Checkpoint

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.

The government has ordered yet another business case for a new Auckland harbour crossing, which Transport Minister Chris Bishop says will be "the largest and most expensive infrastructure project ever undertaken in New Zealand". That's despite $100 million already being spent on looking at the issue. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.

A post-code lottery for residential eating disorder care is leaving some patients feeling stuck and without the help they say they need. Diante Peihopa-Harris who was living in Whangarei finally worked up the courage to seek support for her eating disorder but was told there was nothing available in Northland. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

A former Black Fern rediscovered her love of rugby while running around in Perth and now could be making history in the green and gold. Loose forward Pia Tapsell played six tests for the Black Ferns and is in line to make her debut for the Wallaroos against her former side in Auckland this weekend. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Canterbury manufacturing company, struggling to find workers despite high unemployment says there's a mismatch in school leavers skills and misconceptions about the industry. Vortex Engineering group has been trying to fill 10 Christchurch roles across various trades, but says it hasn't been easy, despite unemployment sitting at 5.6 percent. Vortex Engineering Group CFO Glenn Hansen spoke to Lis...

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump's son-in-law and Middle East Envoy, Jared Kushner sitting down with Hamas officials in a rare face to face meeting. It's part of efforts to push forward an Amercian-backed Gaza peace plan between the militant group and Israel.

Who should pay for our care as we get older? It's a major issue facing Aotearoa and according to a new report the current age care system can not meet future demand safely, equitably or sustainably without a major shake. Aged Care Commissioner Erin James spoke to Lisa Owen.

Whether it's Woolworths' "Ooshies" or New World's Smeg knife promotion, many Kiwis are keeping these sought after items close. But down in the South Island there's one man who's built up a massive collection of his own and he's looking to the public to help him part ways with it. Producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the Clacton by-election, how the UK has broken another temperature record and how people battling the scorching heatwave have found a rather unusual way to keep their homes cool.