Checkpoint

The prime ministers of New Zealand and Singapore have just signed a world-first agreement. It commits both nations to keeping supplies moving in times of crisis, and gives New Zealand fuel security. Political editor Jo Moir spoke to Melissa Chan-Green from Singapore.

A long-term patient of Palmerston North Hospital's gastroenterology department is concerned about the care he'll receive when the last permanent doctor leaves next month. Over recent years the service, which focuses on patients suffering from problems with their digestive systems, has struggled to attract specialists to work there. One left on Friday, and the other finishes in June. Temporary and...

The men from the capital still sit comfortably atop the Super Rugby ladder, after dispatching the defending champions at the weekend. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Teachers who were with 15-year-old Karnin Petera on a school caving trip in May 2023 gave emotional evidence at an inquest into his death in Whangarei. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

"A humanitarian gesture." That's how Donald Trump has described a plan to get stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. Details around how the US-led efforts would operate are scarce, but the President has warned that any Iranian intervention would "be dealt with forcefully." Iran said any American action in the Strait would breach the current ceasefire. Meanwhile, Iran has put forward a new pea...

A council operated crematorium is being called out over its charging, with families taking their loved ones a hundred kilometres away for the service to be carried out. Tauranga City Council runs the only crematorium in the city and charges $979 for an adult cremation. That's compared to $695 in neighbouring Hamilton and $630 charged in Rotorua. Crematoriums run by Auckland Council charge $750. Fu...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about how the UK's terror threat level has been raised once again, following the latest antisemitic attack in London and how Central London had a brand new sculpture. She also spoke about a routine driving test just outside of Paris taking a turn for the worse.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

We're heading towards the business end of the Super Rugby Pacific season. The final stretch before the play-offs will kick-off in the capital on Friday. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Fonoti-Fuimaono brothers have just been named among 12 of the country's most promising opera singers, who will compete against each other in the Dame Kiri te Kanawa song quest semi finals in July. The proud Samoan siblings grew up in Hastings and now live in Hamilton,where they all studied music at Waikato University. Melissa Chan-Green spoke with two of the brothers Faamanu and Jordan, who sa...

The scale of damage to State Highway 3 at Awakino Gorge has been laid bare ahead of the route reopening to single-lane, escorted convoys tomorrow afternoon. More than 30 slips, including a 16 thousand cubic metre monster, came down during a severe weather event two weeks ago, and 10 significant underslips have further undermined the road. Our Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin was in the Awa...

It's now five weeks exactly since Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she was "actively consulting with industry, local Government and other community stakeholders" about who would be on the list. Earlier this week, Shane Jones told Checkpoint officials are finalising the list but didn't want to rush it and would confirm a timeline at another time. Nathan Surendren is Chair of the think tank, Wise...

Remember internet cafes? Well, in Nelson they're making a comeback of sorts, with what's thought to be the country's first AI cafe. The initiative, by the Nelson AI Sandbox, aims to let people grab a coffee and try out a bunch of AI tools, so they don't get left behind by the new wave of technology sweeping the world. There's even a hardworking AI assistant on hand to help. Samantha Gee reports.

From Saturday, new plumbing rules come into effect which would remove lead from all products allowed in new build homes and buildings. This change was signalled as far back as four years ago, so it's likely that those products will have been phased out over builds in the transition period too. However, Water New Zealand said older homes could still have pipes with lead in them and there are things...

A parent of a teenager who eats only plain foods including bread, crackers and pasta says it's terrifying to learn such restrictive diets can cause permanent vision loss. It follows two eye specialist's warning that there are children in Aotearoa who have gone blind due to malnutrition. Local researchers are now gathering data on children's eye-health to better understand the problem. Amy Williams...

While LIV Golf might struggle to survive past this season, golf experts believe it will have a lasting legacy. sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Given time to play on YouTube, there aren't too many 8 year-olds who would choose to watch chess tutorials. But that's what Aarush Khanolkar did four years ago when he started learning. He clearly paid attention, because he is now about to head off to the Commonwealth Chess Championships in Sri Lanka later this month. Now 11 years old, will represent New Zealand in the under 12 category. Khanolkar...

Three Northland men are likely celebrating being alive this evening after their boat capsized in the Bay of Islands last night, leaving them clinging to a chilly bin for survival. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf reports on the rescue.

Americas correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the latest news from the region.

The cost of fuel to get there aside, ticket prices have long been creeping up and in North Auckland at Orewa College they were originally set at $230. After that news went out and some parents balked at the price. Just a few hours ago, the school put out an update saying they had reviewed that carefully and the ticket price will now be $195 and remain at their chosen venue, the New Zealand Interna...

There's been a tragic end to the search for a missing five year old in Australia's northern territory, with police revealing the child's body has now been recovered. Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Three-time Paralympic gold medallist Anna Grimaldi has been selected for her first Commonwealth Games. The Dunedin athlete will compete in the 100 metres T47 in Glasgow in July. This year's Games will feature a record 47 Para sport medal events, making it the largest integrated Para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A health reseacher said getting rid of the harmful marketing of junk food and alcohol and reducing nicotine is imperative for a healthier future in Aotearoa. The Cancer Society has released it 2026 Election manifesto, essentially a five point policy wish listto improve cancer outcomes. It wants fully funded cervical screening, and national screening programmes for skin and lung cancer and the bowe...

An inquest into the death of a 15-year-old boy during a school caving trip three years ago is underway in Whangarei. Karnin Petera died when floodwaters surged through the cave he and classmates were exploring during a storm. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has more.