Checkpoint

As the election looms closer, only about 60 percent of young people eligible to vote are actually enrolled. So Checkpoint took the streets today to ask those aged 18 to 24 if they'll be voting, or why they're chosing not to. Bella Craig reports.

The Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update has forecast a deficit of $6.8 billion in 2026/27, down from May budget's $11.4 billion prediction. The improved forecasts meant the government intended to borrow $15 billion less over the next four years. Economist Cameron Bagrie spoke to Lisa Owen and broke down what the numbers mean. 

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about British Police arresting five men on suspicion of explosives and terrorism offences after a major incident was declared at an airbase, as well as hundreds of protesters blocking a road in Northern Ireland as tensions rise over the controversial Drumcree parade.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A Kiwi league player may have his NRL grand final dream taken away. Knights hooker - Phoenix Crossland is looking at suspension from the game, after injuring Panthers star Nathan Cleary in last night's preliminary final. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Wanaka based clothing brand is bucking the trend, expanding while other labels are in retreat. Mons Royale makes high performance merino apparel for the mountains and beyond. It's targeting $100 million in sales and is hiring for 10 new roles. Mons Royale chief executive, Hamish Acland spoke to Lisa Owen.

Lok Fung Lorrence Li was involved in a minor car crash. Instead of settling things through insurance companies, Li went to the Disputes Tribunal and got the home address of the other driver, Fuk Fu Joseph Kwok. Almost a year later Li went to the Kwoks' Ellerslie home and brutally murdered the theatre nurse and his wife,Mei Han Chong. Today in the High Court at Auckland, a jury found him guilty of...

Health New Zealand has finished a rapid review of Dannevirke Community Hospital, the second audit in less than six months. Health practitioners told Checkpoint they were reluctant to refer patients to the Hospital because of staffing and safety concerns. Health New Zealand's Geoff Gwyn spoke to Lisa Owen.

Economic plans, endless handshakes and selfies, and daily media conferences. It is election campaign time, and after the hype of the major party launches over the weekend, politicians are in full press-the-flesh mode. Political reporters Tu Natanahira and Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen.

The All Whites have ended a winless drought with their first ever victory over China. It had been six months since the New Zealanders had a win, and more than a year since they stopped the opposition from scoring. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Manurewa teacher was pulled on stage at Jason Derulo's Auckland concert last night, and put on the spot to dance in front of thousands of people. Mele Taeiloa seized the moment, with a video going viral online. Mele Taeiloa spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about Iran's latest proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz which has been rejected by the US President, as well as a far right Israeli minister saying his country's military should "go to war" in the occupied West Bank.

A pharmacist in one of Auckland's wealthier suburbs is worried about people using GLP-1 weight loss drugs, when they don't need them. The injectable drugs mimic natural hormones that make you feel full, slow the stomach emptying and control blood sugar. Auckland Pharmacist Shirley Coleman spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about a Royal Air Force jet that crashed in Wales, as well as the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats hitting its highest daily total so far this year.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Squaring off at this weekend's national school chess champs is a team from a tiny Otago school. Macandrew Bay School on the Otago Peninsula has around 140 students. Its year six team beat off tough competition to represent the region at the national interschool chess champs in Auckland. Principal Nic Brown spoke to Lisa Owen.

One of New Zealand basketball's biggest stars has finished her rookie season in the WNBA today and is preparing to come home. Charlisse Leger-Walker signed off the Conneticut Sun's last game in the state with a 14 point win before the team moves to Houston next season. But before she can think about a stateside move Leger-Walker is coming back to play in Wellington. Sports reporter Felicity Reid s...

Health New Zealand is boosting its front line with an extra 380 full time nursing midwifery and health care assistants. Each year Health New Zealand uses a formula to estimate how many staff it needs and today's announcement of 380 additional roles stems from that. Te Whatu Ora's Chief National Nurse, Nadine Gray spoke to Lisa Owen.

Keep all car doors and windows shut. In you break down sound your horn and wait for the patrol vehicle. Remember - lions have right of way. That was the advice on a sign for people heading into Orana Wildlife Park's drive-through Lion Safari section when the Christchurch open-range zoo first opened 50 years ago today. While recent financial woes are weighing heavily on park management, the animals...

At the end of day two of the election campaign, the argy bargy had well and truly begun. Accusations were flying over who is - and who is not - putting the work in on the hustings. Ahead of the a big weekend on the campaign trail, political reporter Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa Owen.

Sarah Hirini is returning to rugby with a new found superpower. The Black Ferns Sevens legend is only four months removed from giving birth to her first son, and is already setting her sights on adding more gold to an already stacked trophy cabinet. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A kiwi dog is starring in a new Hollywood blockbuster hitting movie theatres this week. Heart of the Beast stars Oscar winner Brad Pitt as a retired US Army Special Forces veteran, who is forced to battle nature's brutal elements after his sea plane crashes in the Alaskan wilderness. But the film was actually shot across the South Island. Playing the supporting role of his dog Odin, is a New Zeala...

Australia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about Prime Minister Anthony Albanese addressing the United Nations, as well as his plan to ward off so-called "ghost camping" at several national parks in Tasmania.

The Southern medical officer of health wants a freeze on new liquor off licences in Dunedin's high deprivations areas, including the student quarter. It is part of a submission on Dunedin City Council's draft alcohol plan close in about an hour. Te Whatu Ora Southern Medical Officer of Health, Dr Michael Butchard spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about a rogue AI program hacking its way into a restricted internet portal run by Australia's Medicare system, sparking concern about how private information is held online.