Checkpoint

The local government minister says he's called Wellington's mayor for a please explain over huge water bills for residents, which are forecast to hit almost seven grand a year by the end of the decade. One of the region's mayors says that figure is horrendous and unaffordable, and she's worried it will drive people out of the region. Wellington's new water entity, Tiaki Wai, is a council-controlled organisation taking over Wellington, Lower Hutt, Upper Hutt and Porirua City Councils water assets from July. It's warning residents of steep rises in charges as the organisation tries to fix old, failing infrastructure. Ellen O'Dwyer reports.

More than four million New Zealanders are missing out on modern medicines languishing on what is effectively Pharmac's drug wish list, according to a new report commissioned by Medicines New Zealand; a group representing the pharmaceutical industry. It says 137 modern medicines that Pharmac would buy if it could afford to have spent an average of six and half years on the Options for Investment list. The report says 83% of those medicines are so called standard of care drugs in other countries; meaning they are the go to treatments. Medicines NZ CEO Graeme Jarvis spoke to Lisa Owen.

After an estimated one million hours of construction labour, Te Rua - Archives NZ's new Wellington building - is now open. At a cost of $290 million it's described as one of the world's most technologically advanced archive-protection facilities. Delivered on budget and on time, the Internal Affairs Minister says it's a win for public-private partnerships. But where the archive's entire collection will eventually end up, and how much it will cost to store it, remains unclear. Mary Argue reports.

Utes and SUV's, some of the country's top selling new vehicles, are in the spotlight due to their capacity to guzzle fuel. With prices rising at the pump, there's concern about diesel stock, which largely keeps industry moving, including freight and farming. It's prompted calls for more regulation to discourage people buying supersized vehicles. Professor Alistair Woodward from the University of Auckland's Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences wants to see habits change. He spoke to Lisa Owen.

Councils in regions regularly threatened by floods have invested in an innovative, locally-made tool to help protect them and are encouraging others to do the same. They say the ARK flood barrier - a temporary, reusable dam - can be rolled out quickly in the midst of a disaster, an attractive alternative to heaving heavy sacks of sand. The Tauranga manufacturers say it's got potential to save homes, businesses and critical infrastructure across the motu. Lauren Crimp reports.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe is rocking the boat. The Ineos Group owner wants to take back the almost half a billion dollar racing yacht built by his company for the 2024 America's Cup. It follows a split between Ratcliffe and Sir Ben Ainslie who's team - Athena Racing - intends to take the boat to the next competition. Now Ratcliffe is claiming the boat built for the last challenge belongs to him. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

The coalition has ditched a contentious aspect of fisheries legislation after a backlash from recreational fishers. Several political parties are claiming credit for throwing back the controverisal law change that would have removed commerical minimum size limits for various species, including snapper. Fisheries Minister Shane Jones spoke to Lisa Owen.

US President Donald Trump says talks to bring an end to the US-Israeli war with Iran are underway. The comments come amid reports that the US is poised to send thousands more troops to the Middle East. Meanwhile, Iran has told the United Nations it will let "non-hostile" ships pass through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Amercias correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen.

People who aren't eligible for the governments fuel relief package such as beneficiaries or those living in rural communities and with no children have said it's "a real kick in the guts". Yesterday, the government announced that more than 140,000 working families with children will get an extra $50 a week to help counter rising fuel prices. The government says the payment will target those struggling the most, the genuinely squeezed. But for people living by themselves, without children, receiving the pension and living rurally, they feel as though they've been squeezed out. Bella Craig spoke with some of them.

Northlanders are urged to take the red heavy rain warning seriously and be ready to go if they have to. The warning is in place for the eastern area from Doubtless Bay down to Whangarei until 4am Friday. An orange heavy rain warning and strong wind watch remain in place for the rest of the region, with the worst expected to hit from Thursday afternoon. Northland Civil Defence spokesperson Zach Wood spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Australia clinching a new free trade deal with the European Union after decades of negotiations.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Whites have returned home from their clubs all over the world for two games in Auckland ahead of the Football World Cup. The FIFA Series is part send-off for the fans and part trial run for the global tournament. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Reserve Bank governor has issued a warning to not underestimate the complexity of disruptions caused by war in the Middle East. Anna Breman said it could take nine months for price increases caused by the war to filter through to supermarket shelves, and to expect higher inflation in the near term and weaker economic growth in 2026. Small business owners still recovering from tough economic times are nervous. Mark Knoff Thomas from the Newmarket Business Association spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government says its fuel relief package targets those doing it the toughest; the genuinely squeezed. But some believe it's squeezed out the most in need, including beneficiaries and the childless. The boost goes only to working families with children. There's also nothing specific for rural communities covering long distances. While the Greens are crying out for more, Labour has continued to keep its political gunpowder dry, and one advocate says that's not good enough. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

