Checkpoint

Low staff morale, no onsite drug testing for years, contraband readily available, and filthy uninhabitable parts of the jail. That's just some of the serious concerns identified at the Spring Hill Correctional Facility. A report by the Inspectorate Office, the prison watchdog, also highlights issues with staff absences, long lockdowns for inmates, inadequate meals and a prison population way over...

The chair of a Northland iwi says plans to scrap iwi involvement in councils under the RMA will take away a seat at the decision making table for Māori. Recommended changes to the proposed RMA reforms include scrapping agreements dictating the role of iwi in council decision making - called Mana Whakahono a Rohe agreements. Political reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira has more.

Inflation has hit a two year high, reaching 4.1 percent. The rate has been driven by higher fuel, electricity and housing costs. Emertius Professor of Economics at Auckland University, Tim Hazledine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Coroner's court has heard about the extreme prisoners unit where Ahamed Samsudeen was held before he attacked shoppers at an Auckland mall. Samsudeen was shot dead by police, ending his stabbing spree at LynnMall five years ago. A Coroner's inquest is underway into his death. Finn Blackwell was in court.

Tennis fans wanting to get cheap tickets to the only Grand Slam in this part of the world will have to get in early. Changes to the ticketing for the Australian Open were announced today and tournament organisers are capping how many people get access to the most popular tickets. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

An ultra marathon runner is going the distance, fundraising for children living with disabilities so they can hopefully move more freely. Hawkes Bay runner, Andrew McCrory, is raising money for a Rotorua centre that specialises in intensive therapy for children with neurological disabilities and disorders, including cerebral palsy. His next big run is the 320km Great Naseby Water Race in August. A...

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the latest on attacks in the US-Iran war, as well as the US president putting a 50 percent tariff on certain Canadian goods.

New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox is still processing his "life-changing" win at the British Open after sinking a birdie putt on the 18th hole and securing victory. Fox joins just three other New Zealanders who have won a golf major. After a whirlwind 24 hours Ryan Fox spoke to Lisa Owen about the win.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Andy Burnham preparing to step in as Prime Minister, as well as controversial influencer Andrew Tate and his brother Tristan who have been arrested in the US on British charges.

A police National Security Group senior staff member has faced a grilling today over what efforts were made to divert LynnMall attacker Ahamed Samsudeen from the path of violent extremism. Samsudeen was shot dead by police in a West Auckland Woolworths supermarket after stabbing shoppers in September 2021. The coronial inquest into his death is examining his path to extremism and the time leading...

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Spain etched their name into the history books as winners of the first ever 48 team, 104 match FIFA World Cup. A one-nil victory over a 10 man Argentina in New Jersey secured La Roja's second World Cup title. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Rotorua teenager is rolling in the success of an ice cream business that started as a school project. Izzy Talbot launched Izzys ice cream in March, The ice cream truck serves real fruit ice cream made from local ingredients. The 18 year old made the decision to to turn her project into reality rather than head to university straight out of school. Izzy Talbot spoke to Lisa Owen. 

It's a paradox that police and politicians say needs solving. Methamphetamine is a strictly banned and highly destructive drug. It's also illegal, according to Customs, to import or sell utensils for smoking meth. Despite that, you can buy meth pipes everywhere, even in corner dairies in the smallest towns in the country. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has more.

Taxpayers are kicking in tens of millions of dollars to save a cement company owned by Fletcher Building, with the government saying it's an exceptional case. Golden Bay Cement is getting a one off grant of up to $60 million. In return, the company will invest $150 million into modernising its plant, and will keep producing cement until at least 2040.

Auckland's biggest and most expensive sewer pipe is officially online, with the council promising fewer overflows and healthier waterways. Watercare says it'll be the backbone of Auckland's sewer system, but some of the ribs won't be built until well beyond 2030. Felix Walton has more.

The government is supercharging its promised revamp of planning laws - making further changes - which the opposition parties decry as unworkable and embarassing. The changes include ripping up existing council-iwi agreements - and giving ministers further powers to override environmental protections. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Parents of a couple hundred school children in the Manawatu town of Ashhurst are having to dip into their pockets for buses to Palmerston North from today, as the new term begins. Ratepayers are also stumping up for the services, which were previously funded by the Ministry of Education. The change comes after the ministry reviewed routes into the town and found many children weren't complying wit...

The rise of weight loss jabs could completely change the way people shop, and not just for food, according to a leading business consultancy. A new report by EY looks at the way GLP1 weight loss medicines are influencing consumer choices in Australia and what that could mean for business. Report co-author, Lisa Nijssen-Smith spoke to Lisa Owen.

A clutch birdie on the final hole has crowned Ryan Fox The Open champion and delivered New Zealand another major golfing triumph. Sports editor Dana Johannsen unpacked the the unforgettable finish and the significance of Fox's biggest career win with Lisa Owen.

It was never going to be your typical Monday morning. The traditionally quiet start to the working week gave way to chanting and emotional celebrations around the country, as Spain clinched its second World Cup title today. Argentina fans though were left a little blue by the result. Jessica Hopkins reports.

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about dozens - including three American soldiers - who have been killed in the latest flare up in the US-Iran war. Back and forth attacks between boths countries haven't slowed down over the past eight days. The US military says its latest strikes were designed to "punish" Iran for allegedly killing two American troops in Jordan over the...

A Wairarapa vet has had an onslaught of calls from cat owners worried about their felines catching bird flu. On Friday it was confirmed a Kahu infected with the deadly H-5 strain of the virus was found in the district. It's the second confirmed case in Aotearoa. Several countries that have had cases of the virus have also had domestic cat deaths due to the H-5 strain. Wairarapa vet Dr Louisa Broug...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Keir Starmer making his final visit to Ukraine as Prime Minister, as well as the government announcing children under 16 in England will be banned from buying high-caffeine energy drinks starting next year.

A beloved community centre which has served as a second home to tens of thousands of Queenstowners over 35 years in on the hunt for a new home of its own. Happiness House offers everything from free food to financial advice and spaces for social connection - but it's learned it has to vacate its iconic premises in the centre of town by late 2028. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd has the story.