Checkpoint

The walking track to the popular Coromandel tourist destination was closed in February last year after it was badly damaged in extreme weather, including Cyclone Gabrielle.

Over the next few months, the Department of Conservation will consult on options for a resilient safe track.

No guarantee for Cathedral Cove walkway - DOC The Department of Conservation has conceded there's no guarantee a walk way to Catheral Cove will ever re-open but expects to know what may be possible by the middle of the year. The walking track to the popular Coromandel tourist destination was closed in February last year after it was badly damag...

A Wellington resident says she would rather have functioning pipes than a newly rebuilt town hall.

Houghton Bay water main rupture leaves 200 homes without water A Wellington resident says she would rather have functioning pipes than a newly rebuilt town hall. Yesterday, a leaking water main in Houghton Bay ruptured sending a torrent of mud and trees into the valley below and left two hundred homes without water. Mayor Tory Whanau insists that water infrustr...

The environmental impacts and the huge price tag of the Games fueled today's debate, but the council narrowly passed a proposal to look into it.

Commonwealth Games; Protestors throw fake cash onto councillors Christchurch councillors had fake cash thrown in their faces as they discussed a possible bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. The environmental impacts and the huge price tag of the Games fuelled today's debate, but the council narrowly passed a proposal to look into it. Reporter Niva Chittock....

Hold onto your wallets, it's official, inflation is deflating.

Consumer prices rose just half a percent in the three months to end of December, taking the annual inflation rate to 4-point seven percent.

Inflation slowed to lowest levels in 2 years Hold onto your wallets, It's official, inflation is deflating. The latest figures show it's slowed to its lowest levels in two years. Consumer prices rose just half a percent in the three months to end of December, taking the annual inflation rate to 4-point seven percent. Infometrics Chief Executiv...

From January to March, adult kororā penguins shed their waterproof feathers to grow new ones.

But a lack of food in the Hauraki Gulf means many birds are not making it, renewing calls for urgent action.

Growing concerns for fate of penguins on Waiheke Island There's growing concern for the fate of kororā penguins on Waiheke island with several found dead and others severely malnourished this moulting season. During January to March, adult kororā penguins shed their waterproof feathers to grow new ones. But as Louise Ternouth reports, a lack of food in...

Protestors, rule changes and rowdy fans have been testing the limits of some of the world's top tennis players at the Australian Open.

Disruptions in the stands aren't uncommon but some players at this grand slam think it has gone too far.

Aus Open: Protests, rules, rowdy fans irking tennis stars Protestors, rule changes and rowdy fans have been testing the limits of some of the world's top tennis players at the Australian Open. Disruptions in the stands aren't uncommon but some players at this grand slam think it has gone too far. Sports reporter Felicity Reid talks to Lisa Owen. [embed] ht...

A Wellington mum says she's relying on bread and pasta to keep food costs down and fill tummies at home.

Shoppers say fruit, veggies, meat and dairy products are blowing the budget and they're looking for alternatives to manage costs.

Investigation into supermarkets as shoppers struggle with costs A Wellington mum says she's relying on bread and pasta to keep food costs down and fill tummies at home. Shoppers say fruit, veggies, meat and dairy products are blowing the budget and they're looking for alternatives to manage costs. At the same time, the Commerce Commission is investigating the tw...

Imagine this, it's up to 28 degrees in the afternoon sun, with stifling humidity and you're forced to sprint more than half a kilometre as fast as you possibly can.

It's ruthless and exactly what's happening to greyhound racing dogs; according to animal welfare advocates.

Greyhound advocates record +30C temperatures in dog trailers Imagine this, it's up to 28 degrees in the afternoon sun, with stiffling humidity and you're forced to sprint more than half a kilometre as fast as you possibly can. It's ruthless and exactly what's happening to greyhound racing dogs; according to animal welfare advocates. The Labour government put....

If you are in one of the temperature hot spots, getting a good night's sleep may be a challenge right now.

