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
LEGO Star Wars exhibition makes first stop in Wellington
Lego and Star Wars fans are about to be transported to a galaxy far far away - in a new exhibition at Wellington's Takina featuring more than $8 million Lego…
- Checkpoint
Anti-sunscreen social media trend has experts worried
An anti-sunscreen trend of social media has experts calling for better education of sun protection in schools before the summer season comes back. In videos on…
- Checkpoint
Olympic athletes eligible for payment for first time
For the first time in the games history, Olympics athletes will be eligible for a payment of $10,000 USD. The IOC says it is to support competitors long term…
- Checkpoint
Electric line-calling fails at Wimbledon qualifying
Tennis' electronic line-calling failed today and a New Zealander was caught up in the chaos at Wimbledon qualifying. It's not the first time the technology…
- Checkpoint
Ara Institute of Canterbury offering zero fees pathway courses
There's been 24 percent increase in the number of manufacturing and engineering jobs going in Canterbury, but a significant skill shortage in the sector. To…
- Checkpoint
Complaints related to Police Commissioner under investigation
An investigation is under way in relation to complaints about Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, RNZ can reveal. Chambers says he strongly rejects the…
- Checkpoint
Venezuela rocked by two major earthquakes
Americas correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about two major earthquakes that have rocked Venezuela and caused extensive damage. A state of…
- Checkpoint
Would a free $20k for all New Zealanders really work?
One of the Opportunity Party's key policies this election is a citizen's income. That would mean every adult New Zealander aged 18 and over would get about…
- Checkpoint
Outgoing PM Keir Starmer in talks with new Labour leader
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer undertaking face-to-face talks with Andy Burnham as…
- Checkpoint
Moana Pasifika won't return without financial saviour
Moana Pasifika won't be back in 2027. The franchise has been in limbo since entering liquidation, hoping a financial saviour could keep them afloat. Sports…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 24 June 2026
News from the business sector, including a market update.
- Checkpoint
Queenstown chef takes winnings at World Pizza Championship
A Queenstown chef has taken out the number two spot in the contemporary section at the World Pizza Championship in Naples. The field was vast, with about 600…
- Checkpoint
Pike River families call on government to scrap safety bill
Pike River families are calling on the government to kill a bill they warn will put lives at risk. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden is proposing…
- Checkpoint
Thoroughbred and harness industries racing to their own demise
Aotearoa's thoroughbred and harness industries are racing to their own demise. Combined the industries contribute $1.7 billion to GDP a year. But a report by…
- Checkpoint
Northlanders still without homes after January storms
The January storms that battered the coast north of Whangarei are now a distant memory for many people, yet some Northlanders are still living with the…
- Checkpoint
Game over for Moana Pasifika rugby franchise
It is game over for the Moana Pasifika rugby franchise, for now. Hail mary bids to save the franchise have failed, because no one could guarantee the capital…
- Checkpoint
Solider facing court martial has three counts withdrawn
A soldier facing court martial for headbutting and threatening to kill someone of senior rank denies there was any physical contact between the two. The…
- Checkpoint
Whites Ferns boost hopes of defending T20 World Cup crown
The White Ferns are still on the hunt to defend their T20 World Cup crown after beating Scotland by six wickets overnight. A better net run rate has boosted…
- Checkpoint
Parking fees planned for Ponsonby despite majority opposing
Parking fees are being extended in a popular Auckland retail strip, despite some businesses saying they're already on their knees. Auckland transport's…
- Checkpoint
Talks between US and Iran coming to an end
Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about talks between the US and Iran concluding in Switzerland. The region, like the rest of the world…
- Checkpoint
Rise in far right extremism in classrooms
The rise of far right extremism in the classroom has prompted a teachers union to seek expert advice for those at the chalkface. The PPTA is hiring someone to…
- Checkpoint
Race to determine whether discovery of bird flu foreshadows major outbreak
Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about work continuing to determine whether the discovery of two seabirds infected with the deadly H5…
- Checkpoint
Evening business news for 23 June 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
Messi breaks all time scoring record at World Cup
It was a record breaking day at the Football World Cup as the one of the game's greats broke the all-time scoring record. Argentina's Lionel Messi scored two…
- Checkpoint
Four on trial for manslaughter of 70 year old who was starved, stuffed in suitcase
A 70-year-old Chinese woman, who came to New Zealand to follow the religious instructions of a self-proclaimed sect leader, was leader found dead, wrapped in…
- Checkpoint
DOC in need of DNA sample to identify potential Hector's or Maui dolphin
DOC is on the hunt to take a DNA sample from a dolphin spotted cruising in Northland waters, in order to determine whether it is a Hector's or Maui dolphin…
- Checkpoint
Most teens in alternative education leaving without qualifications
Schools and alternative education experts agree thousands of the most vulnerable - and sometimes most difficult - students need a lot more support than they…
- Checkpoint
Pike River families urge NZ First to withdraw support on workplace safety changes
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has met with some Pike River families, who fear workplaces are about to get more dangerous. The Health and Safety at…
- Checkpoint
Country's oldest operating post office thriving under new hands
In the small Central Otago town of Ophir, the country's oldest continually operating post office is thriving in new hands. When the community's long-standing…
- Checkpoint
Parliament holding urgent debate over IT project failure
Parliament is holding an urgent debate on the failure of an IT project officials are accused of misleading ministers over. The biometrics project was scrapped…
- Checkpoint
Survivors of abuse in care still fighting
Some survivors of abuse in care say there are still fighting for geniune recognition of what happened to them, two years on from the Royal Commission of…
- Checkpoint
Who missed out on making Rennie's All Blacks Squad?
