Checkpoint

Emergency management is investigating why the Civil Defence website crashed after last night's earthquake when people needed information and advice. The quake north of Te Anau was initially recorded as magnitude 6.3 but was later revised to 5.9. A tsunami warning and evacuation order was issued by NEMA but was downgraded about half an hour later. Emergency Management Minister, Mark Mitchell spoke...

The National Emergency Management Agency will investigate why the Civil Defence website crashed following last night's magnitude 5.9 earthquake in Southland. The site was down for several hours after the quake, which prompted a brief tsunami evacuation order for parts of the south-west of the South Island. Keiller MacDuff reports.

A second case of a deadly strain of the bird flu has been confirmed, this time in Wairarapa. The bird is a native Kahu, swamp harrier hawk. DOC is already vaccinating breeding pairs from our five most endangered bird species after the strain was found in Australia. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka spoke to Lisa Owen.

While the opening date for Auckland's long-awaited underground rail is yet to be announced, Hamilton's station below the street has been there for decades. Few Hamiltonians are even aware that inside the 344 metre tunnel beneath their feet is the country's first ever underground passenger train station. The station is now blocked off but there are fresh calls to see it re-opened. Waikato reporter...

The All Blacks insist it is not fear that is motivating them to perform in tomorrow night's test against Ireland at Eden Park. The hosts will put their 52 match unbeaten streak at the ground on the line, and the pressure to win is palpable. The All Blacks appear quietly confident, but how do fans feel about the test? Rugby reporter Joe Porter was in Auckland went to find out.

Police are investigating the alleged pilfering of an old shipwreck washed up on a Northland beach. A group of people using a tractor apparently took timber from the ship's carcass at Pouto Point in Kaipara. It's an offence to disturb a wreck that happened before 1900 under the Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act. Steven Cochrane was on the beach as things unfolded and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about the US military launching more strikes against Iran. It comes almost a week after hostilities between the US and Iran kicked off again.

A second case of a deadly strain of bird flu has been confirmed, this time in a native bird in the Wairarapa. The discovery follows confirmation on Wednesday that a sea bird found on Petone beach had tested positive for the H-5 virus. Fiona MacMillan - who represents the Egg Producers Federation of NZ spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about businesses receving some welcome refund payments from the US government as they recoup money collected as part of a tariff regime deemed to be unlawful.

Witness descriptions have been brought to the forefront of the trial of two former police officers, accused of perverting the course of justice. The judge presiding over the trial of Alan Hall for the 1985 murder of Arthur Easton said a witness's first description of a suspect should always be provided to the defence because it may be more accurate than later recollections. One of the officers con...

News from the business sector, including a market report.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has named his side set to defend the three-decade unbeaten streak at Eden Park. There are a number of changes to the squad gearing up to take on Ireland this weekend. It shapes as the biggest test of Rennie's short time in charge, with both sides entering the match on the back of two wins. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Veterinary medication is being cut into cocaine and other drugs, according to High Alert, which is part of the National Drug Intelligence Bureau. Levamisole is an anti-worming drug, and is banned for human consumption. But it's being used as a cutting agent in cocaine, to bulk up the product. High Alert Supervisor Jen Vermeulen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A quaint seaside suburb in Auckland could soon have buildings towering six storeys above its heritage main street, if a property developer's radical plan gets fast-track status. Devonport locals, passionate about their Victorian and Edwardian-era village, have spoken out about the proposal at a fiery public meeting. Jessica Hopkins reports. 

Female teachers say they've thought of quitting their careers because of harrassment driven by a rise in misogyny and extreme views being expressed in classrooms. They've also watched their students move schools because of misogynistic, transphobic and homophobic views, which they believe are being picked up from social media. Bella Craig reports on what the teachers are facing. A warning, this st...

Specialist MPI investigators have been combing the Petone beach where a bird infected with the H-5 virus was found. The ministry says there is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife or transmission between wild birds in Aotearoa. There is currently no detection in poultry. DOC had already started vaccinating some of our endangered birds before the H-5 arrived in New Zealand. DOC Senior Tech...

The mayor of a flood-prone town says it's wishful thinking that the government will help councils to fund their climate adaptation plans. The government has introduced a bill that would make adaptation planning mandatory for areas at high risk from climate change hazards like flooding and sea level rise. But it's kicked the big question of funding into the next parliamentary term, despite growing...

Follow the evidence, and the evidence shows that vaping helps people quit smoking. That from ASH, in reponse to a Wellington's main stop smoking service quitting, because it refuses to give out vapes. Takiri Mai Te Ata Trust parted ways with Health New Zealand after the refusal and will no longer get funding. ASH Director Ben Youdan spoke to Lisa Owen.

Bird lovers near ground zero, where the first detected case of H5N1 bird flu landed on our shores, are steeling themselves for a busy period protecting wildlife. The flu strain has been confirmed in a sick sea bird found on Wellington's Petone Beach late last week. Now, a charity bird hospital nearby is setting up quarantine facilities to treat sick native birds if a flu outbreak takes hold. Sammy...

The Green Party wants all new workers to automatically be enrolled in unions. Their election policy would mean the onus is on workers to opt out. The first Labour government brought in compulsary union membership in 1936, but in 1991 National's Employment Contract ended compulsary unionism. Green's co-leader Marama Davidson spoke to Lisa Owen.

A-League champions Auckland FC are close to meeting their self-imposed deadline of locking in a new head coach. The club's inaugural coach Steve Corica left last month and the club said they would have a replacement in time for their game against touring English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur on July 26th. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A small central Hawkes Bay community is still taking the long way round, more than three years after Cyclone Gabrielle damaged their bridge and their patience is wearing thin. Hundreds of locals have signed a petition calling for the bridge to be replaced or repaired. It was presented to the Central Hawkes Bay District Council this morning. Farmer Dave Ellison made the case for action, and spoke t...

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about President Donald Trump has urging Iran to "behave" as renewed hostilities with Iran stretch into a fifth day. Tit-for-tat strikes between the two countries continue with tensions exploding around control of the Strait of Hormuz. While an American naval blockade has come into force in the Strait - Iran's warning it could disrupt other key ship...

Have you ever felt the frustration of sitting on a plane that should have taken off ages ago, or the late touch down that messes up an important meeting? Well, Air New Zealand says it has improved its on time arrivals in June, 86 percent of its flight touched down within 15 minutes of schedule. But that still means 1719 flights were late last month, around 57 a day. Air New Zealand's Chief Operati...

United Kingdom correspondent Grace Thomas spoke to Lisa Owen about counter-terrorism police investigating the murder of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, and say she died in a "targeted attack".