RNZ: Checkpoint

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Australia losing out the right to host a major world summit on climate change to Turkey, as well as META warning under 16's they have two weeks to download any data they want to keep before they are booted from the app.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Silver Ferns overcame a stomach bug and the weariness of a long season to seal a series win over the England Roses this morning. The team now leaves Manchester to head in their own directions. When they come back together next year the team environment won't be the same. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The coalition is in the throes of internal warfare - with Winston Peters and David Seymour slinging barbs over the Regulatory Standards Bill. In a stunning about-face today, Mr Peters has pledged to revoke that law - ACT's brainchild - next term - despite voting it through last week. It has prompted an extraordinary rebuke from David Seymour - who says Mr Peters looks like he's gearing up to jump ship to a Labour coalition. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

Polling has closed in Tonga's national general election which is being conducted amid a massive fuel shortage in the capital. There are 71 candidates vying for a seat in parliament including eight women. More than 64,000 voters are on the electoral roll but the kingdom has struggled with low voter turnout since democratic reforms in 2010. RNZ Pacific senior reporter Teuila Fuatai is in Nuku'alofa and spoke to Lisa Owen.

A move to protect children or state sanctioned harm? The government's upcoming halt on new prescriptions for puberty blockers has provoked strong feelings on both sides of the debate: supporters say it will keep children safe, while critics warn it will cause "profound distress". The Health Minister Simeon Brown says the new settings will take effect in mid-December - and stay in place until the outcome of a major clinical trial in the United Kingdom, expected in 2031. Political reporter Lillian Hanly has more.

It has been revealed Kmart has sold tens of thousands of potentially asbestos laced children's play things. The retail giant confirmed it has sold 67,000 units of coloured children's sand that are now part of massive recall that was expanded even further today. That number doesn't include suspect products sold through different retailers. Some councils have now set up drop-off sites for the recalled products. MBIE's Product Safety Spokesperson Ian Caplin spoke to Lisa Owen.

The equivalent of more than four and half million rubber car tyres have been collected in the first year of a recycle scheme. Tyrewise is governed by a charitable trust and funded by the fee that is charged on the sale of all new regulated tyres in Aotearoa. Tyrewise says a year into scheme illegal dumping of tyres has been slashed along with the number of tyres going to landfill. Adele Rose, CEO of 3R Group that manages the Tyrewise Scheme, spoke to Lisa Owen.

The driver and owner of a dodgy truck with a litany of faults that ploughed into a roadworker on the job has been jailed for three years. Ashik Ali's truck had a non-operation order issued in 2021, and last had a certificate of fitness in 2019. But it was last year when its brakes failed before rolling down a hill and into Johnathon Walters who later died in hospital. Kim Baker Wilson reports.

There are calls for a public awareness and education campaign about domestic violence, after fresh data has revealed its prevalence around the globe. A new report from the World Health Organisation says a quarter of women have experienced intimate partner sexual or domestic violence in their lifetime. Lauren Crimp has more.

The last time the All Blacks lost to Wales there was no Harbour Bridge in Auckland, Elvis Presley hadn't released any music and Queen Elizabeth II was about to make her first visit to New Zealand. The Welsh will need to channel the spirit of 1953 - the year they beat the All Blacks 13-8 - if they want to taste victory once again. But do they have any shot at snapping this seven-decade streak? Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Stone cold killers". That's how Conservation Minister Tama Potaka describes feral cats, which he's just added to the Predator Free 2050's hitlist. It means that feral cats will join the likes of stoats, ferrets, weasels, rats and possums on the official list of pests targeted for total eradication from these shores. This is a sharp change of policy - revealed to exclusively to RNZ by the Minister today. He sat down with Farah Hancock who spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a number of US military officials visiting Ukraine to discuss bringing an end to the war with Russia, as well as more twists and turns in the trial of former FBI director James Comey.

Is the mobile phone becoming the dominate side dish during meals out? A top new resturant in London's Mayfair is banning phones in a bid to encourage diners to immerse themselves in the dining and social experience without device distraction. So is it a thing here? Auckland restaurant owner and chef Al Brown spoke to Lisa Owen.

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the response to a formal espionage alert issued by MI5 and a ban on plastic wet wipes on England shelves coming into force in 2027.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen about the Black Caps vs West Indies suffering another rain delay and the result of the All Whites match against Ecuador.

Some Pike River mine families are still fighting for a corporate manslaughter law 15 years after the diaster that killed 29 men. The deaths lead to the creation of WorkSafe and the 2015 Health and Safety at Work Act, which passed with cross-party support. A Royal Commission of Inquiry found New Zealand's old safety laws lacked the teeth, and there were catastrophic failings in the mine company's systems, despite numerous warnings of a potential catastrophe. Now the government is changing the Health and Safety at Work Act to quote "cut through unnecessary red tape" holding businesses back. Nigel Hampton KC spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government has announced an end to emergency housing motels in Rotorua - fulfilling a campaign promise. The minister responsible, Tama Potaka, said it will restore the town's safety, dignity, and confidence. But Labour said all it's done is shift the problem to the streets. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke Van Velden said she doesn't believe the changes the government is making to Worksafe will lead to another Pike River disaster. Van Velden has been meeting with the families of some of the 29 men who were killed in an explosion at the mine 15 years ago. The Pike Families are calling for more health and safety inspectors, more education, more checks, and a corporate manslaughter law. Political Reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.

A petition calling for a stronger dog control law has put the spotlight back on Northland's, and the nation's, problem with roaming dogs. Dog attack victims say they're too scared to walk to their dairy and even a Northland dog advocate says the problem is completely out of hand and will only get worse as economic hardship deepens. The Mayor of the Far North says the problem is massive. There are only about 8,000 dogs registered on record but Moko Tepania says the true number of dogs in Northland could be as high as 20,000 to 30,000. Peter de Graaf reports.

