Checkpoint

Smith the Grocer in The Old Bank Arcade on Lambton Quay said its raw ingredients and services have gone as a result of the war in the Middle East causing fuel prices to rocket up. The cafe has sought advice on whether it's legal to pass those costs on through a surcharge. Kirsten Saunders, the owner of Smith the Grocer Cafe spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Blown to hell." That's what the US President said will happen to any Iranians who try to stop an American blockade on ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump said the blockade will come into force overnight and affect vessels travelling to or from Iran's ports. The move comes after talks between the US and Iran - which lasted 21 hours - failed to bring an end to the war. Middle East c...

Kiwifruit growers are still assessing their crops after Cyclone Vaianu blew through some of Aotearoa's biggest growing districts over the weekend. Bay of Plenty, the kiwifruit growing capital and Tairawhiti experienced high winds and heavy rain at a critical time for the industry. The harvest is underway, but the majority of the fruit is still on the vines, both green and gold varieties. Overall t...

Asia correspondent Chris Gilbert spoke to Lisa Owen about the meeting between the foreign ministers of China and North Korea and how government employees in Singapore have been urged to adjust their air conditioners as the country deals with an energy pinch made worse by the war in the Middle East. He also spoke about a napping contest coming up in South Korea.

Described as a visionary leader with a life dedicated to public service - former Manukau City Mayor Sir Barry Curtis was celebrated at his funeral service in Manukau. Sir Barry died last week, aged 87. He led Manukau City from 1983 to 2007 at a time when the city was expanding rapidly. Hundreds gathered at the Dew Drop Events Centre for the service. Reporter Lucy Xia was there.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Hurricanes and Blues will clash at the Caketin tomorrow night in what is shaping as the game of the Super Rugby season so far. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The route 25 bus leaves Taumarunui each weekday morning and stops at Taumarunui hospital, Te Kuiti Hospital, Otorohanga and Waikato Hospital, returning the same way on the evening. It's primarily a health service, with patients riding for free. But members of the public can pay for spare seats. Ruapehu mayor Weston Kirton spoke to Lisa Owen.

On average DOC staff on Rakiura Stewart island have been threatened every week while working to make the island predator free - including harassment, threats and verbal abuse. DOC is one of several partners working to make Stewart Island fully pest free. But as Katie Todd reports, the project's run into fierce opposition.

It might be a popular getaway spot but this weekend a very unwelcome guest is scheduled to arrive on the Coromandel Peninsula. A red strong wind warning has been issued as Cyclone Vaianu bears down on the country. The entire North island is under some form of weather warning or watch, with no part expected to be unscathed. But the Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island are at the highest le...

A Wellington Phoenix football programme to get kids into the game has seen youngsters take the pitch alongside their heroes. The Football for All programme to support lower-income and immigrant families access the sport began with a few dozen kids in Wellington and grew to thousands nationwide. The programme helps children from five to eighteen join local clubs. As Anya Fielding reports, some aspi...

It's a civil union of a different kind, Auckland Council and the government have signed a ten year co-operation deal. The agreement sets out how the two will work together over the next ten years, to boost economic growth in Aotearoa's largest city. Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown spoke to Lisa Owen.

A driver turned up at a Hastings Vet last week, with a hawk jammed tight in the grille of her car after the pair accidently collided. The bird was stuck, spread eagle in the grille, wedged tight including around the radiator. But remarkably still alive. The rescue mission was so complicated, reinforcements were required. Vet nurse Nadine Hook spoke to Lisa Owen.

The ANZ Premiership starts this weekend but some of the teams about to compete in netballs top-flight competition are almost unrecognisable. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

Weather warnings or watches have been issued for the entire North Island, as Aotearoa braces for the arrival of Cyclone Vaianu. There's an orange heavy rain warning for parts of Northland that kicks in from 9pm Saturday. Some kumara growers are rushing to harvest before the weather hits. Further down the island, Coromandel Peninsula and Great Barrier Island currently have the highest level warning...

Americas correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about how he First Lady, Melania Trump, issued a surprise statement denying any links with the dead paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and how Cuba's leader has hit out at the US government in a recent interview. She also spoke about a Mexican miner being rescued after being trapped in a flooded tunnel for two weeks.

Whanganui residents have been sharing memories of a soon to be demolished local landmark - Liffiton Castle. The former villa-turned-mock-castle - is a familiar site to travellers on the State Highway 3 link to Wellington - and has for decades been home to a series of restaurants. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went to have a look.

Australian correspondent Nick Grimm.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The A-League has fallen behind other codes when it comes to monitoring in-game concussions. After a player had a heavy collision in their last game - and passed the on-field test - Auckland FC are now pushing for change. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Air Chathams revealed it's cutting a significant number of North Island flights, including 45 percent of flights between Whakatane and Auckland. Last year, the government anounced it would support "at risk" regional routes through a 30 million dollar loan scheme. Associate Transport Minister James Meager spoke to Lisa Owen.

2026 was going to be tourism's year and it still could be, according to the boss of a leading campervan and recreational vehicle company. Tourism Holdings rents and sells campercans here and in Australia, the US, UK, Europe and Canada and has franchises in South Africa and Japan. Needless to say a fuel crisis, airline cutting flights and adding surcharges, isn't ideal. Tourism Holdings CEO Grant W...

Fewer Maori and Pacific young people hold drivers licence's compared to Pakeha, and a Hutt Valley youth employment charity says that's locking them out of employment opportunities. Youth Inspire has been running a Driving School for more than seven years, during which over a thousand young people have come through its doors. However, they've just found out they will cease getting government fundin...

A justice advocacy group is calling for a would be child sex abuser to be more closely monitored after he was charged with allegedly breaching his release conditions. The Sensible Sentencing Trust is asking the Department of Corrections to apply for an Extended Supervision Order for John Tekuru, if granted an ESO allows sexual or violent offenders to be monitored for up to ten years at a time afte...

People are dancing with joy in the capital with the debut of an international electronic music festival promising good news for music fans and hospitality alike. The ULTRA music festival makes its New Zealand debut on the Wellington Waterfront on Friday - in the spot previously held by the Homegrown festival before it decamped to Hamilton this year. It had left a large hole in the city's entertain...