# Checkpoint Checkpoint with Lisa Owen is RNZ’s weekday drive-time news programme, Our people, stories and breaking news and interviews from 4-6pm. Page: Feed: --- ## [British PM talks up commitment to Ukraine](https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2019048321/british-pm-talks-up-commitment-to-ukraine) _2026-08-19_ United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about British Prime Minister Andy Burnham talking up his country's commitment to Ukraine, as well as a salmonella outbreak in the UK, believed to be linked to imported eggs. [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/podcast.radionz.co.nz/ckpt/ckpt-20260819-1744-british_pm_talks_up_commitment_to_ukraine-128.mp3) ## [Evening business for 19 August 2026](https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/businessnews/audio/2019048320/evening-business-for-19-august-2026) _2026-08-19_ News from the business sector, including a market report. [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/podcast.radionz.co.nz/business/bus-ckpt-20260819-1737-evening_business_for_19_august_2026-128.mp3) ## [Sideline abuse at youth rugby games still an issue](https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2019048318/sideline-abuse-at-youth-rugby-games-still-an-issue) _2026-08-19_ Months after the Waikato Rugby Union took a strong stance on sideline abuse at youth rugby games - not much has changed. Union boss Amy Marfell spoke out in May, ahead of the season kicking off, saying the region would have a zero tolerance for abuse. This weekend Waikato will celebrate their youth players but there is still a concern that adults' behaviour could turn children away from the game.… [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/podcast.radionz.co.nz/ckpt/ckpt-20260819-1733-sideline_abuse_at_youth_rugby_games_still_an_issue-128.mp3) ## [Teens injecting themselves with black market weight loss drugs](https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2019048317/teens-injecting-themselves-with-black-market-weight-loss-drugs) _2026-08-19_ Teenagers are among the growing group of people injecting themselves with black market drugs under the promise of health benefits ranging from weight loss to skin care. In May, Medsafe issued a safety alert about the rise in illegal peptides being imported, sold and used without being tested for safety, quality or efficacy. But health advocates say there's been a massive increase in people using… [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/podcast.radionz.co.nz/ckpt/ckpt-20260819-1729-safety_alert_about_rise_in_illegal_peptides_being_ignored-128.mp3) ## [El Nino temperatures may bring wildfires to Chch this summer](https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2019048316/el-nino-temperatures-may-bring-wildfires-to-chch-this-summer) _2026-08-19_ Emergency management in Christchurch is preparing for wildfires, 'spiky' temperatures and weather whiplash when El Nino peaks this summer. It usually means wetter conditions in the south-west of the South Island - and drier, windier conditions for other parts of the country, especially the east coast. Wildfires are a particular concern with emergency teams meeting today to discuss preparation.… [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/podcast.radionz.co.nz/ckpt/ckpt-20260819-1724-el_nino_temperatures_may_bring_wildfires_to_chch_this_summer-128.mp3) ## [Landslide risk at Mount Maunganui was found decades before fatal accident](https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2019048313/landslide-risk-at-mount-maunganui-was-found-decades-before-fatal-accident) _2026-08-19_ This was not a hazard that was unknown hidden or beyond the reach of foresite as for more than two decades one geo tech consultant after another indentified the land side hazard at the camp ground. Those conclusions from the author of a report into the fatal Mount Maunganui landslide. Retired High Court judge, Paul Davison K-C has found the tragedy was preventable. Chief executive of Tauranga City… [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/podcast.radionz.co.nz/ckpt/ckpt-20260819-1708-report_into_fatal_landslide_details_previous_warnings-128.mp3) ## [Bakeries going head to head in charity pie competition](https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2019048310/bakeries-going-head-to-head-in-charity-pie-competition) _2026-08-19_ Bakeries and pie shops across New Zealand and Australia are going head to head in a month-long pie competition for charity. A dollar for every pie sold in the Meanest Pie Challenge in September will go to the Cancer Society. Anya Fielding reports. [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/podcast.radionz.co.nz/ckpt/ckpt-20260819-1654-bakeries_going_head_to_head_in_charity_pie_competition-128.mp3) ## [Emergency Management Minister reacts to Mount landslide report](https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2019048305/emergency-management-minister-reacts-to-mount-landslide-report) _2026-08-19_ A report into the fatal landslide at Mount Maunganui in January says information identifying a risk to life was received, filed, discussed, forwarded and then left. The alarm has been sounded as long ago as 1999. Political reporter Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa Owen about Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell's reaction to the findings. [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/podcast.radionz.co.nz/ckpt/ckpt-20260819-1648-report_into_fatal_landslide_received_discussed_then_left-128.mp3) ## [Methven locals pushed off of property ladder by Airbnbs](https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2019048304/methven-locals-pushed-off-of-property-ladder-by-airbnbs) _2026-08-19_ Some Methven locals are missing out on purchasing homes because out-of-towners are snapping them up to rent out as Airbnbs. Average property values rose by almost 70 percent from 2018 to 2024 and the latest census figures show more than 13 percent of homes are unoccupied. Timothy Brown reports. [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/podcast.radionz.co.nz/ckpt/ckpt-20260819-1644-methven_locals_pushed_off_of_property_ladder_by_airbnbs-128.mp3) ## [Make any domain metal (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/Y8oqRYTNpxu0) _2026-08-19 · **Sponsored**_ Turn any domain into a blacked-out metal landing page with an email waitlist ## [Former Silver Ferns captain moving to Australian league](https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2019048302/former-silver-ferns-captain-moving-to-australian-league) _2026-08-19_ New Zealand has lost former Silver Ferns captain Ameliaranne Ekenasio to the Australian netball league for 2027. The move comes as the fate of the domestic competition remains uncertain - with a possibility of more players following suit and looking abroad. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen. [Listen](https://flex.acast.com/podcast.radionz.co.nz/ckpt/ckpt-20260819-1631-nz_loses_former_silver_ferns_captain_to_australia-128.mp3)