Checkpoint

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about several Israeli airstrikes that hit a Syrian airbase. Syria has hit out at the attacks, labelling them a "flagrant violation" of the country's sovereignty. Meanwhile, Israel alleges a buildup of Turkish troops at the military base is why it carried out the strikes.

The mayor of Gisborne has met with the Forestry minister after he appointed a facilitator to "reset the relationship between the local council and forestry sector. The government is worried the Council is scaring off investors with its tough approach to dealing with woody debris and sediment. Mayor Rehette Stoltz spoke to Lisa Owen.

The deaths in the fatal Mount Maunganui landslide were preventable according to a new report that details a litany of systemic failures that resulted in the tragedy in January. No one person is to blame, but the report says its central conclusion is "sobering in its simplicity" and that in all likelihood lives did not need to be lost. Waikato and Bay of Plenty reporter Rachel Moore was at the revi...

Hamilton families are struggling to put food on the table. As the city's first social supermarket opens today, it's a stark reminder that many are unable to afford basic necessities. Waikato Bay of Plenty regional reporter Rachel Moore reports. 

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about a police investigation which is underway into an alleged sexual assault linked to players within the high profile Sydney Swans AFL team.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The man who discovered an ancient waka partially buried in dunes on Rekohu, Chatham Islands hopes after seeing it first hand the government will stump up the money to save it. Pieces of the waka - believed to be part of an early migration from Hawaiki centuries ago - were discovered nearly two years ago. Hundreds of fragments have been recovered but the bulk of the Waka is still in dunes and expos...

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie says the Springboks series kicking off on Sunday is going to be a lot tougher than a world cup. The squad has made light work of the South Africa tour so far - remaining undefeated in three outings. However, tour-ending injuries and mind games from the hosts are testing the team before the first whistle blows at Ellis Park. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Lisa Owen...

Philip Polkinghorne's sister has described a catastrophic scene when she arrived at her brother's Remuera home on the day Pauline Hanna was found dead. Ruth Hughes was not called as a witness at Dr Polkinghorne's 2024 murder trial, where he was found not guilty, but today she was called on to give evidence at the inquest into Hanna's death. Jessica Hopkins reports.

A Disputes Tribunal win by a Christchurch couple whose twins played with asbestos-laced playsand has given others confidence. The case against Kmart has seen more parents speak up today about their fight to hold the retailer accountable. Lucy Xia reports.

Official data shows the past couple of weeks have been the worst in three years for school absences due to illness and medical reasons. Last week almost 10 percent of class time was lost across the country due to illness. President of the New Zealand Principals Federation Jason Miles spoke to Lisa Owen.

The same day heavy machinery is starting up at the site of Southland's new $5 billion AI factory, the company behind it has pitched its case directly to local business leaders. Some people have been demanding more details about the project's vast use of resources like power and water. As Katie Todd reports, Datagrid has unveiled a trimmed-down footprint for the project and promised full transparen...

Parliament has been a muddle of messages today - with both the coalition and opposition scrambling to clean up their confused communications. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

After years in the educational wildnerness, philosophy will be included in the school curriculum from 2029. It is part of a new subject, Civics, Politics, and Philosophy that will be an option for students in Years 12 and 13. Philosophy teachers met in Wellington today and they're excited. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

A date has been set for the historic New Zealand State of Origin match. It will be just the second time the rugby league showcase will be hosted outside of Australia. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

Five students from Rotorua Boys High are set to release their protest song that secured them a top spot at the Smoke Free Tangata Beats competition last year. Kotahi Te Ra took out top honours with their last minute entry of "Boogie Man's Disguise", a song about the unauthorised use of a Kuia's image in a Hobson's Pledge political campaign opposing Maori wards. Lead singer and songwriter, fifteen-...

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump talking up his relationship with North Korea's Kim Jong Un, seven years on from their last meeting. Yesterday the US president vowed to cut back joint military drills with South Korea, criticising the East Asian ally for a lack of participation in the Iran war. The move is seen as an attempt to reheat diplomatic relati...

Several Auckland Councillors have come out against plans to reinvestigate a second Waitemata Harbour crossing from Meola Reef in Point Chevalier. The government has commissioned a detailed business case for an additional crossing, and it will look again at the option of a bridge from Meola Reef to the North Shore if Auckland Council wants that and is prepared to split the bill. The Mayor is keen,...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about British-made drones reportedly being used in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the full extent of the damage caused by the devastating wildfires across England slowly being revealed.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Ferns have arrived in Auckland ahead of a monumental stretch of test matches. Australia await in the first of eight tests for the Ferns, a side they have never lost to in 29 meetings. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government has ordered another report into a second Auckland harbour crossing, despite a detailed analysis being completed earlier this year. Director of the Greater Auckland transport advocacy website, Matt Lowrie spoke to Lisa Owen.

An urgent care clinic in South Auckland is absorbing patients from a crowded hospital emergency department, as EDs around the country hit peak winter demand. Meanwhile another clinic in South Auckland has had to shut temporarily due to staffing issues and sickness, pushing more patients to other clinics. Luka Forman reports.

A new report recommends a massive overhaul of the aged care sector that would see some people paying a lot more for care in their golden years. "A place to grow old" report concludes the sector is significantly underfunded despite the government spending $2.5 billion on in home and residential care in the 2024/25 year. Minister for Seniors and Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello spoke to L...

The popularity of sleep radio has boomed in recent years, with one online station racking up tens of thousands of loyal listeners each month. Whether it's birdsong or your favourite band, niche radio stations are scratching an itch. Anya Fielding spoke to Lisa Owen.