Checkpoint

The last minute reprieve comes after Pakistan appears to have brokered a two week ceasefire between the US and Iran. But there are extensive terms and conditions. Iran must agree to the "complete, immediate and safe opening" of the critical Strait of Hormuz shipping route. Both sides have to suspend further attacks. Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen.

One of Australia's most decorated soldiers, Ben Roberts-Smith, has been arrested over allegations of war crimes. Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Shannon Frizell is coming home. The former All Black flanker will return to Aotearoa later this year with an eye on next year's Rugby World Cup. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Watercare suspects a tap might be the cause of a positive E coli test that prompted a boil water notice across several Auckland neighbourhoods. The notice, which is still in force, covers about 7,500 households and businesses in the suburbs of Hillsborough, Mt Roskill, Royal Oak and Three Kings. It was issued after routine water samples showed E coli contamination. Watercare Chief Operations Officer Mark Bourne spoke to Lisa Owen.

A government loan of 18 million dollars for a controversial dam in Central Hawke's Bay has its opponents vowing to halt the project yet again. The Tukituki Water Security project, formerly known as the Ruataniwha Dam, was scuppered in 2017 by the Supreme Court, which deemed the landswap unlawful. But under the government's fast track legislation it could go ahead - which would make it the largest dam built since the Clyde was constructed over 30 years ago. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti reporter Alexa Cook reports.

It's the whirlpool of war, with prices spiralling upward while confidence is turning in the opposite direction. That's according to a new survey from the Employers and Manufacturers Association. Of the 150 business that responded to the EMA's Fuel Pulse Check Survey, 73 percent said their businesses have been notified of price hikes that are not direct fuel costs, but are linked to oil price surges. Almost 60 percent are planning to put their prices up in response. EMA's head of advocacy, Alan Mcdonald spoke to Lisa Owen.

A well known Auckland cafe was forced to take an unwanted, all day, coffee break after E coli was found in the water supply to several suburbs in the city, prompting a boil water notice. The notice covers about 7,500 households and businesses in the suburbs of Hillsborough, Mt Roskill, Royal Oak and Three Kings, after a routine water sample showed contamination. Tap water in the suburbs needs to be boiled for drinking, cleaning teeth, making ice, washing dishes, and preparing food until further notice. Watercare has also set up several water tankers in the area. The notice meant Hillsborough's Hill House Cafe had to shut for the day, co-owner Peter Matvos spoke to Lisa Owen.

In the small, predominantly Maori town of Kaikohe, residents struggling with high living costs are using Afterpay to buy everday things like gas. The buy now pay later service lets you purchase goods and services at a quarter of the cost, then pay off the total in three fortnightly installments. For some, it's means being able to get kai on the table that week, though it's not without its downsides. Teuila Fuatai has more.

The Prime Minister said he's focused on his core job navigating the fuel crisis and won't talk about polls. The latest Taxpayers Union-Curia poll shows National are still below 30 but slightly up, and Labour slightly down. With a boost of nearly four-points to New Zealand First, the coalition parties would be comfortably able to form a government. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.

Taranaki teenager Oscar Goodman has reached the heights of American college basketball. A freshman with the University of Michigan, his team known as the Wolverines, won the coveted national championship, making him just the second New Zealand male to achieve the feat. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's a call for more than four million dollars in fines for a notorious Wellington bus lane to be refunded, with claims its almost impossible for drivers to comply with the rules. Council data shows in the 12 months since March 2025, more than 28,000 fines, worth four and quarter million dollars have been issued to drivers illegally in the Cambridge Terrace Bus lane. The bus lane that allows motorists to turn left into Courtney Place accounts for almost 75 percent of bus lane fines issued in the capital. Graeme Farr spoke to Lisa Owen.

US President Donald Trump says Iran has until 12:00pm tomorrow to reach a deal, otherwise civilian infrastructure in the country will be destroyed. But despite his threats, Donald Trump insists negotiations between the two countries are ongoing. Meanwhile, Iran has rejected a 45-day ceasefire proposal by countries working to end the war, calling for a permanant end to US-Israeli hostilities. United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some schools are planning for the possibility of a hybrid teaching model in the face of the fuel crisis, with a combination of distance and onsite learning. There's concern student attendance could take a hit if families can't afford to fill their tanks. It's a particular worry for rural schools where children and teachers often travel by car or the school bus. Canterbury Primary Principals Association President Lisa Dillon-Roberts spoke to Lisa Owen.

Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen about some top tips to peel the perfect boiled egg.

Australians are continuing to grapple with the fallout from the Iran War, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese making a rare national address urging calm and telling the country's inhabitants to continue going about their business and lives as normal. Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

With the White Ferns and South Africa deadlocked at 1-all in the one-day series, the 39th game of the season could be another nail-biter. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

In a memo sent last month, the ambulance service said it was becoming "increasingly difficult and costly" to supply speciality milks for staff. Hato Hone highlighted the collective employment agreement that simply says it will provide employees with tea, coffee, milo, milk and sugar during work related activities. There's no mention of specific milk types. First Union Organiser Faye McCann spoke to Lisa Owen.

