Checkpoint

After a week of searching for a dog lost in the remote alpine back country behind Hokitika, a determined group of rescuers have found Molly; wet but well. Molly got separated from her owner Jess, who was seriously injured after falling down a waterfall in the Arahura Valley. Strangers donated thousand of dollars for a helicoper search of the area, after local pilot Matt Newton had already tried to...

The post code lottery is still alive in New Zealand's heath system. That warning comes from doctors at Palmerston Hospital, where recruitment problems have driven one department to the brink. Of the two doctors still at the hospital's gastroenterology service one is about to finish and the other says he's going to leave too due to the workload and conditions. However, Health NZ said it has the abi...

While some of New Zealand's top cricketers are playing in T20 franchise cricket in India, next door in Bangladesh, the Black Caps will be playing white ball internationals. The upcoming tour clashes with both the Indian Premier League and Pakistan Super League, causing some selection headaches for the national side. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

On call doctors and health workers are asking Health New Zealand to cover their travel costs as petrol prices head in one direction. The medical workers include junior doctors, MRI techs, psychologists, and lab scientists, who are called in outside their normal work hours, meaning they're often making repeat trips to hospital or other work sites. Apex national secretary Dr Deborah Powell spoke to...

The US president has once again vowed to obliterate important Iranian infrastructure if a deal to end the war isn't reached soon. Despite the threat, Donald Trump said there have been "serious discussions" between the two countries. Iran has called American peace proposals "unrealistic." United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen.

The man at the centre of one of the country's highest profile crimes, David Tamihere, has had his double murder convictions quashed after 36 years. Tamihere was found guilty in 1990 of the murder of young Swedish trampers Urban Hoglin and Heidi Paakkonen in a case that shook the country and went around the world. Reporter Rowan Quinn spoke to Lisa Owen.

Europe correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about how French Police are investigating an attempted bomb attack in Paris and how new survey has revealed it's a worrying time for British hospitality businesses. She also spoke about the Sunday Star Times naming its best place to live in the UK for 2026.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

New Zealand's fuel stocks remain strong - with the latest update showing an increase in petrol and diesel levels.

The All Whites play their final home game before the Football World Cup against Chile in Auckland. After a loss on Friday there's a bit more pressure on the side to end their two-game send-off on a high note. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen from Eden Park.

It's time to start prioritising who gets diesel according to a leading economist. Westpac Chief Economist Kelly Eckhold expects 91 to crack $3.70 a litre in the next week and for Diesel to be not far behind, Diesel fuels Aotearoa freight, farming and other industries. Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Waikato man who is hosting dental tours to Vietnam said clients who have been quoted tens of thousand of dollars for work in New Zealand are paying a fraction of the price off shore. A new poll shows strong support across the political spectrum for free dental care for adults. Damien Nikora from The Current Place spoke to Lisa Owen.

Who is willing to try their luck and running prowess against a horse? Only fools, of course. The Central Otago race Only Fools and Horses is back for round two next month and has added a second shorter race to entice more people to challenge their two or four legged foes. Reporter Tess Brunton hoofed it to the Maniototo to hear from the fools and horses.

The aviation industry is urgently calling for a specific crisis plan for aviation fuel. The government released its updated fuel plan on Friday outlining four state responses to manage disruption in global fuel supplies. It's adament there's currently no supply issues around fuel and it's asking people not to stockpile. Simon Wallace from the Aviation Industry Association spoke to Lisa Owen.

A messy dispute between Auckland sports clubs and an Anglican charity is headed to the High Court, although there are calls for the Anglican Bishop of Auckland to step in to stop it. Jessica Hopkins reports.

All Black prop Tamaiti Williams has been hospitilised with a serious infection in his spine. Williams will miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season and will remain under close medical supervision. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Ministry of Education said it has no plans to build anymore single-sex state schools, this despite research suggesting that some students do better away from the distractions of a co-ed setting. One such single-sex school bursting at the seams is Westlake Boys' High School on Auckland's North Shore, which has a roll of about 2700 students, and a waitlist. Headmaster Paul Fordham spoke to Lisa...

Iran says it's "waiting" for a potential US ground attack and has threatened to "rain fire" on American soldiers if they lay boots on their land. It comes after the arrival of 3500 more troops in the Middle East and reports that the Pentagon is getting ready for weeks-long ground operations in Iran. Meanwhile, Pakistan says it's preparing to host talks between the US and Iran to try and negotiate...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the growth forecast or the UK suffering a huge hit in the wake of the Iran war, as well as the British Armed Forces turning their attention to Russia's shadow fleet.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Kiwi MMA legend Israel Adesanya will headline UFC Fight Night in Seattle, where another loss may spell the end for the former champion. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A group representing people with a rare genetic disorder say they've been waiting almost two decades for some critical drugs to be funded. Fabry disease is caused by a missing enzyme, and can lead to life threatening complications including organ failure. There is no cure but there are treatments available overseas to slow degeneration from the disease. Deborah Klyer from Fabry New Zealand spoke t...

There is no need to stockpile - that's the message from the government as it reveals the details of its fuel response plan. The plan sets out the four phases of the response - including what criteria will trigger a move between them. Phases three and four would bring in priority bands to see who gets dibs - but the government is confident that right now, there's enough supply coming in. Political...

A new marae under construction in New Plymouth - a city that hasn't had a functioning marae for about 150 years - represents a homecoming for manu whenua. Ngāti Te Whiti hapū is building the 15-million-dollar Ngāmotu Marae, overlooking Port Taranaki, and hopes it will become a focal point for the wider community. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more. 

A KiwiSaver provider says more people are asking about dipping into their KiwiSaver due to hardship - as the cost of living and market volatility bites. Figures from Inland Revenue show last month almost 5000 kiwis withdrew $41.2 million due to financial hardship up from $37 million in February 2025. That was before the war in Iran caused the fuel prices to skyrocket and rattled the financial mark...