RNZ: Checkpoint

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK's plans to overhaul its asylum policy, as well as the Shadow Home Secretary weighing in on a settlement option between the BBC and US President Donald Trump.

Over the last 15 years, around 1000 New Zealand workers are thought to have been been exposed to high concentrations of respirable crystalline silica dust while working with engineered stone slabs. It's been banned in Australia, and now our government is seeking feedback on options to control the risks it poses in New Zealand. One of the country's largest fabricators has made the switch to zero-silica engineered stone and is now calling on others to do the same. Samantha Gee visited its new factory in Tasman.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

After two games in two days the Silver Ferns and England Roses can't be separated and the series will be on the line in Manchester on Thursday. New Zealand had the upper-hand in game one, with a 61-58 win, but this morning the hosts won with an identical score-line. Game three will be the Silver Ferns' final act in a tumultuous season. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Displaced Gaza families have been hit with a winter storm that's flooded 13,000 shift homes, according to the UN. In its most recent situation report it said due to food parcel shortages in the North it was having instead to hand out high energy biscuits and flour. It has also been reported that the UN will start discussions this week on the shape of a transitional governance body for Gaza and an international stabilisation force as part of President's Trumps peace plan. Medical team leader at one of Medicines San Frontieres field hospitals in central Gaza, Dr Thienminh Dinh spoke to Lisa Owen.

RNZ understands the death of four people at the scene of a Manawatu house fire is being treated as a murder suicide. They included three children - August, Hugo and Goldie, aged 7, 5 and 1. The fourth person to die was their father. Nick James reports.

More than 20 schools and childcare centres have closed, or plan to close, due to concerns about asbestos in contaminated coloured play sand that is sold in K-mart and a number of other stores. The scare has raised serious questions about safety checks for toys. The recall began last week - but escalated over the weekend; with a warning about four other products; a 14 piece sand castle building set and containers of blue, green and pink magic sand. MBIE's Product Safety Spokesperson Ian Caplin spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government is tinkering with the Clean Car Standard again, saying most importers are unable to meet the targets under the scheme as it currently stands. Last year it watered down the standard to align CO2 emissions standards with Australia - saying that change would strike the right balance between reducing transport emissions and ensuring vehicles would be affordable. But it now says the market has changed and the scheme as a whole will be reviewed. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen.

A soldier has been accused of twice attempting to strangle his former partner, to the point she says she was about to pass out and was seeing stars, The Army corporal has pleaded not guilty to two charges of assaulting the woman, who was also a member of the Defence Force at the time. Rachel Graham has been at the court martial in Burnham Military Camp.

Big questions are now being asked about the direction of the All Blacks under coach Scott Robertson and his staff after a big defeat to England over the weekend. It is the All Black's third loss this season. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Supreme Court has upheld a ruling that Uber drivers are employees. The company argued it simply provides a digital platform for drivers and riders to connect. Four drivers took the case to court, but it paves the way for thousands of workers to pursue full employment rights. Workers First Union believes the Uber model is a method of exploitation. Deputy secretary of Workers First Union, Anita Rosentreter spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about Iran hitting the panic button on its severe drought, as well as a mysterious plane load of Palestinians from Gaza who ended up stranded on a South African tarmac.

New Zealanders have lost $3 billion to scams in the last year according to a new report. 72% of adults encountered a scam in the past year. The average amount of money lost was $3,352, and shopping scams are the most common. But 26% of people surveyed admitted they had committed fraudulent acts in the past year too. Chief Online Safety Officer Sean Lyons spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the BBC apologising to Donald Trump but refusing to go further.

A Dunedin community group's pipedream to forge a flat trail through the hilly city to Mosgiel is closer to becoming a reality. The first stage from farmland, through an 1800s Victorian gothic railway tunnel and into native bush is nearing completion after years of mahi. Today, the trail welcomed a $2 million boost from the government to help extend the trail to the suburbs of Fairfield, Abbotsford, and Green Island. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Ferns will have a new coach by Christmas. Outgoing coach Allan Bunting says he wasn't pushed but he is not seeking reappointment after the Black Ferns finished third at the Rugby World Cup this year. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A group of residents at an Auckland retirement village are trying to put the brakes on a policy which could see electric vehicles banned within its gates. Fairview Lifestyle Village in Albany says they're concerned about the risk an EV fire would pose to the busy community's residents and homes. The policy is still in mediation, and residents who already own electric vehicles are allowed to keep them, but they're not letting any new EVs into the gated North Shore community. Retirement Village Residents Association chief executive Nigel Matthews spoke to Lisa Owen.

Police say a special multi-agency group that's goal is to prevent family violence and protect victims never did a threat assessment of a violent serial stalker who went on to kill weeks after being released from prison. That's despite Canterbury police knowing the man's criminal history and that he was in their District. Nathan Boulter stabbed the woman 55 times as she returned to her Christchurch home with her two children in July. Canterbury police, District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Taranaki family have paused work on the rebuild of their coastal bach after a pair of nesting little blue penguins - or korora - took up residence beneath its floorboards. The Vile family, who are redeveloping a classic two-bedroom bach at Urenui Beach, are now patiently waiting for the chick to fledge. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has been at Urenui.

