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
Cautious support shown for crack down on black market tobacco
There's cautious support being shown for a crack down on black market tobacco, but also warnings the tobacco industry itself could be stoking fears. A report…
- Checkpoint
Pharmacy visits could replace GP trips for some medicines
People may soon be able to bypass the GP and head to the pharmacist for a wider ranges of medicines, at a cheaper price. The government proposal would allow…
- Checkpoint
Iwi volunteers working to save eels from Manawatu lake bed
Iwi volunteers are desperately working to save as many eels as they can from a dried-up lake bed on coastal Manawatu. The rescue operation at Pukepuke Lagoon…
- Checkpoint
Moana Pasifika set to be axed from Super Rugby next year
Moana Pasifika announced that after five years, it is no longer financially sustainable, and will fold at the end of the current season. Sports reporter Jonty…
- Checkpoint
Fuel stocks down for the second time in a row
Fuel stocks are down for the second time in a row, and with one small shipment delayed from Singapore the government is warning New Zealanders should expect…
- Checkpoint
AI being increasingly used by South Island marine farmers
At the top of the South Island, in the heart of New Zealand's aquaculture and fishing industries, artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to provide…
- Checkpoint
Mexico's president criticises US over deaths in ICE custody
Americas correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about how Mexico's president has launched more criticism towards the US over the death of Mexicans in…
- Checkpoint
Is it time for a Temu, Shein online fast fashion tax
ANZ reported a sharp fall in retail activity last month, March card data shows a more than 4 percent drop in spending at general clothing stores and a 6…
- Checkpoint
Immigration shaping as key battleground political issue in Aus
Immigration is shaping as a key battleground political issue in Australia, with the federal opposition on Tuesday unveiling the policy it plans to take to…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for Tuesday 14 April 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
Fonterra farmers respond to $400,000 pay day
Repaying debt, buying new farm machinery, splashing out on a holiday or even purchasing a classic Hilux. Those are some of the ways Fonterra's…
- Checkpoint
Leger-Walker first NZ woman to be selected in WNBA Draft
Basketball star Charlisse Leger-Walker has etched her name into history, becoming the first New Zealand woman selected in the WNBA Draft. The 24 year old guard…
- Checkpoint
Te Anau bird sanctuary saved by two businessmen
Te Punanga Manu has been managed by the Department of Conservation and runs a breeding programmes for rare and endangered birds. Last year, DOC said it was…
- Checkpoint
Illegal sale of tobacco puts communities at risk - Retail NZ
A seasoned Melbourne homicide detective said New Zealand urgently needs to stamp out the black market for tobacco or else face fire-bombed shops and violent…
- Checkpoint
Infusion centres not solution - cancer survivor
The government is opening 14 new infusion centres around the country, where patients can get chemotherapy and other therapies. It's also expanding 14 existing…
- Checkpoint
AT running timetable tests before CRL stations open
Trains are at last running through Auckland's long awaited City Rail Link, but passengers won't be allowed on-board for several months. Auckland Transport and…
- Checkpoint
Trump calls Pope Leo weak on crime and foreign policy
President Donald Trump called Pope Leo weak on crime, terrible for foreign policy and suggested he stop catering to the radical left and claimed if he wasn't…
- Checkpoint
Coroner investigates Cyclone Gabrielle deaths
The harrowing stories of people who narrowly survived Cyclone Gabrielle and lost their loved ones are being heard in the Hastings District Court this week…
- Checkpoint
Super Typhoon Sinlaku pummells Northern Mariana Islands
Residents have been urged to shelter in place while all flights in and out have been cancelled, leaving hundreds of tourists stranded in the self-governing…
- Checkpoint
First Kiwi athletes selected for Commonwealth Games
The countdown is on to the Commonwealth Games. Tuesday marks just 100 days until Glasgow and also saw the first crop of Kiwi athletes selected. Sports reporter…
- Checkpoint
Wellington restaurant offers golden ticket to free lunch
It's Wellington's Willy Wonka; a local restaurant is offering the daily chance to win a golden ticket to a free lunch to supercharge enthusiasm for eating out…
- Checkpoint
Trump faces backlash over Christ-like AI image post
President Donald Trump has faced backlash for posting, then deleting, an AI-image depicting him as a Jesus-like figure. The move has been condemned by world…
- Checkpoint
Calls for daily govt fuel data updates - Taxpayer's union
The government is keeping New Zealanders in the dark during an oil crisis, publishing week-old data on fuel stocks. That's the claim from the Tax Payers union…
- Checkpoint
UK responds to Trump's claims that US blockading the Strait of Hormuz
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about how the UK is responding to President Donald Trump's latest claims that the US would be…
- Checkpoint
Former Boxing NZ member speaks out amid investigation
A former Boxing New Zealand board member said the organisation has been marred for too long by bullying and inappropriate behaviour. Ken Clearwater has written…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for Monday 13 April 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
Rory McIlroy wins golf's Masters
Defending champion Rory McIlroy has won golf's Masters to collect his sixth major and become the fourth repeat winner at Augusta National. It ended up being a…
- Checkpoint
International visitors up 22 percent through Christchurch Airport
Christchurch Airport has landed a bumper summer, with international visitor numbers 22 percent on last year, pumping an estimated $860 million into the South…
- Checkpoint
Cancer Society on govt expansion of infusion centres
More cancer patients will get treatment closer to home with the expansion of infusion centres, according to the government. But the plan could take two and a…
- Checkpoint
Over 2000 homes still with no power after Cyclone Vaianu
Over 2000 homes are still without power after Cyclone Vaianu swept across the country. All evacuation orders have now been lifted and many communities feel…
- Checkpoint
Transparency needed for govt events attraction package - Venues Ōtautahi
More transparency is needed around the government's multi million dollar events attraction package, including how events are being chosen, according to the…
- Checkpoint
Calls for Healthy Homes Standards certification system
Housing advocates and residents of Wellington's "Devon Street Ditch," want an independent certification system so that landlords can't just "mark their own…
- Checkpoint
Evening Sports News for Monday 13 April 2026
An update on the latest news and results from RNZ's sports team.
