Checkpoint

The Salvation Army is seeing greater numbers of young people turn to them for help - as today's unemployment figures show nearly 96,000 aren't in jobs, education or training. The NEET rate for 15 to 24 year olds is now at 13.8 percent. Unemployment has risen to an 11 year high of 5.6 percent. Salvation Army Principal Policy Analyst, Paul Barber spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about Australians being warned to brace for mass wildlife death as the H5 bird flu outbreak takes hold in the country.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Blacks' tour of South Africa hasn't even kicked off yet, but one player is already headed home injured. Hooker George Bell has suffered a calf strain and will be replaced in the 44-man squad before the weekend's first game. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest from sea level 12 times sounds beyond human possibility in itself - let alone doing it in 29 days. But that is what Christchurch-born Sophie Woods has done over in Europe, becoming the fastest person ever to run the 2000km Via Alpina. To break the record, Woods was up at 3am daily and running up to 19 hours a day. Sophie Woods spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

An inquest into the death of Auckland health manager Pauline Hanna came to a temporary halt today after her husband Philip Polkinghorne broke down in tears. The inquest got underway this week, two years after a jury found Dr Polkinghorne not guilty of murdering her. At the Coroner's Court in Auckland, Coroner Tania Tetitaha is trying to determine how Ms Hanna died and the circumstances surrounding...

It has been an uncharacteristically white day in Wellington as snow dusted the capital. Further south the polar blast touched down too, with snow and ice causing treacherous road conditions and closing schools in Dunedin. The cold snap is set to continue over the next few days, with police warning drivers about black ice in sub-zero temperatures. Samantha Gee reports.

Snow on the road across Canterbury might further deepen a problem residents have been reporting to local councils. Christchurch City Council has received reports of more than 3,500 potholes over the last year. Selwyn District recorded over 7000. It comes after earlier this year, Transport Minister Chris Bishop said 98 percent of potholes across the country's state highways were being fixed within...

Winston Peters is not apologising for his comments towards a Green MP last week - comments that politicians across the House, including the Prime Minister, have said are racist. Christopher Luxon says there's an election coming, and people can have their say then. Labour's response? Fire him, and let's go to the polls now. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more. RNZ deputy political editor Craig...

A long-time Breakers fan is the club's latest addition to their coaching staff. Josiah Maama has had a rapid rise through the basketball coaching ranks and after a stint in the NBA Summer League he's back in Auckland. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

AA Research suggests the majority of drivers wouldn't score more than 70 percent in a basic road rules test. The survey of 535 licenced drivers also found that people who had been driving for more than four decades scored the same as those who had their licence for just a year. It's prompted the association to call for optional knowledge refreshers when licenses are renewed. AA Research and Road S...

US correspondent, Zach Montellaro spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the US President saying it's "the last chance" as new negotiations with Iran get underway. It comes after a round of US military strikes were called off over the weekend to help reach a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Despite claims of fresh talks, doubt continues to be cast over whether they're actually happening.

The University of Otago wants to increase the number of students attending its lectures, and it's trialling special attendance tracking technology. The University doesn't have an over-arching policy on lecture attendance, however class numbers are under the spotlight after failing to return to pre-covid levels. Other Universities have tried in the past to set mandatory attendance levels for specif...

The polar blast is hitting much of the country - brining a rare flurry of snow for the capital this afternoon and MetService says there's more to come, with even Northland in line for frost. Widespread snow further south has closed roads and schools in Dunedin, while temperatures are still yet to drop. John Law from MetService spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about a British pilot who is among the survivors of a deadly helicopter crash in Greece, as well as Prime Minister Andy Burnham vowing to be "relentless" in reducing small boat crossing to the UK.

A gasfitting expert says changes are needed to prevent unsafe installations, after a 12-year-old Otago boy died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the shower at his family's Haast bach. Almost eight years after Jesse Samuel's death, an inquest is being held in Queenstown to examine what can be done to stop something similar happening again. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd has more.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Blacks have been reminded of how much the team is revered in South Africa, particularly in Cape Town, after thousands of fans showed up to welcome them to the city. After a long disjointed journey, the team touched down ahead of an eight match tour that kicks off this weekend. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Ridiculous, unreasonable, confusing and stressful. Those are just some of the words Wellington region residents are using to describe bills from new water entity Tiaki Wai. RNZ has seen charges ranging from $300 to $1000 for the first three months of the financial year. Tiaki Wai says it's the first time people are seeing water costs broken out separately from their rates, but others are questioni...

The Silver Ferns triumphant win at the Commonwealth Games overnight breaks a 16 year drought in the event after much public adversity. But if their win has inspired young people across New Zealand, what does the pathway look like in domestic competition with the future of the ANZ Premiership still uncertain. Sports Minister Mark Mitchell spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. 

A review of the national cervical cancer screening register has found widespread issues that could have led to undetected harm, while the public can't be assured the register is clinically safe. It found the register was launched in 2023 with limited functionality and several known issues, including incomplete data migration from the previous register. National Director, Prevention Screening, Nati...

An inquest into the death of Pauline Hanna has begun in Auckland today - with a reminder that her husband, Philip Polkinghorne, is not on trial. Hanna was found dead in her Remuera home five years ago. A jury found retired eye surgeon Dr Polkinghorne not guilty of murdering Hanna after a high-profile criminal trial in 2024. The inquest will attempt to determine how Hanna died and the circumstances...

Primary schools involved in a pilot programme say being able to close nearby roads during drop off and pick up times is helping curb dangerous driver's behaviour. It's been a growing issue in our biggest city, with Auckland Transport starting Safe School Streets a couple of years ago. But now other schools across Aotearoa are facing the same issues, some taking things into their own hands. Bella C...

The Prime Minister has apologised for his remarks to businesses, admitting it has been a tough time for them. Christopher Luxon told a business audience in Rotorua last week that there was a parent-child relationship between businesses and government and they should be more adult. He now says he could have expressed himself better. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

While most eyes were on the Commonwealth Games there was plenty of other sport flying under the radar at the weekend. From the start of the NPC, to the 10th annual dog surfing championships, sports reporter Jonty Dine unpacked it all with Melissa Chan-Green