RNZ: Checkpoint

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about a British pilot who is among the survivors of a deadly helicopter crash in Greece, as well as Prime Minister Andy Burnham vowing to be "relentless" in reducing small boat crossing to the UK.

A gasfitting expert says changes are needed to prevent unsafe installations, after a 12-year-old Otago boy died from carbon monoxide poisoning in the shower at his family's Haast bach. Almost eight years after Jesse Samuel's death, an inquest is being held in Queenstown to examine what can be done to stop something similar happening again. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd has more.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Blacks have been reminded of how much the team is revered in South Africa, particularly in Cape Town, after thousands of fans showed up to welcome them to the city. After a long disjointed journey, the team touched down ahead of an eight match tour that kicks off this weekend. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Ridiculous, unreasonable, confusing and stressful. Those are just some of the words Wellington region residents are using to describe bills from new water entity Tiaki Wai. RNZ has seen charges ranging from $300 to $1000 for the first three months of the financial year. Tiaki Wai says it's the first time people are seeing water costs broken out separately from their rates, but others are questioning how the bills are calculated and if payment arrangements are being fairly organised. Wellington Issues reporter Ellen O'Dwyer has more.

The Silver Ferns triumphant win at the Commonwealth Games overnight breaks a 16 year drought in the event after much public adversity. But if their win has inspired young people across New Zealand, what does the pathway look like in domestic competition with the future of the ANZ Premiership still uncertain. Sports Minister Mark Mitchell spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. 

A review of the national cervical cancer screening register has found widespread issues that could have led to undetected harm, while the public can't be assured the register is clinically safe. It found the register was launched in 2023 with limited functionality and several known issues, including incomplete data migration from the previous register. National Director, Prevention Screening, National Public Health Service, Alana Ewe-Snow spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

An inquest into the death of Pauline Hanna has begun in Auckland today - with a reminder that her husband, Philip Polkinghorne, is not on trial. Hanna was found dead in her Remuera home five years ago. A jury found retired eye surgeon Dr Polkinghorne not guilty of murdering Hanna after a high-profile criminal trial in 2024. The inquest will attempt to determine how Hanna died and the circumstances surrounding that. Reporter Jess Hopkins spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. 

Primary schools involved in a pilot programme say being able to close nearby roads during drop off and pick up times is helping curb dangerous driver's behaviour. It's been a growing issue in our biggest city, with Auckland Transport starting Safe School Streets a couple of years ago. But now other schools across Aotearoa are facing the same issues, some taking things into their own hands. Bella Craig reports.

The Prime Minister has apologised for his remarks to businesses, admitting it has been a tough time for them. Christopher Luxon told a business audience in Rotorua last week that there was a parent-child relationship between businesses and government and they should be more adult. He now says he could have expressed himself better. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

While most eyes were on the Commonwealth Games there was plenty of other sport flying under the radar at the weekend. From the start of the NPC, to the 10th annual dog surfing championships, sports reporter Jonty Dine unpacked it all with Melissa Chan-Green 

A cat renowned for devouring wildlife in the Bay of Islands has been caught after three years. The feline fugitive is so infamous he has earned the nickname 'Nine Lives'. After a massive efffort to find him he has now been trapped in the Purerua Peninsula. It's too late for countless birds though, with Nine Lives thought to have killed on percent of the Pateke duck species. Pest-free Purerua Co-ordinator Andrew Mentor spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. 

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about negotiations between the US and Iran set to take place shortly according to Donald Trump. The US president says he cancelled "massive" strikes against Iran to get closer to a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. However, specific details around the meeting are scarce.

The Rotorua Chamber of Commerce is insisting the city's businesses are innovative, after finding itself at the centre of debate about a 'parent-child' relationship with the Government. That's how the Prime Minister characterised it when posed with the question of how businesses could hang on with the affordability of doing business becoming harder and harder. Christopher Luxon said that firms too often looked to government help instead of acting like "adult entrepreneurs". Rotorua Chamber of Commerce Chair Paul Ingram spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

New Zealand athletes have run the full gamut of emotions today as seven more medals were won at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Among the two golds, two silvers and three bronze medals was feelings of elation, relief and a touch of disappointment. Para-athlete Anna Grimaldi says she's satisfied with her bronze medal in the T47 100 metre spring but wishes others were there to share it. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A school counsellor running a two day retreat for young people and their whanau has built up a waiting list. They're learning how to hunt, gather their own kai and be the kaitiaki guardians of the future to manage predator control. Tui Keenan, who runs Project Orua, spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Union protesters concerned about the future of Lyttleton Port say they aren't reassured by the rejection of an unsolicited bid to lease its operations. The city council's investment arm, Christchurch City Holdings Limited, has rejected the proposal by Tonui, a consortium made up of global port operator DP World and three Canterbury runanga. Union members and opponents of asset sales have protested outside CCHL to emphasise their call to keep the port in public hands. Rachel Graham has more.

The prime minister says Winston Peters' comments about a fellow MP are racist, but he still has his confidence as Foreign Minister. Pressure has been building on Christopher Luxon to do something after the New Zealand First leader said a Chinese-born Green MP should go back to his own country, and that is where 'they lie like flatfish'. Former leaders Helen Clark and Don Brash have weighed in, saying there's a strong case for sacking the foreign minister but it would likely trigger a snap election. Political reporter Russell Palmer spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. 

