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
England and Argentina to renew rivalry in World Cup semifinal
England and Argentina are set to renew one of football's most famous rivalries tomorrow in the World Cup semifinal. Sports reporter Dana Johannsen spoke to…
- Checkpoint
Ploughing champion in race against time to secure gear
A top ploughman is all at sea, with his tractor and the gear he needs for the world champs, a little off course. Southlander Mark Dillon, a top competitor in…
- Checkpoint
Renewed Middle East conflict certain to push fuel prices up
The renewed conflict in the Middle East seems certain to push fuel prices up, squeezing already-grumpy voters harder as election day approaches. This comes as…
- Checkpoint
Australia opens 'Office of AI' to regulate the tech
Australia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about the Australian government opening an "Office of AI" in what it's calling a world-first approach…
- Checkpoint
First time shoplifters blaming cost of living for crimes
The head of a specialist Christchurch crime unit says some first time shop lifters are blaming the cost of living for their crimes. But the bulk are recidivist…
- Checkpoint
Cryptic message from Kerr raises Commonwealth Games question
A cryptic message from high jumper Hamish Kerr has raised questions about his participation in this month's Commonwealth Games. Athletics New Zealand say Kerr…
- Checkpoint
How is NZ preparing for the potential arrival of bird flu?
Yet another Australian state is waiting to hear whether it has a case of a deadly bird flu, after a sick giant petrel was found on a Noosa beach in Queensland…
- Checkpoint
Former mentor of LynnMall attacker speaks of his radical ideas
The former mentor of the man who went on a frenzied stabbing attack at an Auckland supermarket has spoken about his radical ideas of Islam. Ahamed Samsudeen…
- Checkpoint
Central Otago remembers Sam Neill as one of their own
As the world mourns a Hollywood heavyweight, Central Otago residents are remembering a neighbour who preferred gumboots to the red carpet. Sir Sam Neill made…
- Checkpoint
Time running out to save two Kaitaia mills
Time is running out to save two Kaitaia mills, that are together are one of the town's biggest employers. In March, the Japanese owner of the mills, Juken…
- Checkpoint
Aus faces warning of epidemic of online sexual extortion
Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the country's online safety watchdog warning of an epidemic of online sexual extortion - mostly…
- Checkpoint
Former broadcaster Paul Henry to stand as ACT candidate
The ACT Party's newest candidate seems certain to shake up the coming election. Broadcaster Paul Henry resigned overnight from TVNZ's board to take a spot on…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 14 July 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
Z Energy boss speaks out on missing climate briefing note
The boss of Z Energy says his team followed the instructions of government when handing over a document to a former Beehive staffer with suggestions for a law…
- Checkpoint
Little River residents still recovering from floods
Five months on from devastating flooding in Canterbury's Little River, people are still rebuilding their lives. The township was swamped in a February storm…
- Checkpoint
German All Black putting rugby back on the map for Germany
Having just seen its first All Black selected, rugby could be set for a comeback in Germany. Though a traditional footballing, Aotnon Segner is putting rugby…
- Checkpoint
New giraffe barn at Hamilton Zoo taking shape
It's been a stretch, but the new giraffe barn at Hamilton Zoo is finally taking shape, with the move in date expected before Christmas. The project that has…
- Checkpoint
Trump announces another blockade on Strait of Hormuz
US Correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump has announcing another naval blockade on the Strait of Hormuz. The US President wants to…
- Checkpoint
High rise housing near CRL station could be slashed
A planning botch-up means areas earmarked for high rise housing around Auckland's new Maungawhau CRL station are likely to be slashed. Council rules allow the…
- Checkpoint
Calls for transparancy around insurance tripping up homeowners
There are calls for more transparency around an insurance hazard that is tripping homeowners up. A section 72 notice is when the council red flags a property…
- Checkpoint
Murder of former UK MP unlikely to be politically motivated
United Kingdom correspondent Grace Thomas spoke to Lisa Owen about the murder of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, which police say there is nothing to…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 13 July 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
All Blacks to defend unbeaten streak at Eden Park
It's the final fortress of the All Black empire that's still standing - the streak. While the All Black's aura has eroded in recent years, the 32 year, 52 test…
- Checkpoint
More international visitors to jet in to NZ on private planes
A new deal is set to make it easier for international visitors to jet into New Zealand on private planes. 1500 flights in and out of our airports each year are…
- Checkpoint
Kaikōura state of emergency lifed after torrential rain
The state of emergency in Kaikōura has been lifted, almost a week after torrential rain caused the Kowhai River to burst its banks and triggered widespread…
- Checkpoint
Ambulances experiencing delays admitting patients into EDs
St John Ambulance has confirmed it is experiencing delays getting patients into hospital care, because of increased winter demand at ED's. Meanwhile Health New…
- Checkpoint
Submissions being heard on government's move on orders
Unnecessary, a breach of the bill of rights, and morally indefensible - that's how the government's move on orders have been described at parliament today. But…
- Checkpoint
Drivers whose licences may not be valid allowed to stay on road
Hundreds of drivers whose licences might not be legit are being allowed to stay on the road until the re-sit their practical exam, including heavy vehicle…
- Checkpoint
Radicalisation of LynnMall attacker under question during inquiry
The radicalisation of a man who stabbed six people at an Auckland mall will be a key question considered by a coroner over the coming weeks. The next two…
- Checkpoint
Proposal for FIFA World Cup to expand to 64 teams
