RNZ: Checkpoint

United Kingdom correspondent Alice Wilkins spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK signing a deal to hand control of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius, the Bank HSBC telling it's UK staff they have to work from home less and how the water quality at two of London's summer swimming spots isn't looking so flash. 

The Finance Minister has taken the government's new Investment Boost scheme on the road, telling businesses the government will give them a tax incentive to invest in assets. There appears to be cross-party support for the scheme - a rare example in a Budget that's had the opposition crying foul on almost everything else. Labour's promising to reverse the pay equity changes - but can't commit to a cost, while the Greens say it can already be paid for through their own Budget. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Michael Mayne has been confirmed as the Football Ferns' new head coach becoming their first New Zealand-born coach in more than 20 years. Mayne has been the interim coach since last year and has signed on to the permanent role through to the 2027 Women's World Cup. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

More than 90-truck loads of humanitarian aid have made it into Gaza, after an almost three month blockade by Israel. The aid, including flour, baby food and medical equipment, has been taken to warehouses for distribution. The BBC reports some bakeries been able to make bread again. But aid agencies say it's nowhere near enough. On average 500 supply trucks a day entered Gaza before the war. Rachael Cummings, the Humanitarian Director for Save the Children spoke to Lisa Owen.

There is confusion over whether police are using a financial threshold to decide whether they investigate crimes like shoplifting and financial scams. Checkpoint has seen a document that lays out nationally standardised value thresholds for certain crimes. Shoplifting is $500, Petrol drive offs are $150 and fraud, paywave and online scams are $1000. National Retail investigation support manager Matt Tierney spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some people will be able to get a 12 month long prescription instead of the current three month maximum under changes announced in the budget. The health minister said it will cut costs for patients and cut paper work that is taking health professionals away from more urgent or complex needs. Dr Fergus Aitcheson from Three Rivers Medical, the biggest GP clinic in Gisborne spoke to Lisa Owen.

'Don't just invest in stats and numbers, invest in us.' That's the message from a group of teenagers grappling with some of the decisions made by the government in this year's budget. They came together on Friday along with child advocates, researchers and other rangatahi to unpack the budget, with Kiwisaver, pay equity, employment and climate change all top of the discussion. Louise Ternouth reports.

US rugby star Ilona Maher shot to prominence at the Olympics last year and has amassed a vast social media following, which translated into a big media turnout yesterday down on Auckland's waterfront for a pre game photo shoot. Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Erin Hale spoke to Lisa Owen about North Korea's leader Kim Jung un being unhappy about a bungled launch of a warship, South Korea's election prompting a change at Starbucks and how Four British soldiers have set a record climbing Mt Everest without acclimatising and using a special kind of gas.

But people across the motu have been travelling to Auckland's Northwest to wait in line for something a little bit more unconventional: butter. The bargain butter at Auckland's Costco is bringing in the crowds to buy it in bulk. Some are even resorting to sleeping overnight outside because it is half the price of getting it from the supermarkets. The supermarket price is up to $11 for half a kilo - whereas Costco's butter is just under $10 kilo. Bella Craig reports. Dave O'Brien, co-owner of Bellbird Bakery in Christchurch spoke to Lisa Owen.

Heather Roy, the former deputy leader of the ACT party, Stuart Nash a former Labour MP, who was Minister for Police, Tourism and Economic and Regional Development in the last Labour government and Gareth Hughes the Director of the Wellbeing Economy Alliance Aotearoa, and who was Green MP for a decade spoke to Lisa Owen about the 2025 Budget.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Swimmers, runners and weight-lifters who are using banned performance-enhancing drugs will take part in the first Enhanced Games next year. The controversial event will take place in Las Vegas and has the backing of Olympians and billionaires. The World Anti-Doping Agency staunchly opposes the project, warning athletes that they risk bans and their health. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

For people with long-term health conditions - like asthma, diabetes, and high blood pressure - renewing a prescription will get easier and cheaper. From next year doctors can prescribe medication for 12 months - up from three months. Health minister Simeon Brown says this will save people paying for GPs to issue repeat prescriptions. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham asked people outside a Palmerston North pharmacy what they thought of the move.

Returning to our top story on the budget labour's finance spokesperson Barbara Edmonds joins us now.

The government is halving its contribution to Kiwisaver shifting the financial load onto business. The change will be phased. At the moment people over 18 can get up to $521 in government contributions if they contribute $1040 dollars per year themselves. That will drop to just over $260 of government contributions. People earning over a $180,000 a year will get nothing. Tax expert Terry Baucher spoke to Lisa Owen.

Nearly 13 billion dollars has been clawed back from pay equity changes over four years, the Government contribution to KiwiSaver has been halved, tweaks to BestStart payments have been made and a tax break for businesses. Finance minister Nicola Willis delivered what she calls a "responsible" budget - but Labour leader Chris Hipkins says its an austerity budget 'that's left women out'. Political reporter Lillian Hanly reports.

It's all over for Auckland's iconic department store Smith and Caughey's. Last year, the store permanently closed its Newmarket location and reduced its flagship Queen Street store to a single floor. Yesterday, the business announced it's shutting down completely after 145 years. Jessica Hopkins spoke to customers outside Smith and Caughey's who were shopping while they still can.

Out of work 18 to 19 year olds may be forced to rely on mum and dad for financial support with the government planning to effectively means test parents of unemployed teenagers before allowing young people to collect a benefit. From July 2027 there will be a parental assistance test for job seekers and emergency benefits. The government said it's a human tragedy that people under 25 on jobseeker support will spend an average of 18 years on the benefit over their lifetimes. The Salvation Army's Director of Social Policy Bonnie Robinson spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States President Donald Trump has ambushed South Africa's President Cyril Rama-phosa during a meeting in the oval office, by playing a video that  he claimed proved genocide was being carried out against white south africans. It was the most tense encounter in the Oval office since the bombastic meeting between Trump and Ukraine's President Vlodomyr Zelensky back in February. US correspondent Todd Zwillich has the details.

