Checkpoint

A enthusiastic Australian jogger who collected whale poo on his runs and stashed it in the freezer has provided scientists with a veritable treasure trove. The dung and whale poo from other areas has revealed valuable new information about the diet and gut health of the Southern right whale or tohora. Molecular ecologist Associate Professor Emma Carroll from Auckland University who's made a career...

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about how there's been a major anti-corruption crackdown in Iraq. He also spoke about how mines along the Strait of Hormuz still need to be cleared and how billions of dollars' worth of frozen assets will be released by Qatar, according to Iran's president.

Finding the latest must have digital pet or action figure for the child in your life could get easier and cheaper with changes to toy standards. But will it be safer? The government's announced toys meeting American and European safety standards will be good enough for our tamariki. University of Auckland law professor Alex Sims likes the look of the proposal and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about tech giant Amazon being sued by the nation's consumer watchdog over allegedly unfair contract terms for customers on its Prime streaming service. 

Locals in South Wairarapa are at their wits' end after flooded rivers once-again caused widespread damage in the region - inundating farms and destroying roads. The washout at Turanganui Bridge - the second time in only four months - cut off more than 450 homes. It reopened just hours ago. Some residents say the lack of river management is to blame and they're pointing the finger at the regional c...

The All Blacks reject that France are bringing a 'B' side to Aotearoa for the opening test of the year. Much has been made of France's decision to rest nine of its stars for the test, including two of the planet's premier players. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A report on the government's school lunch programme has raised questions about the quality of the food and significant waste. The auditor general's investigation says it's unclear whether the programme is improving food security and lifting student achievement because there's insufficient monitoring. Auckland University professor of population nutrition Boyd Swinburn spoke to Lisa Owen. 

News from the business sector, including a market report.

With school holidays on the horizon, South Island ski fields are watching the temperatures and a forecast dump of snow. Warm, dry weather has been keeping it away, causing ski fields to delay their openings. But nearby businesses say some recent falls have padded the slopes and they're preparing for a flurry of visitors from this weekend. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more. 

A report into the revamped school lunch programme has found it saved money, but it's not clear whether it is meeting its main goals of reducing food insecurity and improving student achievement, because there's no robust monitoring. The report by the Auditor General revealed only about 50 percent of school meals were meeting nutritional standards last year. Associate Minister of Health, David Seym...

Auckland scientists are trying to replicate an almost extinct type of mussel that once played an important role in the ecology of the Hauraki Gulf. Horse mussels used to line the sea floor in many parts of Aotearoa, but over the past two decades they've been decimated by destructive fishing methods. The research is moving from lab to ocean, in the hope of giving fish and shellfish more places to l...

A GP and public health expert says ACT's welfare policy assumes people on health and disability benefits are getting them too easily. The party is campaigning on a welfare clamp down, and wants to make it mandatory for all health and disability benefits to be issued by MSD approved, designated doctors. Clinical director of the National Hauora Coalition, Dr Nina Bevin spoke to Lisa Owen.

Deciding what to do with the family farm when its management becomes too much, or there's no obvious succession plan is a growing challenge for many rural families. Holding on too long can put a strain on relationships and health, experts say. But it's a question more people are having to address as the number of farmers working past age 65 increases. Kim Savage reports.

The upsets keep coming at the Football World Cup. Four-time winners Germany have crashed out in a shock penalty shootout loss to Paraguay. Just a couple of hours later it was Netherlands and Morocco keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Michelin awards are set to be given out tonight. The famous restaurant and travel guide has spent nearly a year snooping around Aotearoa, dining undercover, deciding whether any of our culinary destinations are up to their standards. Tourism NZ CEO Rene de Monchy spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a day of legal victories and setbacks for Donald Trump, with the Supreme Court making rulings on several major cases concering the president.

The government is pushing ahead with move on orders, that could see people jailed for being disorderly, begging, rough sleeping or attempting to inhabit a public place. It comes as the Prime Minister admitted he was not aware there is no night shelter in Auckland for rough sleepers.

It was whisker to whisker right to the end for a highly contested cover spot. That's the competition to grace the front of the SPCA's 2027 calendar. This year a fierce battle emerged to displace a cat named Deli Department, who has featured on the front page for four years running. The main contender was William the cat, and it went down to the wire. SPCA chief executive Todd Westwood spoke to Lis...

Europe correspondent Grace Thomas spoke to Lisa Owen about a skydiving aircraft crash in France that has killed five people, as well as Prince Harry reportedly reconsidering plans to bring his wife Meghan and children the UK next month after his request for police protection was rejected.

Birds are taking a battering as blustery weather hits the capital more frequently. A Wellington bird rescue has had more than 640 birds drop in this year. Owner and founder of Wellington Flock Birdcare, Nyssa Skorgee spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

It's the start of the first test week of the year. The All Blacks have arrived in Otautahi ahead of their opening game of the season against the French, the first under new coach Dave Rennie. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The leader of a fringe religious group Kai-xiao Liu and his wife Lanyue Xiao have been found guilty of the kidnapping and manslaughter of one of Liu's followers. 69-year-old Shulai Wang was found bound in tape, wrapped in black plastic rubbish bags and floating in Auckland's Gulf Harbour two years ago. Lucy Xia reports.

The Prime Minister has admitted he was not aware that Auckland had no night shelter for the homeless, given the City Mission closes at 5pm. It comes after revelations that officials have been regularly assessed on whether they're meeting targets to reduce the numbers using emergency housing. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

A leading blood cancer specialist is quitting New Zealand for Australia, because of what he describes as a race to the bottom in medical laboratory services. Lab scientist has resigned from his specialist cancer diagnostic role at Dunedin Hospital's Awanui owned pathology lab. Taylor has expressed serious concerns about Awanui labs, including a lack of training and resources. Taylor spoke to Lisa...