Rail Minister Winston Peters said the budget for the new Cook Strait ferry project is less than half the cost of the previous Government's ill-fated mega ferry plan, even though the new ferries cost a bit more.The total project cost will be under 2 billion dollars. In making the big announcement in Wellington, he lost no opportunity to stick the boot into the iReX plan, which was scuppered by Finance Minister Nicola Willis in 2023.

A west Auckland primary school has told parents the coloured play sand it's been using is positive for asbestos. It's arranging decontamination and air quality tests. The sand is part of a major recall of mulltiple products. Meanwhile, 23 schools and 12 early learning services around the country are temporarily closed or planning to close. John O'Regan, the Principal of Enner Glynn school in Nelson spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand has slid further down an international climate change league table, with authors now ranking us as 'low-performing'. As a nation, we've tumbled to 44th out of 63 countries in the Climate Change Performance Index, because of what authors say is a continuing roll-back of climate-friendly policies. Climate change correspondent Kate Newton reports.

Melbourne Storm star Eliesa Katoa will miss the 2026 NRL season as he continues his recovery from brain surgery. The 25 year-old copped multiple head knocks while on test duty with Tonga during the Pacific Championships earlier this month. He suffered seizure activity on the sideline and was taken to hospital, where he had surgery on a brain bleed. After a two-week hospital stay in Auckland, the Storm has confirmed Katoa is now back home in Melbourne and under the care of the club's medical team. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland University Professor of Psychology Tony Lambert spoke to Lisa Owen about the science behind anauralia; a condition which means you cannot hear sound in your mind.

Asia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about the impact a diplomatic row between China and Japan is having on travel between the two nations.

A new Business NZ report estimates by 2045 Aotearoa will be 250,000 workers short. Without policy reform the rising cost of pensions and healthcare will consume all income tax. It concludes on our current trajectory we're under delivering on future prosperity. Business New Zealand director of advocacy Catherine Beard spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the conservative side of politics facing turmoil amid leadership wrangles at the state and federal level.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Caps can seal another ODI series win - and with a game to spare - when they play the West Indies in Napier tomorrow. Sports reporter Daniel Gilhooly spoke to Lisa Owen.

Health New Zealand has stepped up precautions after two confirmed separate outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant super bugs at Christchurch Hospital. It says there are fewer than 10 patients with the infection known as VRE but many are asymptomatic carriers. The bacteria is difficult to treat due to its resistance and in some case can be potentially life threatening. Associate Professor Mark Thomas, an infectious diseases researcher at the University of Auckland, spoke to Lisa Owen.

The clean-up requirements for the potentially asbestos contaminated colourful kids play sand are a bit of a grey area according to professionals doing the job. Chris Saunders is the president of the New Zealand Asbestos Removal Association and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Dismayed parents are grappling with whether their homes could be contaminated as they try to rid them of play sand that could have traces of asbestos. They are angry and feel there has been no real responsibility taken for the dodgy sand, and that the buck has been passed. 24 schools and 16 early childhood centres have closed - or have plans to - after a significant recall last week of educational colours rainbow sand, creatistics coloured sand and four products from K-Mart. They're going through special testing, but some parents want to know why the same isn't being offered to them. Kim Baker Wilson reports.

Product safety rules for kids toys and craft materials are not fit for purpose, with the rise in giant e-commerce retailers according to Consumer NZ. The safety of children's play things is centre stage after a recall of several coloured sand products due to an asbestos scare. Several schools that use the products closed while they worked out what cleanup is required. Meanwhile Consumer NZ says the changing way people shop and the sheer volume of products is making safety tough to police. Head of research and advocacy Gemma Rasmussen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Air New Zealand cabin crews could walk off the job next month over stalled pay negotiations, threatening summer travel plans. While the union has ruled out any action the week before Christmas, it will be before the end of the year, unless a deal is reached. Mary Argue reports.

A pair of petitions have been separately presented to Parliament today - asking politicians to address two hot-button topics. Advocates calling for a social media ban for under 16 year olds had theirs accepted by the education minister - who is promising regulation is in the pipeline. At the same time, Malcolm Mulholland arrived with a call to fix the health system, along with what he estimates is the longest petition ever handed over in New Zealand. Political reporter Giles Dexter was at the handovers on Parliament's forecourt.

The All Whites play for the final time in 2025 tomorrow. The New Zealanders kicked off the year with a 7-nil win over Fiji in March and will close it out against Ecuador who have developed a reputation as one of football's best defensive sides. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Canterbury looks likely to get the country's first rubber road. The Selwyn Council confirmed it considering a trial of the technology on State Highway 77 at Glentunnel early in the new year. The rubber roading is made from end of life tyres that are turned into granules. Treadlite NZ is the only company in New Zealand that makes the stuff, and executive director Brad Pierce spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a US drafted Gaza peace plan receiving the backing of the UN Security Council, as well as Donald Trump changing his stance on tomorrow's vote to release more files related to Jeffrey Epstein.

A Supreme Court ruling yesterday has confirmed four Uber drivers who first took a case against the ride share company in 2022 are actually employees rather than contracters. The ride share is one of thousands of digital platforms that are fueling a gig economy where workers tend to have multiple jobs, work temporary or short term stints and freelance. The World Bank estimates 400 million people earn money from these kind of platforms. But who is benefitting and is there a hidden cost to a cheaper ride to the airport? Employment relations researcher Alex Veen spoke to Lisa Owen.

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.