Nita Blake Persen
Many eateries struggling to survive - Restaurant Association
The Restaurant Association says many eateries are still strugging to survive, almost a year after the Covid-19 downturn began. One of the latest casualties is well-known Asian-fusion restaurant… Audio
Children emotionally distressed by emergency housing
Some families in emergency housing are reporting their children are becoming emotionally distressed because of their living conditions. Demand for emergency accommodation has escalated this past year… Audio
US on alert ahead of Joe Biden inauguration
There's unprecedented security around Capitol Hill in Washignton DC, ahead of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration on Thursday. All 50 American states are also on alert for possible violent… Audio
Hipkins: New Zealanders have to wait their turn for vaccination
The Covid-19 recovery minister, Chris Hipkins, says New Zealanders have to wait for the vaccine to roll out in countries being ravaged by the virus before they'll get their turn. New Zealand's… Audio
American Magic almost turns American Tragic
The American Magic yacht is back at its base on Auckland's waterfront after a dramatic capsize yesterday. The team were sailing towards their first win of the America's Cup Challenger Selection Series… Audio
International travel among hopes for 2021
A New Year is a fresh start and after 2020's madness everyone's welcoming the opportunity with open arms. But after this year's curve ball, most people's hopes for the year - are much more simple. We… Audio
Looking back at 2020: the animal edition
At Checkpoint, we love an animal story. From missing cats, to wandering pigs and rafts of otters - these tales have brought joy to us - and hopefully you - in what's been a challenging year. Audio
Aucklanders share silver linings of 2020
This year's been a testing one for most of us, with covid-19 came travel bans, cancelled plans and uncertain times. But despite the hardships many people had something good happen amongst the madness… Audio
2020: The year that was Covid edition
A year we'll never forget. What began as a pneumonia like virus in the Chinese city Wuhan ripped through the world - infecting more than 77 million people to date, killing 1.7 million people and… Audio
Auckland water use rises 30m litres per day
It appears Aucklanders have been liberally watering the garden, washing the car and filling up the paddling pool.. despite the region's ongoing water woes. Water use across the city has risen by 30… Audio
Caravan Christmas for many as housing crisis continues
As many Kiwi households prepare to head off for camping holidays over the coming weeks, others are already parked up in campervans across the country. That's because they live there year round -… Video, Audio
Top Stories for Friday 22 January 2021
The Government's slammed for its 'underwhelming' Public Housing Plan, a whirlwind 24 hours for President Joe Biden as the US recommits to the World Health Organisation, NCEA results are out - how do… Audio
Under-fire Ports of Auckland bosses face Auckland Council
The embattled Ports of Auckland boss has appeared before Auckland Council for a grilling over mounting shipping delays.
The Ports are wholly owned by the council, and today chief executive Tony… Video, Audio
Covid delays international freight, no relief before Xmas
Retailers and importers are grappling with lengthy wait times to bring products into the country - with no signs of relief before Christmas. A backlog of ships waiting to get into the Ports of… Audio
Import delays force Christmas shopping squeeze for retailers
The costs are piling up for retailers and importers who are waiting on shipments to pass through the Ports of Auckland.
A backlog of ships waiting to get into the port is compounding worldwide… Audio
House assessments continue in Napier as weather improves
All eyes will be on the skies in Hawke's Bay this morning after a deluge of rain flooded low-lying suburbs this week. Sixty people had to be evacuated from their homes in Napier and Hastings and stay… Audio
Austria copes with Islamic extremism and a Covid-lite lockdown
To Europe where, just over a week after a terrorist attack in Vienna, the EU is coming to terms with the on-going issue of Islamic extremism. Four people were killed and another 23 injured when a… Audio
Woman dying of brain cancer begs for MIQ spot for sister
A Wairarapa woman who is dying from brain cancer is begging the government to make an exception to get her UK-based sister home.
With managed isolation filled to capacity, the only option for Kiwis… Audio
NZ based Americans get together to watch elections
Americans in New Zealand were biting their nails as the results of the US election came in RNZ visited a couple of election night events around Auckland, with most people drifting home when it became… Audio
America's Cup: Spectators lose out as harbour courses cut
Sailing spectators are set to be the biggest losers in a decision to drop two race courses from the America's Cup.
Team New Zealand says those courses would have given the closest views of the event.
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