A pathologist has diagnosed former Maori All Black and Highlander Shane Christie with a brain disease likely to be connected with repeated head knocks. They say he had "high stage" chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, before his death by suspected suicide last year. New Zealand Rugby says it recognises an association between repeated head impacts and CTE, and takes the issue seriously. Samantha Gee reports.

Sudent nurses on unpaid placements, while also studying full time are feeling the petrol pain and it's feared some may drop out because of it. A nursing degree includes hundreds of hours of on the job training. Students have to physically get to supervised clinical placements at hospitals and clinics; rotating around locations, which can be kilometres from where they live. They're not paid, in fact the students effectively pay to complete the placements through their course fees. New Zealand Nurses Organisation National Student Union co-chair Poihaere Whare spoke to Lisa Owen.

The workers who use their own cars to travel between jobs will get a 30 percent increase in their mileage rates to help offset rising fuel costs. But other healthcare workers use their own cars to travel between jobs miss out. Health Minister Simeon Brown said mileage rates for care and community support workers will go from 63.5 cents per kilometre to 82.5 cents; that works out at just over $19 per 100 kilometres.

New Zealand and the Cook Islands have normalised relations after more than a year of tense disagreement. Winston Peters' very brief trip to Rarotonga concluded with the signing of a defence and security declaration. It also comes with the resumption of funding, though there remains a question over the amount. Political reporter Russell Palmer was there.

Police told a documentary crew they had shot fugative Tom Phillips before they told his parents he was dead. Hundreds of documents released under the Official Information Act gives a behind the scenes look at the relationship between the private documentary crew and police media staff. The newly released documents show text messages between police director of media Juli Clausen and documentary maker Dame Julie Christie. NZ Police executive director of media communications Cas Carter spoke to Lisa Owen.

Palmerston North Hospital is a step closer to welcoming a new surgical team member - a robotic one. In less than a month, more than $500,000 has been raised to get the hospital a surgical robot, to help surgeons carry perform operations with maximum precision. They've got some way to go to reach the $2.5 million they need to buy the digital doctor. Anya Fielding reports.

A shortened but emotional weekend of Super Rugby awaits. One of just two kiwi sides in action, the Crusaders will play their final game at Addington, the stadium built in the wake of the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

In hard times is there room for haggling over price? It's a question Checkpoint was keen to answer when it feels like absolutely everything is going up. Food, power and fuel. According to Gaspy the national average price for 91 is $3.42. It's gone up 34 percent in the past 28 days. Jon Duffy from Consumer NZ spoke to Lisa Owen.

Four astronauts are strapped into their seats taking a ten day journey through space where they'll whip-round the moon before returning home. Nasa launched the mission - dubbed Artemis II - just before midday without a hitch. United States correspondent Todd Zwillich is the author of "The Man Who Knew the Way to the Moon" - a book that uncovers the behind the scenes details of Apollo 11, the first ever mission to the Moon. He spoke to Lisa Owen from Washington DC.

Greenpeace is claiming victory after an out of court settlement with Fonterra over what it said is an open and shut case of greenwashing. A label on the diary giant's Anchor butter read; 100 percent New Zealand Grass Fed. Greenpeace claims that gave the impression Fonterra dairy cows exclusively graze on grass, when they are actually also fed palm kernal products. In 2024 the environmental group filed a law suit, but the pair has now resolved the dispute. Greenpeace agriculture campaigner Sinead Deighton-O'Flynn spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about how Donald Trump has taken aim again at the UK and how the National Health Service is starting to encounter shortages as a result of the Iran war. She also spoke about how Donald Trump is set to meet King Charles.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen about the White Ferns taking on South Africa Women for the second of three ODI matches.

Is it an own goal for the government's $70 million major events and tourism fund? The Tourism Minister has announced the fund is backing a football festival featuring a game between English premier league team Tottenham Hotspur and Auckland FC at Eden park in July. The fund has also come underfire for financially supporting pop star Robbie Williams' tour to New Zealand. Act MP Todd Stephenson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some restrictions on Good Friday and Easter Sunday alcohol sales could be gone as soon as this long weekend - if a member's bill gets the support of enough MPs this afternoon. Labour MP Kieran McAnulty's bill would allow venues that are already open anyway to serve drinks without the confusion of what, exactly, is a substanial meal. The bill's currently being debated in Parliament. Political reporter Giles Dexter has more.

