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Checkpoint

Checkpoint with Lisa Owen is RNZ’s weekday drive-time news programme, Our people, stories and breaking news and interviews from 4-6pm.

news

All Episodes

00:06:16

Anaesthetic laced vapes cause hospitalisations

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

A warning to beware illegal vapes after some laced with an anaesthetic drug have caused hospitalisations. Etomidate has been detected in illicit vapes sold under names like space oil, K pods and space vapes. The drug can cause a raft of symptoms including breathing difficulties, low blood pressure and loss of consicousness. Director of the New Zealand Drug Foundation Sarah Helm spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:05:46

Te Pāti Māori co-leader backs president's claims MPs...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

Te Pāti Māori's co-leaders have returned to Parliament and finally fronted for media, as the party works out what to do about rogue MPs Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris. Rawiri Waititi is backing party president - and his father-in-law - John Tamihere's claims the two MPs sought to challenge for the party leadership, and that the party is considering their expulsion. Meanwhile iwi leaders have also come to Parliament to help the party work through the impasse - and the co-leaders say

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00:03:35

McDonald's back for a second bite with new Wānaka...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

McDonald's is back for a second bite in Wānaka, after its original plans for a restaurant were scuppered by super-sized opposition. The fast-food giant has picked a new site and while some locals see it as a more palatable offering, others are worried they won't get a say. Katie Todd reports.

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00:03:31

Black Caps take on West Indies at Eden Park tomorrow

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

The main course of our international home summer of men's cricket is upon us.The West Indies are playing a packed schedule of matches against the Black Caps right up until Christmas - starting with the first T20 at Eden Park tomorrow night. Sports reporter Daniel Gilhooly spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:08:34

Taupō homeowner landscaping public reserve sparks debate

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

There's heated debate over whether a private home owner who's heavily landscaped parts of a public reserve backing onto Lake Taupō should be forced to return it to its natural state - and make it clear it's public land for everyone's use. A Taupō District Council report found landscaping at the property in Acacia Bay is not what was discussed to fix damage done during construction. Jane Arnott, has been calling on the Taupō District Council to take action and spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:05:15

Countdown to polls closing in NYC mayoral race

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about polls closing in less than 24 hours as New York City chooses its next mayor.

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00:08:11

Increasing calls for horse racing ban as Melbourne...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

There are increasing calls for the Melbourne Cup and horse racing generally to be stopped across the ditch and here in Aotearoa. The latest "Deathwatch" report from Australia's Coalition for the Protection of Race Horse says 175 thorough bred races horses died as a result of racing between August 2024 and July this year. That's an increase of nearly 14 percent compared to the year before. Here in New Zealand, the Deathwatch data records 15 deaths and 314 injuries for the year ending 31 July

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00:08:49

School goes against measles advice as more cases...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/03

A Wellington school is going against official advice telling some students to stay at home while their measles vacination status is confirmed after an infected person was at a prize giving. Meanwhile a national primary school's Kapa Haka event with more than 60 groups from 17 different regions is underway in Tauranga this week. Wellington Girls College is asking years 9 to 11 students to stay home while their immunisation status is checked. The move contradicts official advice from the Ministry

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00:03:30

Eli Katoa undergoes surgery after 'seizure activity'

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/03

Tonga forward Eli Katoa was hospitalised following seizure activity on the sidelines during a Pacific Championships rugby league match against New Zealand at Eden Park yesterday. In worrying scenes ahead of the match, footage has emerged of Katoa copping a sickening head knock during his team's warm-up. But he was allowed to take the field for Tonga. However he then suffered two head knocks during the clash with the second one forcing him from the field. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to

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00:03:55

Parents hope toddler can access life extending...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/03

The parents of an Auckland toddler say they're living in hope their wee boy will soon have access to a "miracle" life-extending treatment for his cystic fibrosis. Pharmac currently funds the drug Trikafta for those six years and older - but it's now considering including two to five-year-olds. Lauren Crimp reports.

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00:06:04

Concerns about head of government advisory group being

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/03

It can be revealed concerns about the head of a government advisory group on crime are being kept secret. A Checkpoint investigation has found three staff members contracted to the Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime are earning over $1000 a day. It has also revealed that officials have raised concerns with the Justice Minister about the group's chairman Sunny Kaushal, but Paul Goldsmith is refusing to say exactly what those concerns are. Checkpoint's Jimmy Ellingham spoke to

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00:06:01

Te Pāti Māori president suggests MPs stand down

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/03

The war of words between Te Pāti Māori's leadership and two of its MPs has taken a dramatic step today, with president John Tamihere suggesting Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris 'do the honourable thing' and step down. The bombshell social media post follows a move by the party's National Council to suspend Maria-meno Kapa-Kingi, who is MP for Te Tai Tokerau. John Tamihere's comments come as the executive for Te Tai Tonga - Takuta Ferris' electorate - launched a petition calling for

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00:03:04

School clashes with officials over handling of...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/03

At least one school is clashing with officials over how to handle the current measles outbreak, as three of the country's largest secondary schools confirm cases of the highly-contagious disease. Wellington Girls College, which confirmed a second case last week, is flouting the advice of public health and education officials and sending all students home, except for those doing exams, which begin tomorrow. There are now 17 confirmed cases of measles nationwide. Health Correspondent Ruth Hill

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00:03:25

Wellington Phoenix to kick start women's campaign at...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/03

The Wellington Phoenix will kick start their A-league women's campaign at home this week against Canberra United after sitting out the first week. With a new coach, new import players and the additon of a championship winner the side believe they'll finally get into the playoffs. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:08:07

Conservationist believes biosecurity's response to...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/03

A conservationist and former bee keeper is describing biosecurity's response to the yellow legged hornet as "hopelessly inadequate". Three queens have been discovered on Auckland's North Shore, one in the early stages of building a nest, and two males have also been spotted. The hornet, that's not established in New Zealand, is known to feed on honey bees and could pose a threat to the industry. Northland conservationist and former beekeeper Brad Windust spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:05:00

Major developments in Sudan civil war

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/03

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about major developments from Sudan's civil war, as well as more progress in the Gaza Ceasefire agreement.

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00:07:52

Calls for greater transparency about how Pharmac...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/03

There are calls for greater transparency about how Pharmac prioritises medicines on what is effectively a wait list for funding as it considers culling that list. If the proposal goes ahead the government drug buying agency will focus on cutting drugs that have been in the lowest ranked group on the options for funding list for more than two years. Publicly drugs on the funding wait list appear in alphabetical order; but where they are ranked in terms of priority for funding is kept secret

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00:03:35

NZ's discontinued treats

Checkpoint ·

2025/10/31

In light of Halloween Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen about the various Kiwi treats that you can't find on New Zealand shelves anymore.

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00:05:17

Prince Andrew to be stripped of all royal titles

Checkpoint ·

2025/10/31

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the former Prince Andrew being stripped of all royal titles and privileges, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales winning a legal battle against a French magazine.

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00:05:17

Evening business for 31 October 2025

Checkpoint ·

2025/10/31

News from the business sector, including a market report.

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1,763 results

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