McCain Foods is closing its vegetable processing plant in Hastings. In a letter to growers, the company says it's reviewed operations at the site but couldn't find a sustainable pathway forward. It plans to close the plant by early next year. It is not clear how many workers and growers will be affected. Meanwhile Watties plans to ditch its frozen vegetable lines in New Zealand, which affects about 570 workers and growers. Federated Farmers Hawkes Bay president Jim Galloway spoke to Lisa Owen.

Act's deputy leader Brooke van Velden is retiring from politics at the November election, saying she has no desire to be the party's leader. She's likely to be remembered for dropping the C-bomb in Parliament and ending pay equity claims, under her ministerial portfolio of Workforce Relations. Reporter Amy Williams was in her electorate of Tamaki and filed this report.

Christchurch locals say the city is prospering and heading in the right direction, on the back of an ASB report finding Canterbury is the best place to be in the country economically. But there's concern the good times won't last, with rising fuel prices and they worry about how the economy will be affected by the war in the Middle East. Anna Sargent reports.

Dave Rennie has assembled his All Blacks coaching squad. Neil Barnes, Tana Umaga and Mike Blair have joined incumbent Jason Ryan as the men to assist Rennie in his quest to rebuild the All Blacks empire. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

It brings a whole new meaning to golden pastry, when you are actually talking about a pie with 23 karat gold flakes around the crust, a Wagyu beef filling and gravy made from expensive wine. That pie has sold for $260 on Trade Me, with all proceeds going to charity. The Baker Tirau came up with the expensive pie in honour of a visit from a competitive eater from Australia, and a few leftover pies sparked the idea of a fundraiser. The Baker Tirau owner Shane Kearns spoke to Lisa Owen.

The US President is walking back his threat to "obliterate" Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz wasn't completely opened today. The about face comes after Iran vowed to retaliate with its own strikes on crucial infrastructure in the nearby Gulf states. Donald Trump says military action against Iran's energy grid has been postponed after talks between both countries. US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen.

More than 140,000 working families with children will get an extra $50 a week as part of the plan to counter rising fuel prices. Another 14,000 families will qualify for a part payment. The top up is being delivered through a boost to the in-work tax credit that will kick in from April. It is a temporary increase and will last a year, or until the price of 91 octane petrol drops below $3 a litre for four consecutive weeks. The Salvation Army's Bonnie Robinson spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about talk surroudning Iran's long-range missile capability and the potential impact that could have on the UK., as well as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor who has been pictured for the first time since his arrest.

New Zealand Cricket want to explore a franchise league to replace the current domestic T20 competition. Board chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon says a revitalised domestic league was the preference instead of entering a New Zealand team in an expanded Australian Big Bash T20 competition. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A new national online pet adoption platform being launched to hook animals up with their forever humans. Groups can post animals needing homes in a kind of one stop shop. More than 70,000 cats and dogs are abandoned across the country each year. The site has been set up by pet food brand Savour Life; founder Michael McTeigue spoke to Lisa Owen.

Rakiura locals fear surging fuel prices will soon send their power bills rocketing up or that Stewart Island - which relies on diesel generators for electricity - may face blackouts. Rakiura is home to about 400 people, and it burns through about 1000 litres of diesel a day to create electricity. Anna Sargent reports.

A scientist is hoping the current fuel crisis might be disrupter that is needed to turn people away from fossil fuel. It comes as a new report on the state of the global climate paints a dire picture. In 2024 greenhouse gases reached their highest levels in 800 thousand years. 2025 was one the warmest on record. Victoria University of Wellington professor of climate science James Renwick spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealanders will learn tomorrow who will be eligible for cost-of-living support in the face of soaring fuel prices. Cabinet ministers have signed off on a relief scheme - which they say will be targetted, timely and temporary - but Prime Minister Christopher Luxon would not be drawn on the details at his post cabinet press conference. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

Would you rather work from home or take subsidised public transport to avoid the increasing cost of fuelling up the car? Public transport operators have made a case to the Government to encourage commuters to ride the bus or train under a worst case scenario of fuel rationing, rather than order working from home. Combined, they provide more than 100 million rides a year to commuters and say they have the capacity to support many more. Pretoria Gordon checked in with commuters about what they'd do.

