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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

00:09:17

Energy Minister on energy plan facing grim reviews

Checkpoint ·

2025/10/01

"Predictably underwhelming," "lacking in bold action," and "defined by what's missing rather than what's included." Those are some of the dim reviews of the government's new energy security plan. An independent report's confirmed a lack of reliable back up power when renewable energy supply is low.... is pushing prices up and causing market uncertainty. But the government has rejected the reports boldest recommendations. Minister for Energy, Simon Watts, talks to Lisa Owen.

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00:05:57

'We're all breaking' - Thames Hospital understaffed...

Checkpoint ·

2025/10/01

Nurses at Thames Hospital say they're still facing understaffing and under resourcing within the wards, Emergency Department and District Nursing team. Last year Thames Hospital nurses picketed for 21 full-time nurses and ten were approved. But the New Zealand Nurses Organisation says Thames Hospital is still a minimum of 26 full-time nurses short. It's prompted calls for better resourcing, especially as the summer months approach, and patients travel to Thames to avoid long wait times in their

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00:03:43

Summer of cricket kicks off tonight

Checkpoint ·

2025/10/01

The home summer of cricket kicks off this evening in Mount Maunganui. In a trans-Tasman double-header, both the Black Caps and White Ferns will meet their Aussie rivals on the same night, however they will be almost 12,000km apart. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:06:31

The kleptomaniac cat nicking knickers in Hamilton

Checkpoint ·

2025/10/01

Nico the Great has been nicking knickers in Hamilton. For the record Nico is a cat burglar, an actual cat that is a burglar; apparently sneaking onto people's properties day and night collecting their smalls and other bits and bobs. Nico trumpets his return to his Hamilton home meowing repeatedy when its been a successful hunting party and displaying the ill-gotten gains for his whanau. But Nico's thieving has reached epic levels. Since April he's collected about 200 items that need to be

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00:04:12

Death toll rises following Philippines earthquake

Checkpoint ·

2025/10/01

Asia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about the rising death toll after a large earthquake in the Philippines, ongoing recovery efforts after a boarding school collapsed in Indonesia and the Taliban shutting down the internet in Afghanistan.

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00:06:55

Multiple sunscreen brands slapped with a recall in...

Checkpoint ·

2025/10/01

Almost two dozen sunscreens in Australia have been recalled, paused or are under review because of concerns over their SPF ratings. Some of them are available in New Zealand or can be bought online. In Australia Ultra Violette Lean Screen SPF 50+ was voluntarily recalled following inconsistencies in its sun protection factor. Tests showed it had SPF results rating anywhere from four to 64. Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration says the base formula is used in numerous sunscreens and

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00:07:02

NATO to adopt Australian "Star Wars-style" lasers

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

Australia appears to have stolen the march on its global competitors with an Australian-made laser weapon set to become NATO's newest frontline defence against enemy drones. Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:03:26

Gold mine planned for Central Otago facing scrutiny

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

The company behind a vast gold mine planned for Central Otago says it is one of the most scrutinised projects in the region's history. Australian firm Santana Minerals is trying to get consent under the Fast Track Approvals Act but has been beset by delays, telling shareholders the process is extremely rigorous and difficult. The project has also been met with criticism from some locals who feel it poses huge environmental and social costs. Katie Todd reports.

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00:04:25

White Ferns prepare for ODI return

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

The White Ferns haven't played a one-day international match in six months but believe they're well prepared for the 50-over Cricket World Cup in India. New Zealand open their campaign against the world number one side, and seven-time champions Australia tomorrow, in a tournament that lasts a little over a month. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:07:21

How could a 100% tariff affect NZ's film industry?

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

Trump and his tariffs are the lead characters in a drama that could have serious consequences for Aotearoa's film industry. Donald Trump announced a 100 percent tariff on all films produced overseas. Mr Trump provided little detail on how the tariff might work. New Zealand Film Commission Chief Executive Annie Murray spoke to Lisa Owen.

