Checkpoint

Perth, 1962 and a New Zealand school girl was taking on the world's best at the Commonwealth Games. Against the odds it seemed like she'd won gold. That school girl was Vivien Boyd - Vivien Haddon as she was then - and the finish in the 100-metre breaststroke final was as close as you can get. But what happened next still rankles, even after six decades. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham caught up with Viv...

New Zealand has an average of 31 wastewater overflows a day into land or water, and that might not even be the full picture according to a report looking at the most severe pressures on the water network. The Water Services Authority - Taumata Arowai says it is the first complete picture of the risks that could impact public health and the environment. Dr Sara McFall from the Water Services Author...

The Wellington Phoenix's longest-serving player, captain Alex Rufer, has spent nearly half his life playing professional football in the capital. Today the 30-year-old signed a two-year contract extension with the A-League club that will keep him with the Phoenix for a 14th and 15th season. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The government is celebrating more families benefiting from its Family Boost scheme. It comes as the National party announced it will extend paid parental leave to 30 weeks if re-elected into government, and follows the scathing response to comments by Stuart Nash about National MP Katie Nimon's paid parental leave. Political reporter Lilian Hanly spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about US president, Donald Trump choosing to halt attacks targeting Iran in favour of diplomacy, according to the United States' ambassador to the United Nations. The pause follows thirteen consecutive nights of US military strikes against the country. Meanwhile Iranian attacks on US bases across the region have also slowed down.

Analysis by a charity that support financial mentors says households are working harder simply to stand still. Yet for many, even that seems like a position to aspire to. FinCap's latest Voices report shows one in eight clients were seeking help for a KiwiSaver hardship application. Since 2015 there has been a 1046 percent increase in KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals nationwide. Senior policy adviso...

Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen about New Zealand's own identical quadruplets.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham making policy announcements during his first week at the helm, as well as Europe continuing to bear the brunt of global warming as wildfires rage and a new heatwave brings temperatures over 44 degrees.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Commonwealth Games have begun, but not every selected athlete will make the start line. An untimely injury or personal decision can end a Games journey early. As the Games grapple with remaining relevant for athletes, an increasing number have ruled themselves out of the competition. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Whakatane based alcohol free drink brand is going global. Wai Mānuka, which makes an alcohol free manuka honey RTD, is now sold through dozens of New York retailers. Founder Joe Harawira spoke to Lisa Owen.

Patients wating for life-changing medicines to be funded say people should not have to fundraise, got into debt or travel overseas for treatments and therapies that could be administered here. The Forbidden Pharmacy at Auckland's Shed 10 is an installation showing shelves of medicines locked behind doors, representing what people may need but can't access because they are not funded by Pharmac. Am...

A new report suggests a growing number of people are finding themselves homeless for the first time. The snap shot prepared by the Salvation Army and Community housing Aotearoa says the profile of people with nowhere to go is changing. The Salvation Army's principal policy analyst Paul Barber spoke to Lisa Owen.

The family of slain policewoman Lyn Fleming have told her murderer that he may have taken her life, but he will never erase her legacy. 33-year-old Hayden Tasker was found guilting of murdering Fleming after a two week High Court trial in May, and has today been jailed for life with a non-parole period of 22 years. Samantha Gee reports. 

Southland will become a war zone tomorrow as close to 500 New Zealand Army and Australian Army Reserve personnel take part in a training exercise. Exercise Tauwharenīkau has been underway near Gore since last weekend with a major training battle planned for tomorrow. Tess Brunton headed to the frontline.

A "national shame" is what the latest report into child poverty reveals, according to the outgoing Children's Commissioner. Doctor Claire Achmad finishes up next week, after she wasn't reappointed in the role. MSD's Child Poverty report released yesterday shows about 170,000 children are living in material hardship - that's one in seven. Claire Achmad spoke to Lisa Owen.

Port Taranaki has reassured locals that initial assessments of a proposed LNG import terminal show it's unlikely to impact on the residents or popular recreational areas. In a letter sent to hundreds of nearby homes, chief executive Simon Craddock confirms both shortlisted proposals involve a ship being moored alongside the Main Breakwater. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

An historic weekend for womens rugby awaits. A record crowd is expected at Te Kaha tomorrow for the Super Rugby Aupiki final between hosts Matatu and defending champions the Blues. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's basically no bridge too far for the man behind the new Hooker Valley suspension bridge at Aoraki Mount Cook. The marvel of design and modern engineering is due to open next week. It spans more the 185 metres across the Hooker River and replaces the old one that closed due to erosion caused by storms. The man behind the design, bridge architect and engineer, Dan Crocker spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about the latest in the conflict, with Saudi tankers hit in the Red Sea, and strikes across the region not letting up.

Woolworths says it donated the equivalent of ten million meals to food rescue organisations in the last financial year. It says every one of its 185 New Zealand stores has at least one food rescue partner. It comes as the Green Party wants to make it compulsary for supermarkets to donate edible surplus kai. Woolworth's head of Sustainability Catherine Langabeer spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about a mixed bag of economic data emerging from Australia, with the country's property market in a downturn, while employment is defying expectations of going into a decline.

A "conscious and deliberate" act to help police secure a conviction, or a legitimate decision to exclude evidence that was deemed unreliable? Those are the key questions that a judge will consider as he determines whether two former officers attempted to pervert the course of justice in their handling of a 40 year old murder. Matthew Theunissen reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Warriors are not recruiting four-time premiership winner Nathan Cleary to the Auckland-based NRL club. Cleary is off contract next season and the Warriors were one club said to be on the current Penrith Panther's radar. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.