Mind the growing gap between the minimum and living wages, the difference between the two is now about $6 an hour, with official increases on Wednesday. The adult minimum wage is $23.95 cents an hour after a $0.45 increase. That's about $958 dollars for a 40 hour week, before tax. On the other hand, the living wage is officially going to $29.90 an hour or about $1200 before tax a week. Charles Waldegrave, from the Family Centre Social Policy Research Unit spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's growing concern about the rehoming of hundreds of greyhounds with the dog racing industry due to be shut down in just four months time. A bill banning the sport by August, is likely to come up for its third and final reading in Parliament tomorrow. ACT has pulled its support for the legislation raising concerns about the crown effectively confiscating the private property of law abiding business owners. It's also worried about the rehoming of 1600 greyhound or more and said it will take considerable resources. Greyhound Racing New Zealand chief executive Edward Rennell spoke to Lisa Owen.

NZTA Waka Kotahi is consulting on how it's going to pay for the first section of the multi-billion-dollar Northland Expressway. Many motorists accept they'll have to pay to use the new road, but the question is: How much? Reporter Peter de Graaf has more.

Users of car sharing service Mevo are gutted the company's gone into voluntary administration, saying it's a cost-effective and climate-conscious choice that's served them well for years. The Wellington-based company had cars in the capital as well as Auckland, Hamilton and Nelson. Regular customers and the administrators, are hoping it'll come out the other side. Lauren Crimp reports.

The White Ferns are facing a record run chase to level the one-day cricket series against South Africa in Wellington on Wednesday. The visitors posted a competitive 346 for 6 which is the highest total for a women's one-dayer at the Basin Reserve. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

New research suggests there's a simple way to get students match fit; let them wear sports gear all day rather than traditional uniforms. A study in collaboraton with Australia's Newcastle University found out of thousands of responses, more than three quarters supported the daily wearing of activity enabling sports uniforms. Newcastle University's Belinda Peden spoke to Lisa Owen.

America correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about how after a months-long fuel crisis and regular blackouts, Cuba has received a large oil delivery from Russia and how Mexico's president has continued to weigh in on the situation in Cuba. She also spoke about why have clowns been protesting on the streets of Bolivia's capital.

Families already struggling with alcohol harm will be worse off if Easter alcohol restrictions are loosened acording to a public heallth adviser. Currently, businesses with an on-licence can only sell alcohol if the customer is "residing or lodging" on the premises, or "present on the premises to dine." However a member's bill, from Labour's Kieran McAnulty, would let premises already open on Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Anzac Day morning and Christmas Day to sell alcohol under normal licence conditions - that means people won't have to order food. Sarah Sneyd, a senior senior health promotion adviser at Alcohol HealthWatch spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australian police are hunting for anyone who might have assisted the notorious fugitive Dezi Freeman who was shot dead on Monday by officers attempting to arrest the wanted man after months on the run. Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Barnardos is celebrating the opening of a new whare at its residence for at-risk rangatahi. The whare would have cost about 700-thousand dollars if not for the support and generosity of volunteers and the community. It provides a space for the children - who can no longer live at home - to reconnect with their whanau and heal. Timothy Brown went along to check it out.

New Zealand Rugby has locked in one of its brightest stars. Teenage Black Ferns fullback Braxton Sorensen McGee has recommitted to Aotearoa, with sevens set to be her focus. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A grand old dame, who survived World War One and emigrated from Europe to New Zealand with a kiwi solider has made a surprise visit to Te Papa to see an exhibition which actually features her replica. Torty the tortoise, is well over a hundred years old and has been taken care of by three generations of the same family. Stewart Little, a stretcher bearer brought her home to Dunedin from Greece, in his ruck sack in 1916. After Stewart Little died, Miss Torty was cared for by his son and daughter in law. After their deaths, Stewart Little's late grandson and his wife Christine little took on caring duties. Christine, who lives in Palmerston North took Torty on an impromtu visit to see the Te Papa's war exihibition, which features a replica of the tortoise. Christine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The killings of two swedish tourists in the 1980's is one of the most notorious criminal cases in New Zealand's history and as of today the double murders are unsolved. The Supreme Court has quashed David Tamihere's convictions, 36 years after he was found guilty of murdering back packers Sven Urban Höglin and Heidi Paakkonen in the Coromandel. The couple was last seen in Thames in April 1989. Dr Bill Hodge, a former Law Professor at the University of Auckland spoke to Lisa Owen.

The boss of one of the country's largest energy companies said the the war in the Middle East is a "bazooka" for the government's planned Liquefied Natural Gas import terminal in Taranaki. The government has been pursuing plans for a billion dollar LNG terminal in Taranaki to protect fuel against dry-year risk. The Prime Minister has started to soften his language, saying if it doesn't stack up commercially, the government won't go ahead with it. However, the energy minister remains bullish. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen.

When Everybody's Theatre in Opunake put out an SOS after its projector gave up the ghost - it appears "everyone" wanted to help out. Looking at a bill of 18 thousand dollars, the coastal Taranaki cinema faced months of being out of action - but the community wasn't having that. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin went to Opunake to see what makes Everybody's Theatre so special.