Checkpoint

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A leading golfer says sports betting is becoming a problem among golf fans and is contributing to the personal abuse hurled at players. Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick's comments come as spectators at this week's 154th Open Championship in England, where three New Zealanders are playing, are being asked to abide by a new code of conduct. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Is New Zealand fashion out of fashion? Auckland is about to get dressed for the 25th anniversary of NZ Fashion Week, which kicks off this weekend. But it has been a grueling few years for local labels. Director of PR for Fashion Week, Murray Bevan spoke to Lisa Owen.

A seabird found on Petone Beach has tested positive for the potentially deadly strain of H-5 bird flu. Chief executive of the Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand, Fiona MacMillan spoke to Lisa Owen.

A former senior detective accused of perverting the course of justice says it's up to the Crown - not police - to decide what evidence is presented to a jury. Alan Hall spent 17 years in jail after being found guilty of murdering Arthur Easton in 1985. His convinction was quashed in 2022 after the Supreme Court found a miscarriage of justice had occured. Two former police officers are on trial for...

Bird Flu has arrived on our shores, the first case has been identified after a seabird found on Petone Beach tested positive for the deadly H-5 strain. The Minister for Biosecurity, Andrew Hoggard said the situation is being monitored closely, but so far there is no evidence of illness beyond the one seabird. Professor in Wildlife Health at Massey University, Brett Gartrell spoke to Lisa Owen.

A survivor of torture at the notorious Lake Alice child and adolescent unit was forced to live in his house bus in a public car park after his accommodation supplement was wrongly cancelled. This meant Paul Zentveld, who has a King's Service Medal for services to survivors of abuse in care, couldn't pay his rent. There are concerns others who've received Lake Alice compensation payments could be i...

Wellington's main stop smoking service is quitting because it says it won't promote vaping as an alternative to keep its government funding. Takiri Mai Te Ata Trust says after more than 30 years helping people become smoke free, it's impossible to keep delivering services in a way that aligns with its tikanga, values and responsibilities to its community. Health NZ and the trust have now parted wa...

A coroner's inquest has heard that LynnMall attacker Ahamed Samsudeen became fixated with his lawyer and ended up stalking her in the lead up to his stabbing spree at a West Auckland supermarket. Samsudeen was shot dead by police after his attack at a Woolworths in 2021. Part of the inquiry is looking at whether Samsudeen's attitude towards women could have raised red flags about his risk to other...

England and Argentina are set to renew one of football's most famous rivalries tomorrow in the World Cup semifinal. Sports reporter Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen ahead of the big match.

A top ploughman is all at sea, with his tractor and the gear he needs for the world champs, a little off course. Southlander Mark Dillon, a top competitor in his field, is off to the world ploughing championship in Croatia in September. His gear is being shipped and was supposed to arrive ahead of the competition - but there's been delays and now it's a race to get it there in time. Mark Dillon sp...

The renewed conflict in the Middle East seems certain to push fuel prices up, squeezing already-grumpy voters harder as election day approaches. This comes as new RNZ-Reid Research poll numbers show New Zealanders are lukewarm about the government's handling of the fuel crisis. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

Australia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about the Australian government opening an "Office of AI" in what it's calling a world-first approach to regulating the rapidly advancing tech. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese believes the move will help Australia adapt to the changing face of AI, under one national framework.

The head of a specialist Christchurch crime unit says some first time shop lifters are blaming the cost of living for their crimes. But the bulk are recidivist offenders, facing multiple charges. In the last year, the Christchurch Metro Retail Crime team has charged 272 people with more than 1100 shoplifting related offences. Sergeant Melissa Shaw spoke to Lisa Owen.

A cryptic message from high jumper Hamish Kerr has raised questions about his participation in this month's Commonwealth Games. Athletics New Zealand say Kerr will be in Glasgow but they can't guarantee he'll attempt to defend his gold medal. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Yet another Australian state is waiting to hear whether it has a case of a deadly bird flu, after a sick giant petrel was found on a Noosa beach in Queensland. More than a dozen cases of a deadly strain of the H5-N1 virus have been detected since it arrived in Australia last month. In Aotearoa, as precaution, DOC has been vaccinating around 300 core breeding birds from five of the country's most t...

The former mentor of the man who went on a frenzied stabbing attack at an Auckland supermarket has spoken about his radical ideas of Islam. Ahamed Samsudeen was shot twelve times by police, ending the attack that saw six people stabbed and another injured. A coronial inquest into his death is underway, looking at the time leading up to the attack and his path to violent extremism. Finn Blackwell r...

As the world mourns a Hollywood heavyweight, Central Otago residents are remembering a neighbour who preferred gumboots to the red carpet. Sir Sam Neill made the famous wine region his Kiwi home. In the towns of Alexandra and Clyde, locals considered him one of their own. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd has more.

Time is running out to save two Kaitaia mills, that are together are one of the town's biggest employers. In March, the Japanese owner of the mills, Juken announced its is leaving Kaitaia, but no buyers have been found. The Far North District and Northland Regional Councils are asking for government investment to keep the businesses and jobs going. Savage from Workers First Union spoke to Lisa Owe...

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the country's online safety watchdog warning of an epidemic of online sexual extortion - mostly involving tennaged boys and young men.

The ACT Party's newest candidate seems certain to shake up the coming election. Broadcaster Paul Henry resigned overnight from TVNZ's board to take a spot on the party's list. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The boss of Z Energy says his team followed the instructions of government when handing over a document to a former Beehive staffer with suggestions for a law change. Chief executive Lindis Jones accepts the briefing note was seeking a law change. It comes as Z Energy makes its submission to the Justice Committee today on the Climate Change Response (Tort Liability) Amendement Bill. Political Repo...

Five months on from devastating flooding in Canterbury's Little River, people are still rebuilding their lives. The township was swamped in a February storm that resulted in a state of emergency for Banks Peninsula. While the floodwaters have long gone, locals say recovery is proving slow and many are still waiting to get back into their damaged homes. Anna Sargent reports.

Having just seen its first All Black selected, rugby could be set for a comeback in Germany. Though a traditional footballing, Aotnon Segner is putting rugby back on the map in his home country. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.