Checkpoint

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about a British pilot who is among the survivors of a deadly helicopter crash in Greece, as well as Prime Minister Andy Burnham vowing to be "relentless" in reducing small boat crossing to the UK.

A gasfitting expert says changes are needed to prevent unsafe installations, after a 12-year-old Otago boy died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the shower at his family's Haast bach. Almost eight years after Jesse Samuel's death, an inquest is being held in Queenstown to examine what can be done to stop something similar happening again. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd has more.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Blacks have been reminded of how much the team is revered in South Africa, particularly in Cape Town, after thousands of fans showed up to welcome them to the city. After a long disjointed journey, the team touched down ahead of an eight match tour that kicks off this weekend. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Ridiculous, unreasonable, confusing and stressful. Those are just some of the words Wellington region residents are using to describe bills from new water entity Tiaki Wai. RNZ has seen charges ranging from $300 to $1000 for the first three months of the financial year. Tiaki Wai says it's the first time people are seeing water costs broken out separately from their rates, but others are questioni...

The Silver Ferns triumphant win at the Commonwealth Games overnight breaks a 16 year drought in the event after much public adversity. But if their win has inspired young people across New Zealand, what does the pathway look like in domestic competition with the future of the ANZ Premiership still uncertain. Sports Minister Mark Mitchell spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. 

A review of the national cervical cancer screening register has found widespread issues that could have led to undetected harm, while the public can't be assured the register is clinically safe. It found the register was launched in 2023 with limited functionality and several known issues, including incomplete data migration from the previous register. National Director, Prevention Screening, Nati...

An inquest into the death of Pauline Hanna has begun in Auckland today - with a reminder that her husband, Philip Polkinghorne, is not on trial. Hanna was found dead in her Remuera home five years ago. A jury found retired eye surgeon Dr Polkinghorne not guilty of murdering Hanna after a high-profile criminal trial in 2024. The inquest will attempt to determine how Hanna died and the circumstances...

Primary schools involved in a pilot programme say being able to close nearby roads during drop off and pick up times is helping curb dangerous driver's behaviour. It's been a growing issue in our biggest city, with Auckland Transport starting Safe School Streets a couple of years ago. But now other schools across Aotearoa are facing the same issues, some taking things into their own hands. Bella C...

The Prime Minister has apologised for his remarks to businesses, admitting it has been a tough time for them. Christopher Luxon told a business audience in Rotorua last week that there was a parent-child relationship between businesses and government and they should be more adult. He now says he could have expressed himself better. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

While most eyes were on the Commonwealth Games there was plenty of other sport flying under the radar at the weekend. From the start of the NPC, to the 10th annual dog surfing championships, sports reporter Jonty Dine unpacked it all with Melissa Chan-Green 

A cat renowned for devouring wildlife in the Bay of Islands has been caught after three years. The feline fugitive is so infamous he has earned the nickname 'Nine Lives'. After a massive efffort to find him he has now been trapped in the Purerua Peninsula. It's too late for countless birds though, with Nine Lives thought to have killed on percent of the Pateke duck species. Pest-free Purerua Co-or...

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about negotiations between the US and Iran set to take place shortly according to Donald Trump. The US president says he cancelled "massive" strikes against Iran to get closer to a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, specific details around the meeting are scarce.

The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce is insisting the city's businesses are innovative, after finding itself at the centre of debate about a 'parent-child' relationship with the Government. That's how the Prime Minister characterised it when posed with the question of how businesses could hang on with the affordability of doing business becoming harder and harder. Christopher Luxon said that firms too...

News from the business sector, including a market report.

New Zealand athletes have run the full gamut of emotions today as seven more medals were won at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Among the two golds, two silvers and three bronze medals was feelings of elation, relief and a touch of disappointment. Para-athlete Anna Grimaldi says she's satisfied with her bronze medal in the T47 100 metre spring but wishes others were there to share it. Sports re...

A school counsellor running a two day retreat for young people and their whanau has built up a waiting list. They're learning how to hunt, gather their own kai and be the kaitiaki guardians of the future to manage predator control. Tui Keenan, who runs Project Orua, spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Union protesters concerned about the future of Lyttleton Port say they aren't reassured by the rejection of an unsolicited bid to lease its operations. The city council's investment arm, Christchurch City Holdings Limited, has rejected the proposal by Tonui, a consortium made up of global port operator DP World and three Canterbury runanga. Union members and opponents of asset sales have protested...

The prime minister says Winston Peters' comments about a fellow MP are racist, but he still has his confidence as Foreign Minister. Pressure has been building on Christopher Luxon to do something after the New Zealand First leader said a Chinese-born Green MP should go back to his own country, and that is where 'they lie like flatfish'. Former leaders Helen Clark and Don Brash have weighed in, say...

With the final greyhound races to be held in New Zealand underway this afternoon, the industry has confirmed plans to send up to 150 dogs to Australia where racing continues. The racing ban, which takes effect tomorrow, follows years of animal welfare concern. Head of the Greyhound Transition Agency, Heather Simpson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A young jobseeker who kept getting pushbacks has created an opportunity for himself by thinking out of the box. At 24, Calib is not alone in his experience of the tough job market. While he's finally found an apprenticeship, he now must buy the tools he needs to do it. He's turned to his local community with a goal to do 100 lawns for $50. Calib spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. 

It was a catastrophic night for the Cowboys in the NRL. The North Queenslanders were crushed 82-12 at the hands of a ruthless Roosters side. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Ngāi Tahu Farming has been chosen by the Department of Conservation to operate the country's largest farm. Molesworth Station is spread over 180,000 hectares across Marlborough and North Canterbury - and is currently run as a cattle farm by state-owned Pāmu Landcorp. The Department of Conservation administers the land - and put the contract to manage the farm out to public tender. Ngāi Tahu Farmin...

The death toll from this week's major earthquake in Japan has risen to 34. The 6.8 tremor rocked the southern city of Kumamoto on Tuesday afternoon prompting thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. There's been widespread damage and as search efforts continue there are concerns that the death toll will climb. Correspondent in Tokyo, Chris Gilbert spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

For years we've had fire service campaigns to install smoke alarms in every home, now Hato Hone St John is pushing for lifesaving defibrillators to be considered in the same way. A report in the NZ Medical Journal today found St John ambulance attempt 2000 resuscitations a year and only about one in 10 people survive. The rate hasn't changed in five years. Deputy chief executive of clinical servic...