RNZ: Checkpoint

United Kingdom correspondent Grace Thomas spoke to Lisa Owen about how British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has managed to hang on for another day and how Te Ariki-nui Kuini Nga Wai hono i te po, the Maori Queen, has met Prince William at Windsor Castle during her trip to the United Kingdom. She also spoke about how the Eurovision semi-finals have kicked off in Vienna, despite controversy over Israel's participation.

A Reserve Bank survey indicates inflation expectations are on the rise. And small aged-care service providers remain under pressure, while big operators appear to be doing well. Business reporter Nona Pelletier spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Wellington Phoenix Women flew to Melbourne today ahead of their first A-league football grand final. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

Grammy winning pop star Dua Lipa refuses to be put in a box or actually anywhere on the box, when it comes to selling TVs. The singer is suing the electronic giant Samsung for $15 million us-dollars for allegedly using her photo to sell televisions in the US. The pop star's face is plastered across the packaging of Samsung's TVs. Auckland University senior law lecturer Joshua Yuvaraj has been following the action and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Storme Turany, the mother of a 16-week-old Canterbury baby that died from catastrophic head injuries in 2014, says she was not involved in the infant's death. Soul Turany's skull was fractured in two places and he was bleeding in one eye and across a large area of his brain. Police believe Soul's fatal injuries must have been caused by either Ms Turany, or her then-partner, Tony Farmer. Reporter Timothy Brown has more.

A call tonight for a full independent review of a privately owned Southland lab service, after doctors twice missed signs a woman had cancer, delaying her treatment. She died a year later. Awanui labs failed to detect the 74 year old retired nurse had stomach cancer, despite analysing multiple biopsies, with cancer cells present. The lab is privately owned but is contracted by Health New Zealand to provide medical laboratory and pathology services. Advocacy group, Patient Voice Aotearoa wants an urgent wide ranging of the lab service, it's chair Malcolm Mulholland spoke to Lisa Owen.

For the past 20 years Annette Hall has been the voice of a vital maritime radio service, checking in on fishermen, providing forecasts, and coordinating rescues. For those on the water in the Far North, she's seen as something of a guardian angel. At 6pm tonight, however, the long-serving volunteer with an infectious laugh will hang up her handpiece for the last time and the channel will fall silent. Reporter Peter de Graaf has more.

A proposal to run a floating sauna in a popular Te Anau reserve has run out of steam, for now. The plan was for people to sweat it out on a floating pontoon on Lake Henry, with the option to finish with a cold plunge. Floating Sauna Limited had already been granted resource consent for the proposal, today was about considering submissions for and against the idea. Tess Brunton has more.

Christopher Luxon has jumped into the immigration debate, promising a careful approach, putting social cohesion ahead of business profit. It's already prompted scepticism from his coalition partner New Zealand First - which says the India free trade deal suggests otherwise. The Prime Minister made the comments in a speech to business leaders in Auckland this morning, also signalling a tighter-than-expected Budget to land in two weeks' time. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

Wellingtonians will be looking up to catch the only Australasia film festival projected on a 360-degree planetarium dome. The Dome Under Film Festival, or DUFF, will be making its New Zealand debut this week at Wellington's Planetarium Space Place. Krystal Gibbens reports.

In a surprise shake-up for Team New Zealand, three-time America's Cup winner Blair Tuke is stepping off the boat. The veteran has not been named in the crew for the first preliminary regatta of the 38th America's Cup cycle in Cagliari next week. Instead, he will move into a strategic shore-based position. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

An eggs-trodinary art collection, linked to Dunedin's famous music scene, has gone on display at the city's Museum of Natural Mystery. The eclectic array of objects belonged to the frontman for the rock band the Chills; Martin Phillips, who died in 2024. Curator for the Dunedin Museum of Natural Mystery, Bruce Mahalski spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about how the Iran war is approaching the 11-week mark. She also spoke about how Lebanese and Israeli officials are set to meet in Washington to try bring an end to the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and how Turkey's foreign minister has visited Qatar to discuss the Iran war.

Rules around high-powered electric dirt bikes are not fit for purpose, according to AA. The motoring association's writing to the transport minister, asking him to look at the problem. Police have expressed serious concerns about electric bikes that can hit high speeds, but in some cases are being ridden in pedestrian areas. Terry Collins from the AA spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm with the latest from across the ditch.

The Commerce Commission has released its first State of Competition report talking about how competition is working. Businesses are also reporting widespread economic damage caused by the Middle East conflict. Business reporter Nona Pelletier spoke with Lisa Owen.

The Wellington Phoenix women's inaugural captain Lily Alfeld became a cult figure off the field when a back injury ended her playing days prematurely. Alfeld was the first ever signing for the team five years ago, but for the past three years she's been working for the club with community engagement. The former goalkeeper said she's still the team's biggest cheerleader as they head into the A-League Grand Final on Saturday. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Group goes into no-go heritage site Banbury Mine near Denniston. Biodiversity ranger Sean Judd spoke with Lisa Owen.

The organiser of an Auckland push bike ride that ended with several arrests and dozens of tickets handed out says the police presence was excessive and he plans to meet with them later this week. Four people were arrested on the Sunday cycle ride through Henderson and New Lynn and 53 infringement notices were issued. About 120 mainly young people took part in the event that lasted about three hours. Organiser Kimami Ngaluafe spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's nothing that'll clear a beach quicker than the sight of a dark fin silently ploughing through the water, followed by the panicked shout of "shark". In Dunedin a bell is used to warn surfers and swimmers it's time to get out because the apex predator is lurking. It was installed after fatal attacks back in the sixties. But there's concern some beachgoers have become complacent, even though it's been rung four times in the past two weeks. Tess Brunton has more.

