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
- Checkpoint
Wairere falls track reopens after more than a year
A popular Waikato walking track that takes people to the top of a 150m metre waterfall is reopening after being closed for more than a year due to safety…
- Checkpoint
Murdered couple's son says system failed them after address given out
A man whose parents were killed after the Disputes Tribunal gave their address to one of the men who murdered them says it is a part of the murder as well…
- Checkpoint
Large fire in Auckland's Penrose sends smoke across the city
A large fire is burning in the Auckland suburb of Penrose. Multiple crews are at the scene near the Vector substation. Auckland City FENZ advised residents in…
- Checkpoint
Who will Labour leader Chris Hipkins call on election night?
Nearly 1.5 million people have already cast their votes, or about 39 percent of people who've enrolled. There's still a few days to get to the ballot box, with…
- Checkpoint
Kiwi born Tongan's dance moves take centre stage at NYC marathon
An impromptu dance during the New York City Marathon has earned a kiwi born Tongan new fans around the world. Elvis Lopeti was taking part in the race, and…
- Checkpoint
Thousands of telecommunications towers to be built without locations being disclosed
A telecommunications tower could be coming to a neighbourhood near you, or even right outside your house. About 3500 towers up to 20 meters tall are being…
- Checkpoint
Nine students taken to hospital after smoke and fumes fill bus
The Principal of Wainuiomata Primary school says nine students were taken to hospital after smoke and fumes filled a bus on the way to a Kapa Haka event at Te…
- Checkpoint
Wave of bomb scares involving passenger planes in Europe
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about a wave of bomb scares involving passenger planes across Europe and the UK, as well as King…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 4 November 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
Albatross egg laying caught on camera for first time
A livestream has captured the first albatross egg of the breeding season being laid at the Pukekura-Taiaroa head reserve on the Otago peninsula. It attracted a…
- Checkpoint
Teens worry about losing benefit as jobseeker changes come into place
"What's going to happen if we can't pay for rent, where are we going to go?" That from one 19 year old on the Jobseeker benefit who's facing high unemployment…
- Checkpoint
Unemployment at highest level in nearly 11 years
3000 more people are jobless with unemployment at its highest levels in nearly 11 years. Figures from the September Quarter show it's nudged up to 5.7 percent…
- Checkpoint
Move on orders in force with 29 issued so far
Move on orders are in force but Auckland Council says it is business as usual for their wardens who wander the streets to wake up rough sleepers each morning…
- Checkpoint
NZ First candidate apologises after mocking women in the Opportunity Party
Just days out from the election, New Zealand First has found itself in the centre of a firestorm - condemned by all other parties for sexist comments made by…
- Checkpoint
Six parties support child-centred government decisions
A proposal to make government decisions more child-centred has secured the backing of six political parties. The charity Barnadoes presented its 'Generational…
- Checkpoint
Williams and Mowbray still want to help reshape Netball
Ali Williams says he won't launch a breakaway competition or fight Netball NZ, but insists he and Anna Mowbray still want to help reshape the game. Could the…
- Checkpoint
Tasman District Council abandons proposed cap on new bottle stores
Tasman District Council's decision to abandon a proposed cap on new bottle stores will lead to more alcohol-related abuse, according to a harm reduction…
- Checkpoint
Early US midterm election results positive for democrats
Americans are voting in pivotal midterm elections, which will decide who controls Congress during the final two years of President Donald Trump's term. All 435…
- Checkpoint
Young people struggling to find full time work as unemployment grows
Long term unemployment is at a 31 year high. New figures show more than one in five jobless people have been out of work for a year or more, the highest level…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 3 November 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
166th Melbourne Cup wraps up
The race that stops a nation has just wrapped up - with the 166th Melbourne Cup just run. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen about all the results.
