Checkpoint

Five and a half years after fire swept through Lake Ōhau Village in the Waitaki district, a group of school students have captured one of its remarkable heroes in a new book. Not a local or a firefighter - but a beloved border collie called Hebe, who woke her owners as the first flames leapt around the alpine settlement. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd has more.

"I am not a hysterical woman who can be shut up," that from Dame Lynda Topp after she let rip at the government over arts funding at last week's music awards. On stage just days after the death of her sister Jools, the surviving Topp twin spoke directly to Paul Goldsmith who was in the audience. Dame Lynda said in the budget, there didn't appear to any money for music but in big letters in the top...

All three coalition parties have scrambled to squash any question of the country's nuclear-free policy - after the new Defence Minister appeared to reopen the debate over the weekend. While in Singapore for security talks, Chris Penk told media it would be helpful for New Zealand to have a conversation about its approach to nuclear-powered submarines, given Australia is purchasing some. Deputy pol...

There's been more revelations about a Fonterra briefing document that made its way to the Beehive ahead of a proposed law change that scuttled a court case involving the dairy giant. This is the briefing document that was handed to a former staffer in the Prime Minister's office. It was regarding a climate activist's case against major emitters. On Tuesday afternoon, a spokesman for the Prime Mini...

The introduction of hydration breaks at the upcoming Football World Cup in North America could have with some unexpected consequences and the New Zealand 3x3 basketballers are on the back foot at the World Cup. RNZ sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Plenty of people love to browse a bookstore but what if all the books in the store were about love? The capital's getting a new bookstore, that will focus on romance and romance alone, with reads spanning the ages. Juliet Gengenbach, the owner of Owner of XO Book Co spoke to Lisa Owen.

Florida is suing ChatGPT owner, OpenAI, accusing the company of promoting the AI tool despite being aware of the dangers it posed to minors. The wide-ranging lawsuit also includes allegations that the chatbot played a role in two fatal shootings in the state last year. US correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen.

A quarter of all households are struggling to pay their monthly power bill according to a new Consumer survey and almost as many have missed a payment. 19 percent said they've had to borrow from friends or family to cover the power bill. More than 1900 people took part in the annual survey. Paul Fuge from Consumer spoke to Lisa Owen.

The sound of bittersweet strings will be ringing out in the lower South Island this long weekend. Queenstown is playing host to a special competition celebrating a quarter century milestone. But it's missing a special guest this year. Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about how a landmark report has revealed the impact rising youth unemployment and disengagement is having on the British economy. She also spoke about how the former First Minister of Scotland has spoken publicly for the first time since her estranged husband pleaded guilting to embezzlement and how a dog walk in the Welsh county of Pemb...

News from the business sector, including a market report.

It's the final round of the regular Super Rugby season. While some teams are resting front-liners for the playoffs, others are fighting to progress, while one may be set for their final ever game. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Metservice has issued orange heavy rain warnings for the top of the South Island and the West Coast with up to 600 millimetres of rain expected in some areas. There's a chance those orange warnings could be upgraded to red. Metservice meteorologist John Law spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some people are still recovering a year after two winter floods caused widespread damage across the Tasman district, while many work on being better prepared for the next storm. It's one of the key issues concerning a group formed to look after the health of the Motueka River, saying they consistently hear from residents who want more education around flood risks. Samantha Gee reports.

A extra half million dollars in funding could have kept Sail GP on New Zealand waters, according to event founder Sir Russell Coutts. Last month the government declined to fund the grand prix of catamaran racing, which travels around the globe each series. It's raced in Aotearoa four times before. Auckland was hoping to host it again and had committed cash. Sail GP Founder Sir Russell Coutts spoke...

Fresh off the back of the World Surf League Championship Tour stop in Raglan this month, the surfing community's focus turns to New Plymouth where the Egmont Honey Pro is bringing top-level longboarding to Taranaki. It's a surfing style often associated with older athletes, but this weekend's world tour qualifying event features dozens of teenagers. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went to...

Police will be taking a hardline on bad behaviour on the roads this long weekend. Officers will be quote "unapologetic," in focusing on seatbelts, speed and distracted or impaired drivers. Official figures show 141 people had been killed on our roads so far this year compared to 135 in the same time last year. Director of Road Policing, Superintendent Steve Greally spoke to Lisa Owen.

From 4,500 followers on social media to over 1.3 million, all thanks to an Argentinean influencer. All White Tim Payne's profile has skyrocketed after Valen Scarsini told his followers to back the man he called the World Cup's least-known player. It's been labelled a Cinderella story, but it's one Payne could use to his advantage. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

From 4,500 followers on social media to over 1.3 million, all thanks to an Argentinean influencer. All White Tim Payne's profile has skyrocketed after Valen Scarsini told his followers to back the man he called the World Cup's least-known player. It's been labelled a Cinderella story, but it's one Payne could use to his advantage. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

90 days and no peace deal, that's where things stand with the US-Israel war with Iran. While there isn't a definitive end to the conflict yet, a 60-day ceasefire extension is reportedly in the works. Americas correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen.

Robbie Mortimer's version of Advance Australia Fair at the State of Origin opener on Wednesday has been so brutal, the country singer has had to put his phone away. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

A cat crack down is coming for Tasman District. From Monday, a new bylaw means moggies six months and older need to be microchipped desexed and registered. The council said it could help them distinguish between feral and companion cats. Tasman District Council Marine and terrestrial bio manager Guinny Coleman spoke to Lisa Owen.

Keeping NZ super as it is, is a strike against intergenerational equity according to the Finance Minister Nicola Willis. Winston Peter's has described her comments as a "sad point". There were no changes to the super scheme in the Budget. But the finance minister took the opportunity to raise serious concerns about the cost of the universal benefit. Nicola Willis said super costs are rising sharpl...

Emergency doctors are hoping money for digital upgrades will cut admin time for clinicians. Budget 2026 has dedicated more than 150 million dollars for Health NZ to strengthen cyber security, and another 300 million to upgrade its tech. GPs and emergency doctors alike say it could be a game changer. Health correspondent Kate Green reports.

Phil O'Reilly from government relations and policy advisory firm Iron Duke, Tania Pouwhare from Good Shephard, an NGO that helps women, girls and their families who are experiencing hardship and harm and Council of Trade Unions president Sandra Grey spoke to Lisa Owen about the 2026 Budget.