"Be careful what you wish for" - a warning from an Australian mayor who has been talking to local body leaders about capping rates. Local Government Minister Simon Watts is working on a rates cap model with the policy details to be announced before Christmas. New South Wales has had a rates capping system in place for 40 years and councils have to apply to go above the cap. This year the Northern Beaches Council asked for a 40% rate rise, and ended up being allowed to charge ratepayers 25%. Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Hein spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Rotorua women's refuge says it has been shocked at the increase in the number of those needing to escape abusive homes over the past 18 months. But the rise in those affected by family violence isn't just a Rotorua problem, with one Auckland provider telling RNZ the economic situation has compounded the problem there, too. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports.

A witness in the inquest into 13 deaths linked to Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay has warned the coroner that more people will be harmed unless local councils set trigger levels for rivers, so everyone knows when an evacuation is needed. The second phase of the coronial inquiry ends today in the Hastings District Court. For three weeks Coroner Erin Woolley has been looking at why hundreds of people's lives were put at risk during the 2023 weather event when they weren't evacuated in time. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti reporter Alexa Cook has been covering the inquest.

The brand value of India's top women cricketers has gone through the roof - following their fairytale World Cup triumph on home soil. Top sports marketing experts are calling it a "watershed moment" for women's cricket. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

Lotto has hit a record $55 million this weekend - but how long might you have to wait for your money if you win? Turns out you might have to exercise a bit of patience before you dash out to buy yourself a new Ferrari or a round-the-world trip, with one woman told she had won too much to be paid straight away. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about Indian authorities continuing to investigate a car explosion that killed eight people in the capital Delhi, as well as so-called "tea bag drugs" washing up on a South Korean Island.

A warning to parents about young children out smarting locks and blocks that are supposed to stop them get onto certain website. In a newsletter to parents a Waikato school says its aware of some children using their own gmail accounts and VPN's to access the school wifi to play online games. Tamahere Model Country School says its also notice a rise in the children coming to school tired, and its because they've been up in the night online gaming. Principal Waveney Parker spoke to Lisa Owen.

If you've asked for a car insurance quote recently, you may have been asked your gender. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds finds out why.

A wet and windy day in the Garden City didn't put off crowds of punters turning out to the first day of Canterbury's agricultural and pastoral show. An annual fixture in Christchurch - and back with a more prestigious title - the Royal A and P show is expected to attract more than 100,000 people over three days. Organisers are promising a return to full strength after last year's show was scaled back because of financial troubles. Anna Sargent was there.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owwen about Donald Trump wading into a controversial court case surrounding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as Israel opening up another border crossing into Gaza for aid deliveries.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Caps' T20 series against the West Indies has concluded in Dunedin today and an Otago fast bowler was one of the stars. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Scheming, a liar, and a cover up. That is some of the language used to describe the behaviour of a disgraced top cop Jevon McSkimming, and the way his colleagues handled allegations against him. An IPCA report has found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police after they failed to properly investigate alleged sexual offending by McSkimming. A transparency watchdog says that scathing IPCA report could see New Zealand's transparency ratings take a hit. Julie Haggie of Transparency International New Zealand spoke to Lisa Owen.

"I've been trying so long to shine light on the fact that this person is dangerous". That from a woman who survived sustained abuse by a man who stalked and kidnapped her, almost 15 years ago. Today that same man, Nathan Boulter admitted murdering a Christchurch woman earlier this year. Nortessa Montgomerie, the woman he kidnapped, was distressed to hear Boulter had struck again. She spoke to Lisa Owen. 

A scathing IPCA report into the way police handled sexual assault allegations against one of their own recommends a raft of changes around the management of integrity and conduct issues in the force. But do the suggestions go far enough to restore and protect confidence and trust in the organisation that's supposed to protect us? Co-chair of Te Matakahi, the Defence Lawyers Association, Elizabeth Hall spoke to Lisa Owen.

They're purveyors of some of the world's most sought-after culinary delicacies, but Mahurangi's oyster farmers have been reduced to eating beans on toast most days, their hair going grey, their nerves shot. Last month the farmers were hit with a livelihood-ruining sewage overflow after a power surge at a new wastewater treatment plant in Warkworth. Yesterday, a $1 million compensation deal was struck, but the 10 farmers say $100,000 each is only a drop in the sewage-polluted ocean compared to what they've lost. Bella Craig reports.

The final stage of a $160 million dollar revamp to New Zealand's only vet training school is complete. At Massey University's Palmerston North campus today new building Nga Huia officially opened its doors. It's home of state-of-the-art research labs and student facilities for the 750 aspiring vets undergoing their five-year degrees. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham took a look around.

The All Blacks face a big test this weekend at Twickenham. Scott Robertson names his side tonight to face England, which is expected to have a few changes to the one that beat Scotland last weekend. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Way below the line". That's how ousted Te Pāti Māori MP Takuta Ferris has described how the political party has treated him and fellow MP Mariameno Kapa Kingi. The pair was expelled from the political party on Monday. But it's been revealed they've held a discreet meeting with their former colleague Oriini Kaipara and a representative for Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen. 

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the longest ever US government shut down coming to an end after 43 days, after the House of Representatives narrowly approved a bill that will provide the necessary funding to re-open government.

What used to be a quick, cheap and cheeky take-away has turned into a whopper of a bill. Between September 2005 and September 2025, the consumer price index had risen 66 percent, the food price index 84 percent, ready-to-eat food 103 percent and a Big Mac 93 percent. Fish and chips had lifted 154 percent. Eamon Joe the owner of Fresco Fisheries has been in the fish and chip business for 45 years and spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about MPs debating the situation around the BBC in the House of Commons, as well as the so-called "Cryptoqueen" who has been jailed in London over a Bitcoin laundering scheme.