Checkpoint

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Some of America's leading athletes will be testing jet lag, customs processes and the appetite for the NFL in this part of the world when they start the season in Melbourne this week. The San Francisco 49ers and LA Rams have taken different approaches to coming Down Under as part of the sport's international games - and fans have been willing to shell out big amounts to witness history. Sports rep...

Food for thought is what's on offer at a not so ordinary lecture series. Raising the Bar is twenty free talks across ten pubs on one night, in Canterbury this time. The event is now in its 10th year. University of Canterbury Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, David Denkenberger spoke to Lisa Owen.

Labour is calling the government's stance on Israel an embarrassment to the country, and falls short of its responsibilities under the genocide convention. While the UK, France and Canada are imposing trade barriers on Israel, NZ is not following suit. Labour's foreign affairs spokesperson is promising to make sanctions - and recognition of Palestine - her top priority if the party wins government...

Thousands of government workers walked off the job today, some over stalled pay talks, others because of safety concerns. Gisborne Hospital Emergency Department nurses also walked off the job. Across the country almost 10,000 public servants were on strike, among them MSD workers, staff from Internal Affairs, the Emergency Management Agency and MBIE. PSA National Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons spoke t...

Thousands of public servants took to the streets across the motu today, chanting their messages for the Government. The Public Service Association says workers didn't want to go on strike, but says the Government is refusing to pay them fairly, and planning to replace almost 9000 of their jobs with AI by 2029. Now, they've reached a tipping point. Jessica Hopkins reports.

A rangitahi-led advocacy and support service is among those honoured for its outstanding work empowering people with disabilities to live their best lives. The first ever Enabling Good Lives Award were announced earlier today. I.lead designs and delivers programmes for youth with disabilities. I.lead national chair, Amy Clements spoke to Lisa Owen.

A convicted murder in a high-profile case has returned to court, this time as a witness. Prosecutors say Shu Man Poon schemed with his church friend Lok Fung Lorrence Li to commit murder in 2023. Li denies killing Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife Mei Han Chong and plotting to murder his landlord. Poon has been sentenced for his part in the deaths and is a crown witness. Finn Blackwell reports.

Some big hitting Americans have reached the semi-finals of the US Tennis Open. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

The National Party has fallen foul of advertising standards with a flyer that makes a false claim about a Labour tax policy. The brochure that was mailed directly to some voters stated Labour's Capital gains policy would hit the the family bach, rentals, small businesses and Kiwisaver. The Advertising Standards Authority found National's claim about Kiwisaver being subject to CGT under Labour was...

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about conflicts between the US and Iran continuing, and now the Houthis have upped attacks against Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Israel has hit out at the UK over its move to sanction illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Waikato University is asking for millions of dollars in ratepayer subsidies for its new medical school. It wants Hamilton Council to waive more than $5 million in development contributions which help pay for infrastructure. On top of that it's asked the council to pitch in $250,000 a year for five years. Hamilton Councillor, Sue Moroney spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Otago Peninsula is cementing its reputation as a birdwatcher's delight, after it was officially declared possum free in March. The milestone marked more than 15 years of hard mahi championed by community members, who say they're already reaping the rewards. It's a far cry from a few years ago when possums were so abundant they'd even let themselves into the peninsula's landmark castle. Tess Br...

Tickets for Saturday's Warriors-Dolphins NRL qualifying final have sold out within minutes of going on sale to the general public. The sell out sets the scene for the boisterous reception for the Warriors as they open their play-offs campaign. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A man has appeared in court this afternoon after a woman and two children were killed in Rotorua. Police earlier said they arrived at a property in the suburb of Glenholme on Monday night, where they found two dead children and a woman with life-threatening injuries. The woman later died at the scene. Waikato-Bay of Plenty reporter Rachel Moore spoke to Lisa Owen.

A bed tax alternative that would see councils get millions of dollars to spend on strained infrastructure is a "good start" according to one mayor. If re-elected, National is promising to give regions a share of the International Visitor Levy. That's the $100 fee many overseas tourist pay to enter Aotearoa. Queenstown Lakes District Mayor John Glover spoke to Lisa Owen.

The National Party is trying to patch things up with councils after dumping plans for a bed tax. Its alternative would give towns and cities a bigger cut of the money already collected from international tourists. But will it be enough to heal the rift? Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

Economic abuse is family violence and people using money to trap or control others need to be held accountable through tougher laws, according to a collective of social services and financial groups. The groups are calling for economic abuse to be recognised as a distinct form of family violence in law. Good Shepherd is one of the groups leading the campaign, and policy lead Brittany Goodwin spoke...

Auckland council is warning people not to scan QR codes on parking machines, which are a scam. The codes recently popped up in Christchurch and Wellington, and now appearing in Auckland too. Auckland Transport's Rick Bidgood spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about more detail emerging about the fatal Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami international aiport, as well as Canada's retaliatory tariffs against the US taking effect.

Is it time to ditch postal voting? It's a question prompted by allegations of wide spread ballot paper theft and fraudulent voting in the South Auckland suburb of Manurewa. It alleged bundles of voting papers were stolen from letter boxes during last years local body elections, and the votes cast by someone else. University of Otago Professor of Law, Andrew Geddis spoke to Lisa Owen.

Home favourite Coco Gauff and world number two Elena Rybakina have sailed into the US Open quarter-finals, while an underdog has pulled off another huge upset in the women's draw. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

Europe correspondent, Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Germany's far-right 'Alternative for Deutschland' party heading for major victory, as well as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage fronting up after the latest allegations about his party's finances.

News from the business sector, including a market report.