Checkpoint

A series of provocative political billboards have gone missing in Tauranga, just days after they went up. The boards were branded with the slogan 'I'd rather crap in my hands and clap than have three more years of these idiots wrecking our country'. Alongside that are arrows pointing towards the billboards of National, ACT and NZ First. The man behind the billboards, businessman and former Gisborn...

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a raid by immigration agents on a democrat congresswoman's home just weeks out from the crucial midterm elections, as well as ads promoting a Republican candidate that were supposed to run in Portland, Maine accidentally playing in Portland, Oregon due to a mix up.

The campaign trail was explosive for some today, but with little in the way of policy. ACT leader David Seymour blasted just shy of 50,000 tonnes of rocks in a controlled demolition at Hunua Quarry. Meanwhile, Labour and National went to war over who has done more for the typical kiwi family. Political reporter Tu Natanahira spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Education Minister believes the case of a child sex offender who was able to keep teaching despite multiple warning signs, is not isolated. Barrister Katherine Anderson KC today released a scathing report into the case of Timothy Fisher. She found the Teaching Council should have struck him off a decade before he was convicted of indecency and sex offences against children, most of them under...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK Defence Secretary weighing in on Trump's Russia diesel deal, as well as the UK setting up a new taskforce to prepare for extreme weather.

Both the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns kick off their World Cup campaigns this week. It's been 18 years since the Kiwis one and only title, and the current group of players are taking inspiration from the victorious 2008 side. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Business News for 12 October 2026.

Ten weeks from Christmas, businesses have started taking on extra staff to cope with what they hope will be a rush on retail. Retail NZ said the December quarter is where most people do their biggest trade, with many retailers relying on a sucessful festive season to get them through the rest of the year. CEO of the Newmarket Business Association Mark Knoff-Thomas spoke to Lisa Owen.

One in every three households have experienced food insecurity in the past year. Statistically speaking, the means you or one of your immediate neighbours struggled to put food on the table. Those figures from the latest survey by the New Zealand Food Network are almost identical to last year's, as the cost of living shows no signs of dropping. Felix Walton reports.

ACT wants to save hundreds of millions of dollars by cutting the number of people on health and disability benefits, and it is focusing on those not working due to their mental health. The party wants compulsary independent medical certification to determine eligability for a jobseeker disability benefit. Mental Health Foundation CEO, Shaun Robinson spoke to Lisa Owen. 

A new social housing complex in Auckland's Orewa will soon be home to five people with autism whose apartments have been designed to reduce sensory overload. It's the first development of its kind for Autism NZ's charitable property trust Equity House, driven by a shortage of suitable housing for those on the spectrum. Amy Williams reports. 

National has finally dropped its fiscal plan for this years election, but it's what is not in it that's capturing interest. No tax cuts, and no superannuation policy either, despite National's promises on both three years ago. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

The opening salvos in the Chiefs vs Chiefs legal battle has been heard at the High Court in Wellington today. The case centres on NZ Rugby's bid to stop Papua New Guinea's incoming NRL franchise from using the Chiefs name. While the PNG teams is not set to join the NRL until 2028, it plans to launch its jersey and branding next Wednesday. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland transport has done a rapid review after train delays left hundreds of fans waiting to get home from Saturday's All Blacks game at Eden Park. The chief executive of Eden Park is calling for rail platform upgrades and a pedestrian footbridge across Sandringham Road to prevent delays for Eden Park fans. Auckland's Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Correspondent in Singapore, Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about some schools in Southeast Asia closing due to a toxic haze choking much of the region. Indonesian wildfires - which have been burning for weeks - are sending smoke and raising air pollution levels in neighbouring countries. Singapore is among the countries cloaked by the smog.

Farmers are worried about unreliable mobile service on much of their property, according to a new survey. 65 percent of farmers said they can't rely on getting through to emergency services from most of their property. Federated Farmers claims since the 3G network was switched off in March farmers are even more frustrated with black spots and poor reception. Telecommunications spokesperson Mark Ho...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about a development in the active investigation against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as well as another Royal Airforce base security breach.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Blacks are set to put their historic streak at Eden Park on the line. Meanwhile the Wallabies are looking for their first win at the fortress since 1986. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

It is almost a year since the so-called cease fire came into effect in the Israel-Gaza conflict. The Gaza health ministry says more than 73,000 have died in the Palestinian territory since Israel launched aatacks in realiation for the October 7 attacks that saw more than 1200 killed and 251 hostages taken. Aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres says despite the ceasefire, the Israeli military continu...

Young people in Auckland's new Henderson electorate say more needs to be done to encourage them that their vote matters. The electorate has been reformed with new boundaries - it covers Henderson, Ranui, Swanson, Lincoln, Massey, Western Heights and parts of Te Atatu and Upper Harbour. Just 56 percent of 18 to 24 year olds are enrolled to vote in the electorate, compared to 62 percent nationally.

Youth unemployment has reached crisis levels and AI may have something to do with it, according to a new report by the Institute of Economic Research. The report points to a lot of factors, but says technology and AI are slowly eroding traditional first jobs. Auckland University Professor of Human Centric AI, Alex Richter spoke to Lisa Owen.

Changes to lifejacket rules have made a splash, with professional rowers worried the bulky vests will slow them down. Lifejackets are now mandatory for anyone using any vessel shorter than six metres, including jet skis, dinghies, sailboats, kayaks, paddleboards and motorboats. Felix Walton has more.

Aotearoa needs a national events strategy, with a consistent and transparent framework for deciding what gets government money, according to a new report. The report commissioned by MBIE suggests a lot more money may be needed to attract top events. CEO of Venues Otautahi, Harvie Teare spoke to Lisa Owen.

The White Ferns head to Australia for a three-match T20 series against the world number one side next week, with an interim head coach and a stand in team manager. Coach Ben Sawyer was let go last month following a comprehensive review process of the women's high performance structure. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.