Checkpoint Podcast Options

5:08 PM.Regional councils as you know them could be for the chop under a radical plan unveiled by the government. Under the proposal 11 regional councils would be axed, and replaced with new combined… Read more Audio

4:48 PM.A well known scientist says she's out of options for funding her research as it gets even tougher to get grants or donations. PHD students are also facing an up hill battle. Award wininng… Read more Audio

4:45 PM.More west Auckland homeowners have been blind-sided by news that their front and back yards don't meet resource consents requirements and have been hit with bills stretching into the thousands. Some… Read more Audio

4:35 PM.The names of five people seeking compensation for sexual abuse in state care were published online in a privacy breach by the Ministry of Social Development. The ministry has removed the link to… Read more Audio

4:31 PM.A player has been red carded in the English Premier League for slapping his own team-mate. Everton enjoyed their first Premier League win at Manchester United's home turf in 12 years - that's despite… Read more Audio

4:24 PM."Without hats there is no civilization" according to French fashion designer Christian Dior. But as people tighten their belts it seems headwear is suffering with a renowned Wellington milliner, Hills… Read more Audio

4:16 PM.US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a judge dismissing two significant legal cases, including one against former FBI director James Comey, as well as the US upping pressure on… Read more Audio

4:06 PM.Consumers are being warned to assume imported products including kids play things are not being tested and its best to avoid anything that could be contaminated or faulty. An asbestos scare has… Read more Audio

5:49 PM.A group of past and present students from Motueka High School are among the youngest competitors to take on the Godzone adventure race that begins later this week in Marlborough. Between them, the… Read more Audio

5:44 PM.United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about a rise in Russian activity in UK waters, as well as poultry potentially being off the menu for some households in the UK this… Read more Audio

5:37 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:33 PM.After nearly a year away from red ball cricket, Kane Williamson will return to the New Zealand test side for the upcoming series against the West Indies. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

5:25 PM.A food waste researcher would like to see mandatory kerbside composting put back on the table, after researchers discovered just how much food is wasted in New Zealand every year. Their report… Read more Audio

5:17 PM.The prime minister is struggling to hose down the opposition's claim his Kiwisaver policy is likely linked to a rise in the retirement age. The proposal unveiled yesterday would see employers required… Read more Audio

5:09 PM.The government has unveiled its renovation to building rules, with changes including mandatory home warranties, indemnity insurance for some professionals and a doubling of penalties for so called… Read more Audio

4:48 PM.The biggest losers in National's bid to super size Kiwisaver are low income earners and small businesses according to an economics expert. If re-elected National is proposing to raise Kiwisaver… Read more Audio

4:44 PM.The mother of a man who died after being pepper sprayed in Mt Eden Prison wants to see meaningful change, as the second part of inquest into his death gets underway in Auckland. It's been nearly four… Read more Audio

4:37 PM."Chump change" is how one striking worker at Resene Paint in Lower Hutt has described the company's latest pay offer. A noisy protest of around 80 workers and supporters braved the rain to picket the… Read more Audio

4:32 PM.The All Black season finished with a comfortable win over Wales, but attention now turns to what will happen next. Questions have been raised over coach Scott Robertson and captain Scott Barrett… Read more Audio

4:25 PM.Howick councillor Bo Burns is calling for a review of the city's rates; specifically the so called Uniform Annual General Charge. That's the fee that's the same amount for every household regardless… Read more Audio

4:06 PM.An enchanted Santa experience was more of a nightmare before Christmas for an Auckland mum, after she discovered the T&Cs would allow the business to use any photos taken of her children for its… Read more Audio

5:52 PM.How would you feel if that little voice in your head went completely quiet? You know the one that stresses about all the mistakes you've made just as you're trying to get to sleep or replays that same… Read more Audio

5:44 PM.United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK Covid-19 Inquiry pubishing a damning report on how political leaders responded during the pandemic, as well as the UK Home… Read more Audio

5:35 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:31 PM.The Wellington Phoenix women have suffered a double blow with two players out for the remainder of the A-League season with an increasingly common injury. Female footballers are more at risk of ACL… Read more Audio