RNZ: Checkpoint

In light of Halloween Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen about the various Kiwi treats that you can't find on New Zealand shelves anymore.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the former Prince Andrew being stripped of all royal titles and privileges, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales winning a legal battle against a French magazine.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A major power outage is affecting much of the Far North. Lines company Top Energy says more than 23 thousand homes and businesses are currently without power. CEO of Top Energy Russell Shaw spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Kiwis are chasing redemption, and the Kiwi Ferns want to get one over the best in the world, when rugby league's Pacific Championships return to Auckland. After a week off, the Kiwis face a Tongan side and the Kiwi Ferns face Australia in another double-header on Sunday. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Who ever said "be sure to the smell the flowers along the way" probably never sniffed the complex blend of rotting meat, wet dog and sewage; apparently the signature fragrance of Voodoo lillies. It seems only fitting that two varieties are on the cusp of blooming this halloween in the Begonia house at Wellington's botanic garden. Visitor Experience Manager at Wellington Gardens, Raydeen Cuffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Waitangi Tribunal is recommending the government expand citizenship rights to second generation Maori born overseas after complaints the current system is racist and ignores tangta whenua's whakapaka. John Bryers Ruddock who is Ngapuhi took an urgent case to the tribunal after returning to Aotearoa with his three children only to find they are not citizens; instead classed as overstaying. Actor Keisha Castle-Hughes, went through the same process with daughter who was born in New York and gave evidence at the hearing. Her Lawyer Season-Mary Downs spoke to Lisa Owen.

Watercare says it is extremely disappointed and sorry that a fault with one its plants saw Auckland oyster farms contaminated and unable to harvest. The Matakana farmers are devastated yet another sewage overflow into the Mahurangi River has left them unable to collect oysters for another 28 days. Watercare Ceo Jamie Sinclair spoke to Lisa Owen.

An epidemiologist says the number of measles cases over the next few days will tell the extent of the outbreak, with cases now linked to a third school. 13 measles cases are confirmed across New Zealand, with thousands of others identified as close contacts. Auckland Grammar School is the latest high school linked to a confirmed measles case, as well as two in Wellington. Amy Williams reports.

There is a crackdown on out-of-district discount-hunting dumpers travelling kilometres to off-load their rubbish at the Waihi tip because it is cheaper. About half the people dropping rubbish at the Waihi Refuse Station in the Hauraki District don't pay rates there. Subsidising their rubbish habits is costing local ratepayers about $600,000 a year - but that is all about to change. Hauraki mayor Toby Adams spoke to Lisa Owen.

It may be called a living costs loan, but is it really enough to live on? As the cost of essentials rise rapidly some students say the loans are nowhere near enough to make ends meet. Each year, the government-run agency Studylink adjusts the price of living cost payments in line with inflation. However is linking these vital student loans to inflation a fair way to do it, given the price of essentials like food, rent and power are rising far faster than the rate of inflation? As Evie Richardson reports, some students say the soaring cost of living means they're sacrificing their study just to get by.

A blaze at an old asbestos-filled pub that closed several schools around Palmerston North has been deemed suspicious. Residents say strong winds spread thick smoke from the fire at the once popular Fitzherbert Bar in the central city. Bill Hickman reports.

Mexican motorsport officials are at odds with New Zealand Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson, after he was involved in a near-miss incident with two marshals who were running on the track to collect debris during this week's Mexico Grand Prix. Mexico's motorsport federation have now placed the blame for the incident with Lawson, sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

When you think of first-home buyers, you might imagine young people just starting out and nowhere near the top of the salary ladder. But data shows people able to purchase that first home are earning significantly more than your average houshold. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about the APEC Summit taking centre stage following Donald Trump and Xi Jinping's trade talks, as well as Indonesia's free school meal programme which is under investigation again after hundreds of children fell ill from food poisoning.

