Checkpoint

National and ACT are downplaying a significant Budget leak from their coalition partner New Zealand First, as coalition tensions continue to bubble to the surface.

People might remember as a kid collecting glass fizzy bottles to return to the dairy for a bit of pocket money. Well, New Zealand First's keen to bring back a nationwide container scheme, to reduce litter and council costs. One of its MPs has put a bill into the biscuit tin, where it could be randomly drawn and head down the path to becoming law. Zero Waste Network said about four million drink co...

All kiwi sides, apart from Moana Pasifika, remain in the hunt, while the defending champions appear to be peaking at the perfect time. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A YouTube channel is providing some income cream for a fourth generation waikato dairy farmer filming life on the land. Andrew Macky, who runs a 98 hectare family farm at Paterangi with 320 jersey cows, started filming and broadcasting his day to day in 2020. Now, more than 35,000 people subscribe to "The Once A Day Farmer." Waikato dairy farmer Andrew Macky spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about how President Donald Trump described Iran's response to the latest proposal by the United States to end the war as "totally unacceptable." She also spoke about how dozens of people were reportedly killed over the weekend in Lebanon and how Gaza flotilla activists were deported by Israel.

New Zealand officials are working on options to repatriate a New Zealander who's been onboard a cruise ship hit with the hantavirus. Passengers from the MV Hondius have been disembarking under complex evacuation protocols on the isalnd of Tenerife inn Sapin Caary islands. 149 passengers and crew will taken off the ship in small boats and flown home. The New Zealander however will be flown to Austr...

Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about Neville Sandiford, a 102-year-old who's been named the oldest competitive male player.

United Kingdom correspondent Diane To spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about how local elections are looking in the UK, which is seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour Party government. She also spoke about how there's a race to trace all of the people who were on the cruise with the hantavirus outbreak and how the United Kingdom is celebrating Sir David Attenborough's 100th...

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The scrap for playoff spots is well and truly on in Super Rugby Pacific. The top four is occupied by kiwi sides with a diet of derbies on the menu in the coming month. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A new national fuel company has been given the go-ahead by the Commerce Commission. The merger of Gull and NPD would combine 240 sites across the country, but they would maintain their brands according to the proposal. The AA said the new entity will have greater buying power, which may ultimately lead to cheaper prices at the pump. AA's fuel spokesperson Terry Collins' spoke to Melissa Chan-Green...

TVNZ's Political Editor Maiki Sherman has resigned from the state broadcaster, citing unprecedented scrutiny and enormous pressure on her over the past week. It follows a barrage of criticism after revelations she directed a homophobic slur at another journalist during late-night drinks in the Finance Minister's office a year ago. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Melissa Chan-Green...

New Zealand universities have been caught up in a global hack of an online learning platform, leaving the personal details of students potentially exposed. The Canvas system is accessed online and used for assignments, to get grades and communicate with tutors. Impacted Universities include the University of Auckland, AUT and the Victoria University of Wellington. Aidan Donoghue is President of th...

Dozens of Taranaki teenagers have jumped behind the controls of heavy equipment at an event designed to encourage young women to consider trades careers. Organisers of the Women in Trades showcase say women are valued employees, but many are missing out on six-figure salaries by not considering a life on the tools. It might not be as intimidating as some think, with one young potential recruit com...

Testing and treating children for a stomach infection in childhood is key to preventing a rise in stomach cancer diagnoses in adults, according to a new report. By 2045, it's expected 725 people will be diagnosed each year, that's a nearly 50 percent increase on the numbers now. Maori and Pacific people are up to six times more likely to get the cancer. But the study published in the New Zealand M...

Police have beefed up the number of officers out on the beat in Nelson's CBD over weekends due to bad behaviour by rowdy teens. Senior cops say alcohol is fuelling the trouble and they worry it will lead to violence. The problem has coincided with the closure of a Nelson charitable trust that helped kids stay on track. Samantha Gee reports.

Police are looking to design a bespoke head cushion with a local manufacturer after a man who was restrained in a chair inside police cells died. An Auckland Coroner has heard how Jaye Taueli forcefully thrashed his head back and forth repeatedly while tied down in the chair. He lost consciousness, and died in hospital from a ruptured malformed vessel in his brain, a day after his arrest. Reporter...

It will be do or die for the Wellington Phoenix women on Sunday, when they host Brisbane Roar for a place in football's A-league final. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

More twists and turns in the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran.

Universities across the country have been caught up in a global hacking incident that has hit 9000 education providers around the world. Learning managment system Canvas has been breached, and data including names, email addresses, student ID numbers and messages between users are at risk. The system's currently offline, meaning students can't access course materials or submit assignments. Luka Fo...

When money is tight you might reasonably expect shoppers will turn to second-hand stores instead. However, the Director of the Salvation Army stores said they've seen the opposite, describing the drop as 'significant' and a 'shocker'. ANZ card spending data backs that up. Spending for second-hand goods fell 3.2 percent in March and 3.3 percent in April. There are 125 Salvation Army Family Stores a...

A group of Australian women linked to Islamic State fighters are currently in the air flying home to Australia with their children, where it's expected a number face arrest by Australian authorities after they land. Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Auckland FC are into the A-League semi-finals for the second season in a row and want to learn from the disappointment of last May. This Saturday Auckland host the first leg of the home and away series against Adelaide United and are determined to make it to the Grand Final for the first time. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

David Seymour has intensified his attacks on the country's state broadcasters, suggesting changes are coming for RNZ's leadership as the government reshapes its boards. In response, RNZ has staunchly defended its editorial independence and warned against political interference. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.