Checkpoint

Hundreds of homes, in a cluster of coastal settlements north of Whangarei, are still cut off due to storm damage, almost six months on. In January, Russell Road at the Helena Bay Hill was swamped in a land slide, leaving some homes in Helena Bay, Oakura, Teal Bay and Whangaruru with limited road access. Robynne Cooper, owner of the Whangaruru Beachfront Campground spoke to Lisa Owen.

Waitaki locals are cleaning up the mess after being battered by heavy rain overnight. The Waitaki District Council declared a state of emergency early this morning as stormwater and wastewater systems were overwhelmed. Firefighters tried to pump water from the area but at least nine homes and six businesses have been flooded and more will possibly be added to that list. South Island correspondent...

How much alcohol is too much, when it comes to health risks like cancer and is Aotearoa's official guide to low risk drinking dangerously out of date? The Health NZ guidelines are being reviewed as part of a three-year cancer action plan, released last week. The cancer society said alcohol is a risk factor in a least seven cancers and is the cause of about five percent of all cancers. Alcohol rese...

Two critical minerals projects on the West Coast are getting up to $50 million from the Crown to co-fund the construction of processing facilities. The money will come from the $80 million ring-fenced in the Regional Infrastructure Fund to support development in the sector. But the deal comes against the backdrop of negotiations between the United States and New Zealand about the supply of critica...

The rare decision to suspend a one-match ban for an American player at the Football World Cup has divided opinion. While the USA coach said he had no role in FIFA's decision, reports out of America say President Donald Trump did. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A massive six-day funeral for Iran's late supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is underway. Khamenei was killed by a US-Israeli strike at the beginning of the months-long war in the Middle East. Millions are set to attend the service according to Iranian officials who are also calling it the "funeral of the century". However, there's one major figure who's yet to appear at the memorial. Middle Ea...

Wellington rugby referees have pulled out of all games around the capital this coming weekend due to ongoing sideline abuse. The Wellington Rugby Referees Association said so far this season there have been 19 incidents, including three on Saturday. That can be anything from swearing to inappropriate hand gestures. President of the Wellington Rugby Referees Association Ben Van Berkel spoke to Lisa...

A red heavy rain warning is in place for Marlborough and parts of Canterbury, including the Kaikoura Ranges. due to flooding. But attention is turning to southern parts of Marlborough through to North Canterbury, where the weather's expected to hit. Rain could peak at 15 to 25 millimetres an hour, especially along the ranges. There's a threat to life from river conditions and slips. Reporter Keill...

United Kingdom correspondent Grace Thomas spoke to Lisa Owen about Prime Minister Keir Starmer issuing a formal government apology for thousands of historic forced adoptions in England and Wales, as well as the German government introducing tough new rules for workers making it harder to have a sick day.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A charity called WanderSearch has noticed a big increase in interest in devices it provides to help authorities track down vulnerable, missing people in an emergency. That comes after a series of missing people reported to Police. Rachel Graham reports. 

Christchurch will host the All Blacks for the first time in four years tomorrow night. The first test of the Dave Rennie era sees his side take on France at the new Te Kaha Stadium. Sports reporter Jonty Dine is in Christchurch and spoke to Lisa Owen.

DOC is about to start vaccinating some of New Zealand's most threatened species against a highly virulent strain of the bird flu that's shown up in Australia. The H-1 N-5 strain is not in Aotearoa, but has recently been detected in miogratory sea birds in Australia. DOC senior science advisor and wildlife vet Dr Kate McInnes spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Cancer Control agency is planning to reduce cancer risk due to alcohol, poor nutrition and sun exposure. It's part of its three year strategy for tackling the disease, which comes as it's estimated that the annual cancer diagnosis rate will increase from more than 30,000 in 2025 to over 45,000 in 2044. Cancer Society CEO Nicola Coom spoke to Lisa Owen.  

You'd be hard pressed to find anyone in Northland who doesn't want a better road linking Whangārei to Auckland - but at what cost? Apart from the hefty price tag, a new highway also comes with environmental and human costs, as reporter Peter de Graaf finds out.

An inspection into a Dunedin forensic facility for people with intellectual disabilities has found 'some of the worst practices observed' according to the Chief Ombudsman. The office carried out an inspection of ward 10A at Wakari Hospital under the crimes of torture act. It found compelling evidence of punitive and coercive treatment at the world, with some people subjected to prolonged restraint...

Christchurch rugby fans are fizzing over the return of test rugby to the city after four years. The new Te Kaha stadium is sold out for the All Blacks opening game of the season against France tomorrow night. Rugby reporter Joe Porter has more.

Tall Blacks head coach Judd Flavell made a big money move a couple of months ago to link up with a Japanese club side, though he insists he hasn't lost sight of the mission to get the New Zealanders to another Basketball World Cup. Flavell is back from Japan for tonight's game against the Phillippines in Auckland as part of the World Cup qualifiers. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen...

Screen time and kids sport might seem like a mismatch but a trial across several school appears to be proving otherwise. GameFit, a Sport Waikato programme uses virtual reality headsets to get kids moving. Sport Waikato's head of innovation and sport, Leanne Bats spoke to Lisa Owen. 

There have been major anti-immigration protests across South Africa this week, attracting thousands of demonstrators. Several political parties and vigilante group are pushing for the removal of undocumented migrants. Thousands have left South Africa fearing they could be targets for violence. Correspondent in Johannesburg, Elna Schutz spoke to Lisa Owen.

The owner of an Auckland gardening business is frustrated at how difficult it seems to get workers despite high numbers of people apparently needing jobs. She says she's advertised several times for a gardener to join her company, with no experience required and on the job training. She's now resorted to using a recruitment company. The business owner spoke to Lisa Owen.

Neil the Seal is causing more destruction - officials say to admire from afar. Australia correspondent Nick Grimm joins Lisa Owen on Checkpoint.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie's first team of the year has two debuntants on the bench and a new first-five. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke with Lisa Owen.

A hand-made silk victorian frock, coloured with arsenic-based dye, is going on display for the first time at Whanganui regional museum. Museum acting director Trish Nugent Lyne spoke with Lisa Owen.