RNZ: Checkpoint

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Otago Peninsula is cementing its reputation as a birdwatcher's delight, after it was officially declared possum free in March. The milestone marked more than 15 years of hard mahi championed by community members, who say they're already reaping the rewards. It's a far cry from a few years ago when possums were so abundant they'd even let themselves into the peninsula's landmark castle. Tess Brunton reports. 

Tickets for Saturday's Warriors-Dolphins NRL qualifying final have sold out within minutes of going on sale to the general public. The sell out sets the scene for the boisterous reception for the Warriors as they open their play-offs campaign. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A man has appeared in court this afternoon after a woman and two children were killed in Rotorua. Police earlier said they arrived at a property in the suburb of Glenholme on Monday night, where they found two dead children and a woman with life-threatening injuries. The woman later died at the scene. Waikato-Bay of Plenty reporter Rachel Moore spoke to Lisa Owen.

A bed tax alternative that would see councils get millions of dollars to spend on strained infrastructure is a "good start" according to one mayor. If re-elected, National is promising to give regions a share of the International Visitor Levy. That's the $100 fee many overseas tourist pay to enter Aotearoa. Queenstown Lakes District Mayor John Glover spoke to Lisa Owen.

The National Party is trying to patch things up with councils after dumping plans for a bed tax. Its alternative would give towns and cities a bigger cut of the money already collected from international tourists. But will it be enough to heal the rift? Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

Economic abuse is family violence and people using money to trap or control others need to be held accountable through tougher laws, according to a collective of social services and financial groups. The groups are calling for economic abuse to be recognised as a distinct form of family violence in law. Good Shepherd is one of the groups leading the campaign, and policy lead Brittany Goodwin spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland council is warning people not to scan QR codes on parking machines, which are a scam. The codes recently popped up in Christchurch and Wellington, and now appearing in Auckland too. Auckland Transport's Rick Bidgood spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about more detail emerging about the fatal Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami international aiport, as well as Canada's retaliatory tariffs against the US taking effect.

Home favourite Coco Gauff and world number two Elena Rybakina have sailed into the US Open quarter-finals, while an underdog has pulled off another huge upset in the women's draw. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

Is it time to ditch postal voting? It's a question prompted by allegations of wide spread ballot paper theft and fraudulent voting in the South Auckland suburb of Manurewa. It alleged bundles of voting papers were stolen from letter boxes during last years local body elections, and the votes cast by someone else. University of Otago Professor of Law, Andrew Geddis spoke to Lisa Owen.

Europe correspondent, Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Germany's far-right 'Alternative for Deutschland' party heading for major victory, as well as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage fronting up after the latest allegations about his party's finances.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

FIFA president, Gianni Infantino remains committed to standing for re-election next year amid renewed opposition to his candidacy. Infantino, who had previously announced that he would seek a fourth term, has doubled down, with FIFA releasing a statement saying nothing has changed despite recent fallout. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Thousands of skilled regional jobs are at risk, unless the government puts a stop to cheap aluminium imports flooding into the country, according to an industry group. Aluminium extrusions are shaped components that can be used in windows, door frames and thousands of other construction and everyday times. The local industry say there's been nearly a 40% increase in low cost imports in the past year, and MBIE launched an investigation in May. Chair of the Aluminium Extruders Association, Nick Collins spoke to Lisa Owen.

"We are in a healthcare crisis". That's the message from overworked Plunket nurses who are facing an unprecedented workload amid the surge in winter illnesses. Now they're calling on Winston Peters to make good on the Coalition Agreement between New Zealand First and National to adequately fund Whanau Awhina Plunket. The government, though, says funding has increased over the past couple of years. Bella Craig reports.

Spending more money on medicines would pay for itself and strengthen the economy, according to a new report comissioned by Business New Zealand. Currently 5 percent of Aotearoa's health spending goes on pharmaceuticals, compared to an OECD average of just over 13 percent. Business NZ's director of advocacy, Catherine Beard spoke to Lisa Owen.

A leopard seal that came ashore on Petone Beach in Wellington over the weekend has drawn crowds of excited spectators. But, despite advice from the Department of Conservation to give it space, some people decided to taunt the animal. Sammy Carter reports.

New Zealand could outlaw social media for under 16's if National has its way, so nine months in, how is the ban working in Australia? Two weeks ago Christopher Luxon announced plans for a ban, despite coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First opposing the bill. University of Melbourne Professor, Jo Robinson is a world leading expert in suicide prevention, and spoke to Lisa Owen.

The world's fastest growing sport is popping up in new communities around the globe, while it's closest competitor is losing facilities faster than ever before. Reports out of England show that Padel facilities have grown nearly sixfold over the last three years, while the country has lost nearly 200 tennis courts in the same time frame. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A new type of compostable coffin grown largely from mushrooms has arrived in Aotearoa. The coffins are grown in the Netherlands from Mycelium, the underground root network of mushrooms and upcycled hemp fibres. The finished product looks a bit like an elongated egg or cocoon. Australia has its first burial with a mushroom grown coffin last week. Inventor and founder of the company behind the coffins, Bob Hendrikx spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent, Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about Iran vowing to respond "faster, heavier and more painful" to any further US attacks as the six month war drags on. Strikes between the both sides have become the new normal, as diplomatic efforts to bring an end to the conflict have slowed too.