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00:07:57

Cancer Society responds to treatment waitimes around...

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

When it comes to cancer more patients are starting treatment within the government's 31 day target time according to new figures. Nationally 86.3 per cent of patients started treatment within that time frame up from 83.5 percent last year. The government's gunning for 90 percent by 2030. A breakdown of districts though shows wait times have acutally got worse in eight areas in the past three months. Head of Cancer Services at the Cancer Society Southern, Craig Watson speaks to Lisa Owen.

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00:03:33

New figures reveal government's progress towards...

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

The Health Minister is celebrating shorter wait-times, faster treatment and more timely access to care for patients. New figures from April to June this year, show the government's progress towards its five key health targets for 2030 with shorter stays in emergency departments just shy of its milestone. But there are some targets falling well short of where the government hoped they would be. Child immunisation rates are among them with Northland significantly lower than other regions and the

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00:03:59

The North Canterbury 'Bush Janitor' with a unique...

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

A man dubbed the Bush Janitor hopes his caretaking efforts will result in kiwi being reintroduced to a North Canterbury sheep and beef farm in the next decade. It might sound ambitious, even outlandish, but he's got the backing of the farm's fourth generation cockie. Our reporter, Timothy Brown, spent the day at Island Hills Station and filed this report.

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00:09:28

Northland child immunisation rates on the slide

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

The region at the heart of a current measles outbreak has seen the biggest slide in child vaccination rates in in the country. The number of Northland children fully immunised at 24 months of age has dropped about four percent to just 62.3 percent in the past three months with the region lagging way behind other areas. That's despite an overall improvement nationwide. Health target data released today shows 82 percent of two-year-olds have had all their vaccinations up from 76.5 percent last

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00:02:48

Machete found in Akl reserve five months after killing.

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

"This is not over". That is the message from Auckland police as they encourage anyone who knows anything about the killing of American university student Kyle Whorral to come forward. The 33-year-old was attacked at a bus stop over Easter with a large bladed weapon and died in hospital. Auckland police have revealed they have found a machete but say the hunt for everyone who was involved in the killing goes on. Kim Baker Wilson reports.

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00:05:47

Taurua negotiating coaching future with Netball NZ

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

Dame Noeline Taurua has been in negotiations with Netball New Zealand today to see whether she'll be able to coach the Silver Ferns again. Taurua and her coaching team were stood down ahead of the Taini Jamison series earlier this month, in what was a bombshell announcement from Netball New Zealand. With the Silver Ferns heading into their next camp on October 6, the clock is ticking to try and find a resolution and break what appears to be a deadlock between Taurua, the Players' Association

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00:07:53

119 jobs to go at Tokoroa plywood plant

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

Tokoroa residents say they are worried what will happen to their town after it was confirmed today 119 jobs will be lost at its plywood manufacturing plant. It is just the latest blow to the south Waikato town with its paper mill closing down in June taking 150 jobs with it. Carter holt harvey which run the plywood plant, met with workers this afternoon to discuss the future of the business. An E Tu Union delegate has confirmed to RNZ that they have decided to close in early November, with 119

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00:07:03

Gaza peace deal "beyond very close" - Trump

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump's plan to bring an end to the war in Gaza.

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00:06:42

Traffic management costs skyrocket

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/30

Event organisers are being forced to go in a completely different direction to cut traffic management costs. The safety measures to avoid possible accidents and injuries like bright orange cones, crowd barriers, marshals and volunteers all come with a price tag. The Cambridge Harriers and Athletic Club hosted its half marathon recently but opted for a modified route to avoid public roads and footpaths, and some of the costs associated with wrangling both humans and vehicles. Cambridge Harriers

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00:03:45

Starmer speaks out on Reform party immigration policy

Checkpoint ·

2025/09/29

United Kingdom correpondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about UK Prime Minister Keir starmer speaking up on Refrom party's immigration policy, as well as the UK experimenting with growing its own rice crops.

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1,776 results

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