Stories by Zac Fleming
Audio and features
Sixteen retail chains accused of underpaying staff
Tens of thousands of minimum wage workers are potentially collectively owed millions of dollars in unpaid wages, with 16 of New Zealand's largest retailers now accused of forcing their employees to… Video, Audio
Some Spotlight staff not paid for 15 minute meetings
Spotlight has launched an internal investigation after employees at its Christchurch store told Checkpoint they weren't paid for 15 minute meetings they had to attend. Zac Fleming reports. Video, Audio
Smiths City ordered to pay staff for unpaid meetings
For 15 years, Smiths City staff were expected to attend a 15 minute morning meeting they weren't paid for. The company has now been given three months to pay up. Zac Fleming reports. Video, Audio
Is this the start of the end for letters?
The number of letters being sent in New Zealand is expected to plummet by at least 14 percent this year, which will cut around $30 million from NZ Post's revenue. Zac Fleming did a little Checkpoint… Video, Audio
SSC investigation into Thompson + Clark could include DoC
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the controversial security firm Thompson & Clark's surveillance of 1080 protesters may also be investigated by the State Services Commission. Audio
DOC using Thompson + Clark to monitor anti-1080 activists
The Department of Conservation has used Thompson + Clark to monitor anti-1080 activists for nearly two years. DoC maintains it's not using the firm to spy, and has refused to release messages shared… Audio
Criminals waiting months to get alcohol & drug treatment
Heavily addicted criminals are waiting up to five months for treatment in a court programme purposefully designed to treat addiction as a health issue and keep people out of prison. Zac Fleming… Video, Audio
MFAT used Thompson + Clark for security at TPP protest
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade used Thompson & Clark for security during a massive TPP protest in Auckland in 2016. The controversial security consultants are being investigated by the State… Audio
HNZ's actions 'petty and vindictive' - Phil Twyford
Housing Minister Phil Twyford says Housing New Zealand was "petty and vindictive" for taking a pensioner to the tenancy tribunal over a small table outside her front door. Video, Audio
Max penalty for owners of unsafe buildings ‘weak’ $1000 fine
The maximum penalty handed down to Auckland building owners who refuse to fix safety problems is a $1000 fine, which Auckland Council says is not enough to force compliance. Video, Audio
Precedent setting Matata evictions 'need to be nationally notified'
Sixteen homeowners fighting the removal of their land use rights say the entire country should be allowed to make submissions on the case because it will set a precedent for the future. Video, Audio
Surf life savers refusing to work at Auckland's dirty, unsafe beaches
Ocean swimming events are now regularly being cancelled in Auckland because the city's beaches are so dirty surf life savers are refusing to oversee them. Audio
Swan song for iconic Kings Arms pub
The King's Arms Tavern was built in the late 1800s and has been hosting the who's who of New Zealand music since the mid 90s, but it's being bowled for apartments. Video, Audio
Disgraced, unlicenced agent aids in flip of million-dollar property
A disgraced real estate agent helped sell an Auckland property to his aunt while unlicensed for less than half its market value, with it selling again the same day for a $525,000 profit. Video, Audio
Nosh successor The Grocer's Market put into receivership
The Grocer's Market, owned and run by disgraced real estate agent Aaron Drever, has been put into receivership owing suppliers and employees hundreds of thousands of dollars. Video, Audio
Staff, suppliers not being paid at Nosh successor
Former employees and suppliers at the grocer that replaced Nosh in Auckland say they've lost all faith they'll ever be paid. Video, Audio
Small Fijian islands brace for destructive Cyclone Gita
All communication to Fiji's remote southern Lau Islands is currently cut off, Fiji's Disaster Management Office says. It is expecting the area to be very badly damaged. Audio
Hunting Rangitoto Island's black cat
Checkpoint visited Rangitoto Island today to search for a feline pest, alongside the Department of Conservation, in a desperate attempt to keep the island pest free. Video, Audio
Grocer's Market repeating Nosh's mistakes
It’s déjà vu at the grocer that replaced Nosh in Auckland with suppliers and former staff saying they’re not being paid. Video, Audio
478 days later, does Sky World have a WoF?
Sky World hasn't had a WoF for 478 days because of safety issues. At least six companies say they're waiting to be paid for work they did, but as Zac Fleming explains, it's not only money that's been… Video, Audio
KFC rosters manipulated to withhold days in lieu - former managers
Former managers at fast food chain KFC say they were told to manipulate rosters in the lead up to public holidays so the company could avoid giving staff a day in lieu.
Video, Audio
Where refugees go when they arrive in New Zealand
Hundreds of refugees arrive in New Zealand each year, and they call the Mangere Refugee Settlement Centre home for the first six weeks they are here. Zac Fleming took a tour of the centre. Audio
Biker kid cruises ahead of competition
At the start of the year, Johnloyd Turua, 7 could hardly ride a bike. He's since beaten dozens of kids who race BMX bikes regularly. Video, Audio
Wendy's illegally refused staff public holiday entitlements
Businesses across New Zealand may have to re-think how they treat public holidays after the ERA found Wendy's was acting unlawfully when deciding who got a day in lieu, and who didn't. Video, Audio
Tamati Coffey uninvited from awards gala after winning election
The new Waiariki MP was uninvited from the Te Arawa Awards on September 29 because organisers didn't want to upset the newly ousted Maori Party Leader Te Ururoa Flavell. Audio