RNZ: Checkpoint

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about preperations being underway for US President Donald Trump's unprecedented second state visit to the UK, as well as Prime Minister Kier Starmer defending the British flag after a huge protest over the weekend.

It's one small step for SpaceX, one giant leap for New Zealand's fledgling space industry. A rocket bearing a first-ever experiment built in Lower Hutt has lifted off from Cape Canaveral. The mission, called Hēki, will plug onto the outside of the International Space Station. Scores of scientists and others watched the launch on a screen at a Victoria University facility in Lower Hutt this morning. Phil Pennington reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Prior to the election, Christopher Luxon made a commitment to fund a list of hard tumour cancer medications. At the same time National repeatedly promised that blood cancer sufferers would not be forgotten. But two years on from that promise, many of them do feel forgotten. The drug Daratumumab, or Dara is on Pharmac's priority drug list. That's the list of drugs it would like to fund, but can't afford. Dara is virtually free in Australia, but costs hundreds of thousand of dollars here. That means some desperate blood cancer patients are funding it themselves; relying on the kindness of others and donation pages. Aucklander Geoff Dawson, has multiple Myeloma, and is on Dara, he spoke to Lisa Owen.

There are calls for the government to settle an unpaid debt, a promise made by National to blood cancer sufferers, desperate for access to drugs not funded in Aotearoa. On the election campaign, National pledged to fund a list of medications for solid cancer tumours. It was forced to make good on that, following public backlash over a lack of action. But it had also given assurances about closing the medicine gap for blood cancer patients too, yet two years on they're still dying for it to deliver.

There are calls for the government to settle an unpaid debt, a promise made by National to blood cancer sufferers, desperate for access to drugs not funded in Aotearoa. On the election campaign, National pledged to fund a list of medications for solid cancer tumours. It was forced to make good on that, following public backlash over a lack of action. But it had also given assurances about closing the medicine gap for blood cancer patients too, yet two years on they're still dying for it to deliver.

A psychotherapist believes there are potentially cult-like characteristics to the life Tom Phillips created on the run with children. Phillips died in a shootout with police a week ago. One of his children was with him at the time. His other children were found at a bush camp after almost four years living off the grid with their father. Beth St Claire is a psychotherapist with a special interest in fundamentalist or 'cult-like' groups and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland flower sellers have said "you'd be hard pushed to find a happy florist" as their industry is hit by turmoil. Since the city's major flower supplier, United Flower Growers, went exclusively online, florists say there have been a raft of problems. The florists spoken to by Checkpoint also feel their concerns are being ignored, but fear that if they speak out against UFG they'll be blacklisted. The CEO for United Flower Growers says his organisation has done nothing wrong. All the florists in Evie Richardson's report fear their business will be at risk if they speak out, so have elected to remain annonymous.

"Save our chateau". That's the message Ruapehu's mayor is hoping politicians will hear tomorrow when he drops a petition off to parliament signed by thousands of people. The petition is urging the government to act swiftly to reopen Chateau Tongariro as soon as possible. The 96-year-old building was closed in February 2023 due to its earthquake risk, leaving a big hole in the local economy. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

It's all over for the Warriors, as both the mens and womens teams saw their seasons come to an end at the weekend in very contrasting ways. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government has revealed how it plans to get around rules limiting events at Eden Park. The prime minister wants more concerts, more sports matches, more conferences - and the government's signalling a willingness to change local rules to do it. Cabinet has also been considering whether to recognise Palestine as a state. As well as the Prime minister announcing there may be an inquiry into the Tom Phillips case. Political reporter Russell Palmer spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Silver Ferns squad taking on South Africa in the Taini Jamison Series has just been named. The team heads into the competition without coach Dame Noeline Taurua who was suddenly stood down by Netball New Zealand last week. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent, Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about a crucial summit taking place as Qatar plans how to respond to last week's Israeli attack on Doha, as well as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel.

Could hope finally be on the horizon for Auckland's inner city hospitality sector? As part of the Government's $70 million tourist spend - $40 million will go towards drawing big international events to our shores. It's hoped the funding will provide a boost to Auckland Bars, cafes and restaurants have been struggling. Mandy Lusk co-owned Vivace - which went into liquidation last year - she's now back in the inner citY, leading food and beverage operations at Hotel DeBrett. Mandy Lusk spoke to Lisa Owen.

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Prime Minister Keir Starmer sacking his US ambassador due to his links with billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Tomorrow night's test against the Springboks will be a special one for All Blacks wing Leroy Carter. The Chiefs star will make his test debut in the Rugby Championship clash in Wellington and he will be wearing the All Blacks famous no.11 jersey. Joe Porter reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The s are now at the business end of their Rugby World Cup campaign. The side is into the knockout stages and will meet South Africa for the second time ever in this weekend's quarter final in Exeter. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Golf Warehouse is pitching a $20 million redevelopment of the Takapuna Golf Course on Auckland's Northshore. Auckland Council plans to turn half of the 18-hole golf course into a floodwater catchment to mitigate the city's increasing flood risks. But the Golf Warehouse plan would see the park transformed into a series of recreation zones. Founder and Chairman of Golf Warehouse NZ Eric Faesen-Kloet spoke to Lisa Owen.

Should shopkeepers be allowed to defend themselves with pepper spray? It is an idea the Ministerial Advisory Group on Retail Crime has consulted on with industry players. But, the proposal faces stiff opposition due safety concerns around what is a restricted weapon. It comes amid questions about the advisory group's value for money. But the chairman, who has been paid over $230,000 in the group's first 12 months vigourously defends its worth. Jimmy Ellingham and Louisa Cleave report.

