Checkpoint
1,113 episodes · showing the newest 200
4 min
Earlier this week Checkpoint spoke to the president of the Auckland Beekeepers association about the swarms of bees out and about in the supercity. The mild winter means there's lots of them around. They're keeping Ken Brown and his team of 50 bee keepers busy. They rescue swarms when they're reported by member of the public and authorities. Reporter Teuila Fuatai tagged along to this morning's mission to net about 9000 bees.
4 min
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK government creating what's believed to be the world's first dedicated role focused on climate security, as well as David Walliams' books already disappearing from the shelves of some London libraries.
3 min
New Zealand are chasing double glory at the Rugby League World Cup. Sunday sees the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns clash with the defending champion Kangaroos and Jillaroos in Brisbane. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.
5 min
A travel tech firm making it easier for globe trotters to get behind the frosted glass doors of an airport lounge says business is soaring. LoungePair was founded in Aotearoa during Covid, a difficult time for a travel business. But with air travel rebounding, one of the company founders says they're going from strength to strength. Co-founder and Chief Executive of LoungePair, Daniel Kinnoch spoke to Lisa Owen.
8 min
Experts say the global Microsoft outage could costs billions in lost productivity globally, with Outlook, Teams and other services out of action for hours. The number of users hit worldwide is unknown, but in New Zealand government departments and local councils were dealing with various levels of disruption. Auckland University, Senior Lecturer in Computer Science, Ulrich Speidel spoke to Lisa Owen.
5 min
News from the business sector, including a market report.
3 min
Tokomaru Bay landowners with limited access to their properties are fuming after a $14.5 million pitch to replace a bridge destroyed in Cyclone Gabrielle was knocked back by NZTA. The Gisborne District Council proposal has been labelled as unrealistic. The Pourau Incorporation has now put up a $3.8 million alternative. Robin Martin reports.
7 min
A major Microsoft communications outage is a stark reminder that we need a back-up plan in case of disaster, according to Auckland's acting Mayor Desley Simpson. Microsoft Outlook has been down for hours, with the company working aggressively to reduce the impact. The outage raises serious issues about resilience. Acting Mayor Desley Simpson spoke to Lisa Owen.
4 min
They're born to be wild, but philanthropy is the force behind a lower North Island motorcycle club on a mission to raise money for children's toys, and support tamariki. The patches displayed by the club's riders proudly carry their club name - Risk. It stands for Riders Supporting Kids. Jimmy Ellingham reports.
4 min
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins says claims he was involved in sandpaper-gate eight years ago are 'utter nonsense'. Cummins spoke at length with media today to respond to allegations in a new memoir from former Australia batsman Usman Khawaja. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.
6 min
A Christchurch teenager who scooped a major prize at the world's largest student film festival hopes it fast tracks him into the industry. Kenta Lord's short film Trace took out honours for best International Film at the All American High School Film Festival in New York last month. The 17 year old was also nominated in three other categories - best overall film, best direction and best drama. Kenta Lord spoke to Lisa Owen.
3 min
Australia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about how the Microsoft outage has had an effect over the ditch, as well as the 17 year old boy in Victoria who was missing in the bush for six days who has now spoken out.
6 min
There's a call for tougher rules around advertising and selling vapes online, following allegations one major retailer has found a work around. Regulations that came into force last year, make it illegal for local retailers to display vape products including pictures on their websites and social media. But a health researcher says the country's largest e-cigarette retailer, Shosha, is using a global website and social media to get around the new rules. Auckland University population health lecturer and researcher, Lucy Hardie spoke to Lisa Owen.
3 min
Health, banking, government ministries and local councils, just a few of many services facing issues following a global Microsoft outage. Microsoft has confirmed issues impacting Outlooks, Teams and other services, with more than 100,000 users worldwide reporting problems. Amy Williams reports.
2 min
A scorching day in the Garden City has brought large crowds to the second day of the Canterbury A&P show. The three-day event is the largest agricultural and pastoral event in New Zealand and has run for 163 years, marking a staple of the Canterbury Cup and Show week line-up. Anna Sargent reports.
7 min
Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Australian banks facing scrutiny, as they're criticised for over-charging customers, under-paying workers and cutting jobs while they post big profits.