So to help turn the nightmare around, University of Otago sleep researcher Professor Barbara Galland gives a few tips on sleeping well through the heat.

Weather hot spots causing challenges with sleep If you are in one of the hot spots literally, getting a good night sleep may be a challenge. So to help turn the nightmare around we're joined by University of Otago sleep researcher Professor Barbara Galland. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=63...

After two years of COVID-19, and its lifeline highway washed away in last year's summer storms, it's been a disruptive few years.

But with the road rebuilt, the people have returned, filling shops, restaurants and accommodation, pumping life back into the area.

Coromandel businesses say summer has been 'best in a decade' Coromandel business owners are hailing what they say is the best summer in a decade. After two years of covid, and its lifeline highway washed away in last year's summer storms, it's been a disruptive few years. But with the road rebuilt, the people have returned, filling shops, restaurants and acco...

'A scene from Mad Max', is how one surfer has described the chaos on Muriwai Beach, when vehicles are hooning around.

The death of a young person has sparked calls for vehicles to be permanently banned from the beach on Auckland's west coast.

Muriwai beach death sparks calls for vehicle ban A scene from Mad Max is how one surfer has described the chaos on Muriwai Beach, when vehicles are hooning around. The death of a young person has sparked calls for vehicles to be permanently banned from the beach on Auckland's west coast. Cars can go up to 60 kays an hour on parts of Muriwai beach,...

Christchurch's Methodist Mission has been a hive of holiday cheer today, as donated Christmas hampers were dropped off and given to those struggling to put a meal on the table.

Church mission spreads holiday cheer to people in need Christchurch's Methodist Mission has been a hive of holiday cheer today, as donated Christmas hampers were dropped off and given to those struggling to put a meal on the table. Volunteers, dressed as reindeer and elves, helped unload car after car filled with boxes of Christmas lunch, presents and f...

Latest figures show road crashes are costing the country billions of dollars.

With summer holidays just round the corner, a former road safety officer is reminding people to be safe

Figures show road crashes costing the country billions Latest figures show road crashes are costing the country billions of dollars. With summer holidays just round the corner, a former road safety officer is reminding people to be safe. Our reporter Emma Stanford went along to an Auckland Transport seminar

Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has ruled out expelling the Russian ambassador.

This, despite his coalition partners National and ACT calling for an expulsion earlier this year.

Foreign Minister rules out expelling the Russian ambassador Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has ruled out expelling the Russian ambassador. This, despite his coalition partners National and ACT calling for an expulsion earlier this year. MPs had their last question time for the year today and as political reporter Anneke Smith reports - things got a....

Animal Control Officers will be out in force at Auckland's West Coast beaches, making sure nobody's breaking the rules.

Piha is one of the region's worst beaches for bad behaviour from dog owners.

Animal control officers out in force at West Coast beaches in Auckland Animal Control Officers will be out in force at Auckland's West Coast beaches , making sure nobody's breaking the rules. Piha is one of the region's worst beaches for bad behaviour from dog owners. Auckland Council's Team Leader of Animal Management Aaron Neary speaks to Jimmy Ellingham

Wellington International Airport is fighting a constant battle to prevent online scams that use their branding to reel in unsuspecting people.

It says as soon as one scam is taken down, another pops up in it's place.

Facebook scam claims to sell Wellington airport's lost luggage Wellington International Airport is fighting a constant battle to prevent online scams that use their branding to reel in unsuspecting people. It says as soon as one scam is taken down, another pops up in it's place. Bill Hickman has more.

It's a Christmas miracle for Coromandel, with the new 124 metre Taparahi Bridge opening on State Highway 25A this morning.

The Kopu-Hikuai section has been shut since January due to structural cracks in the road, which was eventually washed away by heavy rain.

