Checkpoint

The Wellington based Tokomanawa Queens have pulled off another massive coup for the national women's basketball league. Last month the Queens announced Charlisse Ledger Walker would be playing in New Zealand for the first time in six years following her debut season in the American Basketball league. Now they have lured high profile WNBA player Hailey Van Lith to the franchise. Sports reporter Bri...

Surgery is a delicate, precision operation at the best of times, but imagine if your patient weighs less than four grams. Massey University vets were faced with exactly that prospect when they patched up a native skink. The tiny creature had been attacked by a cat in Whanganui and had a serious puncture wound on its side. Ingrid Brookshaw, a Veterinary resident at Massey Wildbase Hospital led the...

Australia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about the deaths of several women and children in alleged domestic violence incidents across New South Wales, as well as fears of bird flu wiping out the endangered Australian sea lion as four more cases are confirmed.

Six staff at a rural medical centre have tendered their resignations over patient safety and workload concerns. Last week a nurse practitioner at the Pahiatua Medical Centre told Checkpoint patients would die if something didn't change and quickly. Staff threatened a mass walk out if a review and action plan weren't put in place, and after meeting with managers, six have decided to go. Registered...

Table tennis is proving popular among dozens of people living with Parkinson's disease across New Zealand. This Saturday a Ping Pong Parkinson's NZ tournament is taking place in Palmerston North. Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen about the event.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about King Charles weighing in on artificial intelligence, issuing a stark warning about its potential dangers, as well as a wildfire in south-west London leading to a major breakthrough in the case of a woman who went missing nearly seven years ago.

It's do or die for the Warriors this weekend. Should they lose to the Newcastle Knights on Sunday at Eden Park, their season is over. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A four-year-old Timaru girl is taking her love of all things stones and bones to the next level after her mum stumbled across the remains of a big bird. Earlier this week Pippa Yates, found what she suspected were bones of the now extinct moa, while on her daily walk at Saint Andrews beach south of Timaru. The South Canterbury Museum confirmed the find, and now the family are carefully cleaning up...

A major Auckland property developer says a government proposal to remove building height restrictions in the CBD is just politics and he doesn't believe there will be a single new apartment built in the short term because of the change. Under current rules, parts of the Auckland CBD have building height limits of 72.5m, in other areas the limit is 35m. The proposal would remove these caps for the...

Patients will die if changes aren't made quickly, according to a nurse working at a Tararua medical centre. All the staff at the Pahiatua Medical centre are threatening to walk off the job en masse over work loads and serious concerns about patient safety. The PHO manages the contract for the Pahiatua Medical Centre. CEO Tony Wai, spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The government's plan for a nine-month repayments deadline for Retirement Villages was leaked this morning. Operators are outraged, residents have their eyes on Labour's three-month proposal, the minister claims they've found a middle ground. Political reporter Russell Palmer filed this report.

Auckland's not about to rise up, unless there's an incentive, according to the boss of Auckland apartment company, Okham Residential. The Government wants taller and bigger towers in the city's centre, so it's looking to remove height and other restrictions. Modelling suggests that changes could make way for an extra 20 million square metres of floor space - which could support about 31,500 reside...

It's a scenario critics of citizens arrests say they've feared all along - untrained members of the public detaining people. Now, a 19-year-old has appeared in court after an alleged arrest in Hamilton went too far. This, just weeks after new laws came into effect allowing anyone to use reasonable force to hold someone they suspect has committed a crime. Waikato Bay of Plenty reporter Rachel Moore...

Waiheke Island's only respite care house for kids with disabilities will be sold on the open market, ending a crucial 30-year service for parents who booked their children in for school holiday programmes and overnight stays. It's been closed and vacant for a year, after Spectrum Care said the service at Melanna House was running at a loss, and they made the difficult decision to pull out. Amy Wil...

Ben Sawyer has been dropped as White Ferns coach. Sawyer's contract was set to conclude in December, but New Zealand Cricket says it hasn't been renewed following a comprehensive review process. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Fur babies are getting an actual taste of birthday celebrations thanks to a Dunedin Baker. Pawsome Treats specialises in cakes for cats and dogs. Owner and baker, Toni King spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about a potential ban on smart glasses in government buildings, as well as the Australian athlete at the centre of the Hyrox soiling saga issuing an apology.

The Government has today touted the success of new anti-stalking laws, saying 140 people have been charged and nearly 1000 given warnings. But RNZ can reveal that none of those prosecuted in court have been convicted. Reporter Finn Blackwell spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Tauranga teenager is calling on the government to set up a youth advisory committee to give young people more of a say in decisions that affect their lives. It comes after 15-year-old Otumoetai College student Liam Howard surveyed his peers about the proposed social media ban for under sixteens and got almost 600 responses. Fifteen-year-old Liam Howard spoke to Lisa Owen.

Music-lovers' excitement about Christchurch's Electric Avenue festival has been amplified now that line-up has finally been revealed. Superstar Scottish DJ Calvin Harris and Amercian rockers Kings of Leon will headline the two-date event in Hagley Park next February. Electric Avenue is so popular it's website crashed following this morning's announcement. Adam Burns reports.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the Albanese Government unveiling contentious cuts to the country's immigration intake.

They are set to play at the home of New Zealand rugby, but for so many Warriors, there was only ever one code calling. The side has been forced to move their semi-final fixture against the Knights this Sunday to Eden Park, a ground synonymous with rugby union, in order to accomodate the high demand for tickets. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Te Pati Maori co-leader Debbie Ngarewa Packer has been kicked out of parliament for using the c-word. The outburst appears to have been aimed at the assistant speaker. MPs had been debating the move on orders legislation.