Huntly is desperate for more police on the beat with businesses forced to play amateur detective, patrolling the streets and filming burglaries in action themselves. In a letter to the Minister of Police one shop owner says crime has been escalating with six break ins in a week and a spate of thefts by people riding ATV or quad bikes. Jamie Parker owns the Computer Consultancy Limited shop in Huntly and wrote the letter to the minister, he spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia corresponent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about a surge in inflation coming as a shock to markets and economists, dashing hopes that the country's central bank could deliver a much anticipated interest rate cut on Melbourne Cup day next week.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

It was a win followed by a loss - all in one outing for the Silver Ferns last night. The upshot was Australia reclaiming the Constellation Cup. A new innovation introduced this year saw an additional 14-minutes played between the sides in Christchurch to decide the series - after the teams won two tests each. Sports reporter Daniel Gilhooly spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's another two cases of measles both in Auckland bringing the total in this outbreak to 13. At a briefing today Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora revealed it can cope with up to a hundred cases a week, but acknowleges that would really stretch services. Te Whatu Ora says its further preparing hospitals and is planning a vaccination event next week and it is urging people to get immunised. Clinical Director at the National Hauora Coalition, Dr Nina Bevin spoke to Lisa Owen.

"All it takes is one taste and once you've tasted it, it will spiral out of control." That from an Auckland man who's worried if the Online Casino Gambling Bill goes ahead more people could become addicted to gambling. The bill, expected to pass in February next year, will grant licences to up to 15 online casino gambling operators. The minister in charge says it will prioritise harm minimisation while collecting tax revenue, with four percent ringfenced for community returns. But experts say the bill's missing details, as it still allows licensed online casinos to advertise but with restrictions. Bella Craig reports. A warning, this story mentions suicide.

More than 88 percent of Fonterra's famer shareholders today voted to sell Mainland, Kapiti and Anchor to French dairy giant Lactalis for $4.2 billion. Winston Peters' has labelled the decision utter madness, economic self-sabotage and an outrageous short-sighted sugar hit. It's estimated farmer shareholder will get an average tax free payout of about $392,000. Chair of Fonterra's coperative council and farmer, John Stevenson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Road users have a little over a month-and-a half to give feedback on the government's land transport reforms. The government is proposing to reduce the frequency of Warrant of Fitness checks for light vehicles, and simplifying the permits system for heavy trucks. They're also considering extra safety features for required for imported vehicles. Industries and the Automobile Association have mixed views on what impacts the changes could bring. Lucy Xia reports.

Clutha's crying out for more help after last weeks devastating wind storm. Farmers have got kilometres of fencing that needs fixing after being taken out by falling trees, more than 1600 homes in the district are still without power, and water levels in Lawrence are critically low. Clutha District Mayor Jock Martin spoke to Lisa Owen.

Should the clanging of prison gates replace the rigour of military detention for a soldier who tried to spy on New Zealand? That's the decision a panel of three judges will now grapple with after a day of appeals in Wellington. The Court Martial Appeals Court is deciding whether the sentence imposed on the soldier for attempted espionage is too light; whether he can be named; and if Radio New Zealand should be allowed to appeal against a further suppression ruling. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Football Ferns fittingly honoured former captain Ali Riley ahead of today's game against the world no.2 USA in Missouri. Riley was capped 163 times for New Zealand and has ended her career playing club football in Los Angeles. After the pre-match on-field celebration Riley watched on as the Ferns lost six-nil. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Kiwi chick has been born on Waiheke island, the first in the area. The parents were recent arrivals too, among 10 kiwi released on the eastern most isolated side of Waiheke on Te Matuku peninsula last year as part of an urban re-population project. Emma Craig from Save the Kiwi spoke to Lisa Owen.

