Checkpoint

The local government minister says he's called Wellington's mayor for a please explain over huge water bills for residents, which are forecast to hit almost seven grand a year by the end of the decade. One of the region's mayors says that figure is horrendous and unaffordable, and she's worried it will drive people out of the region. Wellington's new water entity, Tiaki Wai, is a council-controlle...

More than four million New Zealanders are missing out on modern medicines languishing on what is effectively Pharmac's drug wish list, according to a new report commissioned by Medicines New Zealand; a group representing the pharmaceutical industry. It says 137 modern medicines that Pharmac would buy if it could afford to have spent an average of six and half years on the Options for Investment li...

After an estimated one million hours of construction labour, Te Rua - Archives NZ's new Wellington building - is now open. At a cost of $290 million it's described as one of the world's most technologically advanced archive-protection facilities. Delivered on budget and on time, the Internal Affairs Minister says it's a win for public-private partnerships. But where the archive's entire collection...

Utes and SUV's, some of the country's top selling new vehicles, are in the spotlight due to their capacity to guzzle fuel. With prices rising at the pump, there's concern about diesel stock, which largely keeps industry moving, including freight and farming. It's prompted calls for more regulation to discourage people buying supersized vehicles. Professor Alistair Woodward from the University of A...

Councils in regions regularly threatened by floods have invested in an innovative, locally-made tool to help protect them and are encouraging others to do the same. They say the ARK flood barrier - a temporary, reusable dam - can be rolled out quickly in the midst of a disaster, an attractive alternative to heaving heavy sacks of sand. The Tauranga manufacturers say it's got potential to save home...

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is rocking the boat. The Ineos Group owner wants to take back the almost half a billion dollar racing yacht built by his company for the 2024 America's Cup. It follows a split between Ratcliffe and Sir Ben Ainslie who's team - Athena Racing - intends to take the boat to the next competition. Now Ratcliffe is claiming the boat built for the last challenge belongs to him. Sports ed...

The coalition has ditched a contentious aspect of fisheries legislation after a backlash from recreational fishers. Several political parties are claiming credit for throwing back the controverisal law change that would have removed commerical minimum size limits for various species, including snapper. Fisheries Minister Shane Jones spoke to Lisa Owen.

US President Donald Trump says talks to bring an end to the US-Israeli war with Iran are underway. The comments come amid reports that the US is poised to send thousands more troops to the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has told the United Nations it will let "non-hostile" ships pass through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Amercias correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen.

People who aren't eligible for the governments fuel relief package such as beneficiaries or those living in rural communities and with no children have said it's "a real kick in the guts". Yesterday, the government announced that more than 140,000 working families with children will get an extra $50 a week to help counter rising fuel prices. The government says the payment will target those strugg...

Northlanders are urged to take the red heavy rain warning seriously and be ready to go if they have to. The warning is in place for the eastern area from Doubtless Bay down to Whangarei until 4am Friday. An orange heavy rain warning and strong wind watch remain in place for the rest of the region, with the worst expected to hit from Thursday afternoon. Northland Civil Defence spokesperson Zach Woo...

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Australia clinching a new free trade deal with the European Union after decades of negotiations.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Whites have returned home from their clubs all over the world for two games in Auckland ahead of the Football World Cup. The FIFA Series is part send-off for the fans and part trial run for the global tournament. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Reserve Bank governor has issued a warning to not underestimate the complexity of disruptions caused by war in the Middle East. Anna Breman said it could take nine months for price increases caused by the war to filter through to supermarket shelves, and to expect higher inflation in the near term and weaker economic growth in 2026. Small business owners still recovering from tough economic ti...

The government says its fuel relief package targets those doing it the toughest; the genuinely squeezed. But some believe it's squeezed out the most in need, including beneficiaries and the childless. The boost goes only to working families with children. There's also nothing specific for rural communities covering long distances. While the Greens are crying out for more, Labour has continued to k...

McCain Foods is closing its vegetable processing plant in Hastings. In a letter to growers, the company says it's reviewed operations at the site but couldn't find a sustainable pathway forward. It plans to close the plant by early next year. It is not clear how many workers and growers will be affected. Meanwhile Watties plans to ditch its frozen vegetable lines in New Zealand, which affects abou...

Act's deputy leader Brooke van Velden is retiring from politics at the November election, saying she has no desire to be the party's leader. She's likely to be remembered for dropping the C-bomb in Parliament and ending pay equity claims, under her ministerial portfolio of Workforce Relations. Reporter Amy Williams was in her electorate of Tamaki and filed this report.

Christchurch locals say the city is prospering and heading in the right direction, on the back of an ASB report finding Canterbury is the best place to be in the country economically. But there's concern the good times won't last, with rising fuel prices and they worry about how the economy will be affected by the war in the Middle East. Anna Sargent reports.

Dave Rennie has assembled his All Blacks coaching squad. Neil Barnes, Tana Umaga and Mike Blair have joined incumbent Jason Ryan as the men to assist Rennie in his quest to rebuild the All Blacks empire. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.