William Ray
School faces human rights complaint over bible classes
A Palmerston North school is facing a complaint to the Human Rights Commission over a plan to teach Christian education classes in school time. Audio
New "integrity unit" at rugby union
The Drug Free Sport foundation says it's disappointed by reports of Super Rugby players mixing sleeping pills and energy drinks to get high. Audio
Calls for govt to crack down on drunken boaties
The Queenstown harbourmaster is calling for the Government to close a legal loophole which he says prevents authorities prosecuting drunken boaties. Audio
Reaction to cancellation of passports for would be rebels
A Syrian community leader says the Government is wrong to cancel the passports of people wanting to fight the Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad. Audio
Shark expert says Southlanders need not fear swimming
A shark expert says there's no need for people in Southland to keep out of the water, despite two people being attacked in the region in as many weeks. Audio
Shark attack doesn't discourage locals
Barely more than a day after a shark attack at a popular Southland surfing beach, locals were back into the water. A 28-year-old man suffered serious injuries to his leg when he was mauled while… Audio
Coroner finds man drowned in drain trying to get keys
A coroner has found a dunken Wellington man fell head first into a two thirds full stormwater drain trying to get back the car keys he dropped, after a night on the town. Audio
Australian govt to investigate whaling collision
The Australian government will investigate a collision between a ship from the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd and a Japanese harpoon boat. Audio
"Battle for our Birds" launched to combat pest plague
The amount of 1080 poison dropped on conservation land is to be massively increased this year to battle an expected plague of millions of rats and stoats. Audio
Economist accuses Electricity Authority of getting it wrong
A war of words has broken out between the Electricity Authority and an economist who's accused the electricity industry of price gouging. Audio
NZ's human rights performance examined by the UN
New Zealand's human rights record has gone under the microscope at the United Nations overnight in Geneva. Audio
A week on from Eketahuna earthquake
A week on from the 6.2 magnitude earthquake which rocked the lower North Island, the Earthquake Commission says the number of claims have topped the 1000 mark with numbers still rising. Audio
Dally tells board he enjoyed killing schoolgirl
The man who raped and murdered a Lower Hutt schoolgirl told the Parole Board he enjoyed committing the crime. Paul Dally has spent 25 years in prison and done every treatment programme he could do… Audio
Checkpoint Top Stories for Friday 24 January 2014
Double murderer taking legal action against Corrections; Dally tells board he enjoyed killing schoolgirl; Murdered teenager's stepfather says Dally should never be free; Police search for bank robber… Audio
Employers complain immigration rules too strict
Employers are complaining they are struggling to keep on skilled staff hired from overseas, and a push is on to get their visas extended to up to five years instead of just one. Audio
Three charged with supplying alcohol to nine year old
Three people have been charged with supplying alcohol to a nine year old boy who was filmed drunk at a Hamilton skate park. Audio
Charities mobilise for Tonga
Charities are mobilising to pick up the pieces from the powerful tropical cyclone which ripped through Tonga this weekend. Audio
Tonga left reeling by massive storm
Five thousand people are thought to be homeless after a powerful category five tropical cyclone tore through the kingdom this weekend. Audio
Santastic Science
Every year scientists around the world are baffled by the seemingly miraculous ability of Santa Claus to visit a billion children in a single night. Audio
