RNZ: Checkpoint

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK government cracking down on repeat protests, as well as mourners who have begun commemorating those who died in last week's Manchester synagogue attack.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Silver Ferns saga continues to drag on. After weeks of negotiations between Netball NZ and suspended head coach Dame Noeline Taurua, no resolution has been reached. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The number of diabetes related lower limb amputations has jumped more than 50% in less than a decade, But experts believe the loss of limbs is avoidable with the right resources. Type two diabetes can lead to poor blood flow and nerve damage which can mean cuts and injuries go unnoticed and its harder to fight infections leading to serious complications including amputations. Podiatrist Lawrence Kingi sees around 16 patients a day at clinics run through two South Auckland marae and spoke to Lisa Owen.

The New Zealand government has paid the Samoan government $6 million in compensation following the sinking of the HMNZS Manawanui. Today marks a year since the New Zealand Navy ship hit the Tafitoala reef off the south coast of Upolu and sank, damaging 5000 square metres of the reef and spilling 200 thousand litres of diesel and oil. For six months locals in nearby villages were unable to gather seafood in their usual fishing grounds and they say the fish have still not returned. Local businesses and a leading marine scientist say communication has been scarce since the sinking and there are concerns about the vessel being left on the reef 35 metres below the surface. Louise Ternouth reports.

A drinking water contamination scare has shut down several Waikato schools on what was supposed to be the first day back after the holidays. On Saturday the Rototuna Reservoir tested positive for ecoli, it supplies about 12,000 properties in North East Hamilton, Gordonton and Puketaha in Waikato District. About 30,000 residents have been told to boil tap water before using it for cooking, drinking, preparing baby formula or cleaning their teeth. Hamilton City Council's Three Waters unit director Maire Porter spoke to Lisa Owen.

The families of three New Zealanders detained as part of the Gaza protest flotilla say they deeply admire them - but are also deeply worried. Youssef Sammour, Rana Hamida and Samuel Leason were detained by Israeli troops last week after their boat tried to cross an Israeli blockade of Gaza as part of an international flotilla. Their families have been speaking at a media conference today, calling on the government to help them and their cause. Rowan Quinn reports.

Criticism is ramping up about the government's proposed new threshold for young people needing to access the benefit. From next November, 18 and 19 year olds will have to take a parental assistance test when applying for a benefit - and will be ineligible if their parents earn more than $65,000. Both the Council of Trade Unions and the Taxpayers union have pointed out it could work as a disincentive, where parents might be worse off for earning more. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.

The parents of 3-year-old who died from septic shock say they'll never recover from the death of their eldest child. An investigation by the Health and Disability Commission found Alexzander Sutherland-Hunt died after multiple missed opportunities in his care at a rural hospital. The little boy was a month shy of his 4th birthday when his parents took him to then Grey Base Hospital with a fever and vomiting in July 2020. Natalie Akoorie reports - a warning that some details in this report are confronting.

The first witness to give evidence at a coronial inquiry looking into the deaths of 13 people during Cyclone Gabrielle says Gisborne's civil defence was better organised than Hawkes Bay. Ken Cooper was the central Team Leader for Urban Search and Rescue during the cyclone and was deployed to Tairawhiti first, before moving on to the Hawkes Bay region. Mr Cooper's evidence is part of a three week inquest at Hastings District Court to examine the emergency response on preparedness of authorities during the devastating 2023 storm. Alexa Cook reports.

The All Blacks have ended their Rugby Championship campaign with a win, but not the ultimate prize. They beat the Wallabies 28-14 in Perth, however the competition trophy was handed over to the Springboks later that night. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

Allegations of cartel behaviour and bid rigging - a group of South Island brick layers have fallen foul of the Commerce Commission after an investigation into pricing information being shared by competitors. Commerce Commission chairman John Small spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about Hamas which has agreed to release Israeli hostages as part of a US-backed peace plan. It's a key part of a proposal to end the war in Gaza which Donald Trump announced alongside Benjamin Netanyahu last week.

Get off the couch, stop playing play station and find a job, that was the Prime Minister's message to unemployed young people, but it might not be that simple in some parts of the country. Christopher Luxon made the comments to Rotorua business leaders on Friday. Since then the government has anounced its bringing forward plans to income test the parents' of 18 and 19-year-olds getting a JobSeeker Allowance from next year. Rotorua Chamber of Commerce CEO Melanie Short spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about how the government and public have responded to the fatal attack on a Manchester Synagogue which occured overnight.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The first crop of kiwis to represent Aotearoa at next year's Olympic Winter Games have been named. Eight athletes were announced today for Milano Cortina 2026, led by the country's most decorated Winter Olympian. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Officials are investigating complaints about dogs certified by a Manawatu disability assistance dog trainer that's had its accreditation removed. K9 Search Medical Detection was dropped from the list of organisations allowed to train such assistance dogs, which have access rights to public places under the Dog Control Act, on 20 December last year. The dogs can support people with physical disabilities or medical conditions, and have the right to enter spaces such as schools, hospitals, public transport and shops. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham spoke to Lisa Owen.

Te Pāti Māori is trying to contain internal ructions - after a key ally and protest group severed ties - and critics from in-and-outside the party pile on.The leadership is rejecting the claims - but admits a reset is on the way. A former co-leader says it's needed. Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira reports. 

