Checkpoint

Hundreds of seagulls are plaguing a northern Auckland district, leaving business owners at their wit's end. The birds are damaging roofs, while their excrement blocks drains and contaminates water in Dairy Flat - well away from the nearest beach. Locals are stumped about how they can solve a problem no one is taking responsibility for. Evie Richardson reports.

Crucial warnings that Wellington's Moa Point could catastrophically flood were missed, according to an Independent Crown Review into the February disaster. 14 billion litres of raw sewage has since spewed into the sea off the city's South Coast as a result of the plant failure. The review, released today, points to systemic failures in leadership by the city council, Wellington Water and plant ope...

Auckland is pushing a different kind of bull today. A cattle auction at Epsom's inner-city Cornwall Park has attracted farmers from across the upper North Island. The farm is known for its quiet and friendly bulls, who've adapted to the buzz of urban life. Felix Walton reports.

Pakistan cricket is in meltdown, and a Kiwi is suddenly at the centre of the rescue mission. Former Black Caps coach Mike Hesson has been parachuted in to take over Pakistan's test side after two crushing defeats to England. It comes amid a chaotic 48 hours for the team with seven players and two coaching staff sent home from the tour. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The family of a woman killed by a truck driver are calling for stronger accountability for preventable deaths on the road. Jade Evans and her unborn child were killed when a truck driver drove through a stop sign. The driver pleaded guilty to careless driving causing her death and was sentenced to two months community detention. He's lost his licence for 12 months and must pay reparations of $8000...

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the Middle East conflict cranking up again. More tit-for-tat attacks between the US and Iran have been launched since a month-long pause was broken earlier this week.

The Reserve Bank has hiked the official cash rate 25 basis points to 2.75 percent. However, the Reserve Bank is pointing to a recovering economy, with unemployment expected to decline and an improvement in real incomes by mid next year. Kiwibank economist Jarrod Kerr spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the Australian government planning to overhaul privacy laws in response to growing concerns about how digital technology is being used to gather information without consent.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Six years after a basketball development pathway was quietly dropped the Breakers are reviving it at their Auckland headquarters. 20 high school students have been selected to join the Breakers Academy - with little expectation they will play for the NBL club any time soon. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Older New Zealander's concern around access to safe and affordable housing has made its way to the steps of parliament this afternoon. The Christchurch Methodist Mission has presented a petition to the Minister for Seniors, on behalf of more than 3000 people who want the Government to prioritise building new affordable housing. Executive Director of the Methodist Mission in Christchurch, Jill Hawk...

A jury has heard harrowing evidence about how a son found his father dead and his mother missing from their home, which had turned into a grisly crime scene. Lok Fung Lorrence Li is on trial in the High Court at Auckland charged with murdering Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife Mei Han Chong in 2023. Finn Blackwell reports.

Foreign minister Winston Peters is chalking up news of a new port in the Cook Islands as a major win for Pacific regionalism. Peters is in Palau for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting and earlier today announced NZ and the US will be jointly funding a major port upgrade in the most northern island in the Cooks group. Teuila Fuatai spoke to Melissa Chan-Green from Koror.

A SuperGold Card discount is offered by hundreds of small and big name businesses in New Zealand. However, a lack of promotion means many older people are unaware they can save money. That means missing out on decent savings during the cost of living crunch. Business reporter Nona Pelletier hit the streets to investigate.

The Prime Minister had told striking public servants they should be at work. 10,000 public service workers are set to walk off the job next week. The public service minister has called the strikes politically motivated - a claim the union rejects. While a newly-released letter has revealed the number of agencies that could be cut, the government's kicked that til after the election. Political repo...

A sculpture has been stolen from outside the iconic Hundertwasser Art Centre in what seems like an unsophisticated heist. Police want to hear from anyone who saw a person on a bike cycling around Whangarei with a big wooden sculpture tucked under their arm. Hundertwasser Art Centre director, Joost de Bruin spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Children under five can get their flu vaccinations free from today - a year ahead of schedule - as the health system strains under the weight of a late-winter outbreak. Changes announced last week made an extra 260,000 kids eligible for a free shot from next year. But Pharmac today confirmed, in response to a recent surge in flu cases, that it's brough the change forward, effective immediately. An...

One of the greatest ever in football is hanging up his boots. Argentina's Lionel Messi is retiring from international football after 207 appearances for his country. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A Christchurch cafe is offering up a single cup of coffee for $100. Rook Cafe is brewing up the specific cup from some of the most expensive beans in Panama. The cafe's co-owner, Kyle Cabangun managed to get his hands on a rare variety, and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

United States correspondent, Todd Zwillich spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about a guilty verdict in the Tupac Murder trial bringing the near 30 year cold case to a close, as well as dozens of people who are still unaccounted for after deadly flash flooding.

A privatised competition for elite domestic netball is back on the cards for 2027, but Netball New Zealand has told Checkpoint the agreement commits to a "number of years" to gauge success. The body announced today it has signed a non-binding term sheet with Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams, the sporting and business couple who are also co-owners of Auckland FC. Netball New Zealand Chief Executive Je...

United Kingdom correspondent, Lucy Thomson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the US reportedly considering threatening Britain's sovereignty claim over the Falkland Islands, in a bid to push the UK to spend more on defence.

Crown prosecutors have claimed a minor traffic accident led to the double murder of an Auckland couple in their home in 2023. Lok Fung Lorrence Li is charged with the murder of Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife Mei Han Chong at their Ellerslie home. He's also charged with conspiring to murder another person, who's identity is suppressed. Finn Blackwell, who was in court today and heard the opening s...

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Blacks weren't the only New Zealanders dealt a loss in South Africa at the weekend. A large number of fans were turned away from the stadium in Cape Town after being caught up in a ticket scam. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.