Checkpoint

Hundreds of thousands of layer hens are still in lockdown after the third case of avian flu was confirmed in a wild bird. The mosty recent case is a giant petral that was found on a remote beach at Cape Palliser in Wairarapa. Huge layer flocks and broiler hens that would normally be free range have temporarily been brought inside to avoid the virus. Egg Producers' Federation chair John McKay spoke...

Safety complaints filed by under-pressure nurses reveal there are often not enough of them to care for the very sickest patients in North Shore Hospital's emergency department. The problem is one of dozens highlighted in 192 safety reports filed by the ED nurses in late July and early August as they declare a crisis. Rowan Quinn reports.

The government is moving to ban under 16's from social media and will introduce the Online Safety Bill. If it becomes law, so called high risk social media platforms will have to take reasonable steps to verify a users ages. ACT will not support the bill. ACT leader David Seymour spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tenants are wanted for new houses installed today - but they must be feathered, blue and roughly 30 centimetres tall. The new builds for little kororā have been built by year seven and eight students from Ridgway School and were set up at Owhiro Bay today. Anya Fielding reports.

Dunedin could be inline for tough new alcohol rules that would restrict new licences, ban buy now pay later and some single beer sales. The council's draft local alcohol plan goes out for public consultation from tomorrow. City Councillor Russell Lund spoke to Lisa Owen.

A tourism leader is questioning the government's commitment to the industry after National ditched plans to explore a bed tax. Two weeks ago, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he was open to looking into a bed levy. He has since ruled it out if National is re-elected, sparking shock, confusion and frustration among the tourism industry. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton reports.

New Zealand's leading doubles tennis player is eyeing a match against a blockbuster pairing in New York. The revamped US Open mixed doubles begins this week and Erin Routliffe and her British partner are involved in qualifying tomorrow. If they make it through they could be playing Serena Williams and Carlos Alcaraz in the first round. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government is introducing legislation to ban under 16s from social media today, and put greater responsibilities on technology companies to protect children online. It will require social media platforms like Instagram, Tiktok, Snapchat and Facebook to take "reasonable steps" to check users are over the age of 16. It will also introduce "significant penalties" for companies that fail to meet t...

The government is introducing legislation to ban under 16s from social media today, and put greater responsibilities on technology companies to protect children online. It will require social media platforms like Instagram, Tiktok, Snapchat and Facebook to take "reasonable steps" to check users are over the age of 16. It will also introduce "significant penalties" for companies that fail to meet t...

Middle East correspondent, Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about the US treasury secretary talking up a plan to cripple the Iranian regime with new sanctions. Just how the US will financially target the Islamic Republic isn't yet clear - with details set to be laid out tomorrow morning. Iranian officials have warned the US against the planned action, threatening to further choke off oil shipments in...

Regional Tourism NZ say they have been blindsided over an apparent political flip flop on a bed levy. The National Party has now ruled out any kind of accommodation levy for visitors. That is despite Christopher Luxon speaking about the possibility of one just a fortnight ago. Any levy was intended to help fund infrastructure in the face of growing tourist numbers. General manager of Destination M...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the UK reigniting debate over their security arrangements.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

We're about a day and a half away from the first test between the All Blacks and Springboks in Johannesburg and All Blacks coach Dave Rennie believes his side can give themselves an early advantage in the four test series by "drawing first blood". Rugby reporter Joe Porter joins us from Johannesburg.

An east coast conservationist has turned surrogate dad to two baby emus that escaped a feral cat attack on their nest. Ruatoria man Graeme Atkins rescued the survivors after earlier stumbling across the nest and scaring away the real bird dad.

Provincial rugby's crown jewel has returned after nearly 50 years. Te Tai Tokerau's Taniwha team blew away Canterbury last night at Te Kaha stadium to be the latest Ranfurly Shield holders. Teuila Fuatai was at Whangarei airport for the team's arrival.

Tauranga councillors had a detailed report showing there was a high risk people could die if their local campground got hit by a landslide but no one read the report. The council says that despite the report being in an August 2025 council agenda, it was not read and the meeting never happened. Five months after the meeting was cancelled six people were killed in a landslide. Waikato/Bay of Plenty...

Auckland's had its worst week for flu related hospitalisations in a decade; 177 people admitted across four of the city's hospitals. Health New Zealand says 188 elective surgery were cancelled to free up resources, following a surge in respiratory cases. University of Otago Professor of Public Health Dr Michael Baker, believes more could have been done sooner - including stronger advice about mask...

Twin brothers Tom and Reuben Allen will go head-to-head when the Hawke's Bay Magpies take on the Manawatu Turbos tonight. It's the first time the 22 year old twins have played against each other. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti reporter Alexa Cook caught up with them ahead of their big game.

A New Zealand company making fully electric hydrofoil passenger boats is looking to expand into the US market, after raising $30 million from investors. Vessev's first customer in America is Fly Tahoe, a sustainable water transport operator. Company co-founder and CEO, Eric Laakmann spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about the US treasury secretary vowing to impose "the toughest economic sanctions in history" on Iran, while Iran accuses the US of "economic terrorism".

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.