Checkpoint

Evening business news with Nona Pelletier.

The Super Rugby Pacific semi-finalists have been found. In an historic low for the Australian teams, not a single one will feature after both hopes were bungled out at the weekend. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

There are concerns that without attracting more staff to the tourism and hospitality industries, the workforce won't be big enough to meet growing plane loads of tourists. The government wants to boost visitor numbers way beyond pre-Covid levels, but there need to be workers to look after overseas holiday-makers. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.

Kiwi athletes have dominated the world competition in extreme timbersports, taking top spot on what was the most glamorous podium in sport at the weekend. Matthew Gower from Whangamomona won his first ever title in the Rookies Under 25 World Championship. Matt Gower spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A new Labour candidate has ruffled some feathers after leaving it to the last minute to notify his employer - the police - about his plans to stand. Political Reporter Russell Palmer spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A brain injury charity is describing the government's lack of action over full contact collision games like Run It Straight as "too slow". The government has been working on potential legislation around these kinds of events since a teenager died playing a version of the tackle game last year. Brain injury charity Headway NZ chief executive Stacey Mowbray spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A former District Court Judge says New Zealand should forget about implementing age verification on social media platforms because it doesn't have sufficient data protections. He says it will give one department access to too much information about New Zealanders. Dr David Harvey spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The parents of a 21-year-old university student who died by suicide in Palmerston North Hospital's mental health ward hope their long wait for the coroner's report into her death will result in change. The coroner found Erica Hume's death in 2014 was preventable if staff had followed policies and procedures. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

National has promised to double the funding for the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust if re-elected. The Trust is a charity that uses 'covenant' agreements to protect privately owned land, with protections continuing even if the land is sold.

Former world champions Erika Fairweather and Lewis Clareburt will spearhead New Zealand's hopes in the pool at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month. The pair were named in New Zealand's 13-strong swimming team for the event, with five swimmers set to make their Games debut. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Luke Van Wyk, a student at Rolleston College has taken out first place in the Play it Strange Junior Songwriting Competition. Previous well-known winners include Kimbra, Nott of Broods and Liz Stokes of The Beths. Luke Van Wyk spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about Israel saying it has launched new attacks against military targets in Iran. It follows the firing of sever Iranian missiles towards Israel this morning, marking the first round of strikes since April's ceasefire came into force.

A council trial giving the owners of impounded dogs a chance to pay off their shelter fees has seen fewer animals euthanised and more claimed since being introduced. The uptake of a buy-now-pay-later option at council shelters has been increasing month on month. Auckland Council's regional shelter manager Nikki Cripps spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has accused Elon Musk of interfering in British politics over the murder of university student Henry Nowak, while NHS staff across the UK could be barred from wearing political badges on their uniforms in a bid to tackle antisemitism. UK corresponent Grace Thomas spoke with Lisa Owen.

Handwritten Chinese notes and diaries uncovered at an Auckland home reveal a chilling picture of the alleged starvation and punishment of a 70-year-old woman.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

It's qualifying time in Super Rugby Pacific. The top six sides will scrap for a spot in the semifinals this weekend. A controversial competition quirk means one of the teams can lose, and still progress. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's a least one wildly enthusiastic indoor bowler among the hundreds gathered for the National Championships in Palmerston North. Kevin Boothby has been to 57 in a row, a record! The event that's being held at the Central Energy Trust Arena over eight days is being live streamed on YouTube. Kevin Boothby spoke to Lisa Owen.

A model, who's previously worked for Huffer believes the kiwi brand is using AI generated models in a new campaign. Elijah Timmins-Scanlon spotted the campaign on social media and initially thought one of the pictures was him. He said closer inspection shows it wasn't and he posted a comment suggesting it was AI generated and said Huffer blocked him. Huffer has not responded to Checkpoint's reques...

The annual muster of wild horses in the central North Island is underway but there's concern about how many can find new homes. The animals live on Defence Force land near Waiouru and the musters are an important part of keeping the population in check, to protect the alpine environment. Rehoming efforts are proving difficult this year too. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham has more.

The Prime Minister is in Brisbane ahead of meeting with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. The annual leaders meeting takes place tomorrow, where the pair will discuss trade, security and defence issues.

A mother and son caught smuggling 18 kilograms of pounamu to China have been fined $5000. It's illegal to take more than five kilograms outside the country without consent, but this is the first time anyone has been punished for it. Felix Walton reports.

Residents in Island Bay say they were confronted with nightmare scenes when faecal matter and sanitary products overflowed from the wastewater system during heavy rain. Wellington Water says a blockage near the southern end of the suburb overnight caused sewage to burst from manhole covers and gully traps over nearly a kilometre. Reporter Bill Hickman has more.

The White Ferns have wrapped their final training camp ahead of the T20 Cricket World Cup which begins next week. The New Zealanders are the reigning champions and International commentators predict they'll be in the final four again. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke with Lisa Owen.

A Bay of Plenty family is desperate to get back two emotional support dogs they fear have been stolen from their farm for breeding. The pure bred blue english Staffordshire bull terriers went missing on Tuesday from Glue Pot road in Oropi near Tauranga. Owner, Amanda Hacche, says the dogs are more than pets. She spoke with Lisa Owen.