Bowled over by a lack of cricket in Queenstown this summer, a local mum is on a mission to the bring the game back to the town's oval. Queenstown's picturesque John Davies Oval has in past hosted several One Day Internationals. But this summer, it is a cricket drought. Local Emma Chisholm has launched a petition to change that, but there's questions about whether the ground is up to scratch. Emma Chisholm spoke to Lisa Owen.

Secondary teachers want more support and more money as they get ready to strike again next week. The Post Primary Teachers' Association says its members voted overwhelmingly to reject an improved offer from the government. The strike is staggered, so each day until Thursday, they will refuse to teach or supervise a particular year level. But the Public Service Commission says the union is choosing strikes over students and should get back to the bargaining table. Tess Brunton reports.

Locals in the Auckland suburb Henderson hope a new police beat team patrolling the streets will help to bring down crime. Police data shows there were 3,500 victimisations in Henderson in the year to the end of July, and the vast majorit were thefts. Amy Williams report.

The All Blacks are set to meet the Springboks in Wellington after a much-hyped first meeting which saw Scott Robertson's side maintain a three-decade unbeaten streak at Eden Park. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

Inland Revenue is cracking down on student loan borrowers who are overseas, and while it is pulling in the money, people based offshore say they are struggling with its approach. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent, Nick Harper spoke to Lisa Owen about FBI releasing footage of an assassin fleeing the scene after shooting dead conservative influencer Charlie Kirk. Kirk was hosting an event in front of a large crowd at Utah Valley University yesterday when he was hit by a single fatal shot to the neck. Authorities said they have been inundated with tips from the public but the hunt for a shooter continues.

A regional airline is spreading it's wings, taking over a vital South Island route that was soon to be abandoned. Originair will start flying Blenheim to Christchurch from late October after Sounds Air announced it was cutting the route in July. Originair chief executive, Robert Inglis spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the fallout continuing from a divisive debate over immigration and race. It has resulted in the country's federal opposition leader sacking one of her senior frontbenchers for refusing to apologise for comments offensive to many Indian Australians.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

It is a great time for avocado lovers, but not so much for growers, with prices as low as 19 cents per avocado in some parts of the country. Woolworths has said it is expecting large volumes of avocados for the next two months, and that translates to better value at the checkout. Katikati Avocado Grower Hugh Moore spoke to Lisa Owen.

As well as a maiden NRL crown, the Warriors are also looking to earn some respect after 30 title-less years in the competition. The team has limped into the 2025 playoffs in poor form, amid a host of injuries and criticism. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

RNZ can reveal Netball New Zealand's shock decision to stand down Silver Ferns coach Noeline Taurua came after several players raised allegations the environment had become "psychologically unsafe". The allegations prompted an independent review, which highlighted "significant issues" within the programme. Taurua is understood to have rejected the findings, prompting a months-long stand-off between the national body and the Silver Ferns coaching staff. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

It's one of the country's most famous streets home to 600 independent businesses from cafe's and bars to clothing and record stores. Now Aucklanders can have their very own slice of the iconic Karangahape Road as businesses take support local to a whole new level with a neighbourhood loyalty scheme. Priceless artefacts from K Rd's past and present are up for grabs from vintage suits to a personalised k road numberplate - in exchange for receipts from local businesses. Louise Ternouth went along for a window shop.

More than 14 years after the Christ Church Cathedral was wrecked in an earthquake, there's a new, scaled down proposal on the table. Backers hope the plan will see the cathedral reopen by late 2030 at a cost of $90 to $95 million, but there's still a big funding shortfall. Keiller MacDuff reports.

Chiefs winger Leroy Carter will make his All Blacks debut this weekend after being named to start against South Africa in Saturday night's sold out test in Wellington. There are several other changes to the team that beat the Springboks last weekend at Eden Park, with a regular starter left out. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Lisa Owen.

Civics, politics and philosophy, pacific studies, mechatronics, and data science are just some of the new senior secondary school subjects unveiled by the government today. It is all part of the plan to ditch NCEA all together and replace it with the New Zealand Certificate of Education and Advanced Certificate of education. Albany Senior High School Principal Claire Amos spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a shooting that killed conservative political activist and commentator Charlie Kirk, as authorities continue to hunt for the shooter. The 31-year-old, a close ally of the US President, was speaking at a university in Utah when he was hit by a single, fatal shot to the neck. Two people have been arrested and subsequently released as the search for the shooter continues.

The Master Builders 2025 State of the Sector report has found that 52% of the industry insiders expected things to get moderately better in 12 months times. But only 10% believe it will be substantially better. It found the top three issues facing the sector are rising construction costs, finance - including interest rates, and government regulation. CEO of Master Builders, Ankit Sharma spoke to Lisa Owen.

Former Labour MP Stuart Nash has resigned from his job at recruitment agency Robert Walters, after a formal review was initiated by the company. It comes after Mr Nash apologised for using vulgar language to describe women's body parts on an interview on the digital broadcaster, the Platform. It is also just days after Mr Nash spoke at New Zealand First's annual conference, and did not rule out campaigning for the party at the next election. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.

Dame Noeline Taurua will not be coaching the Silver Ferns for the upcoming series against South Africa. In a statement, Netball New Zealand said discussions are ongoing between Netball NZ, Dame Noeline and the Silver Ferns management team. Netball NZ Board Chair Matt Whineray said all parties remain hopeful of a resolution, but added that the organisation needs to focus on supporting players on the immediate challenge of playing South Africa. Matt Whineray spoke to Lisa Owen.

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about airports being closed in Poland following reports of Russian drones being shot down in its airspace, as well as the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer preparing to meet with the Israeli President in London.

News from the business sector, including a market report.