Checkpoint

NZTA is cutting the amount of funding it gives some councils to help with essential infrastructure, causing them to seek an urgent review. Among them is Tararua District Council, which says the agency's decision to cut it's contribution to the roading network will cost the district more than $1.2 million over three years. Tararua District Council is one of more than a dozen councils that have seen...

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about national debate flaring up again over what can be done to stop a flood of illegal tobacco products from entering the country.

Evening business including a market report.

The All Blacks are just a few hours away from revealing their team to play the Springboks in the third test in Johannesburg, and coach Dave Rennie is expected to inject some fresh legs into the side. A few changes are expected from the team that lost to South Africa last weekend. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Melissa Chan-Green from South Africa.

A new lifejacket rule passed just as boatie season is about to ramp up, is expected to save at least ten lives a year. Lifejackets will now need to be wron, not just carried, by everyone - adults and kids. The law applies to vessels six metres and under. Dr Shane Reti was behind the bill, and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

As biosecurity and conservation groups work to shield the country's wildlife from any spread of bird flu, researchers say some people are embracing false narratives about the virus on social media. The country remain on standby after three confirmed cases in wild birds over the past two months. As Katie Todd reports, some Covid-era conspiracy theories are being repurposed to falsely dismiss avian...

Gloriavale Christian School's registration as a private school has been cancelled by the Secretary of Education today after further information from the Education Review Office, which says the school isn't a physically and emotionally safe place for students. Liz Gregory from the Gloriavale Leavers' Support Trust spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Streaming services like Netflix and Prime long ago replaced DVDs as our go to for entertainment, thanks to their competitive prices and smorgasbord of offerings. But sellers and buyers of second-hand discs say they're making a comeback as a cheaper and more personalised alternative. Sammy Carter reports.

It's been a whirlwind week at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting, with foreign minister Winston Peters and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon jetting into Palau for the annual summit. A new UN climate report also says overshooting the Paris agreement goal of 1.5 degrees warming is now unavoidable, renewing calls from Pacific leaders and climate advocates for the world's big emitter to do the...

Dozens of aftershocks have been recorded in the lower South Island following a string of earthquakes near Milford Sound last night. A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck on Wednesday evening, followed by a larger 5.6 shake. Three further, smaller quakes followed over the next hour. The tremors have prompted calls for local authorities and central government to get around the table to nut out an emerge...

Warriors coach Andrew Webster has lashed out at internet trolls attacking his players. Webster said the online abuse bears almost on resemblance to the support they encounter in the real world. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A state of the art nurse training suite has opened in Hawke's Bay, three years after the building was destroyed by Cyclone Gabrielle. In February 2023, nurse teaching staff at the Eastern Institute of Technology faced a devastating scene after floodwaters and mud swept through their Taradale campus. Acting Head of EIT's School of Nursing, Katie Rongonui spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about tensions ramping up again in the Middle East conflict, with Iran accusing the US of committing a war crime. Meanwhile the Pentagon has outlined how its new testosterone testing programme for service members will operate.

Hospitality New Zealand has called for greater protection for late-night venues from noise complaints, if the venue was there before neighbours moved in. It's on of 13 reccomendations they have made in a report into their ambition for the industry, which has been under pressure. Hospitality NZ Chief Executive Kristy Phillips spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A man accused of murdering an Auckland couple roped in a church friend to help him also kill his landlady, jurors were told today. Lok Fung Lorrence Li is accused of killing Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife Mei Han Chong in 2023. He faces a further charge of conspiring to murder his former landlord. Finn Blackwell reports. 

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Football's latest transfer window has just slammed shut with some big money moves being made during a record-breaking couple of months. English Premier League clubs have spent nearly $8 billion in the summer transfer window, while clubs in other leagues have also been willing to spend significant sums to get All Whites on board. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A slice of kiwi history has been dug out of the Footrot Flats archive ready for a new home. 50 years after Murray Ball created the iconic cartoon, an original artwork he did for Water Safety NZ in the 80s is being sold to raise funds for the organisation. Murray Ball's son, Mason Ball spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

In news just to hand, RNZ can reveal that police commissioner Richard Chambers has been cleared of criminal wrongdoing following a Police investigation into historical allegations against him.

Opponents of the government's move-on orders are plased a bill before parliament looks set to be watered down, so that 14 to 17 year olds are no longer included. The legislation gives police the power to shift people if they are being disorderly, begging, or rough sleeping. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

A global methanol producer which has employed locals in Taranaki for 40 years is ceasing operations. Production will end from February because there is not enough gas available to fuel its operation, and there's no pathway to a meaningful new supply. Resources Minister Shane Jones spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Hundreds of seagulls are plaguing a northern Auckland district, leaving business owners at their wit's end. The birds are damaging roofs, while their excrement blocks drains and contaminates water in Dairy Flat - well away from the nearest beach. Locals are stumped about how they can solve a problem no one is taking responsibility for. Evie Richardson reports.

Crucial warnings that Wellington's Moa Point could catastrophically flood were missed, according to an Independent Crown Review into the February disaster. 14 billion litres of raw sewage has since spewed into the sea off the city's South Coast as a result of the plant failure. The review, released today, points to systemic failures in leadership by the city council, Wellington Water and plant ope...

Auckland is pushing a different kind of bull today. A cattle auction at Epsom's inner-city Cornwall Park has attracted farmers from across the upper North Island. The farm is known for its quiet and friendly bulls, who've adapted to the buzz of urban life. Felix Walton reports.

Pakistan cricket is in meltdown, and a Kiwi is suddenly at the centre of the rescue mission. Former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson has been parachuted in to take over Pakistan's test side after two crushing defeats to England. It comes amid a chaotic 48 hours for the team with seven players and two coaching staff sent home from the tour. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.