With the final greyhound races to be held in New Zealand underway this afternoon, the industry has confirmed plans to send up to 150 dogs to Australia where racing continues. The racing ban, which takes effect tomorrow, follows years of animal welfare concern. Head of the Greyhound Transition Agency, Heather Simpson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A young jobseeker who kept getting pushbacks has created an opportunity for himself by thinking out of the box. At 24, Calib is not alone in his experience of the tough job market. While he's finally found an apprenticeship, he now must buy the tools he needs to do it. He's turned to his local community with a goal to do 100 lawns for $50. Calib spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. 

It was a catastrophic night for the Cowboys in the NRL. The North Queenslanders were crushed 82-12 at the hands of a ruthless Roosters side. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Ngāi Tahu Farming has been chosen by the Department of Conservation to operate the country's largest farm. Molesworth Station is spread over 180,000 hectares across Marlborough and North Canterbury - and is currently run as a cattle farm by state-owned Pāmu Landcorp. The Department of Conservation administers the land - and put the contract to manage the farm out to public tender. Ngāi Tahu Farming - a subsidiary of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Group was one of four bids. South Island Correspondent Tim Brown spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.   

The death toll from this week's major earthquake in Japan has risen to 34. The 6.8 tremor rocked the southern city of Kumamoto on Tuesday afternoon prompting thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. There's been widespread damage and as search efforts continue there are concerns that the death toll will climb. Correspondent in Tokyo, Chris Gilbert spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

For years we've had fire service campaigns to install smoke alarms in every home, now Hato Hone St John is pushing for lifesaving defibrillators to be considered in the same way. A report in the NZ Medical Journal today found St John ambulance attempt 2000 resuscitations a year and only about one in 10 people survive. The rate hasn't changed in five years. Deputy chief executive of clinical services spoke to Melissa Chan-Green. 

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about Australia opening a new front in its ongoing campaign to get tech giants to toe the line on stricter regulation of social media -- with legal action launched against the messaging app "Telegram" for not doing more to remove terror content.

The New Zealand Blood Service says the capital's new blood bank officially opened by the Health Minister today couldn't come soon enough. The facility plays a critical role in delivering life-saving donor blood to patients and replaces a decrepit laboratory at risk of losing its accreditation. Reporter Mary Argue was given a tour.

Auckland FC are entering a new era of their A-League existence with an experienced Portuguese coach leading the way. Pedro Moreira landed in Auckland yesterday and was sharing his coaching vision for the upcoming season today. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The opposition is demanding the Prime Minister take action after Winston Peters said a Green MP who moved to New Zealand should go back to his own country. The New Zealand First leader in Parliament responded to some heckling from Lawrence Xu-nan with an abusive rant. Political reporter Russell Palmer spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Solar installers are warning of a looming worker shortage, if low-cost loans or subsidies are brought in without any support or training for the wider electrical industry. Many political parties have announced policies boost rooftop solar uptake ahead of this year's election. Some installers have seen demand treble this year already and say the industry is already near capacity. Climate Change correspondent Kate Newton reports.

Over 10,000 teens left school last year with no qualifications to their name. It's the third consecutive year that 15 percent of school leavers had no NCEA certificates or equivalent qualifications. The people who work with those young people say the figures are shocking. Education correspondent John Gerritsen has more.

Plans for intensive housing growth in Auckland and issues with wastewater overflows is driving the largest ever investment in water services for the city. Last month, the water company said splitting from Auckland Council had allowed it to raise $1.5 billion to pay for fixing old infrastructure, upgrades and new projects. But households will also pay for it. Watercare CEO Jamie Sinclair spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A sense of the inevitable has shrouded the Hatrick Raceway this week as the Whanganui Greyhound Racing Club prepared for its last ever meeting on Friday. The government is shutting down the industry over animal welfare concerns. Owners from around the country gathered with dozens of dogs at the venue on Tuesday for its final straight-track meeting. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin was there.

If you want to install solar on your house, the current process is too slow and costly according to a report that recommends cutting red tape. The review of the solar installation process by the Ministry of Regulation has just been released. Rewiring Aotearoa's CEO Mike Casey spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Unpaid rent has been the thorn is the side of many landlords, waiting months to get a case through the Tenancy Tribunal. So in a new pilot, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment is prioritising cases where someone wants to terminate the tenancy for rent arrears. Sammy Carter has more

It was another day filled with drama, records, glory, and shattered dreams in Glasgow. The opening six days of the Commonwealth Games have produced a plethora of moments, not all of them for sporting excellence. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Nashville may be home to country music's 'achy breaky heart' but New Zealand's country music capital is home to Meila Scully. The young singer's song writing about people who've experienced loss is earning awards. More recently the 13 year old won the junior category at the Southern Country music awards. Meila Scully spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about fresh strikes kicking off between the US and Iran again, as well as a school in New York that has backtracked on a plan to introduce an AI-powered humanoid robot teacher.

A science teacher at St Patrick's College in Wellington says he is moving to make sure all assessments are done in the classroom under supervision, to combat AI. The strategy comes as the Education Review Office today released a report saying AI is becoming part of everyday life and schools want more formal guidance from the Education Ministry. 

Europe correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about wildfires continuing to rage across parts of Europe as another heatwave looms, as well as new UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham giving Labour a big bump in the polls.

News from the business sector, including a market report.