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
Christchurch tsunami sirens to be removed
For years the sound of Christchurch's tsunami sirens have been a signal to get away from the beach if there's an earthquake, but that's all going to change…
- Checkpoint
Sixteen OmniHealth clinics under review
Reviews have been launched into more than a dozen medical clinics owned by a company that's already under the microscope over staffing levels and patient…
- Checkpoint
Dozens of gold prospectors flock to Otago for world champs
The glint of gold has drawn dozens of high-speed prospectors to Central Otago. The World Gold Panning Championship is under way in Cromwell, where more than…
- Checkpoint
One of WNBA's biggest stars speaks to NZ media for first time
One of the WNBA's biggest stars has given her first interview to New Zealand media. Hailey Van Lith has joined her Connecticut Sun teammate Charlisse…
- Checkpoint
Main route into Northland community reopened after eight months
For the first time in more than eight months the main route into a tiny Northland community is finally open, after being badly damaged in extreme weather in…
- Checkpoint
Australia calls out gaming industry in new child safety report
Australia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about Australia's eSafety commissioner calling out some of the gaming industry's biggest names in a new…
- Checkpoint
Politicians face grilling from young people calling for online gambling restrictions
Election candidates have faced a grilling today from young people calling for more restrictions for online gambling. Three political hopefuls were asked what…
- Checkpoint
How common is it to fake sick leave?
A lawyer who resigned from her job after faking an obituary to justify bereavement leave has this week been censured by a professional body. The case is an…
- Checkpoint
Six Corners challenge putting bike packing enthusiasts to the test
If you don't believe in rest and recovery at weekends you might want to join bikepacking enthusiasts taking on the Six Corners challenge in Golden Bay. Riders…
- Checkpoint
Real estate prices plummeting in Australia
Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the falling prices of real estate, as well as the arrival of massive numbers of native bogong moths…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 1 October 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
Local video game development industry makes over $1 billion
New Zealand's video game development industry has the wind in its sails, breezing bast $1 billion of revenue in the past financial year. The sector is growing…
- Checkpoint
All Whites captain in unfamiliar territory playing back up role with Premier League club
All Whites captain Chris Wood is in unfamiliar territory this season as he plays a back up role with his English Premier League club. Despite playing just over…
- Checkpoint
Concern FIFO Aussie fishing guides taking business from locals
There's concern that fly in fly out Aussie fishing guides are taking business away from locals and putting pressure on trout fisheries. The NZ Professional…
- Checkpoint
Pilot stabbed by colleague mid-flight was trained in NZ
A pilot trained in New Zealand is being praised after he was allegedly stabbed by his colleague mid-air. Captain Smit Machchhar who was attacked on the…
- Checkpoint
Cycle groups pumped at traffic law changes
Cycle groups are pumped at law changes coming into effect today that aim to improve safety for non motorists on the roads and footpaths. But walking advocates…
- Checkpoint
Luxon and Hipkins don hard hats and lifejackets on the campaign trail
Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins both donned hard hats, and life jackets, on the campaign trail today, at opposite ends of the country. Reporters Katie Todd…
- Checkpoint
Politicians' attempts at online jokes missing the mark
Political parties posting memes aimed at each other might be seen as the lighter side of campaigning but is the joke on them? Younger voters are being urged to…
- Checkpoint
NZ Cricket searching for next star pace bowler
New Zealand Cricket has the need for speed. The search is on for the country's next star pace bowler, through a revived competition which showcased future…
- Checkpoint
Helicopter company fighting forfeit of choppers over illegal crayfish sales
A Queenstown helicopter company will fight any attempts to seize two of its choppers after being found guilty of illegally taking and selling crayfish to hotel…
- Checkpoint
Tennessee's first execution of a woman in 200 years to go ahead despite last minute reprive
US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Tennesse's first execuation of a woman in more than 200 years being set to go ahead despite a…
- Checkpoint
Over half of kiwis still using cash for everyday purchases
Convenient cash is what Kiwis want, according to the results of a Reserve Bank money survey. It found almost 57% of the 6000 people surveyed used cash to pay…
- Checkpoint
Suspect in RAF Fairford case called 999 himself
United Kingdon correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about developments in the RAF Fairford case, revealing one of the five suspects called 999 himself.
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 30 September 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
Breakers chasing big prize pool in Ignite Cup
Big money basketball is back with the New Zealand Breakers tipping off the Ignite Cup in Auckland tonight. The Breakers won the in-season tournament last…
- Checkpoint
Tech organisation upskilling youth receives funding boost
A Rotorua tech organisation that has upskilling rangatahi at the core of its DNA has received a funding boost of more than $600,000. The Digital Natives…
- Checkpoint
How are GPs and nurses juggling ADHD diagnoses so far?
Nurse practitioners and GPs have been flooded with patients seeking ADHD assessments since they were given the authority to diagnose the condition and…
- Checkpoint
Tararua Health Group on notice after Dannevirke Hospital
The health group that operates Dannevirke Community Hospital is on notice after a rapid audit found it's not running a safe and sustainable inpatient service…
- Checkpoint
Government hits back at claims NZ broke climate promises
The government has come out swinging at those claiming New Zealand has broken its climate change promises in the free trade agreement with the EU. A Dutch…
- Checkpoint
Electorates sparking questions as election campaign continues
As the election campaign continues, two electorate races stand out to as intriguing. Political reporters Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira and Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa…
- Checkpoint
Political candidates go door-knocking in hunt for support
With just 38 days to go until the election, political candidates across the country are going door-to-door, vying for votes. While they might be able to reach…
- Checkpoint
Manchester City found guilty over financial rule breaches
Eight years, 115 charges, and now a guilty verdict. The long running case against English Premier League side Machester City over financial rules breaches…
- Checkpoint
Should defendants have their identity kept secret?