There's no sugar coating it, in the chocolate industry most farmers do not earn a living income .. forests are being destroyed and child labour is still a major problem. That's according to the 7th edition of the Chocolate Scorecard. The scorecard's run by the not for profit Be Slavery Free and it ranks businesses based on a number of environmental and ethical factors. The director of Chocolate Scorecard Fuzz Kitto spoke to Lisa Owen.

Renters advocates are calling for better protections to stop students and vulnerable people falling prey to what they term 'slumlords.' Three flat mates are taking their previous landlord to the Tenancy Tribunal after their flat constantly flooded and was riddled with mould.It's added to growing calls for greater accountability and stronger enforcement of the Residential Tenancies Act and Healthy Homes Standards. Bella Craig reports.

Waitaki residents are describing anger and disbelief as their district council mulls proposed rate rises of up to 45 percent.

The Rennie regime is well underway. New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie is back in the country and enjoyed a breakfast with media members on Tuesday. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Kei te hia-hia he kawhe? Do you fancy a coffee? These might be some of the kupu or words people will hear at a Rotorua cafe that has made the decision to go full Maori immersion. Customers will be supported to give Te Reo Maori a go, but English won't be spoken at Rumaki Cafe. Rumaki's executive director, Miraka Davies, wants to see more everyday spaces where people can practice and speak Te Reo Maori. Davies spoke to Lisa Owen.

An American has tested positive for hantavirus after leaving the cruise ship at the centre of a deadly outbreak. 94 passengers have left the MV Hondius and have been or are in the process of being repatriated. That includes a New Zealander and five Australians who will arrive in Perth for quarantine later this week. US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen.

Ever thought about how irresistible junk food is? New research from Auckland University has found that Ultra Processed food or UPF is designed and marketed to achieve exactly those emotional and biological reaction. So, it raises the question; is over consumption of junk food just about personal choice or is big food taking advantage of how people think feel and behave? University of Auckland's Dr Joshua Clark spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Diane To spoke to Lisa Owen about the Labour Party's election walloping.

Nurses at Christchurch's Hillmorton Hospital say they're dealing with burnout and anxiety because of their working conditions, including chronic under-staffing, dilapidated buildings and rat infestations.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A World Cup-winning Black Fern has been forced from the field after succumbing to a career-ending neck injury. Loosehead prop Awhina Tangen-Wainohu has retired from international rugby with 10 caps to her name, saying she is grateful her body is still in one piece. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The coalition government is promising to "repurpose" the millions of tax payer dollars being spent on the fees-free policy for tertiary students. Winston Peters' confirmed the scheme, which has been through a few versions, will be scrapped. It was introduced in 2018, under Jacinda Ardern's government. Back then, students were eligible for their first year of study free and $194 million was paid in fees. Grant Robertson, was Labour's finance Minister when the fees-free policy was brought in and is now Vice Chancellor at the University of Otago. Grant Robertson spoke to Lisa Owen.

A landmark case has found that a veterans' brain cancer must be treated as service-related because of exposure to potentially carcinogenic burn pits on his deployment in Somalia. Open burn pits were used in many conflicts including Iraq and Afghanistan, where there wasn't infrastructure to deal with the large amounts of waste created by military operations. In the US, a long list of conditions are automatically considered to be related to burn pit exposure, including several cancers and respiratory issues. But here in New Zealand none of those conditions have been accepted as service-related, until now. Luka Forman has more.

The government has outlined who will get priority access to fuel if New Zealand should ever be forced to ration. It said Aotearoa continues to have sufficient fuel supply and it's highly unlikely it would need to prioritise supply. But phase four would be activated in case of a severe and prolonged disruption of fuel supply. David Birkett from Federated Farmers, Arable group chairperson and national board member spoke to Lisa Owen.

National and ACT are downplaying a significant Budget leak from their coalition partner New Zealand First, as coalition tensions continue to bubble to the surface.

People might remember as a kid collecting glass fizzy bottles to return to the dairy for a bit of pocket money. Well, New Zealand First's keen to bring back a nationwide container scheme, to reduce litter and council costs. One of its MPs has put a bill into the biscuit tin, where it could be randomly drawn and head down the path to becoming law. Zero Waste Network said about four million drink containers go to landfull or end up as litter every day in Aotearoa. Sue Coutts spoke to Lisa Owen.

All kiwi sides, apart from Moana Pasifika, remain in the hunt, while the defending champions appear to be peaking at the perfect time. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A YouTube channel is providing some income cream for a fourth generation waikato dairy farmer filming life on the land. Andrew Macky, who runs a 98 hectare family farm at Paterangi with 320 jersey cows, started filming and broadcasting his day to day in 2020. Now, more than 35,000 people subscribe to "The Once A Day Farmer." Waikato dairy farmer Andrew Macky spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about how President Donald Trump described Iran's response to the latest proposal by the United States to end the war as "totally unacceptable." She also spoke about how dozens of people were reportedly killed over the weekend in Lebanon and how Gaza flotilla activists were deported by Israel.

New Zealand officials are working on options to repatriate a New Zealander who's been onboard a cruise ship hit with the hantavirus. Passengers from the MV Hondius have been disembarking under complex evacuation protocols on the isalnd of Tenerife inn Sapin Caary islands. 149 passengers and crew will taken off the ship in small boats and flown home. The New Zealander however will be flown to Australia, with several Australian passengers. New Zealand's Director of Public Health Dr Corina Grey spoke to Lisa Owen.

Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about Neville Sandiford, a 102-year-old who's been named the oldest competitive male player.

United Kingdom correspondent Diane To spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about how local elections are looking in the UK, which is seen as a referendum on Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Labour Party government. She also spoke about how there's a race to trace all of the people who were on the cruise with the hantavirus outbreak and how the United Kingdom is celebrating Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday.