Checkpoint Podcast Options

5:08 PM.Unemployment is at a four year high; 5.1% or 156,000 people, and that means competition is fierce. There were 21,000 more people on the jobseeker benefit in May compared to last year. This year's… Read more Audio

4:46 PM.A major fire has ripped through a supermarket in central Auckland. Emergency services were called to the blaze at New World supermarket near Victoria Park in Freemans Bay, where 20 crews battled the… Read more Audio

4:45 PM.An Auckland business owner has described current sick leave entitlements as 'manifestly unfair', and said it is a significant burden in tough economic times. In 2021 minimum paid sick leave for… Read more Audio

4:35 PM.Any time it rains heavily in Northland, residents of Moerewa brace for flooding. The small town has gone underwater in recent years more times than they'd care to remember. But now the flood-weary… Read more Audio

4:32 PM.The New Zealand women's water polo team are chasing an Olympic first. The White Caps have a golden opportunity to qualify for the LA Games after narrowly missing out on Paris. Sports reporter Jonty… Read more Audio

4:26 PM.The fire at an Auckland supermarket is now under control, but has sent thick black smoke out across the city. 20 fire trucks have been on the scene at the New World Supermarket by Victoria Park. Fire… Read more Audio

4:18 PM.Washington DC correspondent Zach Montellaro spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump's early departure from the G7 summit today, which he said was down to the escalating conflict in the Middle East. Audio

4:05 PM.A breast cancer patient self funding her treatment has said it's unfair she has to pay GST on the drugs that are already costing her ten of thousands of dollars. Wellington woman Amanda Broughton has… Read more Audio

5:45 PM.United Kingdom correspondent Edward O'Driscoll spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK moving jets to the Middle East amid the Iran-Israel conflict, all while Sir Keir Starmer attends the G7 meeting Audio

5:45 PM.There is disappointment and grief that a food rescue service and community hub in Wellington is set to close after 15 years. The Free Store redistributes surplus food from more than 60 eateries free… Read more Audio

5:35 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:25 PM.Two-time Winter Olympic Games medalist Nico Porteous won't wear the silver fern again as the 23-year-old announced he was stepping out of competition. He isn't calling it a retirement but he is… Read more Audio

5:20 PM.A Christchurch woman who was brutally murdered by her gardener had no idea he'd killed before and had spent years as a mental health patient. Faye Phelps' son is adament his 83 year old mother would… Read more Audio

5:15 PM.Kiwis in Iran and Israel are being advised to leave as soon as it is safe to do so, as both countries promise new waves of attacks. On Friday, Israel attacked Iran by targeting nuclear sites, but… Read more Audio

5:05 PM.Government plans to change the number of paid sick days workers can take could leave part time employees worse off. Since changes in 2021 New Zealand workers are legally entitled to ten paid sick days… Read more Audio

4:55 PM.Aucklanders have nominated the city's top 100 restaurant dishes. The fifth annual 'Iconic Auckland Eats' list whittled down well over 3000 submissions to a selection of 100 local restaurants. Felix… Read more Audio

4:45 PM.The deadly conflict between Israel and Iran has entered its fourth day, with warnings of new missile attacks amid international pleas for de-escalation. The deathtoll in both countries is mounting… Read more Audio

4:40 PM.A witness to Sunday's tragic capsizing in Taranaki, which claimed two lives, has said the small pleasure boat was side-on to breakers at the Patea bar before being swamped. Paul Mandela said the… Read more Audio

4:30 PM.The Crusaders and Chiefs have both secured a spot in the Super Rugby Pacific final after hair-raising games for both teams in the semi's. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen. Audio

4:25 PM.Video of a harness racer, who was dragged face down for metres by her bolting horse, has gone viral with the footage viewed more than 1.5 million times. Crystal Hackett had just won a race at… Read more Audio

4:12 PM.Middle East correspondent, Perry Wilton spoke to Lisa Owen about the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran threatening to destabilise the region further. Audio

4:05 PM.The price of butter has continued to rise, and could be set to stay that way for some time according to dairy analysts. The demand for reasonably priced butter has seen it become a fundraising… Read more Audio

5:55 PM.After 145 years iconic Auckland department store Smith and Caughey's will close its doors for the final time this Sunday at 4pm. The closure was set for the end of July but Aucklanders have been… Read more Audio

5:46 PM.United Kingdom correspondent Edward O'Driscoll spoke to Lisa Owen about the victims of the Air India plane crash that was supposed to fly to London, many of which were UK nationals. Audio

5:43 PM.The man who murdered Christchurch real estate agent Yanfei Bao has been jailed for life and will spend at least the next 17 years behind bars. Audio