Checkpoint

Veterinary medication is being cut into cocaine and other drugs, according to High Alert, which is part of the National Drug Intelligence Bureau. Levamisole is an anti-worming drug, and is banned for human consumption. But it's being used as a cutting agent in cocaine, to bulk up the product. High Alert Supervisor Jen Vermeulen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A quaint seaside suburb in Auckland could soon have buildings towering six storeys above its heritage main street, if a property developer's radical plan gets fast-track status. Devonport locals, passionate about their Victorian and Edwardian-era village, have spoken out about the proposal at a fiery public meeting. Jessica Hopkins reports. 

Female teachers say they've thought of quitting their careers because of harrassment driven by a rise in misogyny and extreme views being expressed in classrooms. They've also watched their students move schools because of misogynistic, transphobic and homophobic views, which they believe are being picked up from social media. Bella Craig reports on what the teachers are facing. A warning, this st...

Specialist MPI investigators have been combing the Petone beach where a bird infected with the H-5 virus was found. The ministry says there is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife or transmission between wild birds in Aotearoa. There is currently no detection in poultry. DOC had already started vaccinating some of our endangered birds before the H-5 arrived in New Zealand. DOC Senior Tech...

The mayor of a flood-prone town says it's wishful thinking that the government will help councils to fund their climate adaptation plans. The government has introduced a bill that would make adaptation planning mandatory for areas at high risk from climate change hazards like flooding and sea level rise. But it's kicked the big question of funding into the next parliamentary term, despite growing...

Follow the evidence, and the evidence shows that vaping helps people quit smoking. That from ASH, in reponse to a Wellington's main stop smoking service quitting, because it refuses to give out vapes. Takiri Mai Te Ata Trust parted ways with Health New Zealand after the refusal and will no longer get funding. ASH Director Ben Youdan spoke to Lisa Owen.

Bird lovers near ground zero, where the first detected case of H5N1 bird flu landed on our shores, are steeling themselves for a busy period protecting wildlife. The flu strain has been confirmed in a sick sea bird found on Wellington's Petone Beach late last week. Now, a charity bird hospital nearby is setting up quarantine facilities to treat sick native birds if a flu outbreak takes hold. Sammy...

The Green Party wants all new workers to automatically be enrolled in unions. Their election policy would mean the onus is on workers to opt out. The first Labour government brought in compulsary union membership in 1936, but in 1991 National's Employment Contract ended compulsary unionism. Green's co-leader Marama Davidson spoke to Lisa Owen.

A-League champions Auckland FC are close to meeting their self-imposed deadline of locking in a new head coach. The club's inaugural coach Steve Corica left last month and the club said they would have a replacement in time for their game against touring English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur on July 26th. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A small central Hawkes Bay community is still taking the long way round, more than three years after Cyclone Gabrielle damaged their bridge and their patience is wearing thin. Hundreds of locals have signed a petition calling for the bridge to be replaced or repaired. It was presented to the Central Hawkes Bay District Council this morning. Farmer Dave Ellison made the case for action, and spoke t...

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about President Donald Trump has urging Iran to "behave" as renewed hostilities with Iran stretch into a fifth day. Tit-for-tat strikes between the two countries continue with tensions exploding around control of the Strait of Hormuz. While an American naval blockade has come into force in the Strait - Iran's warning it could disrupt other key ship...

Have you ever felt the frustration of sitting on a plane that should have taken off ages ago, or the late touch down that messes up an important meeting? Well, Air New Zealand says it has improved its on time arrivals in June, 86 percent of its flight touched down within 15 minutes of schedule. But that still means 1719 flights were late last month, around 57 a day. Air New Zealand's Chief Operati...

United Kingdom correspondent Grace Thomas spoke to Lisa Owen about counter-terrorism police investigating the murder of former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, and say she died in a "targeted attack".

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A leading golfer says sports betting is becoming a problem among golf fans and is contributing to the personal abuse hurled at players. Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick's comments come as spectators at this week's 154th Open Championship in England, where three New Zealanders are playing, are being asked to abide by a new code of conduct. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Is New Zealand fashion out of fashion? Auckland is about to get dressed for the 25th anniversary of NZ Fashion Week, which kicks off this weekend. But it has been a grueling few years for local labels. Director of PR for Fashion Week, Murray Bevan spoke to Lisa Owen.

A seabird found on Petone Beach has tested positive for the potentially deadly strain of H-5 bird flu. Chief executive of the Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand, Fiona MacMillan spoke to Lisa Owen.

A former senior detective accused of perverting the course of justice says it's up to the Crown - not police - to decide what evidence is presented to a jury. Alan Hall spent 17 years in jail after being found guilty of murdering Arthur Easton in 1985. His convinction was quashed in 2022 after the Supreme Court found a miscarriage of justice had occured. Two former police officers are on trial for...

Bird Flu has arrived on our shores, the first case has been identified after a seabird found on Petone Beach tested positive for the deadly H-5 strain. The Minister for Biosecurity, Andrew Hoggard said the situation is being monitored closely, but so far there is no evidence of illness beyond the one seabird. Professor in Wildlife Health at Massey University, Brett Gartrell spoke to Lisa Owen.

A survivor of torture at the notorious Lake Alice child and adolescent unit was forced to live in his house bus in a public car park after his accommodation supplement was wrongly cancelled. This meant Paul Zentveld, who has a King's Service Medal for services to survivors of abuse in care, couldn't pay his rent. There are concerns others who've received Lake Alice compensation payments could be i...

Wellington's main stop smoking service is quitting because it says it won't promote vaping as an alternative to keep its government funding. Takiri Mai Te Ata Trust says after more than 30 years helping people become smoke free, it's impossible to keep delivering services in a way that aligns with its tikanga, values and responsibilities to its community. Health NZ and the trust have now parted wa...

A coroner's inquest has heard that LynnMall attacker Ahamed Samsudeen became fixated with his lawyer and ended up stalking her in the lead up to his stabbing spree at a West Auckland supermarket. Samsudeen was shot dead by police after his attack at a Woolworths in 2021. Part of the inquiry is looking at whether Samsudeen's attitude towards women could have raised red flags about his risk to other...

England and Argentina are set to renew one of football's most famous rivalries tomorrow in the World Cup semifinal. Sports reporter Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen ahead of the big match.

A top ploughman is all at sea, with his tractor and the gear he needs for the world champs, a little off course. Southlander Mark Dillon, a top competitor in his field, is off to the world ploughing championship in Croatia in September. His gear is being shipped and was supposed to arrive ahead of the competition - but there's been delays and now it's a race to get it there in time. Mark Dillon sp...

The renewed conflict in the Middle East seems certain to push fuel prices up, squeezing already-grumpy voters harder as election day approaches. This comes as new RNZ-Reid Research poll numbers show New Zealanders are lukewarm about the government's handling of the fuel crisis. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.