Law
PM refuses to decriminalise cannabis despite public support
A new survey has shown more people than ever before are in favour of legalising or decriminalising cannabis, but the Prime Minister is ruling out any law changes. Audio
Legislation gives spy agencies mandate to spy on Kiwis
Legislation giving the country's spy agencies an explicit mandate to spy on New Zealanders has been introduced to Parliament. RNZ political editor Jane Patterson joins Checkpoint. Video, Audio
Suspending doctors
Medical Council unable to immediately suspend doctors charged with serious misconduct. Audio
Majority back decriminalisation of cannabis use, poll suggests
A new poll suggests more than 60 percent of New Zealanders want a cannabis law change. Video, Audio
Drive to get motorists on restricted licenses to sit full test
A service helping drivers who may face jail or up to $26,000 in fines as a result of not getting their full licence is fully booked to next year and is having to expand.
Sports Minister comments on Sky's Olympic battle
Sky Television has lost its bid for an interim injunction against Fairfax Media over the use of its Olympic footage. Sports Minister Jonathan Coleman talks to Checkpoint from Rio. Audio
Voluntary euthanasia petition hearings to start
Submissions on a petition about a person's right to end their life will go before Parliament's health committee this month. Video
Sonny Tau punished for kereru shooting and cover-up
Ngapuhi leader Raniera Sonny Tau has been sentenced to community detention and fined $24,500 for shooting five kereru and then trying to cover up his role. Video, Audio
Crown bid to have murderers locked up for life fails
The Court of Appeal has ruled against the Crown, which argued two murderers should be locked up without the possibility of parole. Audio
Drink drivers and interlock devices
Lawyer Karen Harding talks about how interlock devices in cars work. And if they'll work to stop drink driving. Audio
Alcohol Interlocks Mandatory for worst drink-drivers
Alcohol interlocks are to become compulsory, for New Zealand's worst drink-drivers Audio
Boost in police numbers is bottom-line for NZ First
The government says it's considering boosting police numbers but is playing down suggestions that New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters has forced its hand. Audio
Repeat drink drivers face compulsory alcohol interlocks
Alcohol interlocks to stop drunks starting their cars will soon become compulsory for high level drink drivers and repeat offenders. Audio
More police needed, minister says
The government is looking at boosting police numbers to keep up with the growing population. Police Minister Judith Collins joined Checkpoint. Video, Audio
No deal struck in Pike River payment, Worksafe says
A payment from former Pike River CEO Peter Whittall's insurer to the victims' families was not a bargain or a deal, Worksafe's lawyer Joanna Holden says. Audio
Where is Peter Whittall?
Where is Peter Whittall, the former Pike River boss and Pike's very public face in the aftermath of the explosions, now? Audio
Pike families payout was to buy off prosecution - lawyer
An insurance payout to Pike River victims' families was designed to ensure the mine's former CEO Peter Whittall wouldn't be prosecuted, Nigel Hampton, the lawyer for two of the families says. Video, Audio
Police advisor discredits 'stranger danger'
The police say schools are putting too much focus on "stranger danger" when the evidence shows children are most at risk from people they know. Audio
UK child sex abuse inquiry "must not lose momentum"
The former British minister for Children Tim Loughton says the resignation of the New Zealand Judge Lowell Goddard came as a huge surprise and is a blow for the victims. Lowell Goddard was heading the… Audio
Was NZ judge in charge of UK's child abuse inquiry sacked?
One of Britain's best known commentators on the law Joshua Rozenberg is suggesting the New Zealand judge who headed an independent inquiry into child sex abuse in Britain did not resign, but was… Audio