Fonterra's sale of its consumer brands to the world's largest dairy conglomerate based in France got an overwhelming vote of approval from dairy farmer shareholders today. Lactalis is paying the New Zealand dairy cooperative over four-point-two billion dollars to buy Anchor, Mainland and Kapiti. The decision to sell the brands was made during a short on-line special meeting this morning. Sally Wenley reports.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump's high-stakes trade meeting with China's Xi Jinping, as well as at least 60 people being killed in attacks on alleged drug boats following the latest US strike in the Pacific Ocean.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about reports that Prince William is involved in encouraging Prince Andrew to leave Royal Lodge, as well as Former Prime Minister Dame Jacinda Adern making an appearance in Scotland next month to promote her new film.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Silver Ferns need to win tonight's final Test against Australia in Christchurch to force a series decider, if they want to hold on to the Constellation Cup. The Silver Ferns have never won back to back Constellation Cups against their arch-rivals. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tired, cold and cut off from communications - dozens of Southland farmers are struggling to milk their cows and have had to rely on generators. Last week's devastating storm collided with peak milking season, adding another layer of complexity and frustration. More than 4000 customers in the districts are still without power. Fonterra has been helping co-ordinate efforts, and Group Director of Farm Source Anne Douglas spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Disgusted, absolutely ridiculous and past being disappointed". Those are just some of the reaction from Principals and teachers to the government's proposed primary school curriculum. The overnight publication of draft curriculums for six learning areas and recent changes to the already-published maths and English curriculums have prompted a virtual revolt by the Principals Federation. It says it does not trust the Education Ministry or Education Minister, Erica Stanford. Education correspondent John Gerritsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Trees are one of the root causes of power outages, it is costing customers big time and the line companies want urgent law changes to deal with the problem. About 95 percent of the outages in Southland and Otago during last week's storm were caused by trees taking out lines. In 2024 alone, lines companies spent $67 million on tree management, a cost passed on to customers. The government is planning law changes, but the lines companies dont think it's going far enough, fast enough. Electricity Networks Aotearoa Chief Executive Tracey Kai spoke to Lisa Owen.

Hornets are causing a biosecurity buzz in Auckland. A queen yellow legged hornet was found in the early stages of building a nest in Glenfield on the North Shore on October 17, while two males were spotted earlier in the year in Grafton and Albany. It is the first time a Queen has been found in Aotearoa. Biosecurity Neew Zealand northern commissioner Mike Inglis spoke to Lisa Owen.

Health experts are warning that the measles outbreak will likely grow due to low vaccination rates and new cases that aren't linked to overseas travel. There are currently 11 known measles cases throughout the country, and the number of close contacts is about 2000.The historically low immunisation rates among children mean we are especially vulnerable to a large outbreak - and one expert says if we don't act fast then we could be hurtling towards a national epidemic. Alexa Cook reports.

Battered by last week's gales and weary from six days without power, rural Clutha residents have finally had the chance to sit down with officials - and with each other. At community events in some of the worst hit areas, authorities have been pleading with residents to be patient and cautious. Katie Todd went along to one of the meetings in Lawrence, and filed this report.

Sky has beaten out TVNZ to secure the broadcast rights for the summer and winter Olympics through to 2032. The announcement comes after Sky lost out to TVNZ earlier this year to secure rights for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, signalling renewed competition for domestic broadcast rights for major sporting events. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

The police are doubling down on their recruitment drive as the deadline for bolstering the front line looks set to come and go. The government pledged to have 500 more front line officers in two years, which is by next month. The force is up against an aggressive recruitment drive by Australian police looking to coax officers across the ditch, but has just launched its own campaign. Acty Deputy Commissioner Tusha Penny spoke to Lisa Owen.

In the face of more frequent and extreme weather events, and our heavy reliance on mobile phones, is the network robust enough? Last week's storm wiped out cell phone comms for great chunks of Southland and the Power is still out to thousands of homes there. 130 cells towers were knocked off line after the power went down in the strong winds, and with limited battery back ups there was a scramble for generators. Telecommunications Forum CEO Paul Brislen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about an investigation that has found paedophiles are using the dark web to learn how to gain access to childcare centres and abuse children while avoiding detection. If you are affected by any of the issues in this story you can free call or text 1737 any time to speak to a trained counsellor, for any reason. You can also call Youthline: 0800 376 633,free text 234, or email talk@youthline.co.nz