Should the indentities of court defendants be kept secret, even if they are found guilty? A Rotorua lawyer, who has spent years researching the issue thinks…
- Checkpoint
Morocco names first female Prime Minister
Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about Morocco naming its first female prime minister, as well as Israel being set to hold its first…
- Checkpoint
Call to raise age of superannuation to cut down on debt
Treasury secretary Iain Rennie believes that long term, New Zealand's financial position is unsustainable, with the cost of superannuation playing a…
- Checkpoint
Locals rally against plans to dump waste in small town
The Central Otago District Council may dump controversial plans to dispose of treated human effluent onto farmland. It originally wanted to discard thousands…
- Checkpoint
Australia the latest country to raise interest rates
Let's get the latest from across the Tasman now - where Australia is the latest country to raise interest rates.
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 29 September 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
All Blacks squad to defend Bledisloe Cup streak named
The men tasked with maintaining the All Blacks 23 year Bledisloe Cup streak have been named. Dave Rennie has selected his 34 man squad to play the Wallabies…
- Checkpoint
Leap seconds could soon be adandoned - but what are they?
A part of measuring time known as leap seconds could soon be adandoned. At the moment there a two systems used to measure time, atomic time and solar time. To…
- Checkpoint
Nicola Willis given pre-election lift as Treasury paints brighter picture
Nicola Willis has been given a pre-election lift, with Treasury painting a brighter picture of the government's finances in the short term. But the recovery…
- Checkpoint
Cancer specialists overwhelmed with work
A senior pathologist is warning there's a traffic jam of tests in labs needing analysis, and the specialists who do the job are overwhelmed with work. The…
- Checkpoint
Wellingtonians may pay more for electricity network
Wellingtonians may pay more for their electricity network in the coming years - as necessary infrastructure upgrades threaten to push them up significantly…
- Checkpoint
Hipkins tries to win over Employers and Manufacturers association
While the government's books were poured over in parliament today, Labour leader Chris Hipkins visited blue heartland - trying to win over the Employers and…
- Checkpoint
NRL judiciary to decide fate of Phoenix Crossland
The NRL judiciary will tonight decide the fate of Kiwi Rugby league player Phoenix Crossland. The Newcastle Knights hooker was sent off in Sunday's NRL…
- Checkpoint
Are election billboards still wooing voters?
To some, election billboards might seem a bit old fashion, a symbol of a bygone political era, to others, a platform to vent their frustrations with…
- Checkpoint
Taxpayer funded adverts promoting Trump spark criticism
United States correspondent, Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a series of taxpayer funded ads lauding the US president, which have copped criticism from…
- Checkpoint
Young voters concerned by cost of living, student loans
As the election looms closer, only about 60 percent of young people eligible to vote are actually enrolled. So Checkpoint took the streets today to ask those…
- Checkpoint
Bigger surplus forecast in pre-election fiscal update
The Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update has forecast a deficit of $6.8 billion in 2026/27, down from May budget's $11.4 billion prediction. The improved…
- Checkpoint
Five men arrested in UK after major airbase incident
United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about British Police arresting five men on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after a…
- Checkpoint
Evening business for 28 September 2026
News from the business sector, including a market report.
- Checkpoint
Kiwi NRL player facing suspension after injuring Panthers star
A Kiwi league player may have his NRL grand final dream taken away. Knights hooker - Phoenix Crossland is looking at suspension from the game, after injuring…
- Checkpoint
Wanaka based Mons Royale defies retail struggles
A Wanaka based clothing brand is bucking the trend, expanding while other labels are in retreat. Mons Royale makes high performance merino apparel for the…
- Checkpoint
Man found guilty of murdering couple in Auckland home
Lok Fung Lorrence Li was involved in a minor car crash. Instead of settling things through insurance companies, Li went to the Disputes Tribunal and got the…
- Checkpoint
Health NZ finishes review of Dannevirke Hospital
Health New Zealand has finished a rapid review of Dannevirke Community Hospital, the second audit in less than six months. Health practitioners told Checkpoint…
- Checkpoint
Election campaign in full swing
Economic plans, endless handshakes and selfies, and daily media conferences. It is election campaign time, and after the hype of the major party launches over…
- Checkpoint
All Whites end winless drought with victory over China
The All Whites have ended a winless drought with their first ever victory over China. It had been six months since the New Zealanders had a win, and more than…
- Checkpoint
Auckland teacher goes viral after dancing with Jason Derulo
A Manurewa teacher was pulled on stage at Jason Derulo's Auckland concert last night, and put on the spot to dance in front of thousands of people. Mele…
- Checkpoint
Proposal to reopen Strait of Hormuz rejected by US president
Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about Iran's latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz which has been rejected by the US…
- Checkpoint
Pharmacist concerned about people using weight loss drugs without needing to
A pharmacist in one of Auckland's wealthier suburbs is worried about people using GLP-1 weight loss drugs, when they don't need them. The injectable drugs…