RNZ: Checkpoint

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.

A long-serving White Fern has been selected for her last Cricket World Cup alongside four newcomers for next month's 50-over tournament. Captain Sophie Devine will lead New Zealand for the last time at tournament in India and Sri Lanka, where she will be joined by first-timers Flora Devonshire, Polly Inglis, Bella James and Bree Illing. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

10,000 jobs have disappeared in just three months, according to Stats NZ. There are now 50,000 fewer jobs than in December 2023. Auckland lost nearly 5000 jobs, Wellington over 1300, Hawke's Bay over 800, and in Waikato close to 700. Provincial areas have also been hit despite the farming sector being a bright spot in the economy. Economist and Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Taupō man is convinced he saw Tom Phillips three times while spending over 1000 hours searching for him. Leon Wood covered close to 20,000 km during his search, logging his movements as he went. Leon Wood spoke to Lisa Owen.

A rudimentary shelter with tree branches holding up a black tarpaulin, dirty plastic buckets, a Jack Daniels whisky box and an LPG bottle are in some of the images released today of what police believe to be one of the campsites used by Tom Phillips and his children in recent months. Police said the grim and dirty campsite was about 200 metres from where his remaining children were found on Monday, across the rugged terrain of Western Waikato. With all of Phillip's children safe and accounted for, a new phase of the investigation begins: the search for anyone who assisted the fugitive father and hold them to account. Lucy Xia reports.

Dame Noeline Taurua will not be the Silver Ferns coach for the upcoming Series against South Africa. A statement from Netball NZ said there have been ongoing discussions between Netball NZ, Dame Noeline and the Silver Ferns management team concerning proposed changes to the Silver Ferns High Performance programme and environment. However, they were unable to resolve issues to everyone's satisfaction in the time available before the Taini Jamison Series. Sports journalist Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand's biggest pastoral farmer is keen to coax the next generation into business with the chance to buy into the management of a rambling east coast property, that's actually owned by all of us. State Owned farmers Pāmu Landcorp is looking for someone to invest a minimum of $250,000 in the 1700 hectare Mahiwi farm. The land is not for sale, the new farmer will have an interest in stock and assets. Chief executive of Pāmu Farming, Mark Leslie spoke to Lisa Owen.

Te Pati Maori MP Takuta Ferris has doubled down on the controversial comments he made about race during the final days of the Tamaki Makaurau by-election. His latest social media post puts him at odds with his party's earlier apology, and was today roundly condemned by MPs from across the House. Mr Ferris posted on Instagram last week, criticising Labour for having "Indians, Asians, Black and Pakeha" campaign for its candidate, Peeni Henare. Those remarks prompted Te Pati Maori to clarify that its movement has always been for "the people", but in a further post, Mr Ferris has come out swinging at his critics. Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira reports.

The former teacher of two children who's remains were found hidden in suitcase three years ago has given tearful evidence before the High Court in Auckland today. Hakyung Lee, is on trial, accused of murdering her children six-year-old Minu and eight-year-old Yuna Jo. The Crown claims she was aware of her actions, while her appointed counsel argues she was insane at the time. Jurors heard evidence from a forensic toxicologist, and hospices nurses who had looked after Lee's husband, before attention turned in the afternoon to the two victims. Finn Blackwell reports.

The Penrith Panthers could be in for some major disruption ahead of their finals clash with the Warriors this Saturday. An unofficial Warriors fan page on Facebook is circulating a list of ideas of how members can help make the opposition's stay in New Zealand uncomfortable. The Panthers have alerted the NRL to the page which has encouraged fans to cause a scene outside of the away team's hotel. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Prime Minister has said there is tremendous unity amongst Pacific nations, as they get ready to sign a peace declaration and decide how to engage with development partners from outside the region. Christopher Luxon is in the Solomon Islands for this year's Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting, which has been dogged by debate over the host nation's decision to bar non-Pacific so-called "dialogue partners" like the US, UK and China. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen from Honiara.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about an Israeli strike targeting Hamas negotiators in Doha that Qatar has described as "a criminal assault". Hamas has said none of it's leaders were among the six people who were killed. The attack has been met with widespread condemnation from international leaders and rage from the Qatari government which has played a key role in trying to mediate an end to the Gaza conflict.

Volunteer coaches and managers are becoming an increasingly scarce resource. According to the New Zealand Amateur Sport Association, the average number of volunteers per club has dropped more than 40% since Covid. The president of the Onehunga Mangere United Associated Football Club said there's been a growing numbers of kids wanting to playing in recent years but fewer parents putting their hands up for coaching. Chris Bierens spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nicole Johnston spoke to Lisa Owen about the country's e-safety commissioner wanting to place restrictions on AI chatbots, ahead of the nationwide ban of social media for children under the age of 16 in three months.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

England cricket coach Brendon McCullum is trying to bat away recent criticism of his team. The former New Zealand Captain says "misconceptions" over his side's style of play are "disrespectful". Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

The wife of a former All Black and NZ Māori player, Tutekawaka Wyllie, who is suffering from a brain disease caused by the game has said it is hurtful that they have never heard from NZ Rugby, offering the organisation to "come and feed him off a teaspoon if they like." Margaret Wyllie fought for years to get ACC to accept her husband has chronic traumatic encephalopathy or CTE, after suffering numerous head knocks playing top level rugby during the 1970s and 80s. Margaret Wyllie believes NZ Rugby has failed to acknowledge Tu's condition and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Despite Tom Phillips being dead, and the children safe, police have said there is a long investigation ahead. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers spoke to Lisa Owen. 

