Shows / Checkpoint

Checkpoint
Checkpoint with Lisa Owen is RNZ’s weekday drive-time news programme, Our people, stories and breaking news and interviews from 4-6pm.
Episodes
CheckpointMother of inmate stabbed to death wants corrections held accountable
The mother of a man who was murdered in Auckland's maximum security prison has told a coronial inquest she wants the corrections department held accountable…
CheckpointNational MP goes against party ranks, criticising charity tax change
A National MP has gone against his party ranks and criticised a charity tax change from this year's Budget. Gleg Fleming - the MP for Maungakiekie - was at a…
CheckpointBlack Ferns showcasing three debutants in Australia test
The Black Ferns will blood a trio of test debutants against Australia this Saturday as they kick off a gruelling test schedule to close out the season. This…
CheckpointConcern that Hawkes Bay thefts could be funding drug habits
There is concern a spate of thefts across Hawkes Bay could be funding drug habits. Police say it is likely the very specific array of items have been stolen to…
CheckpointTrump pauses 50% Canada tariffs
United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about an about-turn on Canadian tariffs and a record trillions in debt, as well as a close aide of…
CheckpointShould governments think about future generations when passing laws?
Governments should be forced to think about the impact of their decisions on future generations before they pass laws or make policies, according to a new…
CheckpointBritish PM talks up commitment to Ukraine
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about British Prime Minister Andy Burnham talking up his country's commitment to Ukraine, as well…
CheckpointEvening business for 19 August 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
CheckpointSideline abuse at youth rugby games still an issue
Months after the Waikato Rugby Union took a strong stance on sideline abuse at youth rugby games - not much has changed. Union boss Amy Marfell spoke out in…
CheckpointTeens injecting themselves with black market weight loss drugs
Teenagers are among the growing group of people injecting themselves with black market drugs under the promise of health benefits ranging from weight loss to…
CheckpointEl Nino temperatures may bring wildfires to Chch this summer
Emergency management in Christchurch is preparing for wildfires, 'spiky' temperatures and weather whiplash when El Nino peaks this summer. It usually means…
CheckpointLandslide risk at Mount Maunganui was found decades before fatal accident
This was not a hazard that was unknown hidden or beyond the reach of foresite as for more than two decades one geo tech consultant after another indentified…
CheckpointBakeries going head to head in charity pie competition
Bakeries and pie shops across New Zealand and Australia are going head to head in a month-long pie competition for charity. A dollar for every pie sold in the…
CheckpointEmergency Management Minister reacts to Mount landslide report
A report into the fatal landslide at Mount Maunganui in January says information identifying a risk to life was received, filed, discussed, forwarded and then…
CheckpointMethven locals pushed off of property ladder by Airbnbs
Some Methven locals are missing out on purchasing homes because out-of-towners are snapping them up to rent out as Airbnbs. Average property values rose by…
CheckpointFormer Silver Ferns captain moving to Australian league
New Zealand has lost former Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio to the Australian netball league for 2027. The move comes as the fate of the domestic…
CheckpointConcerns insurance companies using genetic info to charge more
An advocacy group is calling for more action to stop genetic discrimination when it comes to life and health insurance. At the moment insurance companies can…
CheckpointIsraeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase
Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about several Israeli airstrikes that hit a Syrian airbase. Syria has hit out at the attacks, labelling…
CheckpointGisborne mayor meets with Forestry minister over approach to 'slash'
The mayor of Gisborne has met with the Forestry minister after he appointed a facilitator to "reset the relationship between the local council and forestry…
CheckpointDeaths in fatal Mount Maunganui landslide were preventable
The deaths in the fatal Mount Maunganui landslide were preventable according to a new report that details a litany of systemic failures that resulted in the…
CheckpointSocial supermarket opens in Hamilton
Hamilton families are struggling to put food on the table. As the city's first social supermarket opens today, it's a stark reminder that many are unable to…
CheckpointInvestigation into alleged sexual assault linked to AFL team
Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about a police investigation which is underway into an alleged sexual assault linked to players within…
CheckpointEvening business for 18 August 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
CheckpointMan who discovered ancient waka hopes government will save it from ruin
The man who discovered an ancient waka partially buried in dunes on Rekohu, Chatham Islands hopes after seeing it first hand the government will stump up the…
CheckpointSpringboks series will be 'tougher than world cup' for All Blacks
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie says the Springboks series kicking off on Sunday is going to be a lot tougher than a world cup. The squad has made light work of…
CheckpointPolkinghorne's sister describes scene of Hanna's death
Philip Polkinghorne's sister has described a catastrophic scene when she arrived at her brother's Remuera home on the day Pauline Hanna was found dead. Ruth…
CheckpointDisputes Tribunal orders Kmart to pay over asbestos laced-sand
A Disputes Tribunal win by a Christchurch couple whose twins played with asbestos-laced playsand has given others confidence. The case against Kmart has seen…
CheckpointSchool absences due to illness worst in three years
Official data shows the past couple of weeks have been the worst in three years for school absences due to illness and medical reasons. Last week almost 10…
CheckpointCompany behind AI factory pitches case to local businesses
The same day heavy machinery is starting up at the site of Southland's new $5 billion AI factory, the company behind it has pitched its case directly to local…
CheckpointCoalition and oppostion scramble to clear up miscommunications
