Checkpoint

Moana Pasifika is set to fold at the end of the season, but a financial lifeline means staff will be paid out until the end of July. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Labour finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds discussed her party's take on the 2026 budget with Lisa Owen.

The United States has reportedly carried out new strikes in Iran targeting a military site which officials say could have endangered American forces. Meanwhile, at a White House cabinet meeting Donald Trump made it clear that he's in no rush to secure a deal with Iran. Washington DC correspondent Zach Montellaro spoke to Lisa Owen.

Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch discusses the 2026 budget with Lisa Owen

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about how decision to spare two boys jail time following rape convictions is now under review by the Court of Appeal. She also spoke about how the UK government is expected to unveil new restrictions on children's use of social media and how a heatwave is sending records tumbling.

Opposition to a proposal for a Liquified Natural Gas import facility at Port Taranaki has been aired at a public meeting in New Plymouth. The government said it will shore up electricity supply during dry years, but opponents believe LNG locks New Zealand into a fossiled-fuelled future and is dangerous. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin was the meeting and filed this report.

Two weeks out from the Football World Cup, the All Whites are leaving their club sides for national team duty. The five players from the new A-League champions, Auckland FC, are among the last players to link up with the 26-man squad at training camp in Florida. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen from Auckland Airport.

The Finance Minister says she's crafted the right Budget for the times ... as the Reserve Bank warns times are tough. It's held the Official Cash Rate steady - not wanting to damage the economy - but says it will have to hike it soon to counter surging inflation caused by the Middle East conflict. And one economist says that leaves the government battling a very difficult set of circumstances. Pol...

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.