Checkpoint

A new report recommends a massive overhaul of the aged care sector that would see some people paying a lot more for care in their golden years. "A place to grow old" report concludes the sector is significantly underfunded despite the government spending $2.5 billion on in home and residential care in the 2024/25 year. Minister for Seniors and Associate Minister of Health Casey Costello spoke to L...

The popularity of sleep radio has boomed in recent years, with one online station racking up tens of thousands of loyal listeners each month. Whether it's birdsong or your favourite band, niche radio stations are scratching an itch. Anya Fielding spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government has ordered yet another business case for a new Auckland harbour crossing, which Transport Minister Chris Bishop says will be "the largest and most expensive infrastructure project ever undertaken in New Zealand". That's despite $100 million already being spent on looking at the issue. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.

A post-code lottery for residential eating disorder care is leaving some patients feeling stuck and without the help they say they need. Diante Peihopa-Harris who was living in Whangarei finally worked up the courage to seek support for her eating disorder but was told there was nothing available in Northland. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

A former Black Fern rediscovered her love of rugby while running around in Perth and now could be making history in the green and gold. Loose forward Pia Tapsell played six tests for the Black Ferns and is in line to make her debut for the Wallaroos against her former side in Auckland this weekend. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Canterbury manufacturing company, struggling to find workers despite high unemployment says there's a mismatch in school leavers skills and misconceptions about the industry. Vortex Engineering group has been trying to fill 10 Christchurch roles across various trades, but says it hasn't been easy, despite unemployment sitting at 5.6 percent. Vortex Engineering Group CFO Glenn Hansen spoke to Lis...

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump's son-in-law and Middle East Envoy, Jared Kushner sitting down with Hamas officials in a rare face to face meeting. It's part of efforts to push forward an Amercian-backed Gaza peace plan between the militant group and Israel.

Who should pay for our care as we get older? It's a major issue facing Aotearoa and according to a new report the current age care system can not meet future demand safely, equitably or sustainably without a major shake. Aged Care Commissioner Erin James spoke to Lisa Owen.

Whether it's Woolworths' "Ooshies" or New World's Smeg knife promotion, many Kiwis are keeping these sought after items close. But down in the South Island there's one man who's built up a massive collection of his own and he's looking to the public to help him part ways with it. Producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the Clacton by-election, how the UK has broken another temperature record and how people battling the scorching heatwave have found a rather unusual way to keep their homes cool.

New Zealand Football has withdrawn support for FIFA president Gianni Infantino's bid for re-election. Infantino courted controversy with the FIFA Forward Enterprise scheme, which proposed carving off the commercial rights to the World Cup and selling 20 percent to private investors. New Zealand Football said FIFA's actions to develop the scheme had contributed to a breakdown in trust and increased...

Business people from across the South Island have met in Christchurch for the first South Island election conference to hear from politicians about their plans for the Mainland. They covered a range of topics from transport, productivity, infrastructure and immigration, with National announcing its election plan for the South Island. But the head of the Southland Chamber of Commerce said she still...

Friday was the first time the accusation was ever been put to him under oath, Phillip Polkinghorne told the Coronial inquest that he did not kill his wife. The former eye doctor has faced an intense cross-examination. He has admitted lying many times, but maintains that does not mean he is responsible for Hanna's death. Jessica Hopkins reports.

An emergency department doctor working in Palmerston North said he believes some decisions are being made to prioritise Government discharge targets over ideal healthcare. Government targets set a goal for hospitals to admit and discharge 95 percent of patients within six hours. The trend has been slowly increasing toward that, with 74.2 percent in December. Health NZ Group Director of Operations...

Netball New Zealand said it's a priority to have a domestic competition in 2027 and beyond. Speaking publicly for the first time since officially becoming CEO, Jennah Wootten said today that the organisation is looking at a number of options but could not guarantee anything would be ready by next season. The organisation is facing losses of up to $6 million for the financial year. Watching the dev...

People working at Sylvia Park Shopping Centre are feeling shaken after a man carrying a stolen air rifle was fatally shot by police as he approached the mall yesterday. RNZ understands the man is 33 year old Hapai Ropata Clyde Otene and he was on community detention and supervision. A post on Facebook said he's a father of five. Amy Williams reports.

Richie Mo'unga's call-up to South Africa is set to put the much-debated All Black eligibility rules under review. Mo'unga wasn't able to tour initially due to these rules, which meant he had to play rugby in Aotearoa before getting the green light for the black jersey. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

It's a case of who blinks first in the housing market. Buyers have confidence to know they can hold out. Sellers are holding on to hope they will get 2021 prices according to Real estate.co.nz research. But for some who are nearing retirement, the stakes are higher and a retirement health advisor said it's causing stress for many of the older people she deals with. Hannah McQueen at Age Brightly s...

A Palmerston North Emergency Department doctor has put out a plea for help to Health New Zealand after an extraordinarily busy day. Patients contacted Checkpoint to say they had been waiting 17 hours, but when Checkpoint spoke to Doctor Dusty Bratton he said others had been waiting even longer than that. Bratton spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Australia's housing crisis continues to be an issue dominating politics across the tasman -- as the major parties there attempt to gain the political high ground, and a baby chimp is being raised by humans at an Australian zoo.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Tall Blacks are headed back to the safe haven of the Philippines for this month's World Cup qualifiers due to conflict in the Middle East. With games against Iran and Syria in a fortnight, Basketball New Zealand and governing body FIBA had no choice but to find an alternative host for New Zealand's away games. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke with Melissa Chan-Green.

Like New Zealand, cost of living has been top of mind for voters, with fuel costs and climbing utility bills driving a lot of debate. Visitors from around the region remain a key part of the economy. Figures from May show arrivals from New Zealand made up nearly two-thirds of visitors. RNZ Pacific reporter Tiana Haxton is in Rarotonga to cover the election and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The National party - having faced two leadership challenges in four months - now has just three months to convince voters it deserves a second term in government. The Prime Minister and his senior ministers went back to work today, after an hours long urgent caucus meeting at Parliament yesterday that ended with Christopher Luxon still in the top job. But despite protestations of nothing to see he...