RNZ

Checkpoint

News EN ↓ 2017 episodes

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

Be sure to visit the podcast's website and support the creator: www.rnz.co.nz

Author

RNZ

Category

News

Podcast website

www.rnz.co.nz

Latest episode

Oct 23, 2026

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Episodes

Black Caps leave with win but West Indies get final victory 22.07.2026

While the Black Caps leave the Carribean with the series win, the West Indies got the last laugh today. New Zealand were 3-1 heading into the fifth and final One Dayer in Bridgetwon today and looking for a statement finish, but the hosts had other ideas. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

All kerbside glass could be recycled if Auckland and Christchurch play their part 22.07.2026

New Zealand could recycle virtually all of its kerbside glass if Auckland and Christchurch got on board, according to a glass recycling expert. Chris Grant, who runs 5R solutions says Auckland only recycle about 50 percent of bottles and jars it collect because of contamination from other recyclable products. Chris Grant spoke to Lisa Owen.

Stuart Nash slammed for calling MP taking maternity leave 'lazy' 22.07.2026

New Zealand First's Stuart Nash is in trouble again for his comments about women. Politicians from across Parliament are outraged after the Napier candidate accused his competition of being lazy for taking maternity leave. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon reckons Mr Nash is channelling the online manosphere, while Nicola Willis says his attitude belongs in the 1920s. Political reporter Russell Pal...

Intermediate school cancels camp as families can't afford the cost 22.07.2026

School camp is becoming is becoming a barometer for the state of household finances. Papatoetoe Intermediate School has been forced to cancel its camp this year because so few families could afford it, despite attempts to keep the price down. Only 160 out of 750 students confirmed they could go. Papatoetoe Intermediate School Principal, Pauline Cornwell spoke to Lisa Owen.

RNV festival goers gutted as New Year's event leaves Gisborne 22.07.2026

Rhythm and Vines festival goers say they're gutted the New Year's event is leaving Gisborne. Festival organisers have announced this year's four-day celebration will be the last one held in the region. They're taking it to a new location but its new home hasn't been announced yet. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti Reporter Alexa Cook reports.

Southland cancer patient left in the dark after operation cancelled 22.07.2026

A Southland man who needs regular surgeries to repress the growth of cancer on his kidney says he ws left in the dark for months after his latest operation was abruptly cancelled. It follows the resignation of two urologists earlier this year, as well as what Health New Zealand describes as unanticipated absences in the department. Now, Southland health advocates are worried about what the future...

Prison officers battling short staffing, inexperienced workforce 22.07.2026

A prison officers union says they're battling high resignation rates, constant short staffing and an inexperienced workforce. A report into Waikato's Spring Hill prison found low staff morale, high levels of unplanned absences and almost forty percent of custodial staff had less than two years experience. Corrections Association president Floyd du Plessis spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand at risk of missing all its climate targets 22.07.2026

Inaction on greenhouse gases isn't just harming the climate - it's now costing households money. That's the finding of the Climate Change Commission, which said today that New Zealand is at risk of missing all its climate targets. It says the longer the country delays action, the more disorderly and costly the transition will eventually be. Climate change correspondent Kate Newton reports.

Glasgow set to welcome back Commonwealth Games 22.07.2026

Twelve years after hosting one of its biggest sporting events, Glasgow is set to welcome back the Commonwealth Games. The Games gets under way on Friday morning with the opening ceremony. But with a stripped back schedule and tight budget, can the city recapture the magic from 2014? Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Students on international stage after creating AI tool to replicate scents 22.07.2026

Scents can transport you to a place, remind you of a person or experience. But imagine if you could reverse engineer that, and give AI the memory and ask it to create a perfume to trigger that selected memory. It's an idea that took three University of Auckland engineering students to Paris for the L'Oreal youth innovation contest, Brandstorm. Engineering student Mihir Ojas Rallapudi spoke to Lisa...

Renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis 22.07.2026

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about more attacks in the US-Iran war and renewed tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthis causing trouble at sea, as well as Lebanon's president visiting the White House.

NZ doctors using too many antibiotics, risking superbug growth 22.07.2026

A global study published today shows New Zealand doctors are using too many antibiotics, risking the growth of 'superbugs'. An Invercargill mum who suffered for months with an antibiotic-resistant infection says something needs to change. A warning, this story includes details some may find disturbing. Felix Walton reports.

