Checkpoint

After winning gold at the Commonwealth Games, the Silver Ferns are preparing for their next big examination. The Silver Ferns are about to take on Australia, a side that is notoriously hard to keep down. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Rodeo Cowboys Association plans to fight proposed animal welfare rules that could end some events. If adopted, changes to the Code of Welfare for Rodeos would mean cattle used in rope and tie, and steer wrestling events must stay standing after being brought to a stop. At the moment they can be taken to the ground. Lyal Cocks from the Rodeo Cowboys association spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about a lockdown put in place to protect chickens from bird flu in Victoria being lifted, despite the disease still spreading among wildlife. As well as a dispute between a Tasmania ferry crew and their employer which relates to a nasty gastro outbreak earlier this year.

A shocking increase in the power bill for a marae that converted to solar energy has raised concerns about installers and regulation. The monthly power bill for Taranaki's Owae Marae has rocked to as much as $2000 a month, up from about $400. That's despite installing a solar system on its wharekai to save money. Matt Newman from Rewiring Aotearoa spoke to Lisa Owen.

In the years after World War II, while Europe was in turmoil, New Zealand was embarking on an unprecedented period of growth. As the babies boomed, also 5000 displaced people from states like Lithuania, Hungary and Poland arrived on our shores ready to get to work. This weekend some survivors, and their descendants, are gathering in Palmerston North to mark an often overlooked chapter in Aotearoa'...

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the Australian Defence Force investigating the discovery of one or more secret cameras on board a naval ship.

The fate of west Auckland's much loved Piha camp ground is being decided. The campground's been closed over winter, while Auckland Council considered its future, balanced against a high flood risk. First up's Ross Mcnaughton spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

There's been changes to the All Blacks team ahead of the second Wallabies test. Sports journalist Glen Larmer spoke to Lisa Owen. 

There are warnings international student numbers are growing too fast. Sector insiders say New Zealand is benefitting from competitors Australia and Canada putting the brakes on their enrolments. They say this country needs to be more picky and put more investment into caring for students while they are here. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

Some child cancer treatments at Starship hospital are being delayed, amid allegations of serious staff shortages. Health Minister, Simeon Brown has confirmed come chemotherapy sessions at the specialist childrens hospital have been delayed by up to seven days. The dates for two bone marrow transplants have also been moved. Health New Zealand Auckland group director Doctor Mike Shepherd spoke to Li...

Wellington bar owners say they're cutting costs and banking on large events to ward off a steady decline in takings. But while some see tourism as the best way to bring more dollars across the bar, others say more needs to be done to support local venues and the capital's unique culture. Bill Hickman reports.

The School Library Association is worried new schools are being built without libraries, because there's no dedicated funding. Some established ones are also opting to repurpose libraries for classroom space. The Association estimates less than half of New Zealand students across primary, intermediate and secondary education have access to library services. School Library Association president, Te...

Aucklanders say a plague of parked cars choking the city's suburban streets is not just an inconvenience but a matter of life or death. A debate is raging after the National Party promised to reinstate minimum off-street car parking requirements in the city. Jessica Hopkins reports.

The Rugby League World Cup starts tonight, with the Kiwis playing the Kangaroos in the opening game. Sports journalist Glen Larmer spoke to Lisa Owen.

A bit of leftover lawn on a Whangarei street has grown into a living pantry for people in need. The berm has been transformed with an array of raised vege garden beds, that have since got the council's approval. Ian Page who set up the community garden spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about inflation in the US ballooning past predictions, as well as questions being raised about the performance and background of the White House's new press secretary.

The number of dog attacks has fallen in Auckland for the first time in six years. Incidents of roaming dogs are also down, according to Auckland Council's Annual Animal Management Report. But, still more than 240 children were attacked by dogs in the past year. Auckland Council says recent fatal attacks in other parts of the country highlight the urgent need to strengthen the Dog Control Act. Auck...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the head of the intelligence service giving his annual address in London, as well as new research about the state of the UK's bird population.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns are turning to home for inspiration ahead of their Rugby League World Cup campaigns. Both sides play their opening matches of the tournament this week, one against tournament favourites, the other against World Cup newcomers. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Hundreds of collectables once owned by The Chills front man and rocker Martin Phillipps are up for auction, with proceeds to go to charity and causes close to his heart. The eclectic collection includes James Bond books, a keyboard, drawings by Phillipps, plus a stripey guitar he played in a Chills video. Friend of Phillipps and curator of the Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery, Bruce Mahalski spok...

It could have transformed Kerikeri for the better, hundreds of urgently needed homes next to to the town centre, an expanded CBD, and public access to a scenic stretch of river. But that's not how it's working out so far. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf reports.

Is diversity a good or bad thing for New Zealand? It was a question posed at TVNZ's multiparty debate last night, and four of the five leaders agreed it was good. NZ First leader Winston Peters did not. New Zealand First's policy is to hold a referendum on a legislated annual cap on the number of residents visas. Massey Emeritus professor and social scientist Paul Spoonley spoke to Lisa Owen.

A year long battle for information has revealed NZ Food Safety knew there were high levels of toxic pesticides on food samples, despite saying there was no risk to the public. Internal documents released to Greenpeace under the Official Information Act said New Zealand Food Safety couldn't exclude health risks from the pesticide breach. Reporter Keiller MacDuff has been investigating and joins Lis...