Checkpoint

National is just "kicking a can down the road" with its promised changes to student loan debt, according to a tax lawyer. David Ananth says reducing the compulsory repayment rate from 12 cents to 10 cents on every dollars earned above $24,000 isn't enough of a reward to stop newly qualified students leaving the country without paying their debt off. Tax lawyer, David Ananth spoke to Melissa Chan-G...

A small community in rural Hawke's Bay is working hard to restore a big area of precious native bush that is home to one of New Zealand's largest Totara trees, and a colony of long tail bats. A'Deanes Bush is the best remaining example of the original forest of the Ruataniwha Plains. 18 year ago locals teamed up with DOC to create a wildlife sanctuary where native plants and animals can flourish....

Netball New Zealand has latched onto the lifeline offered by Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams to keep the elite domestic competition afloat in 2027. RNZ understands the national body has selected the Mowbray-Williams bid to establish a private franchise league as its preferred option to replace the ANZ Premiership, following months of uncertainty over the future of the competition. Sports editor Dana...

When ski-mad Mike Wilwert takes to the slopes this week, every metre he skis will benefit families who need to be close to medical care at Christchurch Hospital. A few years ago Mike was diagnosed with blood cancer and spent almost a year at Ranui House, which provides free and subsidised accomodation for families travelling to Christchurch for medical treatment. Now he's giving back in the best w...

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about tensions flaring in the Middle East following a new round of strikes between the US and Iran. After no reports of American attacks in the region for a month, an island in the Strait of Hormuz was hit by ballistic missiles. in response, Iran has reportedly targeted American bases in Jordan.

Just over half of New Zealanders are open to the idea of leaving a gift to charity in their will - but while new research shows 52 percent are interested, the number who follow through is only six percent. It is more to do with not knowing how to do it, than reluctance, according to Giving in Aotearoa NZ research. Community Foundations of Aotearoa NZ comissioned the research, and Chief executive,...

Snow flurries are hitting central Dunedin today, as winter brings one last polar blast to the southern city. The icy change has sent shivers down spines in the lower South Island the MetService is warning that temperatures are expected to drop even further tonight. Reporter Tess Brunton spoke to Melissa Chan-Green from Dunedin.

Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen about Morgan MacAllister-Robb - a truck driver turned pet chauffeur who reunited a cat found in Christchurch with its owner in Blenheim 2.5 years after it went missing.

United Kingdom correspondent, Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Russia warning it could retaliate against Britain over the UK's military support for Ukraine, as well as grave concerns for the dozens of British travellers still missing in Nepal.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Blacks face a tough task in their hopes to go two for two against South Africa this weekend. Despite snatching a victory in the series' first match in Johannesburg - Coach Dave Rennie he's prepared for the Springboks to bounce back. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Lisa Owen. 

A bio waste project is converting wine waste to a nutrient rich drink for the soil. The Marlborough Circular Wine Programme is getting nearly $3 million of government funding and just over $4 million from the industry. They take the sediment left over from wine making and add a few other things to convert it to something organic that can be safely returned to the soil. Programme leader, Dr Seth La...

The new Dunedin Hospital marked a major milestone when its long-awaited outpatient building officially opened today. The project has faced years of setbacks, cost overruns, and protests, but today there was plenty of applause. Tess Brunton reports.

Hundreds of Auckland home support workers could lose their jobs after their contracts were cut. Health New Zealand has decided not award tens of millions of dollars in support contracts to community based not for profit providers, Visionwest, Lifewise and Presbyterian Support Northern. The latter, which provides services under the name Enliven, will lose a contract worth $19 million a year. Presby...

There is hot competition for a special new gong at this year's national high schools choir festival, The Big Sing. The Pasifika Award has been added to a coveted competition, with seven choirs vying for the category. The winner will be announced tomorrow night. Keiller MacDuff reports.

Aotearoa has pledged $2 million in humanitarian assistance to Nepal through the Red Cross. Several villages, kilometres of roads and more than a dozen bridges have been wiped out in a massive flood and landslides near the border with Tibet. Nepalese guide, Karma Renjen Lama grew up where the landslip hit. His sister's home has been wiped out and he is waiting for his family to be evacuated. He spo...

Eateries around Wellington have been facing off for weeks in a hard-fought and popular competition for the capital's best burger. Lazy Juan on The Terrace has come out on top with its Marites burger, full of Filipino flavours. Anya Fielding reports.

It could still be months before Papua New Guinea parliament makes its decision on whether to approve of independence for the country's autonomous region of Bougainville. In an historic day yesterday, the result of Bougainville's independence referendum was finally tabled in PNG's parliament, after a seven-year wait. Johnny Blades spoke to Lisa Owen from Port Moresby.

Though the decision may be out of their hands, the Warriors will do everything possible to ensure they play finals football at their "spiritual home". The club is currently leading the NRL table and on track for a rare home play-off, but where that potential home final will be played remains uncertain. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

How young is too young for a child to travel unaccompanied on a long haul bus trip. From mid next month, Intercity is lifting the minimum age for unaccompanied children from seven to 10 years old. One Christchurch dad is not keen on the changes. Tim Frank's children regularly use Intercity buses to see their grandparents, but now his youngest will have to wait three years before he can join his si...

Clean-up efforts are underway across the Queenstown Lakes District today after a winter storm triggered slips, road closures, and emergency evacuations overnight. Nine houses have flooded, and - armed with shovels - some residents in Fernhill have been trying to stop a torrent of water from causing any more damage. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd has the story.

Volunteering is becoming a luxury fewer people can afford, according to Volunteering Northland. It has about 1000 people on its books, but says that doesn't reflect the reality of who's now able to help out. It's stressing organisations that rely on people donating their time. Community connections co-ordinator for Volunteering Northland, Verena Pschorn spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about growing calls for a ban on smart glasses capable of surreptiously recording video of people without their knowledge or consent.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A Waikato based tech company is looking for two hundred new workers, on top of the 300 people it has hired since January. Gallagher is a global company that specialises in animal management and security. Its revenue grew 33 percent over the past year. Gallagher CEO and Executive Director, Kahl Betham spoke to Lisa Owen.