The Minister for medicines has revealed he is pushing for hundreds of millions of dollars of more funding for drugs in the next year's budget. Associate Health Minister, who is responsible for Pharmac, David Seymour believes medicines should be viewed as an investment and there needs to be a different approach assessing the cost benefits of drugs. It comes as a new report shows the medicine gap between Australia and New Zealand is getting wider and deeper. David Seymour spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Made in New Zealand" - Defence Minister Judith Collins hopes to put that label on more drones and weapons around the world. The new Defence Industry Strategy, announced today, aims to boost local defence businesses and encourage tech companies to branch out into military technology. Felix Walton reports.

The government has announced it will put five million dollars into a roof fund for Auckland's Manuka Doctor tennis arena; the total cost is expected to be $15 million. It is the first project to get money from the government's $70 million Major Event & Tourism Package, that was announced just last month. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland businesses and city leaders are renewing calls for a bed tax on the city's tourist accommodation to fund major events. Despite the government's $70 million boost for tourism announced last month, businesses hit by the highly disruptive construction of the City Rail Link and Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck are calling for a long-term funding model. Could a bed tax be the answer? Louise Ternouth reports.

It's a big weekend for the All Blacks, who are over in Perth for tomorrow night's Bledisloe Cup match with the Wallabies. Coach Scott Robertson has made some intriguing changes to his team. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

You might have heard about revenge spending - where people buy things they maybe don't need after a period of constraint. But what about revenge saving? Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been looking into this phenomenon that's apparently been taking hold overseas and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about dozens of people who are still missing under the wreckage of a collapsed Indonesia school, which rescuers saying there are "no signs of life".

A third of New Zealand workers are holding down more than one job to make ends meet according to new study. It is also predicting multi-job workers may soon be the norm not the exception. Global figures showed 47% of 18-24 year olds are in multi job situations and the other big group is 55 plus; 20% of them have more than one job. Employment Hero's New Zealand Head of Commercial Neil Webster spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about some Australian workers calling for early retirement, as the population ages some workers in physically demanding jobs are having to quit early and want to access their pension sooner.

People in the Christchurch suburb of Bromley are feeling vindicated after health researchers have found environmental odours have damaging health effects. Locals living in the suburb believe they've suffered nasty health problems since a compost facility opened there in 2009. Now the Public Health Communication Centre has looked at dozens of cases of pollution around the country, including examples from meat works, sewage plants, and landfills. It is calling on public health services to proactively advocate for communities like Bromley that have been adversely affected. Adam Burns reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

All Blacks have just announced their side to close out the Rugby Championship. Coach Scott Robertson has made six changes to the side which kept the Eden Park streak alive last week. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A leading animal welfare group says its been blindsided by the government quietly walking back a ban on pig crates weeks before it was due to come into force. Associate Minister Andrew Hoggard's believes his proposed changes to animal welfare laws will deliver world leading standards. But the SPCA disagree saying its "outraged" over the move and the lack of transparency and public consultation. SPCA's Chief Scientific Officer Dr Arnja Dale spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Toitū Te Tiriti protest movement has cut ties with Te Pāti Māori - with its spokesperson accusing the political party of being ego-driven and having a dictatorship model. Te Pāti Māori has pushed back - saying all decisions have been made through proper processes - and no formal complaints have ever been lodged. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Australia is funding two and half times the modern medicines that Aotearoa is according to an ongoing study. The study comissioned by Medicines New Zealand has been tracking drug funding in both countries using almost a decade and half of data. Australia has publicly funded 215 modern medicines compared to just 86 in New Zealand during the period from January 2011 to June 2025. Medicines NZ chief executive Dr Graeme Jarvis spoke to Lisa Owen.

The organisers of a humanitarian aid flotilla trying to break the Israeli blockade of Gaza say all three New Zealanders taking part have been detained by Israel. About 40 boats are reported to have been within 160 kilometres of Gaza when the Israeli military began intercepting boats. The Israeli Foreign Ministry says the passengers are safe. Aotearoa spokesperson for the Global Sumud Flotilla, Acacia O'Connor spoke to Lisa Owen.

Technology teachers are worried the government's overhaul of the school curriculum and qualifications will ruin what they say is a world-leading curriculum. They worry creativity and problem solving will be replaced by a rigid focus on teaching specific knowledge and skills. Delegates to this week's Technology Education conference also warn labeling subjects as either vocational or academic doesn't work for fields that straddle both paths. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

How long international rugby players spend on the field will be strictly monitored from next season. World Rugby has put a spotlight on player welfare and will restrict the number of games a player can participate in, as well as mandating how long the off-season is. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

There are calls for sunscreen to be subsidised as we count down to the peak sun season. It comes as almost two dozen sunscreens in Australia were recalled, paused or under review because of concerns over their SPF ratings - with some of those available here. Head of Advocacy at Cancer Society New Zealand, Rachael Neuman spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the US government shutting down for the first time in nearly seven years. Republicans and democrats have been playing the blame game after a spending bill to keep the federal government funded failed to pass in congress.

Buy one get one free, multi deals for junk or unhealthy food and free refills for fizz are now banned in England. The range of foods included is vast, from potato chips, pre package pizza and icecreams to pastries and crumbed fish sticks. It is all part of a government plan to combat obesity particularly in children. Professor of population nutrition at Auckland University, Boyd Swinburn about whether New Zealand should follow suit.

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Sir Keir Starmer's Labour Party Conference speech, the Royal Mail's response to increasing demand for parcel delivery and a Ryanair flight that was diverted due to rowdy behaviour from a stag do onboard.

News from the business sector, including a market report.