4 min
News from the business sector, including a market report.
3 min
The New Zealand Breakers are still coming to terms with losing one of their best players. The club announced two days ago that Parker Jackson-Cartwright will miss the rest of the Australian National Basketball League season due to injury. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.
6 min
Researchers plan to GPS track sixty long tailed bats, recording their every move using tiny trasmitters. They hope the information will help boost survival chances for the nationally critical native species. Emma Williams leads the Bats Beyond Borders project and spoke to Lisa Owen.
12 min
The online version of the biggest NCEA exam of the year failed for an unknown number of students this morning. They either could not log into the level two English exam or lost their work partway through. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports, while NZQA Deputy Chief Executive Jann Marshall spoke to Lisa Owen.
4 min
The Warehouse Group is denying allegations staff defecated and urinated in the aisles at distribution centres as a result of the company monitoring toilet breaks. Workers First Union claimed its members' bathroom breaks were being tracked by AI. More than 300 staff in Auckland and Christchurch went on strike today, over fears technology will take over their jobs. Matthew Theunissen reports.
9 min
A culture of risk avoidance at the Justice Ministry led to a former Lotto presenter's $500,000 plus payday, despite him facing serious criminal charges. It comes from a scathing report that highlights leadership, decision making and accountability issues at the Ministry. Justice Secretary Andrew Kibblewhite spoke to Lisa Owen.
3 min
Fiordland National Park has been internationally recognised as a stargazer's haven. It's become the largest International Dark Sky Park in the Southern Hemisphere, covering more than 12,000 square km. The accreditation recognises Fiordland's natural darkness and its commitment to protect it for the future. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.
3 min
The Kiwi Ferns want their crown back. New Zealand were untouchable across two decades of dominance starting in 1995, but the Jillaroos have since flipped the script. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.
6 min
United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a significant development in the spy scandal involving the CEO of tech giant Nvidia, as well as a historic victory for Mississippi in the Midterm elections.
6 min
A dispute over the pending closure of Kapiti Airport could land in legal territory. The Aeroclub, that is based there has been asked to surrender its lease at the end of the month, and to vacate the land by early next year. But the club's lease doesn't actually expire until 2033. Airport owners PropCo have entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement for land that is near Paraparaumu beach. Kapiti Aero Club believes closure of the airport is a safety issue and is taking legal advice. President Peter Merwood spoke to Lisa Owen.
5 min
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about British comedian and author David Walliams facing serious allegations about his conduct towards teenage fans and female colleagues, meanwhile police are assessing new information following the conviction and sentencing of Russell Brand.
5 min
News from the business sector, including a market report.
3 min
All Whites captain Chris Wood says there's been no player input requested as the search for a new coach continues. New Zealand Football didn't renew Darren Bazeley's contract and he's set to finish up the role after four years in charge. Moving forward the long-time skipper has a few criteria he'd like the new coach to meet. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.
6 min
Auckland is in the midst of an unusually large bee swarming season after a milder than usual winter. In October, a driver was forced to take a nap inside their car after hundreds of bees settled on the vehicle for about two hours while they were parked up. President of the Auckland Beekeepers Association, Ken Brown spoke to Lisa Owen.
9 min
A health watchdog has found a litany of failures in an understaffed and overcrowded ED meant by the time doctors realised a woman was having a heart attack, she had gone home and later died. That was after waiting 11 hours for help she did not get. 47 year old Michelle Pillay had an extensive medical history, including type 1 diabetes. Michelle's partner Roison Connelly waited with her for those 11 hours, and spoke to Lisa Owen.
3 min
People in Kaitāia got the news today they've been dreading - and half expecting - for months. One of the town's biggest employers, the Triboard Mill, is expected to close next year with the loss of almost 160 jobs. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has more.
3 min
Today marks 108 years since the guns fell silent after four years of brutal conflict in the First World War. Across the world armed forces, veteran's groups and civilians marked the moment with two minutes of silence at 11am this morning. Bill Hickman has more.
9 min
Right now we have a caretaker government in place, and the country is expected to remain in limbo at least until the end of the month, but it could be much longer. Some Ministers are about to lose their warrants, effectively their licence to do the job, because they haven't been re-elected. So what power does a caretaker government actually have? Public Law Advisor at Simpson Grierson, Sally McKechnie spoke to Lisa Owen.
