Checkpoint

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.

Every option, as soon as possible. It's what the Consumer Affairs Minister is demanding after findings this morning showed asbestos in contaminated children's play sand can be airborne. One of the options Cameron Brewer has asked for could be a total ban on the products. His urgent meeting with officials today came hours after AUT released its results from a world-first study. Some every-day paren...

One of Aotearoa's most popular fish is on the verge of extinction and drastic action is needed to save it, according to an environmental group. Tarakihi is often one half of that much loved duo, fish and chips, part of a home fry up or popular on restaurant menus. Most are caught commercially using trawl nets. Raewyn Peart from the Environmental Defence Society spoke to Lisa Owen.

Six underwater hockey players from Nelson are representing New Zealand at the age group world championships in Turkey later this month. The minority sport has always had a strong following at the top of the South, with Nelson Tasman club players often competing nationally and internationally, trained by coaches who have represented the country at an elite level.

Te Pati Maori's troubles have resurfaced, with a former co-leader calling for a change in leadership. It comes after the party faced a period of turmoil and infighting, resulting in one of its MPs being expelled and another leaving to start her own party. Te Ururoa Flavell says he's been approached by many staunch supporters who were uncertain about how to vote.

New Plymouth has one, Tauranga three and Palmerston North? Well, it's getting a fourth McDonalds. But not everyone is lovin' it. Locals have been debating whether another set of gold arches are necessary, with the construction for a new restaurant underway. Sammy Carter reports.

Two NZ coaches potentially face homicide charges in the Philippines over the tragic deaths last month of two basketball players, who were on a training exercise. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

Not everyone is eating up Aotearoa's new Michelin status. One top chef has described the award night as an absolute joke and questioned how some winners were chosen. In a social media post, Chef Jack Crosti applauded those who've worked their butts off. But he's questioning some selections and said it felt like Michelin had resorted to a google search. Crosti spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about how the US president's finances for last year have been revealed and how the US is trying to kick its way to the next round of the World Cup.