Checkpoint

Who is willing to try their luck and running prowess against a horse? Only fools, of course. The Central Otago race Only Fools and Horses is back for round two next month and has added a second shorter race to entice more people to challenge their two or four legged foes. Reporter Tess Brunton hoofed it to the Maniototo to hear from the fools and horses.

The aviation industry is urgently calling for a specific crisis plan for aviation fuel. The government released its updated fuel plan on Friday outlining four state responses to manage disruption in global fuel supplies. It's adament there's currently no supply issues around fuel and it's asking people not to stockpile. Simon Wallace from the Aviation Industry Association spoke to Lisa Owen.

A messy dispute between Auckland sports clubs and an Anglican charity is headed to the High Court, although there are calls for the Anglican Bishop of Auckland to step in to stop it. Jessica Hopkins reports.

All Black prop Tamaiti Williams has been hospitilised with a serious infection in his spine. Williams will miss the remainder of the Super Rugby season and will remain under close medical supervision. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Ministry of Education said it has no plans to build anymore single-sex state schools, this despite research suggesting that some students do better away from the distractions of a co-ed setting. One such single-sex school bursting at the seams is Westlake Boys' High School on Auckland's North Shore, which has a roll of about 2700 students, and a waitlist. Headmaster Paul Fordham spoke to Lisa...

Iran says it's "waiting" for a potential US ground attack and has threatened to "rain fire" on American soldiers if they lay boots on their land. It comes after the arrival of 3500 more troops in the Middle East and reports that the Pentagon is getting ready for weeks-long ground operations in Iran. Meanwhile, Pakistan says it's preparing to host talks between the US and Iran to try and negotiate...

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the growth forecast or the UK suffering a huge hit in the wake of the Iran war, as well as the British Armed Forces turning their attention to Russia's shadow fleet.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Kiwi MMA legend Israel Adesanya will headline UFC Fight Night in Seattle, where another loss may spell the end for the former champion. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A group representing people with a rare genetic disorder say they've been waiting almost two decades for some critical drugs to be funded. Fabry disease is caused by a missing enzyme, and can lead to life threatening complications including organ failure. There is no cure but there are treatments available overseas to slow degeneration from the disease. Deborah Klyer from Fabry New Zealand spoke t...

There is no need to stockpile - that's the message from the government as it reveals the details of its fuel response plan. The plan sets out the four phases of the response - including what criteria will trigger a move between them. Phases three and four would bring in priority bands to see who gets dibs - but the government is confident that right now, there's enough supply coming in. Political...

A new marae under construction in New Plymouth - a city that hasn't had a functioning marae for about 150 years - represents a homecoming for manu whenua. Ngāti Te Whiti hapū is building the 15-million-dollar Ngāmotu Marae, overlooking Port Taranaki, and hopes it will become a focal point for the wider community. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more. 

A KiwiSaver provider says more people are asking about dipping into their KiwiSaver due to hardship - as the cost of living and market volatility bites. Figures from Inland Revenue show last month almost 5000 kiwis withdrew $41.2 million due to financial hardship up from $37 million in February 2025. That was before the war in Iran caused the fuel prices to skyrocket and rattled the financial mark...

A council's decision to close a major intersection in the Waikato for roadworks has turned the area into commuter chaos, say locals. Several crashes have ensued on the Waikato Expressway at two interchanges, as displaced traffic causes signficant congestion during rush hour. As Natalie Akoorie reports, residents are fearful someone will be killed.

With Dave Rennie's coaching squad assembled, the new crew now turn their attention to the players they'll task with resurrecting the national side, their next audition coming in round seven of Super Rugby Pacific. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Woolworths New Zealand has been fined thousands of dollars for failing to properly deal with a rat infestation at its South Dunedin supermarket. More than 20 rats were caught when the supermarket closed for close to three weeks in February 2024 to eliminate the furry problem. The company was charged and pleaded guilty last year before appearing for sentencing in the Dunedin District Court this aft...

Americas correspondent, Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about Venezuela's former president Nicolas Maduro appearing in front of a US court today, as well as US-Cuba tensions escalating - with Fidel Castro's brother reportedly becoming involved in discussions between the two countries.

In Northland, a retired couple's Ōakura home has been flooded again while still being repaired after a storm in January that severely damaged the property. Ōakura was still in clean up mode after some people were forced out of their homes more than two months ago. The couple had only just moved back home before yesterday's rain. Ōakura resident Linda Kelsall spoke to Lisa Owen.

The severe weather that swept into Northland has moved swiftly down the island, leaving the region in clean up & recovery mode and others bracing for impact. Kaikohe residents are being asked to urgently conserve water after the town's treatment plant was damaged by flooding. In Kaitaia a rapid relief team's been serving free meals to evacuees. NZTA is urging caution with an number of roads damage...

As war continues in the Middle East, Australians are reassessing their heavy dependence on fossil fuels -- in particular petrol and diesel - amid fears supplies will diminish in the weeks ahead. There are also concerns that rubbish could pile up on streets as the rising price of diesel puts pressure on waste collection services. Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen.

The red heavy rain warning for Northland east of Kaikohe from Doubtless Bay to Whangarei remains in place until 4am..

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Finland's football team are the furthest from home many of them have ever been to play. The world number 75 side missed out on qualifying for the Football World Cup and are now in Auckland for two games in the FIFA Series. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand is turning into a no grow zone when it comes to vegetable processing. McCain and Watties are both shutting down processing operations, raising concerns about the health of manufacturing in New Zealand. Head of Advocacy & Strategy at the Employers and Manufacturers Association, Alan McDonald spoke to Lisa Owen.

A young mum facing life threatening delays for cancer treatment may be forced to raise more than a million dollars for a stem cell transplant overseas. Loran Geddes, who is 29, was diagnosed with Leukaemia last year and needs a stem cell transplant for any chance of a cure. But a lengthy waitlist means her treatment keeps getting pushed out, significantly impacting her chance of survival. What was...