Checkpoint

The Fonoti-Fuimaono brothers have just been named among 12 of the country's most promising opera singers, who will compete against each other in the Dame Kiri te Kanawa song quest semi finals in July. The proud Samoan siblings grew up in Hastings and now live in Hamilton,where they all studied music at Waikato University. Melissa Chan-Green spoke with two of the brothers Faamanu and Jordan, who sa...

The scale of damage to State Highway 3 at Awakino Gorge has been laid bare ahead of the route reopening to single-lane, escorted convoys tomorrow afternoon. More than 30 slips, including a 16 thousand cubic metre monster, came down during a severe weather event two weeks ago, and 10 significant underslips have further undermined the road. Our Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin was in the Awa...

It's now five weeks exactly since Finance Minister Nicola Willis said she was "actively consulting with industry, local Government and other community stakeholders" about who would be on the list. Earlier this week, Shane Jones told Checkpoint officials are finalising the list but didn't want to rush it and would confirm a timeline at another time. Nathan Surendren is Chair of the think tank, Wise...

Remember internet cafes? Well, in Nelson they're making a comeback of sorts, with what's thought to be the country's first AI cafe. The initiative, by the Nelson AI Sandbox, aims to let people grab a coffee and try out a bunch of AI tools, so they don't get left behind by the new wave of technology sweeping the world. There's even a hardworking AI assistant on hand to help. Samantha Gee reports.

From Saturday, new plumbing rules come into effect which would remove lead from all products allowed in new build homes and buildings. This change was signalled as far back as four years ago, so it's likely that those products will have been phased out over builds in the transition period too. However, Water New Zealand said older homes could still have pipes with lead in them and there are things...

A parent of a teenager who eats only plain foods including bread, crackers and pasta says it's terrifying to learn such restrictive diets can cause permanent vision loss. It follows two eye specialist's warning that there are children in Aotearoa who have gone blind due to malnutrition. Local researchers are now gathering data on children's eye-health to better understand the problem. Amy Williams...

While LIV Golf might struggle to survive past this season, golf experts believe it will have a lasting legacy. sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Given time to play on YouTube, there aren't too many 8 year-olds who would choose to watch chess tutorials. But that's what Aarush Khanolkar did four years ago when he started learning. He clearly paid attention, because he is now about to head off to the Commonwealth Chess Championships in Sri Lanka later this month. Now 11 years old, will represent New Zealand in the under 12 category. Khanolkar...

Three Northland men are likely celebrating being alive this evening after their boat capsized in the Bay of Islands last night, leaving them clinging to a chilly bin for survival. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf reports on the rescue.

Americas correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the latest news from the region.

The cost of fuel to get there aside, ticket prices have long been creeping up and in North Auckland at Orewa College they were originally set at $230. After that news went out and some parents balked at the price. Just a few hours ago, the school put out an update saying they had reviewed that carefully and the ticket price will now be $195 and remain at their chosen venue, the New Zealand Interna...

There's been a tragic end to the search for a missing five year old in Australia's northern territory, with police revealing the child's body has now been recovered. Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Three-time Paralympic gold medallist Anna Grimaldi has been selected for her first Commonwealth Games. The Dunedin athlete will compete in the 100 metres T47 in Glasgow in July. This year's Games will feature a record 47 Para sport medal events, making it the largest integrated Para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A health reseacher said getting rid of the harmful marketing of junk food and alcohol and reducing nicotine is imperative for a healthier future in Aotearoa. The Cancer Society has released it 2026 Election manifesto, essentially a five point policy wish listto improve cancer outcomes. It wants fully funded cervical screening, and national screening programmes for skin and lung cancer and the bowe...

An inquest into the death of a 15-year-old boy during a school caving trip three years ago is underway in Whangarei. Karnin Petera died when floodwaters surged through the cave he and classmates were exploring during a storm. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has more.

Former United Future leader Peter Dunne spent more than three decades as an MP, he was also a Minister. He supported a Labour coalition Government, New Zealand First was part of that arrangement and was also part of National led coalitions. Peter Dunne spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has put his hand up, admitting he made a mistake by not consulting the Prime Minister's office before releasing a bombshell email chain about the government's stance on the Iran war. But he's not apologising for making them public saying there's no reason they shouldn't be out in the open. The Prime Minister isn't happy, his office said he expects more of th...

An albatross injured in last week's lower North Island storm is due for release off the coast of Napier today and two others hurt in the same wild weather are on the road to recovery. They've rehabilitated at Palmerston North's Wildbase Hospital, where they're treated to a diet of salmon, and swim in an indoor pool. The hospital's manager said the increasing frequency of storms is keeping the serv...

The goverment wants to cap rate increases at between two and four percent a year, saying double digit increases year after year are unsustainable for households. It plans to bring in a new law by January 2027, with a two year transition to caps. S & P said councils don't look ready to comply, only 5 out of 78 managed to deliver a rate increase below four percent for the 2025, 2026 year. LGNZ Board...

An international crew of 10 women, including one New Zealander, sailed out of Auckland today on an expedition to trace plastic in the ocean. Their first stop is Aotea, Great Barrier Island, where they'll conduct a plastic cleanup. From there, they'll sail to the Bay of Islands. The South Pacific expedition, which also includes Tonga, is the first stage of a global voyage by eXXpedition's to map pl...

The NRL's newest club, the Papua New Guinea Chiefs, have secured one of the biggest names in the game, while the Warriors are fending off rumours one of their stars is set to leave. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A rural support network is bracing for what may be on the horizon for isolated commuties that rely on fuel as the conflict in the Middle East drags on. The US president has told his officials to prepare for a prolonged blockade of Iranian ports, spiking oil prices. Rural Women New Zealand chief executive Sandra Kirby said its members feel like there's a long winter ahead. She spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Armed to the teeth." That's how Cole Tomas Allen, the man accused of trying to assassinate the US President, was described in court. Prosecutors shared a photo of the 31-year-old equipped with a knife and ammunition, which they say he took in a hotel room before heading to the White House correspondents' dinner. Meanwhile, questions remain over who fired the shot that struck a Secret Service agen...

Supermarkets and cities are facing a problem with borrowed and abandoned shopping trolleys. A New World in Auckland's Point Chevalier has posted on social media that it's gutted at the sheer number of trollies that are AWOL just eight months after it opened. It effectively had an amnesty on Thursday, park it on the foot path and it was cruising the streets to collect them. Reporter Bella Craig wen...