Checkpoint

Dannevirke residents have the chance to make their voices heard about the state of healthcare in the Tararua district tonight. On Monday six staff in nearby Pahiatua resigned from the town's Medical Centre amid concerns about the extreme workload and patient safety. The centre, and Dannevirke Community Hospital, are owned by the Tararua Health Group. But the Hospital and Medical Centre are under r...

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Ferns are bracing for the Twickenham cauldron this Sunday. A crowd of more than 50,000 fans are expected as the Black Ferns take on the Red Roses in one of the biggest women's rugby tests of the year. Jonty Dine joins Lisa Owen. 

Unshackled from parliament, politicians have hit the ground running as the election campaign kicked up a gear today. Labour was out promising big investments in state houses, school repairs and hospitals. National meanwhile was still grappling with the business of government. Political reporter Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa Owen.

Just a fortnight after the tragic death of a school student at a level crossing in Mount Albert, Auckland Transport officials have met with residents in the area to see what changes are needed. The work has been in the pipeline for a while. But, any change to improve safety and traffic flow comes with a warning - it will be expensive and disruptive. Erin Johnson reports.

Health New Zealand is providing additional clinical workforce support at Dannevirke Community Hospital for the next 30 days following a number of recent staff resignations. Patient Voice Aotearoa's Malcolm Mulholland spoke to Lisa Owen.

Councils are in limbo after they say they moved "heaven and earth " to meet "unrealistic deadlines" for amalgamation .only for the government to push pause on the reforms. They were given three months to present their proposals for regional amalgamation or the government threatened to do it for them. 18 proposals were submitted, but the government revealed today it won't make any decisions on fina...

A charity is calling for more investment into children's eye care as many families shy away from getting regular tests because of the cost. Painga Project says support for kids' vision is inadequate, and more must be done so they don't fall behind at school. Anya Fielding reports.

Some mayors and councils have been left frustrated and annoyed after the government pulled the handbrake on its local government reforms out of the blue. Councils were given three months to present their proposals for regional amalgamation or the government threatened to do it for them. But the government has now revealed it won't make any decisions on final plans until after the election. Local G...

Before vast numbers of Kauri trees were felled to build the villas of Ponsonby and Grey Lynn for early European settlers, Auckland's Waitakere Ranges were covered in ancient forests. But this century they've faced kauri dieback. There is no known cure but a collaboration between mana whenua, scientists, Auckland council and volunteers is providing a glimmer of hope. 2000 strong kauri seedlings hav...

89 days after exiting the Football World Cup at the group stage, the All Whites are back on the field in an historic match tonight. A game against Palestine in China will kick off this new cycle but very few people will see it happen. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Streets around the world bear his name, a depression era hero with an enormous heart, who was ahead of the field. Phar Lap, the legendary race horse, will be celebrated in his home town of Timaru next week on the 100th anniversary of his birth. After winning 37 races, Phar Lap died suddenly in the US in 1932. Nearly 100 years on debate continues over whether Phar Lap was intentionally poisoned. Se...

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about China's President Xi Jinping touching down in the US for his first visit in over a decade, as well as a feud involving Dolly Parton's nephew and her estate breaking out almost a month after her death.

A growth advocacy group wants to let up to 300 exceptionally talented people a year move to New Zealand with no job offer required. Growth New Zealand is floating the idea of a "Catalyst Visa", where unlike other options people would not need a job offer or sponsor ahead of their arrival. Applicants would have to prove they're top talent in their field, with a record of " internationally exception...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Prime Minister Andy Burnham meeting with US President Donald Trump on the side lines at the UN General Assembly, as well as Earl Spencer being forced to apologise over a factual inaccuracy in his new memoir.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The countdown is on to a blockbuster home summer of cricket. The Black Caps today named their first squad for the T20 series against India starting on October 22. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Parliament is wrapping up for the year, and for the term of the 54th Parliament, as MPs ready themselves to hit the campaign trail for the next six weeks. Political reporter Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa Owen. 

The firefighters' union is calling for an inquiry into the management of Fire and Emergency New Zealand. NZ Professional Firefighters Union members have handed over a petition to politicians in Wellington today, demanding action. This comes a week after Internal Affairs Minister Brook van Velden declared she had no confidence in the FENZ chief executive, and a damning select committee report revea...

Police say a young child who was critically injured in the Southland town of Otautau has died in Starship Children's Hospital. Emergency services were called to a property in Otautau on Saturday night, where the child was found. Otago Southland reporter Tess Brunton spoke to Lisa Owen. 

More than 50 business leaders have signed an open letter to politicians, asking them to keep their hands off private businesses. The New Zealand Initiative is behind the letter, asking parties to withdraw some of their policies and uphold private property and contract rights. It comes off the back of proposals to sell off or separate supermarket assets, and buy back the Australian-owned BNZ. New Z...

As wildlife flourishes in a fenced Otago ecosanctuary, mahi is ramping up to protect the birds flying the coop. In July, Predator Free Dunedin received $3.9 million over three years from the Department of Conservation to boost its predator elimination work. That funding means they'll soon be targeting mustelids, rats, rabbits and feral cats lurking around the Orokonui Ecosanctuary. Tess Brunton re...

Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams' new private netball league could bring together two Auckland professional sports franchises. RNZ understands Auckland real estate director and long-time Mystics sponsor Peter Thompson is in talks with the high-profile couple about buying a franchise licence for the new league. The move could see the Mystics join forces with the Blues, with the two clubs already shari...

Some Kiwi Classic Car lovers have reached the top of the leader board in a global drive to raise funds for Men's health. The Distinguished Gentleman's Drive is on this Sunday. More than 200 drives are planned around the world - seven in New Zealand. But it's the event, Dapper Drive, in Wairarapa that's leaving others in the dust. Organiser Malcolm Fleming spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about all eyes being on the US and Iran at the UN General assembly, as well as the US talking about banning Iranian airlines worldwide.