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
CheckpointEvening business for 29 October 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
CheckpointSilver Ferns look to cap off 2026 with win over Diamonds
The Silver Ferns could cap off a stunning 2026 with a win over the Australian Diamonds in Melbourne tonight. On Sunday, the Silver Ferns added the…
CheckpointSecret adventures of turtles revealed by satellite trackers
The secret adventures of turtles have been revealed thanks to satellite trackers. Researchers have been following green sea turtles, where they hang out and…
CheckpointLuxon warns of 'dire consequences' if poll becomes reality
National leader Christopher Luxon has warned voters of 'dire consequences' if RNZ's latest poll was to become a reality. The rare statement has come with the…
CheckpointMan who killed wife murdered two others after parole release
A self confessed murderer who stabbed two people to death in October had killed before. In October Rodney Fallowfield killed two men in a rampage after someone…
CheckpointTelco towers could be built near residents without consent
Some locals could be set to find out they are getting a five storey telco tower outside their property, with no recourse, no consultation and no compensation…
CheckpointCall for immediate ban to flavoured vapes
Flavoured vapes should be banned immediately according to Vape Free Kids NZ. It is calling on people to sign an open letter to politicians asking them to…
CheckpointDrinking water nitrate levels linked to serious health outcomes
Ministry of Education data shows drinking water at more than 20 schools had nitrate levels of 5.6 milligrams a litre or more - that's at least half the legal…
CheckpointTwo former schoolboy teammates set to share All Blacks jersey
The All Blacks upcoming Nations Championship could bring a school reunion to the international stage, with two former schoolboy teammates set to share the…
CheckpointHorse death at first rodeo of the season prompts calls for ban
An animal welfare group says the death of a horse at the first rodeo of the season shows the industry needs to be banned. The animal broke one of its front…
CheckpointActor Cliff Curtis pleads guilty to drunk driving charges
Kiwi actor and Hollywood star Cliff Curtis has pleaded guilty to drunk driving charges after a crash last month. Reporter Finn Blackwell was in court and spoke…
CheckpointBolsonaro flees to US after losing Brazilian election
US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Brazilian senator Flavio Bolsonaro saying he will lead his country's opposition from the US, after…
CheckpointWanaka residents calling for freedom camping ban at lakeside
Wanaka residents are calling for a freedom camping ban at a popular lakeside spot, saying visitors are pooping in the bushes, doing laundry in the lake and…
CheckpointUK government sets up fund to tackle misogyny
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the government setting up a dedicated fund to tackle misogyny in workplaces, school and…
CheckpointEvening business for 28 October 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
CheckpointSilver Ferns chase another win against Diamonds in final Test
The Silver Ferns could cap off a stunning 2026 with a win over the Australian Diamonds in Melbourne tonight. On Sunday, the Silver Ferns added the…
CheckpointReserve Bank Governor explains surpise OCR hold
The Reserve Bank has surprised the market today with a decision to hold the official cash rate at 2.75 percent in a split decision. Economists had widely…
CheckpointLifestyle farmers urged to prepare for El Nino
As Aotearoa prepares for one of the strongest El Nino events on record the Ministry for Primary Industries is urging lifestyle farmers to do the same -…
CheckpointNational and Labour butt heads over OCR
"Stick to the plan" was the word from the National Party after the Reserve Bank held the official cash rate at 2.75 percent. But Labour says the move shines a…
CheckpointBlack market buyers trying to save in cost of living crisis
Buyers of black market tobacco say they're trying to save money in a cost of living crisis, while fighting what they call an unfair system. A new study from…
CheckpointWanaka gym owner calls out 'sexist' online comments
A Wanaka gym owner is calling out "sexist" online comments, saying she's proud to offer women a safe work out space. Online reviews have claimed women at the…
CheckpointWCC buying out one property damaged in devastating floods
Wellington residents say they have been abandoned by central government in the wake of the devastating floods in April. The Wellington City Council is buying…
CheckpointWatties factory workers walk off the job in pay protest
Nearly 100 Watties factory workers have walked off the job today in Hawke's Bay in protest about pay. Mates Union says the workers at one site are being paid…
CheckpointAll Blacks heading to UK for Nations Championship
The All Blacks are set to depart for the United Kingdom for the Nations Championship. They'll play Scotland, Wales and England on successive weekends before a…
CheckpointMan named 'Local Champion" for getting youth into jobs
A Hawkes Bay man whose job is finding jobs for young people has won an inaugural "Local Champion" award for his work. The top honour recognises stand out…
CheckpointNo clear winner in Israel election
Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about the Israeli election, where is appears neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or his main…
CheckpointReserve Bank holds OCR at 2.75 percent
The Reserve Bank has held the official cash rate at 2.75 percent in a split decision. Economists had widely expected a hike this week, with inflation nudging…
CheckpointAI tool trialled to track threats in wake of attack on MP
Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about a new artificial intellegence tool being trialed by some parliamentarians that has tracked…
CheckpointEvening Business for 27 October 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
CheckpointEnrolments still short of target after deadline closes
The latest figures from the electoral commission show enrolments are still short of its target. The Electoral Commission is aiming to get 94.7 percent of…