4 min
The aftershocks of the infamous Sandpaper-gate scandal continue to reverberate through Australian cricket, eight years on. Former Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has reignited the controversy with a fresh account in his new book, claiming the whole team had knowledge of the ball-tampering plot. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.
6 min
Police are investigating after a fire at a Hamilton park destroyed thousands of dollars of football gear for junior players. Witnesses say people were aiming firecrackers at each other at Discovery park shortly before the blaze was reported. The Northern United Sports club stores its gear in the building the went up in flames. Mark Oliphant from the sports club, spoke to Lisa Owen.
4 min
Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps saying it has lifted a self-imposed 2000km limit on the range of its ballistic missiles.
8 min
A regional airline says it's a painful wait for a decision on the future of Kāpiti Airport. Owners PropCo have entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement that requires the airport near Paraparaumu beach to close. It's home to the Kapiti Aero Club, which has been given notice its lease will end on November 30. Sounds Air flies from Kapiti Airport, CEO Andrew Crawford spoke to Lisa Owen.
4 min
After 13 years closed and hundreds of millions of dollars in budget blowout, Wellington's town hall redevelopment has entered its final phase. The town hall will re-open in the central city in February next year, after shutting in 2013 for significant earthquake.
6 min
Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about concerns for an Australian security guard who has gone missing after joining the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
4 min
News from the business sector, including a market report.
3 min
The Black Caps are fighting for survival in the One day series against India. The third match was underway in Hamilton after a rain delay. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.
6 min
A group of Christchurch residents are crowd sourcing funds for a surveillance camera to discourage noisy street hoons. Lyttleton's had problems with loud cars and motorbikes using some roads like racing tracks, with the hills amplifying the noise. The group, Quieter and Safer Roads, has raised $4000 for a high-tech camera to clock speeds and noise levels. They hope the data will convince authorities to come up with a long-term solution. Lyttelton Harbour resident Dave Dunlay spoke to Lisa Owen.
8 min
The CEO of RNZ who is staying on until his contract ends, says he's taken responsibility, despite the broadcaster running up an almost $12 million deficit on his watch. A litany of budget blowouts and accounting errors are being blamed. CEO Paul Thompson and the board Chair, Brent Impey say they were oblivious to any money problems until last month. The CFO departed abruptly in October. Deputy Political Editor, Craig McCulloch talked through the latest with Lisa Owen.
4 min
MPs new, returning, and departing have converged on Wellington for their caucus meetings - for some of them their first, and for others their last. It's been a busy day, National bade farewell to some of its heavy hitters, and a returning Labour MP almost immediately put his foot in it. Christopher Luxon revealed he has sat down with Qiulae Wong. Political reporter Giles Dexter reports.
2 min
Rain and drizzle made for a damp and grey day at Christchurch's Addington Raceway, but punters provided the colour, turning out in some snappy outfits for the New Zealand Trotting Cup. There were 13 races, but fashion in the field also provided great entertainment, as did the festival atmosphere. Rachel Graham reports.
3 min
Jackets on, shovels out as ground breaks on a $506 million wind farm in the hills west of Dunedin. The Puke Kapo Hau wind farm received fast track approval in July and marks the second stage of the Mahinerangi farm project. Together they're set to become the country's biggest wind farm, generating enough power for the equivalent of about 92,000 homes. Tess Brunton reports.
6 min
There's concern that children are allegedly being used to sell black market cigarettes. A months long RNZ investigation has found that illicit tobacco is being sold over the counter without mandated health warnings and for a fraction of the cost of retail brands. Customs acting investigations manager, Nigel Barnes spoke to Lisa Owen.
3 min
The struggling New Zealand Breakers have suffered another blow with influential import Parker Jackson-Cartwright ruled out for the rest of the Australian NBL season. Overnight the club got confirmation that the American point guard has a stress fracture in his tibia that requires immediate rest and rehabilitation. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.
8 min
TV regular and comedian Dai Henwood has died at the age of 48 after living with colon cancer for six years. His management company announced the sad news on social media. Dai's manager, Richard Carrington from Notorious Management spoke to Lisa Owen.
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