Checkpoint

Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Guyon Espiner about a man who had a toe-to-thumb transplant.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Guyon Espiner about UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosting his first foreign leader at Downing Street, as well as the British Army being under strict instruction to cut back on training exercises in an attempt to save money.

Evening business for 3 September 2026.

The atmosphere is sizzling in South Africa ahead of the All Blacks and Springboks third test in Johannesburg. The sides are deadlocked at 1-all. But meanwhile, there's drama brewing around the Black Ferns and Springbok Women's upcoming game. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Guyon Espiner.

A jury has heard that the man involved in a conspiracy to murder a landlord told police of the plot, but the confession languished in the police filing system after it was referred to a supervisor on holiday. When the supervisor returned from leave, the confession was filed and it was only investigated following an alleged double murder of a different couple two months later. Finn Blackwell report...

A native seaweed that can cut the methane belched out by cows by around 80 percent is being grown right here in New Zealand, but our regulations mean no local farmer can actually use it. Executive director of Asparagopsis Technologies, Nigel Little spoke to Guyon Espiner. 

The ACT Party wants to get rid of the Maori and Pacific Admissions Scheme because it says it's racist. The scheme is a targeted entry and support programme at Auckland University's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences designed to increase the number of Maori and Pacific health professionals. ACT leader David Seymour pushed for a review of the scheme, which has now been completed and recommends i...

A pub in the heart of the Southern Alps is getting a new lease of life after sitting empty for years. The Chalet - a Swiss-style lodge in Arthur's Pass - is being renovated, and there are plans to re-open it later this year. South Island correspondent Timothy Brown reports.

As the countdown to the election ticks on, politicians arriving at Turangawaewae Marae for the annual Koroneihana celebrations have received a loud and clear message - respect the Treaty and treaty settlements. Political parties, alongside chiefs from across the Pacific, gathered in Ngaruawahia today for the third day of the annual celebrations, with some notable exceptions. Political reporter Tuw...

Rugby League has been on the agenda as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with leaders in Papua New Guinea. In two years time PNG will join the NRL and Luxon expects Warriors fans will add Port Moresby to the away game destinations. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Guyon Espiner.

A dedicated crew of volunteers who have spent thousands of hours helping families in need by mending curtains are now turning to the public in an appeal for help. With their shelves looking bare, the Rotorua Curtainbank's are calling for donations to replace their dwindling supply of curtains. Co-ordinator Judy Gregor spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Thousands of American sailors caught up in the Iran War finally have a chance to stretch their legs, after a record 286 days at sea. The USS Abraham Lincoln was last docked in November, and since then there have been claims of deteriorating mental health and food shortages aboard. It's now tied up near Pattya, in Thailand. Thailand-based journalist, Mike Firn spoke to Guyon Espiner.

NZTA is cutting the amount of funding it gives some councils to help with essential infrastructure, causing them to seek an urgent review. Among them is Tararua District Council, which says the agency's decision to cut it's contribution to the roading network will cost the district more than $1.2 million over three years. Tararua District Council is one of more than a dozen councils that have seen...

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about national debate flaring up again over what can be done to stop a flood of illegal tobacco products from entering the country.

Evening business including a market report.

The All Blacks are just a few hours away from revealing their team to play the Springboks in the third test in Johannesburg, and coach Dave Rennie is expected to inject some fresh legs into the side. A few changes are expected from the team that lost to South Africa last weekend. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Melissa Chan-Green from South Africa.

A new lifejacket rule passed just as boatie season is about to ramp up, is expected to save at least ten lives a year. Lifejackets will now need to be wron, not just carried, by everyone - adults and kids. The law applies to vessels six metres and under. Dr Shane Reti was behind the bill, and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

As biosecurity and conservation groups work to shield the country's wildlife from any spread of bird flu, researchers say some people are embracing false narratives about the virus on social media. The country remain on standby after three confirmed cases in wild birds over the past two months. As Katie Todd reports, some Covid-era conspiracy theories are being repurposed to falsely dismiss avian...

Gloriavale Christian School's registration as a private school has been cancelled by the Secretary of Education today after further information from the Education Review Office, which says the school isn't a physically and emotionally safe place for students. Liz Gregory from the Gloriavale Leavers' Support Trust spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Streaming services like Netflix and Prime long ago replaced DVDs as our go to for entertainment, thanks to their competitive prices and smorgasbord of offerings. But sellers and buyers of second-hand discs say they're making a comeback as a cheaper and more personalised alternative. Sammy Carter reports.

It's been a whirlwind week at the Pacific Islands Forum leaders' meeting, with foreign minister Winston Peters and Prime Minister Christopher Luxon jetting into Palau for the annual summit. A new UN climate report also says overshooting the Paris agreement goal of 1.5 degrees warming is now unavoidable, renewing calls from Pacific leaders and climate advocates for the world's big emitter to do the...

Dozens of aftershocks have been recorded in the lower South Island following a string of earthquakes near Milford Sound last night. A 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck on Wednesday evening, followed by a larger 5.6 shake. Three further, smaller quakes followed over the next hour. The tremors have prompted calls for local authorities and central government to get around the table to nut out an emerge...

Warriors coach Andrew Webster has lashed out at internet trolls attacking his players. Webster said the online abuse bears almost on resemblance to the support they encounter in the real world. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A state of the art nurse training suite has opened in Hawke's Bay, three years after the building was destroyed by Cyclone Gabrielle. In February 2023, nurse teaching staff at the Eastern Institute of Technology faced a devastating scene after floodwaters and mud swept through their Taradale campus. Acting Head of EIT's School of Nursing, Katie Rongonui spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about tensions ramping up again in the Middle East conflict, with Iran accusing the US of committing a war crime. Meanwhile the Pentagon has outlined how its new testosterone testing programme for service members will operate.