Checkpoint

Grounded flights, ferocious winds, trees down, slips and flooding. Wellington and Taranaki are being hit with terrible weather this evening. Severe weather warnings have been issued across the North Island, and thousands of homes are without power. Anya Fielding reports.

A collective of ethnic, faith and community leaders have written to MPs with a call for politicians to get behind laws aimed at curbing hate speech and incitement to violence. It follows social media comments by Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki. The Royal Commission on the Christchurch mosque attacks recommended improved hate speech and incitement laws, but last year the government abandoned wor...

Parents forced to fork out for transport to get their children to school in Palmerston North because of Ministry of Education changes to rural bus routes face a new dilemma. A user-pays service from one rural town is about to stop due to a lack of numbers, leaving families pondering homeschooling as an option if they can't find transport. Field correspondent Jimmy Ellingham reports.

The Minister responsible for the drug buying agency Pharmac is doubling down on his call for efficencies driven by AI. In a letter to Pharmac detailing his expectations for the next year, David Seymour has emphasised investment in data and digital infrastructure to enhance core functions, including the use of artificial intelligence. Associate Minister of Health David Seymour spoke to Lisa Owen.

It is do or die for The All Whites in Vancouver tomorrow. They need to beat Belgium, a top-10 side, to avoid an early exit from the Football World Cup. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Poachers are allegedly pilfering trout at a popular fishing spot in Ngongotaha near Rotorua, and it's making some locals pretty mad. A fishing club there says the culprits are fishing outside of legal hours, using illegal methods and exceeding limits. NGO Trout Fishing Club founder Simon Aston spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about evacuations being paused in the Strait of Hormuz after a ship attack, as well as US secretary of state Marco Rubio who has been in the region.

There's a tough lesson in store for New Zealanders who have gone offshore and ignored their student loan debts. Last month a doctor was arrested at Wellington airport before he could fly home to Australia where he now lives. The crime - defaulting on a decades old student loan, that with penalties has grown to about $180,000. Former IRD prosecuter turned student loan lawyer and tax negotiator, Dav...

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Nine Television network reportedly negotiating terms with one of its major stars to leave the network over a chummy interview with a controversial British anti-immigration activist. 

News from the business sector, including a market report.

It is set to be one of the biggest nights of boxing in Aotearoa. Last month it was announced that David Nyika would fight in a world title eliminator in Auckland in August, with the rest of the card now confirmed. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tama Potaka has been forced to do a complete u-turn and ditch a controversial clause in the Conservation Amendment bill that would have allowed the sale of some conservation land. Last week Forest and Bird released a series of maps that suggest up to 60 percent of the DOC estate could be sold or exchanged under the proposed law. Now the Conservation Minister has announced he is axing the clause, s...

Hundreds of people marched through the streets of Oamaru today, in protest against a double-digit rates hike. Waitaki ratepayers rallied against the 17 percent increase, why they say could force some people to choose between paying their bill or necessities like food and power. Tess Brunton reports from Oamaru.

National is promising to power up New Zealand homes if re-elected, with a loan scheme to encourage households to convert to solar and make energy efficiency improvements. The Home Energy fund would offer long term loans, at below market interest rates, so people can invest in the likes of solar, battery storage and insulation. The idea is a version of a scheme proposed by LGNZ and renewable energy...

Lego and Star Wars fans are about to be transported to a galaxy far far away - in a new exhibition at Wellington's Takina featuring more than $8 million Lego bricks. Lego Star Wars: The Exhibition opens to the public this weekend - Wellington the first international stop on the exhibition's global tour, and only New Zealand stop. Krystal Gibbens went down ahead of the opening to take a look.

An anti-sunscreen trend of social media has experts calling for better education of sun protection in schools before the summer season comes back. In videos on platforms like TikTok and Instagram wellness influencers are trying to turn people off using commercial sunscreens, making spurious claims it is toxic and harmful. Bella Craig reports.

For the first time in the games history, Olympics athletes will be eligible for a payment of $10,000 USD. The IOC says it is to support competitors long term sporting endeavours or career transition. Two time Olympic gold medalist Dame Valerie Adams spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tennis' electronic line-calling failed today and a New Zealander was caught up in the chaos at Wimbledon qualifying. It's not the first time the technology that replaced line umpires has malfunctioned in London. With the main draw of the grass court Grand Slam set to start next week the pressure is on tournament organisers. Sports reporter Felicity Reid joins Checkpoint.

There's been 24 percent increase in the number of manufacturing and engineering jobs going in Canterbury, but a significant skill shortage in the sector. To try and bridge the gap Ara Institute of Canterbury is offering zero fees pathway course for the second semester. Ara's manager for Regional Engagement and Success, Leonie Rasmussen spoke to Lisa Owen.

An investigation is under way in relation to complaints about Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, RNZ can reveal. Chambers says he strongly rejects the claims. National Crime Correspondent Sam Sherwood joins us.

Americas correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about two major earthquakes that have rocked Venezuela and caused extensive damage. A state of emergency is in place.

One of the Opportunity Party's key policies this election is a citizen's income. That would mean every adult New Zealander aged 18 and over would get about $20,000 a year. It would replace many main benefits, but the party says there would also be additional disability, child, housing and single parent support, it's also tax free. So who actually ends up paying for it? Chief economist at the think...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer undertaking face-to-face talks with Andy Burnham as Labour prepares for a change in leadership, as well as a heatwave unfolding across Europe which is already taking its toll.

Moana Pasifika won't be back in 2027. The franchise has been in limbo since entering liquidation, hoping a financial saviour could keep them afloat. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market update.