins Checkpoint from Gisborne. Video, Audio
Power due to come back on in Gisborne this evening
40,000 Gisborne locals have been without power since Monday morning - and are relieved to hear it is due back on soon. Michael Cropp reports. Video, Audio
Wellington's inner-city residents want financial help to streng
People living in inner-city Wellington want more help from the government, if it is going to tighten the rules for earthquake-prone buildings. Video, Audio
Horowhenua councillors vote to dump deputy mayor
Horowhenua's new mayor has suffered a setback - councillors voted last night to dump the deputy mayor he appointed. Audio
Hundreds of soft toys en route to Kaikoura from Wairarapa school
A Wairarapa primary school has gathered hundreds of soft toys to gift to children in Kaikoura for Christmas. Reporter Michael Cropp paid them a visit. Audio
Firefighters feared explosion when battling sulphur fire
Firefighters had to battle to keep flames away from a dangerous pile of sulphur in a fertiliser plant when a fire broke out a storage shed at Ravensdown's Awatoto plant. Audio
Tears, hugs and finally a chance to relax as Canterbury sails
"Everyone that's come on board is so thankful for what we're doing." The commander of the Canterbury, Simon Rooke, talks of evacuating 450 tourists from the quake-ravaged Kaikoura. Audio
DoC criticised for 'kneejerk reaction'
Pilots are criticising the Department of Conservation's decision to stop using Robinson helicopters, dubbing it a kneejerk reaction. Audio
Lack of a national Erebus memorial a glaring omission, says aviation chaplain
A group of volunteers is working on plans for a national memorial to those killed in the Mount Erebus crash. They want one erected by 2019. Audio
'Blindingly obvious police acted outside the law'
Euthanasia advocates say it's clear the police acted outside the law when they used a breath-testing checkpoint to gather personal details about them. Audio
Fonterra's premium status makes it vulnerable, says expert
Fonterra is reviewing its rules for milk powder resellers in China, after 19 people were arrested for on-selling milk powder that should have been thrown out. David Mahon, the chief executive at Mahon… Audio
Australian tourist has been found
An Australian tourist who went missing in Queenstown has been found. Audio
