Checkpoint

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about a nationally-televised speech by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson that is dividing Australians - with some cheering on the right-wing party leader - while others warn her policy ideas will harm those struggling with cost-of-living pressures. 

An environment group says the government must urgently fix a proposed law allowing the sell off of conservation land. Forest and Bird says a bill going through parliament could allow land in Coromandel to lose protections against mining, something it thinks the government could be sneaking through by stealth. Jessica Hopkins reports.

Footballer Logan Rogerson's Bali Holiday took an unexpected turn after an SOS from All Whites coach Darren Bazeley. The Auckland FC midfielder is replacing Matt Garbett, whose Football World Cup has been cut short with a hamstring injury. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A humble Hawkes Bay choir is celebrating its 40th birthday. The Hastings Choral Society launched in 1986, the same year Dave Dobbyn and Herbs released "Slice of Heaven", and the Prime Minister was David Lange. Founding member of the choir, Eileen Von Dadelszen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Shane Jones is facing heavy fire over a thirty thousand dollar travel budget blowout for a trip to Canada. The opposition say he's not living up to the standards set by his own government, and he's been critiqued by his coalition partners too. Political reporter Lillian Hanly has more.

"Embarassing" is how a union boss has described New Zealand voting against a suite of protections for gig or platform workers at an international labour conference. Aotearoa and the US were the only two countries that did not support the protections at the UN conference. NZ Council of Trades Unions secretary Melissa Ansell Bridges spoke to Lisa Owen.

Canterbury Rams basketball player Tamenang Choh has always been in his element on the court, but in the water he was out of his depth. The American import has now decided to take the plunge and learn to swim as an adult, taking advantage of the fact his training court is right next door to Christchurch's new pool at the Parakiore sports centre. Rachel Graham reports.

A coup is brewing in the heart of Auckland city of the treatment of an outspoken advocate for the CBD. Heart of the City CEO was stood down by an elevent member executive committee after their relationship with her allegedly broke down. Now dozens fo businesses are calling for a special meeting to roll the committee. Auckland city businessman Greg Moyle is among them, and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Planned cuts to the government agency combatting family and sexual violence don't go far enough, according to an advocate. David White, whose daughter was killed by her husband in 2009, says the Centre for Family Violence and Sexual Violence is an "ivory tower" and a waste of money. But others say the centre has done important work, and worry the cuts will stunt its progress. Felix Walton has more.

Healthcare services have been left scratching their heads over what's behind an ongoing scabies outbreak plaguing Whanganui. The city has been hit by the highly infection skin disease for about a year. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has more.

It appears that TVNZ's FIFA World Cup experiment is paying dividents with record streaming numbers being generated. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

Turning trash into treasure is a challenge a group of South Island students are embracing for a good cause. Art and Design students at Otago Polytech get just $20 to upcycle a pre-loved or gifted item, before their creations are sold at an auction with the money going to the Red Cross. Senior lecturer at Otago Polytech's school of design, Andrew Wallace spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the details of the newly released US-Iran peace plan.

Waikato rubbish crews are increasingly facing aggressive and abusive behaviour. The council has now launched a social media campaign encouraging culprits to dump the attitude. Acting Zero Harm Manager for Waikato District Council, Joanne McArthur spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Russian warships firing warning shots near a UK-registered yacht in the English Channel, as well as UK ministers working behind the scenes to ease concerns in Washington over Keir Starmer's plan to ban social media for under-16s.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

It was another record breaking day at the Football World Cup. Some of the games biggest names took to the field, including the greatest player on the planet. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The value of a Dutch-New Zealand aerospace company has sky rocketed to more than $330 million after a cash injection from largely international investors. Dawn Aerospace's latest funding round has raised more than $40 million. The company is developing a refueling system for satellites. Dawn Aerospace CEO, Stefan Powell spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some South Dunedin homeowners are upset to discover they may lose their properties under plans to tackle the increased risk of natural disasters because of climate change. The low-lying, flood-prone community is considering options for its future, such as raising land and pumping water, creating wetlands and canals, and shifting out of harm's way. Tess Brunton has more.

The Government is investigating other ways to fund fire and emergency services with the Minister raising concerns about uninsured free riders. 95 percent of Fenz's funding is from a fire protection levy on property insurance that was introduced in 1975. The Minister responsible, Brooke Van Velden has asked Internal Affairs to explore whether there are better ways to fund the service. She spoke to Lisa Owen.

New wastewater testing results show the methamphetamine epidemic affecting places like Northland is continuing unabated, and a major police bust last week saw dozens of meth cooks and dealers arrested. And yet, you can walk into almost any vape store or $2 shop and buy a meth pipe. How is that possible? Is it even legal? Northland reporter Peter de Graaf has more.

Ministers have been searing in their condemnation of a botched immigration tech project, but Winston Peters took it to a new level today, saying public servants who mislead ministers should be imprisoned. It comes after Immigration Minister Erica Stanford yesterday accused her officials of deliberately witholding information. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

There were more tense exchanges during Parliament's Scrutiny Week as select committees continue to put Government spending and performance under the microscope. Today, it saw Labour and National clashing over how to fix the health system. Heatlh correspondent Kate Green reports.

Silver Ferns coach Dame Noeline Taurua has revealed her squad for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next month. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen with the details.