Could the FIFA World Cup be about to get even bigger? As we enter the semifinal stage of the first ever 48-team World Cup, FIFA President Gianna Infantino has…
- Checkpoint
VR headsets allow engineering students to be better designers
Immersive virtual reality headsets are giving mechanical engineering students a glimpse of what life is like for people living with tetraplegia, so they can be…
- Checkpoint
Boost in funding for mental health helplines
Support services behind mental health helplines are breathing sighs of relief about a boost in government funding confirmed today. Mental Health Minister Matt…
- Checkpoint
Primary school ditching iPads for young students
A primary school that was an early adopter of iPads in class has ditched the tech, returning to pen and paper for its youngest students. Omata School in New…
- Checkpoint
Major outage of services from Australia's biggest telco
Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about many Australians finding themselves unable to communicate electronically yesterday after a major…
- Checkpoint
Warriors back in action after three losses off four games
The Warriors are back in action tomorrow night after a much needed week off. On the back of three losses from their last four games - the side head to Sydney…
- Checkpoint
Students convince council to investigate banning vehicles and dogs from river
A group of very young North Canterbury students are driving change when it comes to protecting some of Aotearoa's most precious birds. The students - between…
- Checkpoint
Tauranga Hospital issue plea as staffing situation dire
It's been a tense day at Tauranga Hospital as medical registrar's faced the prospect of more than a quarter of their staff away over the long weekend. A doctor…
- Checkpoint
Enormous infrastructure bills for regions battered by weather
As wild weather and flood waters smash the country yet again, the damage and repair bills are dangerously high. A new report from Earth Sciences New Zealand…
- Checkpoint
Auckland's rail network closed for CRL dress rehearsal
Auckland's rail network is closed once again as gencies run a final dress rehearsal for the long anticipated City Rail Link. Auckland Transport and KiwiRail…
- Checkpoint
Floodwaters recede in Kaikoura revealing extent of storm damage
Floodwater is slowly starting to recede in Kaikoura after rivers burst their banks in torrential rain earlier this week. While the district remains in a state…
- Checkpoint
National guidelines being developed after Waikato ED death
New national guidelines are being developed for assessing and monitoring patients in emergency departments following the death of a man in the Waikato Hospital…
- Checkpoint
New Zealand looking at joining a new defence treaty
New Zealand is looking at joining a new defence treaty that would see Fiji added to our list of formal allies. Earlier this week, Australia and Fiji signed a…
- Checkpoint
Changes to a third of All Blacks squad ahead of Italy test
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has made plenty of tweaks for this weekend's sold out test against Italy in Wellington with a third of the starting XV switched…
- Checkpoint
19 year old training to swim the Cook Strait
A 19 year old will be taking a plunge into the ice cold Lake Wakatipu as part of the Wakatipu Legends swim on Saturday. But the gruelling swim is just part of…
- Checkpoint
Businesses taking a hit as wild weather closes roads to Martinborough
It's rinse and repeat in South Wairarapa with back-to-back storms dumping huge amounts of rain, flooding rivers, and closing roads across the district in…
- Checkpoint
Ceasefire with Iran 'over' according to Trump
The ceasefire is "over" according to the US President as tensions with Iran boil over once again. The US Military has carried out fresh strikes against…
- Checkpoint
Driving testers suspended over abnormal test results
Almost two dozen driver testing officers have either been suspended or stood down, following an NZTA investigation. 650 drivers will have to res-sit their…
- Checkpoint
Nigel Farage resigns amid controversy
United Kingdom correspondent Grace Thomas spoke to Lisa Owen about Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, resigning from parliament in order…
- Checkpoint
ACT announces three strikes policy for burglary
Three strikes for burglars and it will be three years minimum behind bars if ACT has its way after this year's election. It launched the law and order policy…
- Checkpoint
Road south of Kaikoura could be closed for days.
SH1 north of Kaikoura is reopening, but the road south could be out for days after two days of torrential rain. Emergency Maangement and Recovery Minister…
- Checkpoint
More than 50 child protection complaints re-opened
The chief victims advisor is deeply worried about trust and confidence in police after more than 50 child protection and sexual assault complaints have been…
- Checkpoint
Damage caused by heavy rain continues as more evacuated
Damage caused by the latest heavy rain is continuing this afternoon. Several properties in Oamaru have been evacuated after a landslide, and a number of…
- Checkpoint
Investigation into alleged torture at Wakari Hospital could take months
A Ministry of Health investigation into alleged torture and potential human rights abuses at a Dunedin forensic facility for people with intellectual…
- Checkpoint
Labour matches National's solar policy
Labour has come to the solar party, with both sides of the aisle now hoping to woo voters with solar policies. Labour has matched National's policy to deliver…
- Checkpoint
Misunderstanding over tidepool explorations lead to online attacks
It was meant to teach children about marine life in rockpools but instead, a misunderstanding led to online attacks and hatred. The Sir Peter Blake Marine…
- Checkpoint
US launches strikes against Iran after tankers allegedly attacked in Strait of Hormuz
Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about the US Central Command launching "powerful strikes" against Iran just weeks after a ceasefire…
- Checkpoint
Wellington Rugby meets with referees to find solution to increased abuse
Wellington Rugby has met with referees who have been copping abused from the field and the side lines to come up with some solutions to allow games to continue…
- Checkpoint
Reserve bank raises OCR to 2.5 percent
The reserve bank has raised the official cash rate to 2.5 percent, up 25 basis points. It's the first hike in more than three years. Economists have been…