Checkpoint

Is it death by a thousand flight cuts? Air New Zealand's trimming its schedule again as the jet fuel crisis bites. Earlier this month, the airline revealed it was cutting five percent of its flights. Now it's nibbling at its schedule from August to October. The national carrier won't provide specifics but said less than two percent of customers travelling during this time will be affected, and the...

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A beloved Dunedin theatre is celebrating its 150th anniversary by harking back to its opening night, with Music Hall shows featuring sketches, comic songs and rousing choruses. The Playhouse Theatre first opened as Oddfellows' Hall in 1876 before being converted to a theatre in the 1960s. Next month's shows will also help fundraising efforts for theatre renovations. Tess Brunton reports.

Good news for people with mortgages, the official cash rate is unchanged for now, but hikes are coming. The Reserve Bank is expecting inflation to head north of four percent by September, off the back of the Middle East conflict. In a split decision the Reserve bank held the cash rate at 2.5 percent. Governor Anna Breyman, had to use her casting vote to keep it there. Economics correspondent Gyles...

Homeschool parents are thrilled at a last-minute backdown to a proposed law change they thought tarnished all educators because of the actions of a few bad apples. The education minister wanted more rigourous oversight for families, after agencies raised concerns about a lack of checks on children learning at home. But now Erica Stanford admits it's not that simple - and political parties across t...

A new electric-hybrid ferry has taken to the water in Auckland, ahead of being put into service next month. It's the first of two electric ferries public transport officials hope will give commuters increased confidence in the network. Auckland Transport said the ferry has gone through rigorous testing and sea trials and is expected to pick up the service from Devonport to Downtown. Finn Blackwell...

It was round two between Rob Penney and reporters this morning. The Crusaders coach had another combative press conference after the news of his departure at the end of the season was leaked. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A major ski field operator's hoping Aussies nervous about the possibility of fuel disruptions, won't be put off coming to Aotearoa this season. Some slopes open this long week and rely heavily on Australians popping over to enjoy a run. NZ SKI operates on Coronet Peak and the Remarkables in Otago and Mount Hutt in Canterbury. CEO Paul Anderson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Americas correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about how as anti-government protests continue in Bolivia, the country's president has suggested he'll cut his salary in half. She also spoke about how political problems and election delays in Peru could be slowing down progress toward fixing issues at Machu Picchu and a record-breaking mural being unveiled in Mexico City.

The country's money pie will be carved up tomorrow, with a bunch of people eager to see how fat their slice is or if they get a bite at all. The top secret super-sized document came off the printer in Petone yesterday. After seeing the 2026 budget bundle delivered, the Finance Minister went straight to an actual pie shop, Puku Pies and Kai. Puku Pie owner Jamie Williams spoke to Lisa Owen.

In Australia there's been some rare good news on the cost-of-living front with householders told they can expect significant cuts to electricity prices.

News from the business sector, including a market report..

Former Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Scheck has played his last game in the NRL. This is not an exit on the player's terms; he has been sidelined by a knee injury that has cut his 13th season in the competition short. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The finance minister said there'll be no surprises and no sugar hits in this year's Budget, as she picks up her pride and joy from the printer. Nicola Willis isn't giving it a nickname this year, but one of her coalition partners is calling it a tough love Budget. MPs are split on whether they should apply some of that tough love to themselves, as their perks and pay rises come into the spotlight....

The Norsewear Farm Fleck style socks were worn by Sir Edmund Hillary on various expeditions and have graced posters and magazine covers. Until now, the socks have been in the Hillary family's private collection. But they're being loaned to their makers, Norsewear and will go on display, in a protective case no less at Field Days. Tim Deane from Norsewear spoke to Lisa Owen.

"I don't know where to go, I don't know what to do, to afford living and pay the bills." That's the message from those who are still unemployed in Wellington after going through a round of government job cuts in the public sector two years ago. Last week, the government announced that nearly 9000 public servants are in line to lose their jobs over the next three years. It follows experts saying wi...

Rural and Community hospitals are operating well below capacity despite demand for emergency care and diagnostic services rapidly increasing, according to a new report. The report commissioned by two health unions points to chronic staffing issues. Deborah Powell is the national secretary for the Resident Doctors; she spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand police are joining a drug strike-force in Colombia aimed at fighting trafficking through the Pacific. Since the beginning of the year, more than 17 tonnes of illegal drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized from in the region - dubbed the Pacific-narco highway. The joint strike-force was announced at a law enforcement summit in Fiji last week. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers was at...

An Auckland woman who has been attacked more than once by dogs on her street is now too afraid to walk her dog outside her gate. A resident in a neighbouring suburb said the problem of roaming dogs is making her consider moving. Auckland council agrees uncontrolled dogs are a problem and is hoping for changes to 30-year-old Dog Control legislation. Jessica Hopkins reports.

Questions are mounting over the estimated half-a-billion-dollar price tag for installing water meters in Wellington.

Evening sport with Bridget Tunnicliffe.

There's a buzz in Christchurch over an Aussie visitor that may prove an asset in local gardens and farms. A bee species from across the Tasman, Leioproctus Launcestonensis has been rediscovered in the garden city after decades. More than a dozen of the bees have been formally identified after being collected from community gardens, as part of a wider study. University of Canterbury PHD candidate A...

US Central Command said the strikes, which targeted mine-laying boats and missile launch sites, were defensive and conducted to "protect" American troops from Iranian threats. The latest action comes amid rumblings that progress towards a peace deal is being made. US correspondent Mitch McCann spoke to Lisa Owen.

Cracks are appearing in people's retirement nest eggs, with more people taking money out of Kiwisaver on hardship groups. A new Consumer NZ survey, shows 16% of Kiwisaver members either made a hardship withdrawal, or suspended payments in the past year. According to Consumer's figures withdrawals have gone up three percent over the past two years. Consumer NZ CEO, John Duffy spoke to Lisa Owen.

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson speaks to Lisa Owen about the latest British news.