Checkpoint

Wellingtonians will be looking up to catch the only Australasia film festival projected on a 360-degree planetarium dome. The Dome Under Film Festival, or DUFF, will be making its New Zealand debut this week at Wellington's Planetarium Space Place. Krystal Gibbens reports.

In a surprise shake-up for Team New Zealand, three-time America's Cup winner Blair Tuke is stepping off the boat. The veteran has not been named in the crew for the first preliminary regatta of the 38th America's Cup cycle in Cagliari next week. Instead, he will move into a strategic shore-based position. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

An eggs-trodinary art collection, linked to Dunedin's famous music scene, has gone on display at the city's Museum of Natural Mystery. The eclectic array of objects belonged to the frontman for the rock band the Chills; Martin Phillips, who died in 2024. Curator for the Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery, Bruce Mahalski spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about how the Iran war is approaching the 11-week mark. She also spoke about how Lebanese and Israeli officials are set to meet in Washington to try bring an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and how Turkey's foreign minister has visited Qatar to discuss the Iran war.

Rules around high-powered electric dirt bikes are not fit for purpose, according to AA. The motoring association's writing to the transport minister, asking him to look at the problem. Police have expressed serious concerns about electric bikes that can hit high speeds, but in some cases are being ridden in pedestrian areas. Terry Collins from the AA spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm with the latest from across the ditch.

The Commerce Commission has released its first State of Competition report talking about how competition is working. Businesses are also reporting widespread economic damage caused by the Middle East conflict. Business reporter Nona Pelletier spoke with Lisa Owen.

The Wellington Phoenix women's inaugural captain Lily Alfeld became a cult figure off the field when a back injury ended her playing days prematurely. Alfeld was the first ever signing for the team five years ago, but for the past three years she's been working for the club with community engagement. The former goalkeeper said she's still the team's biggest cheerleader as they head into the A-Leag...

Group goes into no-go heritage site Banbury Mine near Denniston. Biodiversity ranger Sean Judd spoke with Lisa Owen.

The organiser of an Auckland push bike ride that ended with several arrests and dozens of tickets handed out says the police presence was excessive and he plans to meet with them later this week. Four people were arrested on the Sunday cycle ride through Henderson and New Lynn and 53 infringement notices were issued. About 120 mainly young people took part in the event that lasted about three hour...

There's nothing that'll clear a beach quicker than the sight of a dark fin silently ploughing through the water, followed by the panicked shout of "shark". In Dunedin a bell is used to warn surfers and swimmers it's time to get out because the apex predator is lurking. It was installed after fatal attacks back in the sixties. But there's concern some beachgoers have become complacent, even though...

There's no sugar coating it, in the chocolate industry most farmers do not earn a living income .. forests are being destroyed and child labour is still a major problem. That's according to the 7th edition of the Chocolate Scorecard. The scorecard's run by the not for profit Be Slavery Free and it ranks businesses based on a number of environmental and ethical factors. The director of Chocolate Sc...

Renters advocates are calling for better protections to stop students and vulnerable people falling prey to what they term 'slumlords.' Three flat mates are taking their previous landlord to the Tenancy Tribunal after their flat constantly flooded and was riddled with mould. It's added to growing calls for greater accountability and stronger enforcement of the Residential Tenancies Act and Healthy...

Waitaki residents are describing anger and disbelief as their district council mulls proposed rate rises of up to 45 percent.

The Rennie regime is well underway. New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie is back in the country and enjoyed a breakfast with media members on Tuesday. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Kei te hia-hia he kawhe? Do you fancy a coffee? These might be some of the kupu or words people will hear at a Rotorua cafe that has made the decision to go full Maori immersion. Customers will be supported to give Te Reo Maori a go, but English won't be spoken at Rumaki Cafe. Rumaki's executive director, Miraka Davies, wants to see more everyday spaces where people can practice and speak Te Reo M...

An American has tested positive for hantavirus after leaving the cruise ship at the centre of a deadly outbreak. 94 passengers have left the MV Hondius and have been or are in the process of being repatriated. That includes a New Zealander and five Australians who will arrive in Perth for quarantine later this week. US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen.

Ever thought about how irresistible junk food is? New research from Auckland University has found that Ultra Processed food or UPF is designed and marketed to achieve exactly those emotional and biological reaction. So, it raises the question; is over consumption of junk food just about personal choice or is big food taking advantage of how people think feel and behave? University of Auckland's Dr...

United Kingdom correspondent Diane To spoke to Lisa Owen about the Labour Party's election walloping.

Nurses at Christchurch's Hillmorton Hospital say they're dealing with burnout and anxiety because of their working conditions, including chronic under-staffing, dilapidated buildings and rat infestations.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A World Cup-winning Black Fern has been forced from the field after succumbing to a career-ending neck injury. Loosehead prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu has retired from international rugby with 10 caps to her name, saying she is grateful her body is still in one piece. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The coalition government is promising to "repurpose" the millions of tax payer dollars being spent on the fees-free policy for tertiary students. Winston Peters' confirmed the scheme, which has been through a few versions, will be scrapped. It was introduced in 2018, under Jacinda Ardern's government. Back then, students were eligible for their first year of study free and $194 million was paid in...

A landmark case has found that a veterans' brain cancer must be treated as service-related because of exposure to potentially carcinogenic burn pits on his deployment in Somalia. Open burn pits were used in many conflicts including Iraq and Afghanistan, where there wasn't infrastructure to deal with the large amounts of waste created by military operations. In the US, a long list of conditions are...

The government has outlined who will get priority access to fuel if New Zealand should ever be forced to ration. It said Aotearoa continues to have sufficient fuel supply and it's highly unlikely it would need to prioritise supply. But phase four would be activated in case of a severe and prolonged disruption of fuel supply. David Birkett from Federated Farmers, Arable group chairperson and nation...