Yesterday Dave Rennie revealed the first squad he has tasked with bringing the All Blacks back to the top of world rugby. But what about those who missed the…
- Checkpoint
Trains delayed and cancelled by thieves stealing crucial infrastructure
People pilfering crucial bits of rail infrastructure are causing major headaches for KiwiRail with disruptions to Wellington freight and commuter services…
- Checkpoint
US-Iran peace deal progresses
US correspondence Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the latest on the fragile discussions happening in regards to the US-Iran peace deal.
- Checkpoint
ERO finds Te Kura is failing at risk kids
An Education Review Office Report into Te Kura has found the correspondence school is failing thousands of at risk kids who are kicked out for drop out of…
- Checkpoint
Pressure on Keir Starmer to step down as UK PM grows
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about reports suggesting Prime Minister Keir Starmer is considering his future in office as…
- Checkpoint
Soldier accused of headbutting and threatening to kill someone of senior rank
A disputed kiss led to a late-night confrontation after a cocktail party at Waiouru Military Camp, where a solider is accused of headbutting and threatening to…
- Checkpoint
Evening business news for 22 June 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
All Whites defeated by Egypt in first World Cup loss
The All Whites have ended their unbeaten streak at the Football World Cup with a loss to Egypt. After 45 minutes, All Whites' supporters were daring to believe…
- Checkpoint
Workers could wear cost of planned KiwiSaver changes - Business leaders
Business leaders say workers could end up wearing the coast of National's planned KiwiSaver changes. If it's returned to power, the party would make the…
- Checkpoint
Deep fake porn law doesn't go far enough - Online abuse expert
An online abuse expert says it is like a whack a mole trying to take down tools for making deepfake nudes and porn. It also says a draft law to make sexually…
- Checkpoint
Resident near disruptive road works put up elsewhere by water supplier
A resident in the steeply walled valley street of Wellington's Holloway Road says they can only escape the noise of Wellington Water's ongoing night-time works…
- Checkpoint
Alarm raised over dodgy imported building products
MBIE has raised the alarm with councils and called for urgent action about some imported aluminium windows and doors that may not be fit for purpose. It said…
- Checkpoint
Company owner claims he can’t afford to pay damages to cancer survivor
A Christchurch cancer survivor who won a privacy case is furious that a company director has told her that two of his companies can't pay tribunal-ordered…
- Checkpoint
Dave Rennie's first All Black squad named
New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named his first All Blacks squad and the team has a new captain and four potential debutants, though lots of familiar…
- Checkpoint
Collectable card trade building momentum in New Zealand
The trade in collectable cards is gathering momentum in New Zealand, with a card market held in Dunedin at the weekend. For many its a hobby, but earlier this…
- Checkpoint
First round of talks underway in US Iran peace agreement
Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about the first round of talks that are underway in Switzerland after the US and Iran signed an…
- Checkpoint
National's plan for compulsory KiwiSaver criticised over concerns for low income earners
The Salvation army is criticising National's plans for compulsory KiwiSaver, saying "if people are struggling today to meet the basics, we can't expect them to…
- Checkpoint
Major failures led to autistic 11-year-old being sedated
The family of an autistic 11-year-old girl misidentified as an adult mental health patient wants an apology from the Prime Minister and greater accountability…
- Checkpoint
UK's Makerfield by-election results out
The final result of the Makerfield by-election has been declared and there's a new MP. And US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ramped up pressure on NATO…
- Checkpoint
Minister wrote Psychotherapists Board about whistleblower
It's been revealed the mass resignation of a board governing mental health professionals, followed a serious please explain letter from the Minister. All six…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 19 June 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
Genius 12-year-old set to go to uni
Kenzi Jordon's already got NCEA level 3 and University Entrance. She has mainly been taught at home after finding school boring. Now, she's hoping to be…
- Checkpoint
Super Rugby showdown: Chiefs v Hurricanes
One of the two rugby franchises will hold the Super Rugby Pacific title for the first time in a decade after tomorrow's final in Wellington. Sports reporter…
- Checkpoint
Dame Jools Topp farewelled
There were plenty of memories, hugs, performances and a lot of laughter as thousands gathered in Auckland to celebrate the life of Dame Jools Topp. Reporter…
- Checkpoint
Health NZ faces $190 million bill to process holiday pay
Health New Zealand faces a $190 million bill to process holiday pay owed to tens of thousands of current and former workers. Collectively, $1.8 billion is…
- Checkpoint
Bookstore focused on selling romance novels opens in Capital
Love is in the air, in the Capital at least. Saturday is opening day for a bookstore focused on selling romance novels. The owner of XO Book Co in Willis…
- Checkpoint
White Ferns to meet Ireland in T20 World Cup
It's do or die for the White Ferns in their T20 World Cup defence in the UK. New Zealand meet Ireland early tomorrow morning in Southampton, where a loss would…
- Checkpoint
Dunedin Council to investigate unmarked graves
An amateur sleuth working to identify hundreds of unmarked Otago graves is welcoming funding to properly recognise "pauper plots". Dunedin Council's announced…
- Checkpoint
Iran war tests relationship between US and Israel
Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about how the war on Iran has tested the relationship between the US and Israel particularly President…