A coroner has ruled that a man who raised thousands of dollars through claiming to have terminal cancer did not have the disease. Dough Ruch died by suicide shortly after arriving in New Zealand. He had gained considerable media attention for his campaign, "dying to serve", in which he attempted to do volunteer work in every US state. But his philanthropy and diagnosis faced scrutiny last year, amid accusations he was a con-man. Reporter Finn Blackwell spoke to Lisa Owen.

Teenagers are leading the pack when it comes to sports related ACC concussion claims. The sports that feature most prominently are rugby, cycling and soccer. Last month ACC launched an online course to help adults recognise and respond to concussion. Otago University's Professor Gisela Sole researches concussion within schools and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Guyon Espiner about a man who had a toe-to-thumb transplant.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Guyon Espiner about UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham hosting his first foreign leader at Downing Street, as well as the British Army being under strict instruction to cut back on training exercises in an attempt to save money.

Evening business for 3 September 2026.

The atmosphere is sizzling in South Africa ahead of the All Blacks and Springboks third test in Johannesburg. The sides are deadlocked at 1-all. But meanwhile, there's drama brewing around the Black Ferns and Springbok Women's upcoming game. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Guyon Espiner.

A jury has heard that the man involved in a conspiracy to murder a landlord told police of the plot, but the confession languished in the police filing system after it was referred to a supervisor on holiday. When the supervisor returned from leave, the confession was filed and it was only investigated following an alleged double murder of a different couple two months later. Finn Blackwell reports.

The ACT Party wants to get rid of the Maori and Pacific Admissions Scheme because it says it's racist. The scheme is a targeted entry and support programme at Auckland University's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences designed to increase the number of Maori and Pacific health professionals. ACT leader David Seymour pushed for a review of the scheme, which has now been completed and recommends it remain. But Seymour isn't happy with that. Dean of Medical and Health Sciences, Professor Warwick Bagg spoke to Guyon Espiner. 

A native seaweed that can cut the methane belched out by cows by around 80 percent is being grown right here in New Zealand, but our regulations mean no local farmer can actually use it. Executive director of Asparagopsis Technologies, Nigel Little spoke to Guyon Espiner. 

A pub in the heart of the Southern Alps is getting a new lease of life after sitting empty for years. The Chalet - a Swiss-style lodge in Arthur's Pass - is being renovated, and there are plans to re-open it later this year. South Island correspondent Timothy Brown reports.

As the countdown to the election ticks on, politicians arriving at Turangawaewae Marae for the annual Koroneihana celebrations have received a loud and clear message - respect the Treaty and treaty settlements. Political parties, alongside chiefs from across the Pacific, gathered in Ngaruawahia today for the third day of the annual celebrations, with some notable exceptions. Political reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Rugby League has been on the agenda as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon met with leaders in Papua New Guinea. In two years time PNG will join the NRL and Luxon expects Warriors fans will add Port Moresby to the away game destinations. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Guyon Espiner.

A dedicated crew of volunteers who have spent thousands of hours helping families in need by mending curtains are now turning to the public in an appeal for help. With their shelves looking bare, the Rotorua Curtainbank's are calling for donations to replace their dwindling supply of curtains. Co-ordinator Judy Gregor spoke to Guyon Espiner.

Thousands of American sailors caught up in the Iran War finally have a chance to stretch their legs, after a record 286 days at sea. The USS Abraham Lincoln was last docked in November, and since then there have been claims of deteriorating mental health and food shortages aboard. It's now tied up near Pattya, in Thailand. Thailand-based journalist, Mike Firn spoke to Guyon Espiner.

NZTA is cutting the amount of funding it gives some councils to help with essential infrastructure, causing them to seek an urgent review. Among them is Tararua District Council, which says the agency's decision to cut it's contribution to the roading network will cost the district more than $1.2 million over three years. Tararua District Council is one of more than a dozen councils that have seen their Financial Assistance Rate, or FAR, from NZTA reduced over the next three years.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about national debate flaring up again over what can be done to stop a flood of illegal tobacco products from entering the country.

Evening business including a market report.

The All Blacks are just a few hours away from revealing their team to play the Springboks in the third test in Johannesburg, and coach Dave Rennie is expected to inject some fresh legs into the side. A few changes are expected from the team that lost to South Africa last weekend. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Melissa Chan-Green from South Africa.

A new lifejacket rule passed just as boatie season is about to ramp up, is expected to save at least ten lives a year. Lifejackets will now need to be wron, not just carried, by everyone - adults and kids. The law applies to vessels six metres and under. Dr Shane Reti was behind the bill, and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

As biosecurity and conservation groups work to shield the country's wildlife from any spread of bird flu, researchers say some people are embracing false narratives about the virus on social media. The country remain on standby after three confirmed cases in wild birds over the past two months. As Katie Todd reports, some Covid-era conspiracy theories are being repurposed to falsely dismiss avian influenza as a hoax.