Christmas miracle: Key Coromadel road reopened this morning It's a Christmas miracle for Coromandel, with the new 124 metre Taparahi Bridge opening on State Highway 25A this morning. The Kopu-Hikuai section has been shut since January due to structural cracks in the road, which was eventually washed away by heavy rain. Initially slated to open next April, th...

The government has found almost $7.5 billion in savings, it revealed in today's 'mini-Budget'.

This comes from stopping a range of work the Labour government had under way.

Finance Minister on 'mini-mini budget' Finance minister Nicola Willis speaks to Jimmy Ellingham

There were handshakes, jersey swaps and serious talks on defence during Christopher Luxon's first official trip as Prime Minister.

PM Australia visit: 501 deportee conversation re-emerges There were handshakes, jersey swaps and serious talks on defence during Christopher Luxon's first official trip as Prime Minister. Mr Luxon is about to return from a whirlwind visit to Australia - one where he couldn't avoid a topic he thought was resolved. Our political reporter Giles Dexter is in....

Southland Police are urging caution in the water after a woman was bitten by a shark in Riverton.

The 21-year-old received a significant laceration to her leg, after walking in knee deep water in an estuary at 2am.

Shark scientist: How to avoid a nasty encounter Southland Police are urging caution in the water after a woman was bitten by a shark in Riverton. The 21-year-old recieved a signifcant laceration to her leg, after walking in knee deep water in an estuary at 2am.. Police beleive the culprit was a Seven gill shark - and the time of day may have been...

DOC has managed to get new walking tracks around Cathedral Cove open for summer, despite the hike down to the popular Coromandel beach being off the cards.

Extreme weather events in January and February brought down landslides and harmful rock falls at the cove.

The track to recovery is no easy fix

Walking tracks around Cathedral Cove open for summer DOC has managed to get new walking tracks around Cathedral Cove open for summer, despite the hike down to the popular Coromandel beach being off the cards, for now. Extreme weather events in January and February brought down landslides and harmful rock falls at the cove. The track to recovery is no....

Six people have appeared in court today, charged over allegations Corrections staff were bribed with cash and s*x to take contraband into Wellington's Rimutaka Prison.

Of the six, three men have been charged with accepting money to bring in contraband, while a 50-year-old man is accused of accepting s*x from a 37-year-old woman.

Six charged over allegations Corrections staff were bribed with s*x and cash Six people have appeared in court today, charged over allegations Corrections staff were bribed with cash and s*x to take contraband into Wellington's Rimutaka Prison. Of the six, three men have been charged with accepting money to bring in contraband, while a 50-year-old man is accused of accepting...

The Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, has spent another day batting away claims of hypocrisy, with his previous comments about te reo and international travel coming back to haunt him.

Previous comments come back to haunt PM The Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, has spent another day batting away claims of hypocrisy, with his previous comments about te reo and international travel coming back to haunt him. It comes the day before he departs for his first international engagement - a one-day visit to Australia. Here's o...

Although Aotearoa has some of the strictest quarantine regulations in the world, some travellers still try to sneak in items that are not allowed.

In the past three months, quarantine officers seized more than 30,000 items, and fined 2,000 people.

Biosecurity New Zealand says frontline teams are ready to tackle the inlux of tourists expected to come through our borders this summer.

The dangerous & the bizarre: What items tourists try to sneak into NZ Although Aotearoa has some of the strictest quarantine regulations in the world, some travellers still try to sneak in items that are not allowed. In the past three months, quarantine officers seized more than 30,000 items, and fined 2,000 people. The finds include dried fruit in a milk container, a...

Cairns airport is underwater as heavy rain continues to lash Queensland's far north.

The remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Jasper have caused widespread destruction.

Cairns airport underwater as heavy rain hits Queensland's far north Cairns airport is underwater as heavy rain continues to lash Queensland's far north. The remnants of ex-tropical cyclone Jasper have caused widespread destruction. The main roads into Cairns were blocked and people were being evacuated from their homes in the worst flooding the city of 150,000 peopl...