Checkpoint

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Auckland FC's first shot at A-League glory will play out in Penrose with a clash against Sydney FC in the grand final. The two clubs are at opposite ends of the experience scale when it comes to finals football, but they do have a few things and people in common. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

It will be lights out for a top Hawkes Bay restaurant next week. But don't panic St George's restaurant is unplugging as part of World Environment Day. All non-essential electricity will be switched off; it will be candlelight all the way. But without an oven what's the plan for cooking the kai? St George's owner Frankie Godinho spoke to Lisa Owen.

Ambulance services say a funding boost will give them faster response times in Auckland and improve conditions for staff. But with St John yet to negotiate a new contract with the government, they're still hopeful of an agreement to fully fund their day-to-day operations. Health correspondent Kate Green has more

A massive gaming platform that's introduced new safety measures for kiwi kids said it's leading the way, but it's not perfect. Roblox has set up new kids' accounts, with limits on chat functions and more parental controls adding to safety measures like AI age checks. Internationally Roblox is lawsuits, and allegations predators are grooming children in its virtual world. Sean Lyons the Chief Onlin...

It's more screen test, than taste test first, when it comes to Gen Z making food choices. A leading food innovator is warning producers to get onboard or be left behind. Food and beverage expert Nicola O'Rourke believes the digital natives don't surf the supermarket aisles, they are more likely to encounter food first online and using AI search tools. Nicola O'Rourke spoke to Lisa Owen.

The fuel crisis is hitting lots of us pretty hard, but when you're a travel business it's a double whammy. So, they're faced with the dilemma, suck it up or pass it on. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has been chatting to operators.

A New Zealander held by American immigration authorities has been denied a bid for freedom because of a technology glitch. Everlee Wihongi's been in ICE custody since early April but had been hoping to convince a judge she should be freed. But as Bill Hickman reports, the internet let her down.

The franchise will play its last ever home game on the North Shore against the Reds tomorrow afternoon. Jonty Dine talks to Lisa.

Need a cake mixer for a couple of hours or want to give surfing a crack but don't have a board? A new online community borrowing site could be the answer. Own less and access more is the motto of BOZthat, which launched last month. It's the brainchild of Christchurch woman Georgie Kirkland, she spoke to Lisa Owen.

America's correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about how there's been international backlash to the murder charges filed against Cuba's former president by the Trump administration. She also spoke about how more than a dozen people have been killed in a shooting in Honduras.

A massive online gaming website, that's been described as a hunting ground for child predators by web safety groups here as well as by US officials has rolled out extra safety measures in New Zealand, including more parental controls. But Roblox's Chief Safety Officer has told Checkpoint the site can't verify the so called "parent" giving permission is legit. Matt Kaufman spoke to Lisa Owen.

In Australia the political storm continues to engulf the Albanese government as it attempts to reform the nation's tax laws to remove what it calls "distortions' in the way Aussies pay tax. Our correspondent Nick Grimm joins us with more.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A blockbuster boxing was announced in Auckland. David Nyika will headline a card on August 8 on the North Shore, in an IBF cruiserweight world title eliminator with New Zealand-born Australian Floyd Masson. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Minimum income related rent contributions for social housing will rise from 25 to 30 percent. That means 84,000 households will be paying an average of $31 more a week in rent. The flip side; more than 100,000 other families will get higher accommodation supplement rates; an average of $15 a week. The assessment for social housing is being redesigned - so its " more tightly prioritised" for those...

The price of plastic continues to climb because of ongoing disruption to oil supplies out of the Middle East. The use of petrochemicals and plastics is vast, they're used in manufacturing, health care including pharmaceuticals, the construction industry, packaging and recycle bins. New Zealand imports most of the raw ingredients used by the plastics manufacturing sector. CEO of Plastics New Zealan...

The government is shaking up the social housing system - to bring in more stringent criteria about who gets a state house and possibly, new tenancy duration limits. It's boosting support for more than 100,000 families by an average of $15 a week - but leaving another 80,000 worse off by an average of $30 a week. The opposition said the changes are "cruel" and will lead to more evictions of public...

Twenty people have been charged in an organised crime sting across several jails following an almost year-long investigation. Fifteen prison staff and five members of the public connected to inmates were among those arrested. It's alleged the Corrections' officers working at Mount Eden jail were smuggling contraband like cellphones and meth into the prison. Staff employed by the prison operator Se...

Too much admin and not enough pay. Principal Sam Mortimer from Greymouth High says both are barriers stopping foreign born or foreign qualified teachers coming to our schools. He said newly-qualified teachers aren't paid enough to meet minimum pay rates for work visas, and the paper work is excessive. Meanwhile, a New Zealander with Australian teaching qualifications says she nearly gave up becaus...

Australian and New Zealand police will fund a strike force in Colombia to fight the Pacific drug trade. The announcement comes as Pacific leaders and police chiefs gather in Suva this week to discuss transnational organised crime. RNZ Pacific reporter Kaya Selby has more. 

Netball New Zealand is the latest national sporting organisation to fill its Chief Executive vacancy. Experienced sports and major events leader Jennah Wootten has been put in charge of the country's largest women's sport.

A new study has found women working in sectors with an obvious gender pay gap are not just broke, but broken. Researchers at AUT spoke with 47 Lead Maternity Care midwives and their families about their wellbeing and family life. They say what they found was "confronting" Being on 24/7 call with high caseloads led to foregoing sleep, healthy eating, and exercise - contributing to illness and injur...

The Trump administration has filed murder charges against Cuba's former president Raúl Castro. The 94 year old is accused of playing a key role in the shooting down of two American planes which killed three US citizens and one resident 30 years ago. It comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries brought on by US sanctions and a push for regime change in the communist nation. Washingto...

The Citizens Advice Bureau is facing significant funding challenges. Wellington City Council decided yesterday to effectively halve its funding for the local bureau, leaving the free independent service reeling. Citizen Advice Bureau CEO, Kerry Dalton spoke to Lisa Owen.