Checkpoint

It was round two between Rob Penney and reporters this morning. The Crusaders coach had another combative press conference after the news of his departure at the end of the season was leaked. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A major ski field operator's hoping Aussies nervous about the possibility of fuel disruptions, won't be put off coming to Aotearoa this season. Some slopes open this long week and rely heavily on Australians popping over to enjoy a run. NZ SKI operates on Coronet Peak and the Remarkables in Otago and Mount Hutt in Canterbury. CEO Paul Anderson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Americas correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about how as anti-government protests continue in Bolivia, the country's president has suggested he'll cut his salary in half. She also spoke about how political problems and election delays in Peru could be slowing down progress toward fixing issues at Machu Picchu and a record-breaking mural being unveiled in Mexico City.

The country's money pie will be carved up tomorrow, with a bunch of people eager to see how fat their slice is or if they get a bite at all. The top secret super-sized document came off the printer in Petone yesterday. After seeing the 2026 budget bundle delivered, the Finance Minister went straight to an actual pie shop, Puku Pies and Kai. Puku Pie owner Jamie Williams spoke to Lisa Owen.

In Australia there's been some rare good news on the cost-of-living front with householders told they can expect significant cuts to electricity prices.

News from the business sector, including a market report..

Former Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Scheck has played his last game in the NRL. This is not an exit on the player's terms; he has been sidelined by a knee injury that has cut his 13th season in the competition short. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The finance minister said there'll be no surprises and no sugar hits in this year's Budget, as she picks up her pride and joy from the printer. Nicola Willis isn't giving it a nickname this year, but one of her coalition partners is calling it a tough love Budget. MPs are split on whether they should apply some of that tough love to themselves, as their perks and pay rises come into the spotlight....

The Norsewear Farm Fleck style socks were worn by Sir Edmund Hillary on various expeditions and have graced posters and magazine covers. Until now, the socks have been in the Hillary family's private collection. But they're being loaned to their makers, Norsewear and will go on display, in a protective case no less at Field Days. Tim Deane from Norsewear spoke to Lisa Owen.

"I don't know where to go, I don't know what to do, to afford living and pay the bills." That's the message from those who are still unemployed in Wellington after going through a round of government job cuts in the public sector two years ago. Last week, the government announced that nearly 9000 public servants are in line to lose their jobs over the next three years. It follows experts saying wi...

Rural and Community hospitals are operating well below capacity despite demand for emergency care and diagnostic services rapidly increasing, according to a new report. The report commissioned by two health unions points to chronic staffing issues. Deborah Powell is the national secretary for the Resident Doctors; she spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand police are joining a drug strike-force in Colombia aimed at fighting trafficking through the Pacific. Since the beginning of the year, more than 17 tonnes of illegal drugs, mostly cocaine, have been seized from in the region - dubbed the Pacific-narco highway. The joint strike-force was announced at a law enforcement summit in Fiji last week. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers was at...

An Auckland woman who has been attacked more than once by dogs on her street is now too afraid to walk her dog outside her gate. A resident in a neighbouring suburb said the problem of roaming dogs is making her consider moving. Auckland council agrees uncontrolled dogs are a problem and is hoping for changes to 30-year-old Dog Control legislation. Jessica Hopkins reports.

Questions are mounting over the estimated half-a-billion-dollar price tag for installing water meters in Wellington.

Evening sport with Bridget Tunnicliffe.

There's a buzz in Christchurch over an Aussie visitor that may prove an asset in local gardens and farms. A bee species from across the Tasman, Leioproctus Launcestonensis has been rediscovered in the garden city after decades. More than a dozen of the bees have been formally identified after being collected from community gardens, as part of a wider study. University of Canterbury PHD candidate A...

US Central Command said the strikes, which targeted mine-laying boats and missile launch sites, were defensive and conducted to "protect" American troops from Iranian threats. The latest action comes amid rumblings that progress towards a peace deal is being made. US correspondent Mitch McCann spoke to Lisa Owen.

Cracks are appearing in people's retirement nest eggs, with more people taking money out of Kiwisaver on hardship groups. A new Consumer NZ survey, shows 16% of Kiwisaver members either made a hardship withdrawal, or suspended payments in the past year. According to Consumer's figures withdrawals have gone up three percent over the past two years. Consumer NZ CEO, John Duffy spoke to Lisa Owen.

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson speaks to Lisa Owen about the latest British news.

A jury in Auckland has heard gruelling details about the death of 70-year-old Shulai Wang whose body was found in Auckland's Gulf Harbour by a fisherman two years ago.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A five-time World Champion added another chapter to her story in the final of the New Zealand Pro surf event in Raglan today. Hawaiian Carissa Moore won her first Championship Tour event in New Zealand 16 years ago and has gone on to become one of the greats in the sport. Her return to Aotearoa with her young family for this event, she said was a full circle moment. Sports reporter Felicity Reid s...

From August, Greyhound racing will be illegal here. The move follows several critical reviews of the industry and concerns around animal welfare in the industry. A Transition Agency's been set up to help rehome up to 2000 dogs and is responsible for their welfare until then. Meanwhile Greyhound Racing New Zealand's floating the idea of taking up to 70 dogs, on a charter flight to Queensland Austra...

Dame Lynda Topp has spoken of the deep sorrow and unimaginable grief at the death of her twin sister Dame Jools over the weekend. Jools Topp died on Saturday with her family, close friends and fur babies by her side. She was 68. Rowan Quinn looks back at her life.

A radical funding overhaul's being suggested to expand aged care in New Zealand, with refundable bonds the centre piece. Aotearoa's population is aging yet care facilities are closing due to funding issues and a report last year warned the sector is in crisis. A bond scheme would see aged care residents pay an upfront bond of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Pam Newlove spoke to Lisa Owen.