The amount the government adds to Kiwisaver accounts is being halved to a maximum of 260 dollars a year. People earning more than $180,000 a year will receive no government contribution at all from July. Reporters Louise Ternouth and Bella Craig hit the streets in Auckland to find how what people and business owners make of the changes. 

Out of work 18 to 19 year olds may be forced to rely on mum and dad for financial support with the government planning to effectively means test parents of unemployed teenagers before allowing young people to collect a benefit. From July 2027 there will be a parental assistance test for job seekers and emergency benefits. The government said it's a human tragedy that people under 25 on jobseeker support will spend an average of 18 years on the benefit over their lifetimes. The Salvation Army's Director of Social Policy Bonnie Robinson spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government's halving its contribution to kiwisaver. Businesses will have to up theirs from 3 to 4 percent over time. They get a tax break in return. Theres an average $14 a fortnight increase to working for families, for low and middle income households. Changes to the pay equity law are saving the government 2.7 billion dollars a year. Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke to Lisa Owen. 

In its budget the coalition's clawed back money from three main areas - Pay equity, Kiwisaver and Best Start payments. The bulk of the 5.3 billion dollars saved - in fact about half of it - has come from the pay equity overhaul. 2.7 billion dollars a year, re-distributed to other priorities. Deputy Political reporter Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Alice Wilkins spoke to Lisa Owen about how the first pieces of a superyacht that capsized off the coast of Italy with Kiwis on board, have been brought to the surface and how a flight to the spanish party island of Ibiza as been described as "hell" because of some rowdy passengers. She also spoke about how a British endurance athlete said he's broken the record for running across the width of Australia.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Olympian Erika Fairweather has moved to a new city, with a new coach and new training partners as she sets her sights on getting on the podium in Los Angeles in 2028. Fairweather will be competing her in new home pool - the National Aquatic Centre in Albany - during the national swimming championships. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Pasifika community is bracing for what is expected to be tightened government spending. From community support at home to aid for the wider region, Pasifika are hoping for the best, but many of those working in the community are feeling pessimistic about what Budget Day has in store for them. Kaya Selby has more.

Te Whatu Ora has upped security for staff at the birthing unit and Christchurch Hospital after the latest assault. Waitaha Canterbury director of operations Hamish Brown says the staffer involved is being well supported and Te Whatu Ora is continuing to remind staff to take precautions when leaving the hospital campus at night.

The Budget's been picked up from the printers and the Finance Minister's promising no rainbows, no unicorns, and no BS. There's just one sleep to go until New Zealand finds out who's getting what - and where that money is going to come from. With a low operating allowance, the money is going to have to come from somewhere, with opposition parties poised and ready to scrutinise every line. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

A boxing promoter is calling for law changes to cover emerging combat sports that are going virtually unregulated. It comes as one well known MMA fighter is recruiting 32 fighter to take part in what he describes as one minute scraps, the ultimate winner to crowned king of the streets. In a series of social media posts Dan "Hangman" Hooker describes the tournament as boxing but with MMA gloves and said it's winner takes all with a prize of $50,000. Craig Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government's announced 140 million dollars to help boost school attendance as it battles to reach its target of 80 percent of students at school for 90 percent of the term by 2030. As part of that the Associate Education Minister David Seymour's been talking to people working to keep kids in class. At a recent press conference he name dropped one in particular, Philippa Dravitski from Freyberg High School in Palmerston North. Dravitski spoke to Lisa Owen.

Staff at the Financial Markets Authority have been told to complete a weekly survey detailing how they spend each workday, tasks down to the half hour, names and durations of meetings, and whether their workload is manageable. The FMA said it's designed to help them monitor and improve efficiency, but it's raised some eyebrows. Lauren Crimp has more.

The US women's rugby team will be without one of its key players for this weekend's Pacific Four clash against the Black Ferns following a judicial ruling. US centre Alev Kelter has been handed a three-match ban for stomping on the head of her Australian opposite in the Wallaroos' win. But many believe Kelter should be spending more time on the sidelines. Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

The amount of money schools get to upgrade or replace their buildings hasn't changed in 15 years. Principals say 30 dollars per square metre doesn't go far and it's high time they got a boost. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

As of May last year Auckland Council had removed more than 2300 public rubbish bins as a cost cutting measure. Auckland Council's website describes Musick Point as an 8 hectare reserve near Buckland's Beach, with spectacular views over the Hauraki Gulf. But locals are concerned the vista is being blighted by an increase in rubbish dumped around the reserve, a problem they believe is linked to a lack of bins. Liz Domett spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Erin Hale spoke to Lisa Owen about Japan's rice crisis, Kanye West getting cancelled in South Korea and how a British climber has broken his own record by scaling Mt Everest for the 19th time.

A Wellington worker's heated exchange with Winston Peters at a very public press conference has landed him hot water with his employer, who happens to do a fair bit of work for the government. The heckler was wearing a lanyard that identified his employer as engineering company Tonkin and Taylor. It raises a heap of questions about what people can and can't say when they are off the clock. Employment law specialist Jennifer Mills spoke to Lisa Owen.

After a humiliating election defeat, the historic coalition between the Liberal Party and the National Party has imploded. The extraordinary split between the two conservative parties leaves Australia without a united and effective opposition, meaning that on their own, have no hope of beating Labor at the next election in three years time. Australia correspondent Peter Ryan spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum said the England Test team is ready to "shoot for the stars". England will play Test series against cricket heavyweights India and Australia later this year, in what could be a defining summer for the side. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.