Checkpoint

Auckland's biggest and most expensive sewer pipe is officially online, with the council promising fewer overflows and healthier waterways. Watercare says it'll be the backbone of Auckland's sewer system, but some of the ribs won't be built until well beyond 2030. Felix Walton has more.

The government is supercharging its promised revamp of planning laws - making further changes - which the opposition parties decry as unworkable and embarassing. The changes include ripping up existing council-iwi agreements - and giving ministers further powers to override environmental protections. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Parents of a couple hundred school children in the Manawatu town of Ashhurst are having to dip into their pockets for buses to Palmerston North from today, as the new term begins. Ratepayers are also stumping up for the services, which were previously funded by the Ministry of Education. The change comes after the ministry reviewed routes into the town and found many children weren't complying wit...

The rise of weight loss jabs could completely change the way people shop, and not just for food, according to a leading business consultancy. A new report by EY looks at the way GLP1 weight loss medicines are influencing consumer choices in Australia and what that could mean for business. Report co-author, Lisa Nijssen-Smith spoke to Lisa Owen.

A clutch birdie on the final hole has crowned Ryan Fox The Open champion and delivered New Zealand another major golfing triumph. Sports editor Dana Johannsen unpacked the the unforgettable finish and the significance of Fox's biggest career win with Lisa Owen.

It was never going to be your typical Monday morning. The traditionally quiet start to the working week gave way to chanting and emotional celebrations around the country, as Spain clinched its second World Cup title today. Argentina fans though were left a little blue by the result. Jessica Hopkins reports.

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about dozens - including three American soldiers - who have been killed in the latest flare up in the US-Iran war. Back and forth attacks between boths countries haven't slowed down over the past eight days. The US military says its latest strikes were designed to "punish" Iran for allegedly killing two American troops in Jordan over the...

A Wairarapa vet has had an onslaught of calls from cat owners worried about their felines catching bird flu. On Friday it was confirmed a Kahu infected with the deadly H-5 strain of the virus was found in the district. It's the second confirmed case in Aotearoa. Several countries that have had cases of the virus have also had domestic cat deaths due to the H-5 strain. Wairarapa vet Dr Louisa Broug...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Keir Starmer making his final visit to Ukraine as Prime Minister, as well as the government announcing children under 16 in England will be banned from buying high-caffeine energy drinks starting next year.

A beloved community centre which has served as a second home to tens of thousands of Queenstowners over 35 years in on the hunt for a new home of its own. Happiness House offers everything from free food to financial advice and spaces for social connection - but it's learned it has to vacate its iconic premises in the centre of town by late 2028. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd has the story.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Irish are set to attempt to fell the fortress which has stood for three decades. The All Blacks have been unbeaten at Eden Park for 32 years and 52 tests, with the streak going on the line tomorrow. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

South Island wildlife tourism businesses say they're not panicking, but they are prepared for bird flu to spread. A second case of the deadly H5N1 strain has been confirmed in the North Island. One Dunedin operator is worried bird flu could wipe out one of the country's taonga species that is already on the brink. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.

There's not enough emphasis on quitting vapes and they should only be supplied through pharmacies or cessation programmes, according to a leading researcher in tobacco and nicotine control. Checkpoint has been looking at the issue this week after Wellington's main stop smoking service quit after refusing to supply vapes as part of the programme. Otago University Professor Janet Hoek spoke to Lisa...

A second bird flue case has been confirmed in New Zealand, and this time it has infected a native bird, the Kahu, a swap harrier hawk. The bird was sent to Massey University's Wildbase Research centre after being found extremely ill. Professor Brett Gartell spoke to Lisa Owen.

Emergency management is investigating why the Civil Defence website crashed after last night's earthquake when people needed information and advice. The quake north of Te Anau was initially recorded as magnitude 6.3 but was later revised to 5.9. A tsunami warning and evacuation order was issued by NEMA but was downgraded about half an hour later. Emergency Management Minister, Mark Mitchell spoke...

The National Emergency Management Agency will investigate why the Civil Defence website crashed following last night's magnitude 5.9 earthquake in Southland. The site was down for several hours after the quake, which prompted a brief tsunami evacuation order for parts of the south-west of the South Island. Keiller MacDuff reports.

A second case of a deadly strain of the bird flu has been confirmed, this time in Wairarapa. The bird is a native Kahu, swamp harrier hawk. DOC is already vaccinating breeding pairs from our five most endangered bird species after the strain was found in Australia. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka spoke to Lisa Owen.

While the opening date for Auckland's long-awaited underground rail is yet to be announced, Hamilton's station below the street has been there for decades. Few Hamiltonians are even aware that inside the 344 metre tunnel beneath their feet is the country's first ever underground passenger train station. The station is now blocked off but there are fresh calls to see it re-opened. Waikato reporter...

The All Blacks insist it is not fear that is motivating them to perform in tomorrow night's test against Ireland at Eden Park. The hosts will put their 52 match unbeaten streak at the ground on the line, and the pressure to win is palpable. The All Blacks appear quietly confident, but how do fans feel about the test? Rugby reporter Joe Porter was in Auckland went to find out.

Police are investigating the alleged pilfering of an old shipwreck washed up on a Northland beach. A group of people using a tractor apparently took timber from the ship's carcass at Pouto Point in Kaipara. It's an offence to disturb a wreck that happened before 1900 under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act. Steven Cochrane was on the beach as things unfolded and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about the US military launching more strikes against Iran. It comes almost a week after hostilities between the US and Iran kicked off again.

A second case of a deadly strain of bird flu has been confirmed, this time in a native bird in the Wairarapa. The discovery follows confirmation on Wednesday that a sea bird found on Petone beach had tested positive for the H-5 virus. Fiona MacMillan - who represents the Egg Producers Federation of NZ spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about businesses receving some welcome refund payments from the US government as they recoup money collected as part of a tariff regime deemed to be unlawful.

Witness descriptions have been brought to the forefront of the trial of two former police officers, accused of perverting the course of justice. The judge presiding over the trial of Alan Hall for the 1985 murder of Arthur Easton said a witness's first description of a suspect should always be provided to the defence because it may be more accurate than later recollections. One of the officers con...