Checkpoint

A retail industry group is sounding the alarm over figures it says show that a third of the tobacco smoked in New Zealand is from the black market. A report prepared by FTI consulting - on behalf of the tobacco industry - found there was a rise in the consumption of illicit products last year. However, an anti-smoking advocate says the numbers don't add up, and the real black market figures are li...

A leading New Zealand research institute believes it is on track to deliver a cutting edge immunotherapy for blood cancer patients in the public system next year. But only if it can get government funding. Researchers at the Malaghan Institute are well into clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy with 60 patients. The institute's Clinical Director, Doctor Robert Weinkove spoke to Lisa Owen.

A 'dogter' at Dunedin Hospital has been named Dog of the Year, in the annual contest run by Southern Cross Pet Insurance. Nancy, a three year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier was picked out of 800 entrants. She volunteers at the hospital, offering comfort and companionship to patients and their families. Nancy's owner, Dianne Angell spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent, Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about the US and Iran reaching an agreement to end the war, that they say will be signed and take effect later this week. But while President Donald Trump has enthused "Let the Oil Flow!", there's still plenty of questions about the deal, with the full text of the agreement not yet released.

As Iran prepare to face New Zealand at the Fifa World Cup, football is colliding with politics. After visa disputes, disrupted travel plans and mounting tensions in the United States, Iran's players say the atmosphere has undermined Fifa's message of peace before the ball has even been kicked.

Another international streaming service launches in New Zealand this week, raising questions about the future of the local screen industry. The government is investigating charging international streamers a levy, having a local content quota, or requiring direct investment into New Zealand production. Screen Producers NZ president, Irene Gardiner, spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer grappling with another political setback after defence secretary John Healey's shock resignation over armed forces funding. 

News from the business sector, including a market report.

It is an all Aotearoa showdown in the Super Rugby semis this weekend. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

In the UK a panel of vets believes commonly used over the counter flea treatments should be banned because of concern over environmental damage. New Zealand vet Siobhan Graham spoke to Lisa Owen about the situation.

New Zealand has quietly launched a review into the health impacts of nitrate in drinking water, RNZ has learned. It follows moves by Denmark to drastically lower nitrate limits, based on studies linking it to cancer risk. Keiller MacDuff reports.

A group of Taranaki mayors want urgent changes to a proposed disability support law they believe will put a disproportionate and unfair burden on their district. Taranaki has a higher than average numbers of people living with disability and unpaid informal caregivers. Taranaki Mayoral forum chairman Craig Williamson spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Taranaki-based startup using fermentation to turn difficult food waste into living soil is gaining momentum. Green Loop collects not only organic waste but also processed foods, meat and dairy products which it treats on farmland at Korito near New Plymouth. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

New Zealand researchers are warning climate change may mean an increase in bacteria infected seafood and the water itself. The group of waterborne bacteria called Vibrio can cause stomach bugs, infect cuts if you're swimming in it, and seafood containing the bacteria can also make you sick. The bacteria flourish in a warm environment. Science Leader at the NZ Institute for Public Health and Forens...

Fourteen staff members have had to take time off work after being assaulted by patients at Palmerston North Hospital's new mental health ward, Ngā Wai Ngāro, since it opened in February. Now the brother of a former patient of the service, who died by suicide while under hospital care, says inadequate staffing levels are putting people at risk. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

The final whistle has blown on day one of the Football World Cup - and the opening of the 23rd edition of the tournament will be remembered for discipline issues on and off the field. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Conservations are calling for the Selwyn District Council to consider a by-law to stop people feeding Kea at Arthur's Pass, something they say can be fatal. It encourages Kea to hang around roads and built up areas, and that is where accidents happen. The Kea Conservation Trust's Renee Habluetzel spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about a peace agreement with Iran that could be reached this weekend accord to Donald Trump after calling off a fresh round of planned US strikes. 

A nurse is calling for improvements to a fatal intersection on a popular holiday highway between Auckland and the Coromandel. There have been a number of fatal and serious injury accidents at the intersection of SH25 and Hauraki Road, known as Orongo corner. Local nurse Fiona Lagae is pushing for a review and remodel of the blackspot and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Australia's major political parties continuing to grapple with a surge in support for One Nation, after a recent survey put the party polling ahead of the governing Labor Party. 

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A determined Otago school principal is not one to run from a problem, instead he is literally running towards a solution. Rob Taylor from Dunedin's Musselburgh Primary was reluctant to pass extra costs for school camp onto parents so decided to raise the money himself by convincing people to sponsor him for two half marathons. Musselburgh Primary Principal, Rob Taylor spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Prime Minister has said he will not paying the billions of dollars Treasury estimates is needed for New Zealand to meet its climate commitments. Treasury today said it could cost up to $5 billion to pay for overseas carbon credits, to meet a shortfall in the country's pledge to halve greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. At Fieldays in Hamilton, Christopher Luxon said New Zealand was staying in th...

The Children's Commissioner is calling for young people's voices to be heard in discussions around banning social media for under-16s. The government has promised an update this month on a proposal to block under 16s from using social media. In a new report mokopuna largely agree more needs to be done to improve online safety, and tech companies should be the ones held to account. Children's Commi...

A mystery defecator has struck again - closing a much-loved fernery in Masterton while cleaning teams wiped up their mess. The Queen Elizabeth park attraction - which features an enclosed walk around a stream, through a path of ferns - shut its doors yesterday. The council said it is not the first time someone has emptied their bowels in the fernery. Jimmy Ellingham reports.