Checkpoint

The parents of a 21-year-old university student who died by suicide in Palmerston North Hospital's mental health ward hope their long wait for the coroner's report into her death will result in change. The coroner found Erica Hume's death in 2014 was preventable if staff had followed policies and procedures. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

National has promised to double the funding for the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust if re-elected. The Trust is a charity that uses 'covenant' agreements to protect privately owned land, with protections continuing even if the land is sold.

Former world champions Erika Fairweather and Lewis Clareburt will spearhead New Zealand's hopes in the pool at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month. The pair were named in New Zealand's 13-strong swimming team for the event, with five swimmers set to make their Games debut. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Luke Van Wyk, a student at Rolleston College has taken out first place in the Play it Strange Junior Songwriting Competition. Previous well-known winners include Kimbra, Nott of Broods and Liz Stokes of The Beths. Luke Van Wyk spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about Israel saying it has launched new attacks against military targets in Iran. It follows the firing of sever Iranian missiles towards Israel this morning, marking the first round of strikes since April's ceasefire came into force.

A council trial giving the owners of impounded dogs a chance to pay off their shelter fees has seen fewer animals euthanised and more claimed since being introduced. The uptake of a buy-now-pay-later option at council shelters has been increasing month on month. Auckland Council's regional shelter manager Nikki Cripps spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused Elon Musk of interfering in British politics over the murder of university student Henry Nowak, while NHS staff across the UK could be barred from wearing political badges on their uniforms in a bid to tackle antisemitism. UK corresponent Grace Thomas spoke with Lisa Owen.

Handwritten Chinese notes and diaries uncovered at an Auckland home reveal a chilling picture of the alleged starvation and punishment of a 70-year-old woman.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

It's qualifying time in Super Rugby Pacific. The top six sides will scrap for a spot in the semifinals this weekend. A controversial competition quirk means one of the teams can lose, and still progress. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's a least one wildly enthusiastic indoor bowler among the hundreds gathered for the National Championships in Palmerston North. Kevin Boothby has been to 57 in a row, a record! The event that's being held at the Central Energy Trust Arena over eight days is being live streamed on YouTube. Kevin Boothby spoke to Lisa Owen.

A model, who's previously worked for Huffer believes the kiwi brand is using AI generated models in a new campaign. Elijah Timmins-Scanlon spotted the campaign on social media and initially thought one of the pictures was him. He said closer inspection shows it wasn't and he posted a comment suggesting it was AI generated and said Huffer blocked him. Huffer has not responded to Checkpoint's reques...

The annual muster of wild horses in the central North Island is underway but there's concern about how many can find new homes. The animals live on Defence Force land near Waiouru and the musters are an important part of keeping the population in check, to protect the alpine environment. Rehoming efforts are proving difficult this year too. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham has more.

The Prime Minister is in Brisbane ahead of meeting with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. The annual leaders meeting takes place tomorrow, where the pair will discuss trade, security and defence issues.

A mother and son caught smuggling 18 kilograms of pounamu to China have been fined $5000. It's illegal to take more than five kilograms outside the country without consent, but this is the first time anyone has been punished for it. Felix Walton reports.

Residents in Island Bay say they were confronted with nightmare scenes when faecal matter and sanitary products overflowed from the wastewater system during heavy rain. Wellington Water says a blockage near the southern end of the suburb overnight caused sewage to burst from manhole covers and gully traps over nearly a kilometre. Reporter Bill Hickman has more.

The White Ferns have wrapped their final training camp ahead of the T20 Cricket World Cup which begins next week. The New Zealanders are the reigning champions and International commentators predict they'll be in the final four again. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke with Lisa Owen.

A Bay of Plenty family is desperate to get back two emotional support dogs they fear have been stolen from their farm for breeding. The pure bred blue english Staffordshire bull terriers went missing on Tuesday from Glue Pot road in Oropi near Tauranga. Owner, Amanda Hacche, says the dogs are more than pets. She spoke with Lisa Owen.

Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah rejects a US-brokered ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. And Donald Trump responds to vote to rein in US military action in the Iran war. Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke with Lisa Owen.

Virgin Media O2 surveyed 6000 people over a year in the UK, with results indicating about 35 percent of phone use is without intent. It also estimates people there spend almost five years of their waking lives doom scrolling. Victoria University senior lecturer Alex Beattie spoke with Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the rise of black market tobacco consumption across the Tasman and the Finke Desert Race revving up for it's 50th anniversary.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

He may be a controversial choice for All Blacks fans, but the team's coaches clearly rate him. Former Wallaby Quade Cooper has been hired as an expert analyst for the upcoming All Blacks tests. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke with Lisa Owen.

Four Dunedin students from Taieri College have the answer to those hideously cold mornings where your car windscreen is frosted over. The group of year 13 students have invented a potato-based anti-frost spray 'Winter Warrior' for the Young Enterprise competition. Ollie Mcfelin is one of the Winter Warrior architects and spoke with Lisa Owen.

Sixty countries - including Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand - now face a new 12.5 percent tariff on goods exports to the United States.