Checkpoint

New national guidelines are being developed for assessing and monitoring patients in emergency departments following the death of a man in the Waikato Hospital ED. Following a rapid review of the incident Health New Zealand says the death was an acute unexpected incident. Health NZ Executive National Director - Clinical, Dr Richard Sullivan spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand is looking at joining a new defence treaty that would see Fiji added to our list of formal allies. Earlier this week, Australia and Fiji signed a landmark deal that cemented their formal allegiance - now the government here says it's an opportunity to grow Pacific unity and build stronger partnerships. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has made plenty of tweaks for this weekend's sold out test against Italy in Wellington with a third of the starting XV switched out. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Lisa Owen.

A 19 year old will be taking a plunge into the ice cold Lake Wakatipu as part of the Wakatipu Legends swim on Saturday. But the gruelling swim is just part of extensive training for Jemimah McIlroy before she swims the Cook Strait. Next week, the Otago Polytech sport and exercise student will set off on a 50km swim from Glenorchy to Queenstown. Jemimah McIlroy spoke to Lisa Owen.

It's rinse and repeat in South Wairarapa with back-to-back storms dumping huge amounts of rain, flooding rivers, and closing roads across the district in recent days. The heavy rain yesterday and overnight has seen the main routes into holiday hotspot Martinborough shut for the second time in 24 hours. Mary Argue reports

The ceasefire is "over" according to the US President as tensions with Iran boil over once again. The US Military has carried out fresh strikes against Southern Iranian targets along the Strait of Hormuz. It says the latest action is in response to the a spate of Iranian attacks against tankers in the strait. US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen.

Almost two dozen driver testing officers have either been suspended or stood down, following an NZTA investigation. 650 drivers will have to res-sit their practical tests. The transport agency says the suspensions are due to concerns over "abnormal" test results. NZTA Director of Land Transport Mike Hargreaves spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Grace Thomas spoke to Lisa Owen about Nigel Farage, leader of the right-wing Reform UK party, resigning from parliament in order to stand for his seat again in a by-election, amid mounting controversy over financial donations.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

SH1 north of Kaikoura is reopening, but the road south could be out for days after two days of torrential rain. Emergency Maangement and Recovery Minister, Mark Mitchell viewed the "significant" damange from the air this afternoon. NZTA Regional Manager for the Lower North Island and top of the South, Mark Owen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Three strikes for burglars and it will be three years minimum behind bars if ACT has its way after this year's election. It launched the law and order policy this afternoon. The party says 184,000 New Zealanders were victims of burglary last year, and nearly three quarters of burglars are recidivists who end up being sentenced again. ACT's Deputy Leader Nicole McKee spoke to Lisa Owen.

The chief victims advisor is deeply worried about trust and confidence in police after more than 50 child protection and sexual assault complaints have been re-opened because of concerns how a detective handled them. That includes cases where children may have been left in situations where they were at risk. Chief Victims Advisor Ruth Money spoke to Lisa Owen.

Damage caused by the latest heavy rain is continuing this afternoon. Several properties in Oamaru have been evacuated after a landslide, and a number of properties in Dunedin are being evacuated because of slips. Keiller MacDuff reports.

A Ministry of Health investigation into alleged torture and potential human rights abuses at a Dunedin forensic facility for people with intellectual disabilities could take months. Last week the Ombudsman revealed his inspectors had seen some of the worst practices they'd ever observed on Ward 10a at Wakari Hospital. Director of Mental Health for the Ministry of Health, Doctor John Crawshaw spoke...

Labour has come to the solar party, with both sides of the aisle now hoping to woo voters with solar policies. Labour has matched National's policy to deliver low-interest solar loans paid back through rates - but is attempting to one-up its opponents by proposing subsidies to help lower income families and renters pay for the kit. Political reporter Giles Dexter reports.

It was meant to teach children about marine life in rockpools but instead, a misunderstanding led to online attacks and hatred. The Sir Peter Blake Marine Education and Recreation Centre received threatening comments on Facebook after hosting free tidepool explorations at Auckland's east coast beaches last month. Jessica Hopkins reports.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about the US Central Command launching "powerful strikes" against Iran just weeks after a ceasefire between the two countries came into force. Explosions have been heard in southern Iran with reports of several injuries. The latest round of strikes come after several tankers in the Strait of Hormuz were allegedly attacked by Iran.

Wellington Rugby has met with referees who have been copping abused from the field and the side lines to come up with some solutions to allow games to continue to be played this season. All games are cancelled in Wellington this weekend after referees withdrew their services, but there's an agreement that a new programme called 'positive vibes' is part of the way forward. Sports reporter Felicity...

The reserve bank has raised the official cash rate to 2.5 percent, up 25 basis points. It's the first hike in more than three years. Economists have been fiercely divided over whether it's the right time for a raise. Kiwibank chief economist Jarrod Kerr spoke to Lisa Owen.

The wild weather has jumped the Cook Strait with a large swathe of the North Island in for a drenching. Orange heavy rain warnings are in place for Wairarapa and the eastern hills of Wellington, as well as a number of other eastern areas of the North Island. Reporter Mary Argue spoke to Lisa Owen from Martinborough.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about police investigating the death of a four-year-old boy, in circumstances that can only be described as disturbing.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

All Blacks star Wallace Sititi has revealed his mum wanted him to quit rugby after suffering a severe concussion last month. Footage showed Sititi visbly shaking on the field in a confronting scene for fans, teammates and especially his whanau. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A key witness who saw someone running from the scene of Arthur Easton's murder in 1985 says he still believes the person he saw was Māori. The ethnicity of the suspect is important as Alan Hall, the man wrongly convicted of the murder, is Pākehā and went on to serve 17 years in prison. The former senior police officers have gone on trial at the High Court in Auckland, charged will wilfully attempt...

An outbreak of a highly contagious horse disease is spreading among thoroughbreds in the North Island , raising concerns about exports. Strangles is a serious bacterial infection for horses, ponies and donkeys that causes a fever and painful abscesses in the throat. The disease has been confirmed on a dozen stud farms - all but one are in Waikato and the horses have been isolated to prevent it spr...