Waikato
Cyclone Cook bears down on New Zealand
Cyclone Cook is bearing down on New Zealand bringing more torrential rain and potentially destructive winds. The Transport Agency's Waikato Bay of Plenty highway manager Nic Johansson says any… Audio
State of Emergency declared in Coromandel
A state of emergency has been declared in the Coromandel as it prepares for Cyclone Cook. Garry Towler, the Thames Valley Civil Defence Controller, joins Checkpoint live. Audio
Two dead in North Island road accidents
Two people have died in road crashes in the North Island this afternoon.
Waikato University Cuts - Professor Douglas Pratt
There's outrage at a proposal from Waikato University to cut its staff from its Arts and Social Sciences Faculty. Audio
Anger over proposal to cut arts and social science staff
Academics and students at the University of Waikato are fighting a proposal to cut about 15 percent of arts and social sciences staff. Audio
Huntly Muslim abuse: woman fails to show up in court
A woman who hurled racial insults at a Muslim woman in Huntly earlier this year has failed to turn up in court for sentencing.
Tribal Huk leader Jamie Pink pleads guilty to weapon charge
A Ngaruawahia gang leader has pleaded guilty to a charge of possessing an offensive weapon after a gang-led campaign to drive meth dealers out of the town.
One dead in microlight crash
One person is dead after crashing their microlight in Te Mapara, Waikato.
Waikato police investigate unexplained death of Auckland man
A 45-year-old Auckland man died in the Waikato town of Te Awamutu this morning.
Wild weather heads south
Waikato, Auckland and north Whanganui are through the back end of a major weather event, while Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Great Barrier are about to get hammered, MetService says. Audio
Home detention for Filipino-NZer convicted of visa fraud
A Filipino-New Zealander has been sentenced to home detention and community work for visa fraud involving Filipino migrants wanting to come to New Zealand to work in the dairy industry. Audio
Missing mother and four children found
The Waikato woman and her four young children are safe and well, police say.
Tramper skittled by falling rock on Mt Ngauruhoe
A man has been thrown head over heels 50m down the side of Mount Ngauruhoe after he was struck by a falling rock.
Hamilton's Meteor Theatre runs into unexpected snags
Asbestos and soggy foundations have put an expensive spanner in the works for the team behind the renovations and earthquake strengthening at Hamilton's historic Meteor Theatre. They've added around… Audio, Gallery
Red Robin takes flight
The small settlement of Te Mata, just south of Raglan in the Waikato, is the home of new label, Red Robin Records. The label’s founders - Michael ‘Red Robin’ Robins and producer Naram - are using… Video, Audio
Fatal crash in Waikato closes SH1
A man has been killed after two cars crashed head-on in South Waikato, closing State Highway 1.
Desert Rd closing for up to 6 hours after truck crash
Authorities will close the road at 11.30am to recover a truck that crashed early this morning. Authorities will close the Desert Road at 11.30am to recover a truck that crashed...
Rural doctor shortage: GPs considered 'lesser beings'
Dr John Burton is a lifeline for people in the isolated Waikato community of Kawhia, but, he says, GPs are considered "lesser beings" so job training is not producing good doctors for rural areas.
Electric bikes could be allowed in Tongariro National Park
The Department of Conservation is undertaking a partial review of the Tongariro National Park Management Plan. It's proposing the construction of three new shared-use walking and cycling tracks, and… Audio
Sorting solutions
Seventeen years ago, the blueberry-growing Furniss family found out colour-sorting machines cost $1 million to import, so they had a crack at making one. Now their sorting machine business has a $30… Audio