CheckpointWaitakare Hospital's new ICU unit sitting empty with no staff
A West Auckland leader says the stalled opening of an long awaited intensive care unit is a "smack in the face" for the community. Waitakere Hospital's brand…
CheckpointGreens lodge complaint over 'Backing the Gangs' billboard
A war if words has broken out between the Sensible Sentencing Trust and the Greens over a billboard the trust is responsible for. The ad has images of Marama…
CheckpointPolitical ads cause a stir on the campaign trail
Political ads have caused a stir on the campaign trail today, with the Greens lodging a formal complaint about a billboard they say is impersonating them. New…
CheckpointSilver Fern is over booing, mocks boisterous Aussie crowd
Silver Fern Maddy Gordon says she has had enough of the constant booing when she mocked the boisterous Australian crowd in the third Test in Sydney. The Silver…
CheckpointLe Mans inspired 24 hour scooter race fundraising for charity
A 24 hour scooter race fundraising for charity has been inspired by one of the worlds oldest road races, Le Mans. The Hawke's Bay Kart Club Track will host…
CheckpointAuckland's Cornwall Park considers introducing parking charges
One of Auckland's most popular parks is going to start charing for parking from December. Epsom's Cornwall Park is a popular destination with a farm and cafes…
CheckpointStolen Olympic medal finally replaced
Former Olympic rower Les O'Connell had his gold medal stolen in February when his Christchurch home was burgled. O'Conell won the medal at the 1984 Los Angeles…
CheckpointUK govt investigating cyber security flaw
The UK government is working to identify any potential exposure of its online systems from a cyber security flaw which is also affecting websites globally. UK…
CheckpointEvening business for 23 October 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
CheckpointHundreds of Dunedin students may miss out on voting
In Dunedin, young voters are dragging the chain, with almost half of those under the age of 25 not enrolled. South Island Correspondent Tim Brown reports from…
CheckpointPaw-popular Otago dog support retiring
K9-kuddles has been going into student halls' of residence for a decade, helping stressed students keep calm and carry on, espsecially at exam time. However…
CheckpointMinister meets families over child cancer treatment delays
Health Minister Simeon Brown met with familes of children being treated at the Starship Hospital following treatment delays and problems with staff numbers…
CheckpointNational voice concerns over Labour resignation
National says the resignation of Labour's Tamaki Makaurau candidate Kerrin Leoni shows its opponents can't be trusted on law and order. Political reporter…
CheckpointDefence Force chief admits 'inappropriate relationship'
Air Marshal Tony Davies has resigned after admitting an "inappropriate relationship" while in a position of command. Minister of Defence Paul Goldsmith said…
CheckpointTobacco's return to pop culture
A leading health researcher is concerned about the return of smoking in pop culture and the risk it poses to smoke-free goals. Professor Janet Hoek…
CheckpointAbuse survivor fights for compensation after more than 50 years
The survivor has to deal directly with the school where the abuse happened and says he's getting nowhere. He says he's frustrated and unable to move on…
CheckpointRecords tumble in first India-NZ T20 match
The thrilling T20 opener saw India chase down the Black Caps' 225 run total, coming out with a win in the opening tour match. Sport editor Dana Johannsen spoke…
CheckpointSouth Otago town set to be prime tourist stop
Kaitangata has officially been added to the NZTA's Southern Scenic Route. The 600km route between Queenstown and Dunedin includes Lake Wakatipuy and the…
CheckpointQueensland flooding closes schools
Flooding in Queensland closes several schools, while the Australia government goes up against the European Space Agency. Australia correspondent Katie Silver…
CheckpointLabour leader points to racism as Maori candidate resigns
Labour's Tamaki Makaurau candidate Kerrin Leoni has resigned after footage emerged of her campaigning alongside Mongrel mob members. Party leader Chris Hipkins…
CheckpointSpotlight on threats to politicians in Australia
In Australia, the debate over threats faced by those in public life continues in the wake of this week's attack on Australian MP Helen Haines. Australia…
CheckpointEvening business for 22 October 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
CheckpointThe race to enrol NZ’s youth
Voters registrations for 18 to 24 year old are sitting at just 68 percent as Sunday's midnight enrolment deadline looms. The Electoral Commission has a target…
CheckpointElectoral Commission seeking out people yet to enrol
There are just four days left to enrol to vote. Electoral Commission teams have been scouring shopping malls, markets, libraries, railway station and even…
CheckpointACT party doubling down on claims beneficiaries getting false medical certificates
The ACT party is doubling down on claims doctors are erroneously certifying people unfit for work, meaning they can keep collecting a benefit when they…
CheckpointNew oyster farm opens in Kaipara
A collaboration between the Government, a Northland iwi and oyster farmers will see a new oyster farm on the Kaipara Harbour. For years, wastewater flowing…
CheckpointChristchurch counting down to India-NZ cricket test
Hagley Oval in Christchurch is sold-out for the first test of India’s epic tour of New Zealand. Cricket fans are set for a stellar match, with excellent…
CheckpointWaka tracing ancestral path returns to Aotearoa
54 days after leaving Hawke's Bay on an epic ocean journey, Te Matau a Maui was welcomed back to Aotearoa this morning. The doubled-hulled voyaging waka was…
CheckpointRepublican candidate's attack ad causes controversy
United states correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a Republican candidate's attack ad which has caused controversy and condemnation from some…
CheckpointOnly four percent of music streamed in NZ made locally
A sour note for Aotearoa's music industry, with new figures showing just four percent of music streamed in New Zealand in the last financial year was…