Checkpoint

Auckland FC are on their way to Saudi Arabia for the Intercontinental Cup with reassurances from FIFA that it is safe to do so. Next week's clash in Jeddah against Asian champions Al-Alhi will boost the coffers to the tune of close to $2 million even if the Aucklanders lose. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen. 

A Tauranga woman is describing a $100 ticket for double parking during a passenger drop off as 'the most expensive three seconds' of her life. The drop off was was in Durham Street in July. Leticia Emery was behind the wheel and believes the ticket is an example of over the top revenue gathering by the council. Leticia Emery spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Healthline has called in reinforcements to cope with a deluge of calls following a surge in flu like illnesses. The boss of Health New Zealand says the entire system is under pressure from the biggest flu outbreak in years. Flu related hospitalisations are at a 10 year high in Auckland. Wakarongorau Aotearoa operates Healthline, Chief Operating Officer Brian O'connell spoke to Lisa Owen.

Stressed out, fed up, and worried about bills. Those are the messages some Wellington residents want to tell new water entity Tiaki Wait about what they see as soaring bills. Hundreds gathered in the capital today as part of a Stop Tiaki Wai protest. Wellington issues reporter Ellen O'Dwyer has more.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about a tragic conclusion to the search for a teenager missing in bushland outside of Sydney.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Blacks are set to announce who will take the field against the Springboks in the first of four tests this weekend. With some players already ruled out with injury most of the side should be fairly predictable to pick. However, a couple of positions are proving harder to nail down. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Lisa Owen

There has been a sharp rise in the number of retail businesses shutting up shop. The latest quarterly market report from BWA Insolvency shows retail businesses going into liquidation, receivership or voluntary administration is up almost 75 percent in the last quarter. That is despite the overall insolvency rate for all business types being relatively flat. BWA Insolvency principal Bryan Williams...

Nursing graduates who have applied for hundreds of jobs and haven't found work say it is devastating to hear there is a shortage of nurses. The nurses union says our health system is falling into a deeper crisis with emergency departments and wards bursting at the seams. It follows revelations that Health New Zealand has hired just 54 additional full time equivalent nurses in the past two years. T...

A review in to the Mount Maunganui landslide concluded no one person was to blame for the tragedy, but a litany of systemic failings led to preventable deaths. The report also made a series of recommendations, including that every natural hazard identified as a risk to life should have a single named person within the council is accountable for its management. Structural and geotechnical engineer...

A former mayor of Tauranga says warnings about the landslide risk on Mount Maunganui never reached him in his 12 years as mayor. Stuart Crosby says a review that found the council failed to act before a landslide killed six campers should be a wake-up call for councils up and down the country. Felix Walton has more.

Auckland has had it's worst week for flu hospitalisations in a decade, while New Zealand is also close to the highest influenza rates in four years. Charlotte Cook spoke to Lisa Owen about the latest data.

The mother of a man who was murdered in Auckland's maximum security prison has told a coronial inquest she wants the corrections department held accountable for his death. Blake Lee was stabbed to death by another inmate, in an exercise yard inside Auckland Prison at Paremoremo in March 2020. A Coronial inquest into his death is underway at the Auckland District Court. Finn Blackwell reports.

A National MP has gone against his party ranks and criticised a charity tax change from this year's Budget. Gleg Fleming - the MP for Maungakiekie - was at a charities event in Wellington when he said the policy had zero logic. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Black Ferns will blood a trio of test debutants against Australia this Saturday as they kick off a gruelling test schedule to close out the season. This Saturday's O'Reilly Cup clash marks the first of eight internationals for New Zealand as they meet Australia, a side they have never lost to in 29 games. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

There is concern a spate of thefts across Hawkes Bay could be funding drug habits. Police say it is likely the very specific array of items have been stolen to order, with rural properties and contractors targeted. Railway crossing bells were taken from two different spots, creating major safety risk. Hawkes Bay Senior Constable, Pehi Potaka spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about an about-turn on Canadian tariffs and a record trillions in debt, as well as a close aide of President Trump who has been dominating headlines.

Governments should be forced to think about the impact of their decisions on future generations before they pass laws or make policies, according to a new political poll. 82 percent of people surveyed were for the change. Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa, who commissioned the poll, said a Future Generations Act is doable, with other countries already progressing similar laws. Director of Wellbe...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about British Prime Minister Andy Burnham talking up his country's commitment to Ukraine, as well as a salmonella outbreak in the UK, believed to be linked to imported eggs.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Months after the Waikato Rugby Union took a strong stance on sideline abuse at youth rugby games - not much has changed. Union boss Amy Marfell spoke out in May, ahead of the season kicking off, saying the region would have a zero tolerance for abuse. This weekend Waikato will celebrate their youth players but there is still a concern that adults' behaviour could turn children away from the game....

Teenagers are among the growing group of people injecting themselves with black market drugs under the promise of health benefits ranging from weight loss to skin care. In May, Medsafe issued a safety alert about the rise in illegal peptides being imported, sold and used without being tested for safety, quality or efficacy. But health advocates say there's been a massive increase in people using t...

Emergency management in Christchurch is preparing for wildfires, 'spiky' temperatures and weather whiplash when El Nino peaks this summer. It usually means wetter conditions in the south-west of the South Island - and drier, windier conditions for other parts of the country, especially the east coast. Wildfires are a particular concern with emergency teams meeting today to discuss preparation. Chr...

This was not a hazard that was unknown hidden or beyond the reach of foresite as for more than two decades one geo tech consultant after another indentified the land side hazard at the camp ground. Those conclusions from the author of a report into the fatal Mount Maunganui landslide. Retired High Court judge, Paul Davison K-C has found the tragedy was preventable. Chief executive of Tauranga City...

Bakeries and pie shops across New Zealand and Australia are going head to head in a month-long pie competition for charity. A dollar for every pie sold in the Meanest Pie Challenge in September will go to the Cancer Society. Anya Fielding reports.