Tom Phillips may be dead, but police say there is a long investigation ahead. Questions remain over the children's future, while the police are now searching for any accomplices who might have helped Phillips stay hidden for the past four years. Kate Green reports.

At the age of 81 years old a Christchurch fitness instructor is showing that exercise really is vital to keeping the bounce in your step. Each week Paula Barrett leads three fitness classes at council-run Pioneer Stadium, where she has taken classes since the late 1980s. Reporter Rachel Graham went along to meet Paula and some of her regulars. 

The Commerce Commision is taking New Zealand's largest gym chain, City Fitness Group, to court over its contracts. It claims the advertised membership prices were misleading and didn't include a compulsory 3% fee that was dubbed a "transaction fee". City Fitness is facing 16 charges under the Fair Trading Act. Consumer NZ's Sahar Lone spoke to Lisa Owen.

Jurors have heard a harrowing account of what's alleged to have happened to two children killed and hidden in suitcases in Auckland, as the Crown opens its case against their mother Hakyung Lee.

Voting papers are about to arrive for the local body elections, but for residents in two districts they won't include anything about a mayoral contest. The mayors of Manawatu, in the lower North Island, and Hurunui, in North Canterbury, will be elected unopposed. They see it as a sign of their districts seeking consistency, although one local government academic says it could actually signal apathy. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

All Whites captain Chris Wood is feeling the pressure ahead of the second game in the Soccer Ashes. Australia have a one-goal advantage coming into the match in Auckland and the Nottingham Forest striker knows if he can find the back of the net it could be the difference in the trans-Tasman rivalry. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Many people may flush and forget but excrament can be mined for a lot of information about your health and habits, and the question is - who should get access to what you discarded? Doctoral candidate in the Faculty of Science at the University of Auckland, Mackey Price has been looking at the issue and spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about files which contain a risqué birthday message allegedly written by President Trump for the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, which were shared by US democrats.

Dozens of supermarkets are having their liquor licences suspended for 48 hours after breaking the rules around alcohol sales and promotions online. 38 FreshChoice stores will each be banned from selling alcohol for two days starting this weekend. Police alcohol harm prevention officer, Inspector Ian Paulin spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about more violence in London at a 'Palestine Action' ban protest, as well as London commuters being brough to a standstill after the Underground was out of action.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Carlos Alcaraz has ended the reign of Jannik Sinner to claim the US Open title. The victory also saw him leapfrog his opponent at the top of the world tennis rankings. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

Sacked Labour minister and former MP Stuart Nash has said if he was ever going to stand for parliament again then it would be with New Zealand First. Nash spoke at New Zealand First's Annual conference over the weekend, claiming Labour has strayed from its core values and is acting as an arm of the union. Stuart Nash spoke to Lisa Owen.

Confronting and devastating - that is the reaction to a shootout early this morning which has left a police officer critically injured and missing man, Tom Phillips, dead. Phillips has been on the run in remote parts of the King Country since December 2021, after taking his three children from Marokopa. One of the children is now with police, but the hunt continues for the other children who police believe are by themselves in the bush. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports.

The Prime Minister has said the country is "thinking and praying" for the police officer that was shot in Waitomo in the early hours of this morning. A four year manhunt for Marokopa father Tom Phillips came to an end when he was shot dead by police this morning. The search continues for two of his children who remain missing, while the injured police officer is undergoing multiple surgeries. Political reporter Anneke Smith spoke to Lisa Owen. 

The wave of relief is still rolling across the country after the All Blacks triumphed over the Springboks on Saturday night at Eden Park. Attention now turns to Wellington, where the two sides will meet again this weekend. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

Senior doctors have voted to strike for 48 hours later this month, despite pleas from the Health Minister not to. Last week Simeon Brown asked Te Whatu Ora and the doctor's union to go into binding arbitration after pay talks stalled. The Asssociation of Salaried Medical Specialists declined the request and accused the minister of interfering in the collective bargaining process. ASMS's Sarah Dalton spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump issuing his "last warning" to Hamas about accepting a Gaza ceasefire deal, as well as Yemen's Houthis claiming responsibility for a drone strike on an Israeli airport.

Police are still searching for the remaining children of fugitive Tom Phillips, who died this morning after a shootout with police. Phillips was killed and a constable was left with critical head injuries after being shot. One of Phillips' three children was with him at the time and is now in the custody of Oranga Tamariki and police. Reporter Natalie Akoorie spoke to Lisa Owen from Piopio. 

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Prime Minister Keir Starmer remaining tight-lipped over Housing Minister Angela Rayner's tax affairs, as well as the government considering the use of Digital ID cards to tackle illegal immigration.

A Gang Conflict Warrant remains in place in Levin, giving police extra powers after a string of gang-related shootings. The Horowhenua town also played the unwitting host of a boy racer invasion over King's Birthday Weekend. But behind the headlines, what's life really like there? Reporter Jimmy Ellingham took a look.

A Gang Conflict Warrant remains in place in Levin, giving police extra powers after a string of gang-related shootings. The Horowhenua town also played the unwitting host of a boy racer invasion over King's Birthday Weekend. But behind the headlines, what's life really like there? Reporter Jimmy Ellingham took a look.