Parliament has been a muddle of messages today - with both the coalition and opposition scrambling to clean up their confused communications. Deputy political…
CheckpointPhilosophy to be included in school curriculum
After years in the educational wildnerness, philosophy will be included in the school curriculum from 2029. It is part of a new subject, Civics, Politics, and…
CheckpointDate for historic New Zealand State of Origin match
A date has been set for the historic New Zealand State of Origin match. It will be just the second time the rugby league showcase will be hosted outside of…
CheckpointTangata Beats champions releasing award winning protest song
Five students from Rotorua Boys High are set to release their protest song that secured them a top spot at the Smoke Free Tangata Beats competition last year…
CheckpointTrump attempts to reheat diplomatic relations with North Korea
United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump talking up his relationship with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, seven years on from…
CheckpointMayor backs second harbour crossing at Meola Reef
Several Auckland Councillors have come out against plans to reinvestigate a second Waitemata Harbour crossing from Meola Reef in Point Chevalier. The…
CheckpointBritish drones reportedly used in Russia-Ukraine conflict
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about British-made drones reportedly being used in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as…
CheckpointEvening business for 17 August 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
CheckpointBlack Ferns arrive in Auckland for monumental stretch of test matches
The Black Ferns have arrived in Auckland ahead of a monumental stretch of test matches. Australia await in the first of eight tests for the Ferns, a side they…
CheckpointAnother report ordered on second Auckland harbour crossing
The government has ordered another report into a second Auckland harbour crossing, despite a detailed analysis being completed earlier this year. Director of…
CheckpointUrgent care clinic absorbing patients from hospitals
An urgent care clinic in South Auckland is absorbing patients from a crowded hospital emergency department, as EDs around the country hit peak winter demand…
CheckpointRecommended overhaul of aged care would see people paying more
A new report recommends a massive overhaul of the aged care sector that would see some people paying a lot more for care in their golden years. "A place to…
CheckpointPopularity of sleep radio booms in recent years
The popularity of sleep radio has boomed in recent years, with one online station racking up tens of thousands of loyal listeners each month. Whether it's…
CheckpointGovernment orders another business case for second harbour bridge crossing
The government has ordered yet another business case for a new Auckland harbour crossing, which Transport Minister Chris Bishop says will be "the largest and…
CheckpointPost-code lottery for eating disorder care leaving patients stuck
A post-code lottery for residential eating disorder care is leaving some patients feeling stuck and without the help they say they need. Diante Peihopa-Harris…
CheckpointFormer Black Fern making debut for Wallaroos
A former Black Fern rediscovered her love of rugby while running around in Perth and now could be making history in the green and gold. Loose forward Pia…
CheckpointManufacturing company struggling to find workers despite high unemployment
A Canterbury manufacturing company, struggling to find workers despite high unemployment says there's a mismatch in school leavers skills and misconceptions…
CheckpointTrump's son-in-law meets with Hamas in rare sit down
Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump's son-in-law and Middle East Envoy, Jared Kushner sitting down with Hamas officials…
CheckpointAged care sector in need of major shake up according to report
Who should pay for our care as we get older? It's a major issue facing Aotearoa and according to a new report the current age care system can not meet future…
CheckpointDunedin man looking to part ways with massive radio collection
Whether it's Woolworths' "Ooshies" or New World's Smeg knife promotion, many Kiwis are keeping these sought after items close. But down in the South Island…
CheckpointUK breaks another temperature record
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the Clacton by-election, how the UK has broken another temperature record and how…
CheckpointNZ Football withdraws support for Infantino's re-election bid
New Zealand Football has withdrawn support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election. Infantino courted controversy with the FIFA Forward…
CheckpointSouthland businesses meet to hear politicians’ plans
Business people from across the South Island have met in Christchurch for the first South Island election conference to hear from politicians about their plans…
CheckpointPolkinghorne denies direct accusations he killed wife
Friday was the first time the accusation was ever been put to him under oath, Phillip Polkinghorne told the Coronial inquest that he did not kill his wife. The…
CheckpointHealth NZ on nationwide hospital capacity challenges
An emergency department doctor working in Palmerston North said he believes some decisions are being made to prioritise Government discharge targets over ideal…
CheckpointNetball NZ says domestic competition in 2027 is a priority
Netball New Zealand said it's a priority to have a domestic competition in 2027 and beyond. Speaking publicly for the first time since officially becoming CEO…
CheckpointSylvia Park workers feeling shaken after man shot by police
People working at Sylvia Park Shopping Centre are feeling shaken after a man carrying a stolen air rifle was fatally shot by police as he approached the mall…
CheckpointMo'unga's South Africa call-up put rules under review
Richie Mo'unga's call-up to South Africa is set to put the much-debated All Black eligibility rules under review. Mo'unga wasn't able to tour initially due to…
CheckpointEvening business for 14 August 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
CheckpointHousing market causing stress for those nearing retirement
It's a case of who blinks first in the housing market. Buyers have confidence to know they can hold out. Sellers are holding on to hope they will get 2021…
CheckpointPalmerston North ED doctor puts out plea for help to Health NZ
A Palmerston North Emergency Department doctor has put out a plea for help to Health New Zealand after an extraordinarily busy day. Patients contacted…