After years of struggles, wool prices are reaching heights not seen for three decades. Wool auctions used to be held all over the country, but now most are in Christchurch. However, in Hawke's Bay one wool broker is refusing to leave - a move that's proving successful after fetching the highest price for North Island wool in over 30 years. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti reporter Alexa Cook has more

The World Literacy Foundation has chosen a Tokoroa teenager to join 900 youth ambassadors from more than 100 countries, with the goal to promote literacy and tackle a 'rising crisis in reading'. Rutendo Shadaya, who is a self published writer in her last year of school at Tokoroa High, spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about the world standing by for the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the US and Iran, and what risk of overshadowing future progress Israel and Lebanon may have.

To what extent should your work be able to track exactly where you are and when? Microsoft is introducing a new feature to its digital work and communications platform, Teams. The so called "workplace check in" allows remote monitoring of employees' presence, in the office or onsite. Auckland University security software expert Alex Baird spoke to Lisa Owen.

The latest shark attack on a swimmer in Australian waters has sent a ripple of terror through beach-goers there and triggered fresh debate over whether the ocean predators should be culled. Our correspondent Nick Grimm joins Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

There are accusations immigration officials misled ministers, deliberately withheld information and used creative accounting to avoid scrutiny of a failed technology upgrade that blew through tens millions of dollars before being mothballed. Immigration Minister Erica Stanford today launched a scathing take down of her Ministry off the back of a report detailing a litany of expensive mistakes in the biometric project. MBIE is the Ministry responsible, and chief executive Nic Blakeley spoke to Lisa Owen.

The All Whites sent fans on a rollercoaster ride in their opening game of the Football World Cup against Iran. After leading twice, New Zealand ended with a 2-all draw in Los Angeles today. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Christchurch charity growing and selling veges on a pay what you can afford model is hoping to break even this year. Te Waerenga Trust has gardens in several peoples' backyards and also land in Addington Park. General manager, Wilby Le Heux spoke to Lisa Owen.

Old chemicals found in two historic Antarctic huts could be explosive according to a chemistry professor. The chemicals, which have remained at Scott's hut and Shackleton's hut for over 100 years, could contain pictric acid crystals and peroxide crystals. Antarctica NZ is aiming to dispose of the chemicals, but it will depend on sea ice conditions as to when they'll be able to get there. Luka Forman reports.

A rise in unmet need and an on-going lack of investment in Māorimental health services could compromise outcomes for tangata whenua. That is according to the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission, which is calling for an urgent Maori-specific plan by mid-next year. Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission CEO Karen Osborn spoke to Lisa Owen.

Health and Safety campaigners are launching a last ditch effort to stop law changes they say will make workplaces more dangerous and cost lives. The Health and Safety at Work Amendment bill would exempt businesses with fewer than 20 workers from legally having to manage non-critical safety risks. Mike Cosman from the Institute of Safety Management spoke to Lisa Owen.

Labour is committing to fully funding maternity scans, alongside its three free GP appointments a year - paid for by it's capital gains tax. The sonographer appointments are currently subsidised but still mean expectant parents can pay up to $90 per scan. This is something Labour says is putting pressure on families and prevents parents and babies from getting care. Field correspondent Charlotte Cook reports.

A donut business repeatedly targetted by theives has decided to call it quits. The Daily Glaze in Lower Hutt has been operating for less than a year but owners say they no longer feel safe working there after repeated break-ins. While the shop will close its doors this weekend, Police insist a retail crime taskforce operating in the area is helping tackle thefts. Anya Fielding reports.

Football fans had barely sat down before the All Whites had them up celebrating their opening goal of the Football World Cup against Iran. Against the odds the New Zealanders put two goals past the world number 20 side but had to settle for a 2-all draw. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Thousands of animals are needing foster homes this winter, and it's not just cats and dogs. There are plenty of the farmyard variety. Viv Moore, SPCA's National Foster and Volunteer Manager spoke to Lisa Owen.

US Correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the latest on the US Iran deal.

"Almost as bad as it gets", said the Immigration Minister after a blistering report into a multi-million dollar failed tech upgrade. Erica Stanford has accused officials of misleading ministers over years, and indulging in creative accounting to stay under the radar. After a tortured seven-year saga the tech project has been scrapped with more than $30 million lost. An investigation has now been launched. Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

Europe correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about new social media restrictions for the UK, as well as British Armed Forces boarding a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Whites have brushed aside the political backdrop to tomorrow's Football World Cup opener against Iran. The All Whites can't afford to have too many distractions as they'll be the underdogs when they step on the pitch in California against a side ranked 65 places higher than them. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Finance Minister says petrol prices will fall if the US-Iran peace deal holds, but it is a big if, and it will take time. Political reporter Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa Owen.

The NBR rich list, out today, estimates the collective value of the countries 150 wealthist people is about $129 billion, up from $102 billion the year before. The Green Party say Aotearoa's economy is bigger than it has ever been but welath is being "hoovered up", while food insecurity and homelessness rises. Co-leader Chloe Swarbrick spoke to Lisa Owen.

Museums and galleries are calling for a dedicated central fund for cultural institutions, as many battle to keep the lights on. They're among the country's most visited attractions but are struggling to balance the books and fork out for patching up ageing buildings, seismic upgrades and rising operational costs. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.

A retail industry group is sounding the alarm over figures it says show that a third of the tobacco smoked in New Zealand is from the black market. A report prepared by FTI consulting - on behalf of the tobacco industry - found there was a rise in the consumption of illicit products last year. However, an anti-smoking advocate says the numbers don't add up, and the real black market figures are likely much lower. Finn Blackwell reports.

A leading New Zealand research institute believes it is on track to deliver a cutting edge immunotherapy for blood cancer patients in the public system next year. But only if it can get government funding. Researchers at the Malaghan Institute are well into clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy with 60 patients. The institute's Clinical Director, Doctor Robert Weinkove spoke to Lisa Owen.