Checkpoint

Former United Future leader Peter Dunne spent more than three decades as an MP, he was also a Minister. He supported a Labour coalition Government, New Zealand First was part of that arrangement and was also part of National led coalitions. Peter Dunne spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has put his hand up, admitting he made a mistake by not consulting the Prime Minister's office before releasing a bombshell email chain about the government's stance on the Iran war. But he's not apologising for making them public saying there's no reason they shouldn't be out in the open. The Prime Minister isn't happy, his office said he expects more of th...

An albatross injured in last week's lower North Island storm is due for release off the coast of Napier today and two others hurt in the same wild weather are on the road to recovery. They've rehabilitated at Palmerston North's Wildbase Hospital, where they're treated to a diet of salmon, and swim in an indoor pool. The hospital's manager said the increasing frequency of storms is keeping the serv...

The goverment wants to cap rate increases at between two and four percent a year, saying double digit increases year after year are unsustainable for households. It plans to bring in a new law by January 2027, with a two year transition to caps. S & P said councils don't look ready to comply, only 5 out of 78 managed to deliver a rate increase below four percent for the 2025, 2026 year. LGNZ Board...

An international crew of 10 women, including one New Zealander, sailed out of Auckland today on an expedition to trace plastic in the ocean. Their first stop is Aotea, Great Barrier Island, where they'll conduct a plastic cleanup. From there, they'll sail to the Bay of Islands. The South Pacific expedition, which also includes Tonga, is the first stage of a global voyage by eXXpedition's to map pl...

The NRL's newest club, the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, have secured one of the biggest names in the game, while the Warriors are fending off rumours one of their stars is set to leave. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A rural support network is bracing for what may be on the horizon for isolated commuties that rely on fuel as the conflict in the Middle East drags on. The US president has told his officials to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iranian ports, spiking oil prices. Rural Women New Zealand chief executive Sandra Kirby said its members feel like there's a long winter ahead. She spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Armed to the teeth." That's how Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of trying to assassinate the US President, was described in court. Prosecutors shared a photo of the 31-year-old equipped with a knife and ammunition, which they say he took in a hotel room before heading to the White House correspondents' dinner. Meanwhile, questions remain over who fired the shot that struck a Secret Service agen...

Supermarkets and cities are facing a problem with borrowed and abandoned shopping trolleys. A New World in Auckland's Point Chevalier has posted on social media that it's gutted at the sheer number of trollies that are AWOL just eight months after it opened. It effectively had an amnesty on Thursday, park it on the foot path and it was cruising the streets to collect them. Reporter Bella Craig wen...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about how Prime Minister Keir Starmer has avoided a parliamentary inquiry into Peter Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador and how King Charles has made an address to Congress during his state visit to the United States. She also spoke about how a brand new sports stadium has been unveiled for England.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The White Ferns' T20 Cricket World Cup title defence in June will be a farewell for a trio of long-standing players and a new challenge for a duo who have been making a name for themselves at the domestic level.

40 South Auckland factory workers are in limbo with the mattress company they work for in voluntary administration. Australian mattress makers, A-H Beard have been in business for 126 years. Workers at the Wiri factory were told to take their belongings and leave yesterday. E Tu representative Mat Danaher spoke to Lisa Owen.

Fair Food recycles 15,000 tonnes of food that doesn't sell in supermarkets each week, donating it to charities who then deliver to whanau in need. But with the sky-rocketing cost of using diesel-run trucks and no promises whether they'll get government funding in the next budget, their future remains uncertain. Bella Craig reports.

A rule for the rich and a different rule for everyone else. Green MP Ricardo Menedez March is calling out what he sees as a double standard around strict english tests for immigrant bus drivers, but zero language requirements for people on the so called Golden Visa. Green MP Ricardo Menedez March spoke to Lisa Owen.

With interest in residential solar skyrocketing, a green energy advocacy group is renewing its call for the government to support a loan scheme with councils targeting home owners wanting to convert to rooftop solar. In the past year,10,344 residential properties were hooked up to solar, up about four percent on the previous twelve months. A breakdown by region showed Canterbury led the pack, with...

Sustainability experts say environmental damage from cruise ships far outweigh any economic benefits for local businesses. Studies have found cruise passengers spend less money than other tourists and the ships themselves cause pollution. But business leaders say cruise ships bring tens of millions of dollars. Felix Walton has more.

The NRL's newest expansion team have been splashing the cash. Papua New Guinea-based club, which will join the competition in 2028, announced its first signings. luring some big names on big contracts. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A mainland colony of sealions is roaring ahead, hitting a major milestone after a stellar breeding season. For the first time in more than a century the Otago Pakeke sealion population has delivered more than 35 pups. Shaun McConkey, chair of the New Zealand Sea Lion Trust spoke to Lisa Owen.

The sidekick of a notorious drug lord who had an $8-million NZD bounty on his head has been arrested. Earlier this year, Mexico's most wanted man, a top cartel leader known as "El Mencho," was killed in a military operation. His death triggered a wave of violence across the country. Now, one of his top aides, nicknamed "The Gardener," has been captured after authorities found him hiding in a ditch...

Getting a day off in lieu for working any part of a public holiday could be a thing of the past if a new law goes ahead. The PSA said the government's Employment Leave Bill will reduce the pay of hundreds of thouands of workers along with their leave allowances. Senior employment lawyer Gerard Elwell spoke to Lisa Owen.

After a mammoth three-day rugby extravaganza at Christchurch's new stadium, fans and central city business-owners are delighted with how the weekend went. Around 75,000 people went to Super Round matches, with bars having some of their busiest days ever. Rachel Graham has more.

It was the worst mass shooting in modern Australian history and as the country marks the 30th anniversary of the Port Arthur massacre, survivors and their families having been reflecting on the event that changed Australia. Correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

While the Wellington Phoenix are firmly focused on next season with the appointment of a new head coach, Auckland FC are still fighting to keep their A-League season alive. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.