Calls for cross party support on mandatory pay gap reporting 22.07.2026

A group of high profile pay equity campaigners are calling for politicians to do more to close the pay equity gap. Global Women is calling for cross party support to make it mandatory for businesses of a certain size to report their gender pay gap. According to the Ministry for Women, the pay gap for NZ women across the board is 5.2 percent. STILLMindingTheGap.nz campaign manager Jo Cribb spoke to...

Australia's One Nation leader faces scrutiny as polls show positive result 21.07.2026

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about One Nation leader Pauline Hanson facing increasing media scrutiny, with polls showing many Australians are considering giving her their vote.

Councillors to decide whether to make changes to controversial Plan Change 120 21.07.2026

Auckland councillors are discussing potential changes to the controversial Plan Change 120. The plan will dictate the scale of housing intensification across the city. Today, councillors must decide whether to make changes, or withdraw parts of the original version of the plan before it goes out again to the public. Erin Johnson has been at the meeting and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Evening business for 21 July 2026 21.07.2026

News from the business sector, including a market report.

All Whites breakout star signed to Championship after World Cup success 21.07.2026

All Whites midfielder Eli Just had a breakout Football World Cup that caught the attention of English Championship clubs. Just is reportedly set to make the move from the Scottish Premiership to Wales with Championship side Swansea City. The new club contract comes after the 26 year old scored three goals at the World Cup. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Christchurch bike fix up seeing high demand 21.07.2026

A Christchurch workshop that effectively gives bikes away is seeing record high demand. Each year, volunteer organisation Aranui Bike Fixup spruces up or refurbishes hundreds of bikes. Right now demand is up, despite winter usually being a quieter time. Founder of the Aranui Bike Fixup, Steven Muir spoke to Lisa Owen.

Rhythm and Vines to move on from iconic Gisborne location 21.07.2026

The promoters behind Rhythm and Vines say this year's music festival will be the last in Gisborne. The popular four day event has been held at Waiohika Estate for 24 years, but organisers delivered news to the region's Mayor today. Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz spoke to Lisa Owen.

Money spent on locum doctors hits new high 21.07.2026

The amount of money spent on temporary doctors to plug gaps in the health system has hit a new high, topping $200 million for the third year in a row. Health NZ says it is working hard to recruit specialists and has even cut the budget for locums. But others in the health sector say more drastic action is needed to bring the spend under control and incentivise doctors to stay on our shores. Jimmy...

Waikato prisoners accessing contraband, prison overpopulated 21.07.2026

Low staff morale, no onsite drug testing for years, contraband readily available, and filthy uninhabitable parts of the jail. That's just some of the serious concerns identified at the Spring Hill Correctional Facility. A report by the Inspectorate Office, the prison watchdog, also highlights issues with staff absences, long lockdowns for inmates, inadequate meals and a prison population way over...

Iwi involvement in councils at risk - Iwi chair 21.07.2026

The chair of a Northland iwi says plans to scrap iwi involvement in councils under the RMA will take away a seat at the decision making table for Māori. Recommended changes to the proposed RMA reforms include scrapping agreements dictating the role of iwi in council decision making - called Mana Whakahono a Rohe agreements. Political reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira has more.

Inflation hits a two year high at 4.1 percent 21.07.2026

Inflation has hit a two year high, reaching 4.1 percent. The rate has been driven by higher fuel, electricity and housing costs. Emertius Professor of Economics at Auckland University, Tim Hazledine spoke to Lisa Owen.

LynnMall attacker held in extreme prisoners unit prior to attack 21.07.2026

The Coroner's court has heard about the extreme prisoners unit where Ahamed Samsudeen was held before he attacked shoppers at an Auckland mall. Samsudeen was shot dead by police, ending his stabbing spree at LynnMall five years ago. A Coroner's inquest is underway into his death. Finn Blackwell was in court.

Tennis fans in for hot competition to get Australian Open tickets 21.07.2026

Tennis fans wanting to get cheap tickets to the only Grand Slam in this part of the world will have to get in early. Changes to the ticketing for the Australian Open were announced today and tournament organisers are capping how many people get access to the most popular tickets. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

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