Nita Blake Persen
Refugees staying longer at resettlement centre, lack of homes
Refugees arriving in New Zealand are being forced to stay at the Auckland resettlement centre beyond their initial six-week arrival programme because there are no homes available for them to move… Audio
Teachers struggling with long hours, paperwork and workload
As teachers' unions and the Education Minister meet to negotiate contracts, Checkpoint reporter Nita Blake-Persen heads into the classroom, where teachers say they're simply fed up. Video, Audio
DoC receives more than $10m for security against increasing attacks
Last week's Budget allocated $10.7 million to the Department of Conservation over four years, explicitly for security purposes amid increasing threats and violence from anti-1080 protesters. While… Audio
Subsidised products could be key to becoming smokefree by 2025
Subsidised vaping products are being touted as the key to helping Aotearoa reach its ambitious target of being smokefree by 2025. Video, Audio
Paramedics and ambulance staff may be in for pay increase
Paramedics and ambulance staff could be in for a pay increase of just over six percent and shift allowances under a new deal being offered by St John. Audio
'It's made the pain all so much worse'
The mother of two boys who died after a horrific car crash last Easter says she is shocked and offended at the sentence handed down to the truck driver that killed them. Video, Audio
Destiny Church Auckland branch fails to file annual returns on time
The Auckland branch of Destiny Church has been put on notice by the Department of Internal Affairs for failing to file its latest annual returns on time. Audio
New Zealanders dumping record amounts of waste
New Zealanders are generating record amounts of waste, despite promises from the government that it would turn our rubbish habits around. Video, Audio
Parents beg Pharmac to fund drugs as son’s muscles waste away
Two four-year-old children suffering from SMA, a rare degenerative disorder, are living vastly different lives, because while one can access life-changing drugs in Australia, the other - living in New… Video, Audio
How an essential oil company courted an Auckland school
An Auckland School which used essential oils in classrooms was offered discounts and deals by a sales rep, who said they could help with relaxing blends for parents in the wake of the Christchurch… Video, Audio
Northland schools encouraged to exclude unvaccinated kids
Northland's low immunisation rates have left health officials scrambling to ensure it doesn't spread - and principals are being encouraged to exclude students who haven't had their jabs. Reporter Nita… Video, Audio
Community fights plans for 4th prison within 4km
South Auckland locals are concerned their neighbourhood could soon be home to a new youth justice facility - which would make it the fourth prison within four kilometres. They say Manurewa's already… Video, Audio
Simon Bridges’ constituents on what they think of his leadership
Simon Bridges has survived to fight another day as National party leader, but he's failed to douse speculation that Judith Collins could challenge his leadership. Reporter Nita Blake-Persen asked… Video, Audio
40 percent of deportees from Australia re-offending once back in NZ
Re-offending rates by New Zealanders being deported back here from Australia are on the rise. As Nita Blake-Persen reports, more than 40 percent of deportees have been charged with an offence since… Video, Audio
Parents’ worst nightmare: ‘Our happy life has turned into hell’
A year on from a horror car crash which killed their two children, Hamilton couple Sia Mosaferi and Mohy Sharifi are pleading with drivers to take extra care to avoid any more lives being lost on our… Video, Audio
New Zealanders respond to CGT decision
New Zealanders were divided by the proposed capital gains tax, so there's been mixed reaction to the announcement it won't go ahead. Nita Blake-Persen reports. Audio
Police search for man who yelled abuse outside Al Noor mosque
A formal complaint has been laid over the actions of a police officer who let a man walk free after he yelled anti-Muslim abuse outside Christchurch's Al Noor mosque, nearly four weeks after more than… Audio
ACC rejects Auckland family's renovation plans to care for daughter
An Auckland family struggling to renovate their home to accomodate the needs of their disabled daughter say ACC is bullying them into accepting plans which will divide their family. Video, Audio
Family grieves for five members killed in car crash
Family members of the five people killed in a car crash north of Taupo yesterday have started to arrive at Mokai marae. Our reporter Nita Blake-Persen and camera man Dan Cook went to see the mayor of… Video, Audio
Nita Blake-Persen at the scene of this morning's Taupo crash
Our reporter Nita Blake-Persen who is at the scene of this morning's Taupo crash. Video, Audio
