Checkpoint

An animal welfare group says the death of a horse at the first rodeo of the season shows the industry needs to be banned. The animal broke one of its front legs during the bareback bronc event at Winchester showgrounds in Canterbury last Saturday. It was killed on site by the event vet. Emily Hall from animal welfare group SAFE spoke to Lisa Owen.

Kiwi actor and Hollywood star Cliff Curtis has pleaded guilty to drunk driving charges after a crash last month. Reporter Finn Blackwell was in court and spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Brazilian senator Flavio Bolsonaro saying he will lead his country's opposition from the US, after fleeing to Florida following his defeat in Sunday's presidential election, as well as a new study from Boston University estimating nearly 75% of NFL players who died over a 15 year period had signs of CTE in their brains.

Wanaka residents are calling for a freedom camping ban at a popular lakeside spot, saying visitors are pooping in the bushes, doing laundry in the lake and dumping their rubbish. There are just three spots designated for overnight camping on Beacon Point Road over looking Lake Wanaka - but some resident say the site's overwhelmed by campers. Local councils can't use bylaws to completely ban freedo...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the government setting up a dedicated fund to tackle misogyny in workplaces, school and public places, as well as a vehicle ban coming into place on parts of London's Oxford Street.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Silver Ferns could cap off a stunning 2026 with a win over the Australian Diamonds in Melbourne tonight. On Sunday, the Silver Ferns added the Constellation Cup to their Commonwealth Games gold medal, and there's more on the line in the final Test. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Reserve Bank has surprised the market today with a decision to hold the official cash rate at 2.75 percent in a split decision. Economists had widely expected a hike today, with inflation at 3.7 percent outside the Reserve Bank's target band of one to three percent. However more interest rate hikes are likely in the next few months. Reserve Bank Governor Anna Breman spoke to Lisa Owen.

As Aotearoa prepares for one of the strongest El Nino events on record the Ministry for Primary Industries is urging lifestyle farmers to do the same - prepare. MPI's reminding them of their animal welfare obligations, no matter what the weather throws at them. National response manager in Agriculture and Investment Services, Andrew Curtis spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Stick to the plan" was the word from the National Party after the Reserve Bank held the official cash rate at 2.75 percent. But Labour says the move shines a light on a "sluggish economy" while unemployment rates are at an 11 year high. Political reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira reports.

Buyers of black market tobacco say they're trying to save money in a cost of living crisis, while fighting what they call an unfair system. A new study from the University of Otago spoke to 20 people who buy their smokes on the illicit tobacco market. Some saw it as an alternative to the more expensive legitimate products, while others use it as an act of rebellion against the government. Finn Bla...

A Wanaka gym owner is calling out "sexist" online comments, saying she's proud to offer women a safe work out space. Online reviews have claimed women at the gym are dressed "like they're working in a strip club". FitGym in Wanaka isn't impressed with the comments, but wants to turn the negativity into a positive. Co-owner Bianca Simpson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Nearly 100 Watties factory workers have walked off the job today in Hawke's Bay in protest about pay. Mates Union says the workers at one site are being paid three percent less than those working at another Watties factory down the road. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti Reporter Alexa Cook spoke to Lisa Owen.

Wellington residents say they have been abandoned by central government in the wake of the devastating floods in April. The Wellington City Council is buying out one property damaged in severe flash flooding, which inundated parts of the city. The council says it's not in a position to reveal any information about the sale, with many of the details still under wraps. Wellington Issues reporter Ell...

The All Blacks are set to depart for the United Kingdom for the Nations Championship. They'll play Scotland, Wales and England on successive weekends before a playoff match. Sports reporter Patrick McKendry spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Hawkes Bay man whose job is finding jobs for young people has won an inaugural "Local Champion" award for his work. The top honour recognises stand out successes from the Mayoral Taskforce for Jobs. The nationwide network aims to get 16-24 year olds into employment, education or training. Jono Craig took out the first time award for his grass roots approach to helping rangatahi into work. He spo...

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about the Israeli election, where is appears neither Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or his main rival Gadi Eisenkot has secured a clear path to power.

The Reserve Bank has held the official cash rate at 2.75 percent in a split decision. Economists had widely expected a hike this week, with inflation nudging up, largely driven by fuel prices. Annual inflation is sitting at 3.7 percent, outside the Reserve Bank's target band of one to three percent. Westpac chief economist, Kelly Eckhold spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about a new artificial intellegence tool being trialed by some parliamentarians that has tracked thousands of threats and violent comment in the wake of the attack on Australian MP Helen Haines.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The latest figures from the electoral commission show enrolments are still short of its target. The Electoral Commission is aiming to get 94.7 percent of eligible voters signed up, the same as 2023. The most up to date figures show overall enrolment sitting at 92.8 percent. Chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne spoke to Lisa Owen.

A West Auckland leader says the stalled opening of an long awaited intensive care unit is a "smack in the face" for the community. Waitakere Hospital's brand new six bed Intensive Care Unit is full equipped and has been due to be running by the end of the year. But it's sitting empty with no operating budget, no staff and no opening date. Rowan Quinn reports.

A war if words has broken out between the Sensible Sentencing Trust and the Greens over a billboard the trust is responsible for. The ad has images of Marama Davidson, Chris Hipkins and Chloe Swarbrick with the words "Backing the Gangs" as well as the Green Party's election slog "For All of Us". The Green's have complained to the Advertising Standards Authority, accusing the trust of impersonating...

Political ads have caused a stir on the campaign trail today, with the Greens lodging a formal complaint about a billboard they say is impersonating them. New Zealand First, meanwhile, has attracted criticism after its candidate and former Defence Minister Ron Mark used an ad to the blame the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui on diversity, equity and inslusiveness.

Silver Fern Maddy Gordon says she has had enough of the constant booing when she mocked the boisterous Australian crowd in the third Test in Sydney. The Silver Ferns have a three-nil unassailable lead in the Constellation Cup after beating Australia on Sunday. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.