- Checkpoint
Rogue sheep caught and given life saving haircuts
A couple of rogue sheep weighed down by seriously woolly coats have finally been caught and given potentially life saving haircuts. The sheep have been roaming…
- Checkpoint
US consumer group pushing for recall of nappies also sold in NZ
A US consumer group is pushing for a recall of a nappy brand that's on shelves here too. Millie Moon nappies are named in hundreds of complaints to the United…
- Checkpoint
The couples prepping for old age before they get there
Within the next five years, the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to hit one million. While most can happily ignore it, for some, ageing isn't to…
- Checkpoint
Parties out campaigning hard with four days to go in election
There are just four days to go until the election and every party is out campaigning for every last vote as the race is tighter than ever. TVNZ has its final…
- Checkpoint
Christchurch teen wins $400k scholarship to study at US music college
A Christchurch teenager says he's about to live his dream after winning at $400,000 scholarship to study at a world-renowned music college in Boston…
- Checkpoint
Bazeley names All Whites squad for final time
All Whites coach Darren Bazeley has named a national team squad for the final time today. Bazeley's New Zealand contract has not been extended and the two…
- Checkpoint
Call for equal financial and medical support for all stroke survivors
An advocacy group is calling for equal access to financial and medical support for stroke survivors, regardless of what caused their brain injury. Some people…
- Checkpoint
Threats flying between US and Iran amid proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz
Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about threats flying back and forth between Iran and the US, amid a proposal to reopen the Strait…
- Checkpoint
Residents at makeshift Christchurch homeless camp given deadline to move
Residents at a makeshift camp for the homeless in Christchurch have been given a deadline to move, but say they've got nowhere to go. The community of about 60…
- Checkpoint
Former British chancellor says UK's future should be back in EU
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about a former British chancellor weighing in on Brexit, saying the UK's future should ultimately…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 2 November 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
Antonello becomes Formula One's youngest drivers' champion
Kimi Antonelli has become Formula One's youngest ever drivers' champion on a chaotic day at the Mexico Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver avoided crashes that…
- Checkpoint
Base jumper who got stuck on hotel agrees to pay $22k
A base jumper who became stuck on the side of an Auckland hotel by his parachute has pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal nuisance and has agreed to pay…
- Checkpoint
Palmerston North woman's war efforts recognised 80 years on
A Palmerston North woman's war efforts have been recognised with the polish presidential medal of virtue, more than eight decades on. 82 years ago hundreds of…
- Checkpoint
National begins last week of campaign fighting on two fronts
With the election coming down to the wire, National has begun the last week of its campaign fighting on two fronts. The Greens say National has been engaging…
- Checkpoint
Nappy business warned of potential recall after complaints of rashes
A nappy business has been told by MBIE that it expects a product to be recalled if it is not safe. MBIE confirmed it had five reports about Millie Moon…
- Checkpoint
Pahiatua Medical Centre bought by local iwi amid turmoil
After months of turmoil, an under-pressure lower North Island medical clinic has a new owner. Several staff members at the Pahiatua Medical Centre had resigned…
- Checkpoint
Netball NZ says it has a plan B after plug pulled on privately run league
Netball New Zealand says it has a plan B after players were completely blindsided by the collapse of negotiations for a privately run premiership league. Last…
- Checkpoint
Third party providers charging hundreds more for LIM reports
Prospective home buyers are being warned about getting LIM reports from third-party online providers, who are charging hundreds of dollars more than local…
- Checkpoint
Dust still settling on Netball NZ decision to walk away from private league
The dust is still settling on Netball New Zealand's decision to walk away from negotiations with investors Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams over a proposed…
- Checkpoint
No evidence of anti-forestry bias at Gisborne Council
There's no evidence of anti-forestry bias at Gisborne Council, or that it's driving companies away, according to a just released independent report. The review…
- Checkpoint
Israel in political deadlock with no clear winner in election
Middle East correspondent, Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about the election that has left Israel in political deadlock with more than 97 percent of votes…
- Checkpoint
Thousands of young people to lose access to benefits
Thousands of young people will lose access to unemployment benefits due to parental income testing being brought in today. The government has ended Jobseeker…
- Checkpoint
UK crack down on super rich in wake of budget
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK cracking down on the super rich in the wake of Wednesday's budget, as well as a…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 30 October 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
Black Ferns, Caps and Kiwis all in action for weekend of sport
It's a busy weekend of sport, with the Black Ferns, Black Caps, Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns all in action. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.
- Checkpoint
Skateboarding teens train in family factory for Olympics
Two Rotorua teenagers who've honed their skateboarding skills in a factory space at their family's bakery are travelling the world trying to qualify for the LA…
- Checkpoint
National Party urges supporters not to split their vote
The National Party is trying to save itself from its own supporters - stepping up its campaign against so-called strategic voting. For one, it's parachuted in…
- Checkpoint
Netball players left in lurch after private league collapse
Dozens of netball players have been left in the lurch after plans for a privately run domestic league collapsed out of the blue. Netball New Zealand pulled the…
- Checkpoint
Over half of Canterbury wells recording increasing nitrate
A new groundwater survey shows almost 60 percent of Canterbury wells are recording increasing nitrate levels. The Green Party says nitrate pollution is costing…
- Checkpoint
Princinct Property pauses plan for billion dollar tower block
One of Aotearoa's largest property company's says it is a big believer in Auckland and its potential, but the time is just not right for a mega downtown…
- Checkpoint
Canterbury farming sector booming, but many not benefiting
There's plenty of cash flowing through the Canterbury Plains, thanks to high farm prices and Fonterra's sale of its Mainland brands. But the farming sector…
- Checkpoint
Netball NZ pulls the pin on Mowbray-Williams private league
From crisis, to salvation, and seemingly back to crisis again - the rollercoaster for New Zealand's top netballer continues. Eight weeks ago it appeared the…
- Checkpoint
Waikato uncovers 26 year old time capsule
Waikato's Walton School has uncovered an unassuming time capsule. A giant white envelope from 26 years ago was uncovered, full of smaller envelopes containing…
- Checkpoint
Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson loses appeal
Australia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about mushroom murderer Erin Patterson loosing an appeal to overturn her convictions. She was convicted…
- Checkpoint
Urologist says staffing levels at Nelson Hospital are 'dire'
A Doctor who has gone public about "dire" staffing levels at Nelson Hospital says colleagues around the country are also worried that "no one is listening"…
- Checkpoint
Journalist retiring after 45 years fears for future of reporting
A journalist retiring after 45 years of writing for Palmerston North's Manawatu Standard fears for the future of old-style reporting on community issues…
- Checkpoint
Mushroom murderer Erin Patterson to learn fate in appeal
Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Erin Patterson preparing to learn her fate in the mushroom murder appeal tomorrow. Australia…