Checkpoint

A new government agency set up to wind down greyhound racing and help with rehoming of more than 1500 dogs has been meeting with industry leaders. Greyhound Racing Transition Agency Heather Simpson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland's Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge lights are not shining quite so bright at the moment to help fledgling Cook's petrels. Light pollution has been disorientating juvenile seabirds, especially since the number of lights on the Sky Tower doubled in 2019 when SkyCity switched to LED lighting. Jessica Hopkins reports.

A man released from jail on special conditions for trying to snatch a toddler for sex was at a playground just two days later. Two days after that, he was at a school. John Tekuru's case has raised the ire of the Sensible Sentencing Trust which said he should face stricter monitoring. On Thursday in court, he's admitted to breaching his conditions. Reporter Kim Baker Wilson spoke to Lisa Owen. War...

Stewart Island locals are fundraising to build new housing for seniors, so they don't have to choose between living in unsuitable housing or moving to rest homes on the mainland. Otago Southland Reporter Katie Todd has the story.

New Zealand meet World Cup finalists Canada in Kansas, with one of their strike weapons cleared to play. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Napier Hairdesssing tutor has set up the classes to help fathers with the practical stuff but also to give them quality time with their daughters. The first workshop is already booked out. Eastern Institue of Technology Hairdressing tutor and mum Courtney Cook is running the workshops and spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Trump administration said it's optimistic a deal to end the US-Israeli war with Iran could soon be reached. Meanwhile, the deadline for the Pakistan-brokered ceasefire is less than a week away with no confirmation of further negotiations between the US and Iran. United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen.

It turns out artificial intelligence might not be that intelligent when it comes to making complaints according to a consumer watchdog. The Insurance and Financial Services Ombudsman is warning people to beware of AI tools hallucinating and gving bad or incorrect advice. It said artifical intelligence can make the process frustrating for people when the reality doesn't match up to the expectations...

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson talks to Lisa Own over concerns raised by a former NATO chief on the UK's national security. She also delves into a report highlighting further economic fallout for the country in the wake of the Iran War.

A long-standing, but newly expanded Maori relationships committee is proving controversial in the Far North. It's seen locals turn out in support of the change but there is backlash, too, despite the committee being advisory only. Council decisions are still made by elected members. Reporter Peter de Graaf headed to Wednesday's meeting to find out what the fuss is about.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Auckland FC coach Steve Corica will be forced to watch his side's crucial A-League clash from the sidelines this weekend. Corica copped a one-match ban after being issued a red card in Saturday's draw with the Melbourne Victory. It was the first red card of his career. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

If you shopped at a Waikato Bunnings store today, you probably had your face scanned. The hardware giant switched on its new technology at its Hamilton South and Te Rapa stores this week. The AI technology is targeting repeat shoplifters and offenders and is is due to be implemented at all Bunnings stores around New Zealand in a phased rollout. Bunnings New Zealand general manager Melissa Haines s...

"Do nothing ..do nothing...do nothing ..and then oh F**k." That's how a leading economist has charactersied the Government's four-part fuel plan. New Zealand's currently in phase one of the plan which means there's enough fuel but prices are rising. Formal rationing would kick in at phase four. Simplicity chief economist Shamubeel Eaqub spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's cautious support being shown for a crack down on black market tobacco, but also warnings the tobacco industry itself could be stoking fears. A report into the illicit tobacco trade, released by Retail NZ, pushed for the formation of a unified response from Customs, Police, Health NZ and Inland Revenue. It's chief executive said we need to act quickly, but the Prime Minister isn't convinced...

People may soon be able to bypass the GP and head to the pharmacist for a wider ranges of medicines, at a cheaper price. The government proposal would allow pharmacists to assess a patient, provide a consultation, and supply a treatment, similar to a GP visit. It would also mean patients get treatments at a lower cost, rather than paying full over-the-counter prices. Treatments for scabies, headli...

Iwi volunteers are desperately working to save as many eels as they can from a dried-up lake bed on coastal Manawatu. The rescue operation at Pukepuke Lagoon began late last week, and since then an estimated 3,000 eels have since been moved into waterways elsewhere. Meanwhile, there's calls for an investigation into how this has happened. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham visited the lake.

Moana Pasifika announced that after five years, it is no longer financially sustainable, and will fold at the end of the current season. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Fuel stocks are down for the second time in a row, and with one small shipment delayed from Singapore the government is warning New Zealanders should expect more of the same. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is offering assurances it's all within normal fluctuations and the country is staying at phase 1 of the fuel plan - at least for now. Political reporter Russell Palmer spoke to Lisa Owen.

Americas correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about how Mexico's president has launched more criticism towards the US over the death of Mexicans in ICE custody. He also spoke about how Peru is set to elect its ninth president in a decade and how a retrial over the death of one of football's greatest ever players, Diego Maradona, has just started.

At the top of the South Island, in the heart of New Zealand's aquaculture and fishing industries, artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to provide better information about what's going on underwater. Scientists and engineers are working together to develop new tools that give marine farmers better metrics, in a bid to push growth in the sector. Samantha Gee has the story.

ANZ reported a sharp fall in retail activity last month, March card data shows a more than 4 percent drop in spending at general clothing stores and a 6 percent drop at shoe stores, compared to last year. Overseas, France is bringing in an enviromental fee on fast fashion brands; it will rise to 10 euros an item by 2030. Retail New Zealand said local business have compliance costs and health and s...

Immigration is shaping as a key battleground political issue in Australia, with the federal opposition on Tuesday unveiling the policy it plans to take to Australian voters. Part of Liberal Party Leader Angus Taylor's pitch takes a page out of America's playbook when it comes to visa applicants. Australia Correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Repaying debt, buying new farm machinery, splashing out on a holiday or even purchasing a classic Hilux. Those are some of the ways Fonterra's farmer-shareholders plan to spend Tuesday's major capital return. Farmers have received an average $400,000 each for their share of the sale of the company's consumer brands to French company Lactalis. Anna Sargent reports.