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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

00:06:47

Watercare in negotiations with oyster farmers

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/05

Watercare and negotiators for oyster farmers north of Auckland have spent a second day in compensation talks after their farms were contaminated after a sewage leak, but they have yet to reach an agreement. A fault at Watercare's Warkworth plant sent sewage overflowing into the Mahurangi River last week, meaning farmers can't collect oyster for 28 days. Jim Aitken from Mahurangi Oysters spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:03:54

Heartbreak at lion park as seven big cats to be put down

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/05

There's heartbreak among former staff of a Whangarei lion park at news that the seven surviving big cats are due to be put down this week. Kamo Wildlife Sanctuary operator Janette Vallance says the park owners, Bolton Equities, made the difficult decision to euthanise the seven lions, saying there was no options left for them. The park is now closed to the public and the property listed for sale. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has more.

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00:03:45

Over $60m of funding announced for mental health...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/05

More than $60 million of funding has been announced for mental health services across the country, to bolster what's been called a fragmented and inconsistent system. Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey made the announcement in Auckland today alongside experts from Australia and New Zealand at the Hauora hine-ngaro conference. He hopes it will provide additional support for those reaching out for help, but there are those with question about its roll out. Finn Blackwell has more.

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00:03:50

Venus Williams to continue tennis comeback in Auckland

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/05

US tennis legend Venus Williams will continue her comeback in Auckland. Williams returned to compete in the US Open this year, at the age of 45, after a 16-month hiatus from the game. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has signed up for the ASB Classic, for the seventh time, as part of her preparation for a potential place in the Australian Open. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:05:26

New York City elects youngest mayor in over a century

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/05

New York City has elected its youngest mayor in over a century. Democratic-socialist Zohran Mamdani overcame former governor Andrew Cuomo in an election that saw the city's biggest turnout since 2001. The 34-year-old's social media-heavy campaign centred around taxing millionaires, freezing rents and making bus trips free. US President Donald Trump has called Mamdani a "Communist Lunatic" and threatened to cut funding to the city if he won. US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa

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00:04:56

Philippines typhoon causes devastating flooding,...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/05

Asia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about a typhoon sweeping through the Philippines, causing devastating flooding and killing dozens, as well as a father and son's trip to Laos that has ended tragically after the pair were killed by a swarm of hornets.

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00:06:16

Restrictions on Eden Park could cost more than $430M...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/05

The minister for concert regulations has stage dived right into the mosh pit floating major changes to rules around events at Auckland's Eden Park. A new report estimates restrictions on Eden Park could cost the region more than $430 million in lost revenue over a decade. It recommends upping the number of gigs allowed there to 12 large and 20 medium concerts a year. Jose Fowler lives next to Eden Park and spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:06:12

Australia's political consensus on how to deal with...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about how political consensus on how to deal with climate change continues to prove elusive with the federal opposition in turmoil over whether it will go on supporting the nation's Net Zero target.

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00:03:15

Evening business for 4 November 2025

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

News from the business sector, including a market report.

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00:01:16

165th Melbourne Cup winner crosses the line

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

The 165th edition of the Melbourne Cup has been run on a soft track at Flemington and the winner just crossed the finish line. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:10:34

Over 100 officers under investigation for allegedly...

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

About 120 officers are now under investigation after allegedly falsifying 30,000 alcohol breath tests. The tests that were "falsely or erroneously recorded" were only discovered after the police built a new algorithm to analyse the data. It's been confirmed it happened around the country. Acting deputy police commissioner, Jill Rogers spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:03:46

Small town war museum displaying Nazi division

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

A small town war museum in Canterbury has caused controversy with a display depicting a Nazi division which acted as the personal bodyguard to Adolf Hitler. But the private museum's owner and locals have defended the display saying it is part of the history of World War II and New Zealand's role in the conflict. Timothy Brown has more.

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00:03:47

Efforts to find peace within Te Pati Māori look futile

Checkpoint ·

2025/11/04

Efforts to find peace within Te Pati Maori's ranks look increasingly futile - with the party's leadership pouring fuel on the fire - accusing detractors of trying to oust them. The party's national council now appears to be gearing up to expel the two MPs - who the leaders says have gone rogue. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

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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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1,696 results

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