Checkpoint

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.

Scrolling through social media means often coming across claims a product, diet or workout is a quick fix for weight-loss, no wrinkles and clear skin. But one trend that's taking cutting corners to the next level is the use of experimental synthetic peptides. Despite being unapproved by Medsafe, they're being promoted and sold online, often labelled 'for research purposes.'

Businesses racking up big gas bills will be offered cheaper bank loans to help reduce their usage - as part of a new initiative in this week's Budget.

A group of New Plymouth homeowners fear plans to build a 15-metre-high telecommunications tower in a suburban street will shave thousands off property values. Mobile tower infrastructure company Connexia has applied for consents to put up the tower on the road reserve in the suburb of Spotswood to increase capacity for its client Spark. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

New Zealand Formula One driver Liam Lawson survived a tricky weekend at the Canadian Grand Prix to secure points for the third time this season. Lawson finished in seventh place on track and retained the position after a post-race review of his start in Montreal. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Four students own experiences with unwanted attention has lead them to develop functional but funky personal alarms as part of a school business project. The seventeen year olds from Lynfield College in Auckland have launched Safe and Sound. The personal safety alarms are concealed in cute tiny crochet'd animals ..that have wrist straps or can be attached to bag. Nabeeha Kamran is one of the Year...

A flurry of optimism over a potential U.S. - Iran deal has failed to deliver a conclusion to the ongoing tensions. Middle East correspondent Perry Wilton spoke to Lisa Owen.

That's how dozens of Auckland faith leaders have described the government's planned move on orders... in an open letter. More than 30 signed their names and are calling for more funding for housing and support services. The bill gives police the power to issue move on orders to rough sleepers..people begging or obstructing entrance ways or showing intent to inhabit a public place. St Matthew in th...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about how newly released files have revealed more about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment as a trade envoy and how the late Queen Elizabeth was involved. She also spoke about how new figures reveal migration to Britain has dropped significantly and how Lord of the Rings fans will soon be able to get their hands on a new "precious"...

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Auckland FC's first shot at A-League glory will play out in Penrose with a clash against Sydney FC in the grand final. The two clubs are at opposite ends of the experience scale when it comes to finals football, but they do have a few things and people in common. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

It will be lights out for a top Hawkes Bay restaurant next week. But don't panic St George's restaurant is unplugging as part of World Environment Day. All non-essential electricity will be switched off; it will be candlelight all the way. But without an oven what's the plan for cooking the kai? St George's owner Frankie Godinho spoke to Lisa Owen.