- Checkpoint
Wellington Cafe considers fuel surcharge as suppliers put prices up
Smith the Grocer in The Old Bank Arcade on Lambton Quay said its raw ingredients and services have gone as a result of the war in the Middle East causing fuel…
- Checkpoint
Blockade on ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz to come into force
"Blown to hell." That's what the US President said will happen to any Iranians who try to stop an American blockade on ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz…
- Checkpoint
Kiwifruit growers still assessing crops after Cyclone Vaianu
Kiwifruit growers are still assessing their crops after Cyclone Vaianu blew through some of Aotearoa's biggest growing districts over the weekend. Bay of…
- Checkpoint
Singapore govt employees to adjust air con with energy crisis
Asia correspondent Chris Gilbert spoke to Lisa Owen about the meeting between the foreign ministers of China and North Korea and how government employees in…
- Checkpoint
Sir Barry Curtis celebrated at funeral service in Manukau
Described as a visionary leader with a life dedicated to public service - former Manukau City Mayor Sir Barry Curtis was celebrated at his funeral service in…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 10 April 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
Hurricanes and Blues to clash in Wellington
The Hurricanes and Blues will clash at the Caketin tomorrow night in what is shaping as the game of the Super Rugby season so far. Sports reporter Jonty Dine…
- Checkpoint
Ruapehu district bus service cut 'kick in the guts' - Mayor
The route 25 bus leaves Taumarunui each weekday morning and stops at Taumarunui hospital, Te Kuiti Hospital, Otorohanga and Waikato Hospital, returning the…
- Checkpoint
DOC staff in Rakiura Stewart Island threated every week
On average DOC staff on Rakiura Stewart island have been threatened every week while working to make the island predator free - including harassment, threats…
- Checkpoint
Thames Coromandel District Mayor on Cyclone Vaianu
It might be a popular getaway spot but this weekend a very unwelcome guest is scheduled to arrive on the Coromandel Peninsula. A red strong wind warning has…
- Checkpoint
Wellington Phoenix programme sees youngsters take the pitch
A Wellington Phoenix football programme to get kids into the game has seen youngsters take the pitch alongside their heroes. The Football for All programme to…
- Checkpoint
Auckland Council and govt sign 10 year co-operation deal
It's a civil union of a different kind, Auckland Council and the government have signed a ten year co-operation deal. The agreement sets out how the two will…
- Checkpoint
'Firmly wedged' hawk freed from car grille
A driver turned up at a Hastings Vet last week, with a hawk jammed tight in the grille of her car after the pair accidently collided. The bird was stuck…
- Checkpoint
ANZ Premiership teams almost unrecognisable after changes
The ANZ Premiership starts this weekend but some of the teams about to compete in netballs top-flight competition are almost unrecognisable. Sports reporter…
- Checkpoint
MetService on bracing for Cyclone Vaianu
Weather warnings or watches have been issued for the entire North Island, as Aotearoa braces for the arrival of Cyclone Vaianu. There's an orange heavy rain…
- Checkpoint
Melania Trump denies any links with Epstein
Americas correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about how he First Lady, Melania Trump, issued a surprise statement denying any links with the dead…
- Checkpoint
Locals nostalgic ahead of demolition of much-loved landmark
Whanganui residents have been sharing memories of a soon to be demolished local landmark - Liffiton Castle. The former villa-turned-mock-castle - is a familiar…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 9 April 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
A-League falls behind in monitoring in-game concussions.
The A-League has fallen behind other codes when it comes to monitoring in-game concussions. After a player had a heavy collision in their last game - and…
- Checkpoint
Associate Transport Minister on Air Chathams slashing schedule
Air Chathams revealed it's cutting a significant number of North Island flights, including 45 percent of flights between Whakatane and Auckland. Last year, the…
- Checkpoint
2026 still could be tourism's year - Tourism Holdings
2026 was going to be tourism's year and it still could be, according to the boss of a leading campervan and recreational vehicle company. Tourism Holdings…
- Checkpoint
Govt ceases funding to Hutt Valley youth employment charity
Fewer Maori and Pacific young people hold drivers licence's compared to Pakeha, and a Hutt Valley youth employment charity says that's locking them out of…
- Checkpoint
Calls for strict monitoring of would-be child sex abuser
A justice advocacy group is calling for a would be child sex abuser to be more closely monitored after he was charged with allegedly breaching his release…
- Checkpoint
ULTRA music festival to debut on Wellington Waterfront
People are dancing with joy in the capital with the debut of an international electronic music festival promising good news for music fans and hospitality…
- Checkpoint
Are the All Blacks softening on player eligibility?
First Dave Rennie hinted at changes to the selection rule book, and now incoming defence coach Tana Umaga has admitted to changing his tune on the issue…
- Checkpoint
Researchers attach backpack trackers to one of NZ's tiniest frogs
In a bid to learn more about New Zealand's tiniest frog, researchers attached little backpack trackers to the hotchstetter frogs that are no bigger than a two…