There has been plenty of ladder movement in Super Rugby Pacific. It was a mixed bag for kiwi sides at the weekend, with three wins and three losses between them. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Love apparently comes at a price and Kiwi singles are prepared to pay, according to a new survey on the cost of dating. 1000 New Zealanders aged between 18 and 65 years old took part in the YouGov survey commissioned by the fintech Revolut. It found 72 percent of those surveyed were happy to pay between $50 and $150 per person on a date. Head of Revolut New Zealand Georgia Grange spoke to Lisa Owen.

The clock is ticking down in the Middle East as Donald Trump's deadline for Iran to completely open the Strait of Hormuz approaches. The US president threatened to "obliterate" Iranian power plants if the critical shipping route is still closed by tomorrow. In turn, Iran says it will strike energy infrastructure in the neighbouring Gulf nations if the US follows through with the threat. Middle East correspondent in Doha, Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen.

An aviation fuel crisis, cancelled routes and global jitters could mean a hard landing for one of our top export industries. Dozens of tourism operators have had overseas visitors cancel due to the Middle East war, but industry insiders hope New Zealand's status as a safe destination will work in the country's favour. Lynda Keene from Tourism Export Council spoke to Lisa Owen.

It's almost the weekend and with the Academy Awards having just passed some of us might be itching to hit up the nearest cinema. A photo of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles taken right after the latest Oscar's ceremony has sparked debate online about theatre etiquette and cleanliness. So what are the do's and don'ts when attending a show or a movie? Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the findings from the UK Covid-19 Inquiry revealing the National Health Service was 'on the brink of collapse' during the pandemic, as well as health officials currently struggling to keep up with demand for students seeking the Meningitis B vaccine.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Every team in a FIFA women's competition will be required to have at least one female head or assistant coach under groundbreaking new regulations just passed. The change will come into effect later this year and is aimed at boosting the number of women coaching at the highest levels. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

It's not the first time there's been pain at the pumps. In the late 1970s the answer was carless days, but people found ways to cheat the system and fuel use barely dropped. The minister who oversaw it says he got a lot of criticism - but he doesn't regret it - and he has some advice for the government now. Kim Baker Wilson reports.

There's something rotten in plans to ditch minimum fish sizes for commercial catches according to an environmental group. At the moment several popular fish species have to be a minimum size to be sold commercially. Undersize catch has to be thrown back into ocean, dead or alive. But proposed changes to the Fisheries Act would mean commercial size limits are ditched and the industry could sell baby fish, that have not had the chance to spawn. Sam Woolford from LegaSea spoke to Lisa Owen.

Air trapped in a pipe could have contributed to the massive blow back of sewage that flooded the Moa Point treatment plant. Modelling in an initial report suggests during high water flow turbulence traps air in the bypass pipeline. That air acts as a block reducing waste flows. Pressure from trapped air could have forced sewage backwards up the pipe flooding the treatment plant. Wellington Water's chief operating officer Charles Barker spoke to Lisa Owen.

Over the past week, more than 500 vintage cars have been cruising the streets of Nelson and beyond as part of a festival celebrating historic motoring. The event was last in Nelson in 1972 and has drawn people in from all over the country. Some have even shipped their beloved cars from as far as the US and Europe for the occassion. Reporter Samantha Gee went for a ride.

Hungry students are emptying foodbanks within days as rising prices make it harder for them to make ends meet. Speaking at the launch of a new study, student leaders say that hardship has increased markedly across several universities in the past five years. They say international students are finding it especially hard. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

It's all square between New Zealand and South Africa heading into the third T20 double header in Auckland. Both the Black Caps and White Ferns sit at one game apiece against their Protea counterparts. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Slipper Island, an exclusive chunk of land off the Coromandel Coast is up for grabs and could go for more than $10 million. It's one of fewer than two dozen private islands in Aotearoa. Dianna Cussen is selling the property through Barfoot and Thompson and she also lives on the island. She spoke to Lisa Owen.

Americas correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about Mexico's president saying she wants to support Cuba as the island grapples with an energy crisis, as well as moves to thaw frosty relations between Mexico and Spain's King.

In the Bay of Islands the spike in fuel prices couldn't have come at a worst time for tourism and hospitality operators, who are already seeing a dip in their visitor numbers. While the latest GDP figures showed rises in retail and accomodation spending - giving tourism a bit of a boost nationally - Northland guest nights dipped 1.5 percent in the year to December 2025. Co-Owner of The Duke of Marlborough Hotel in Russell, Riki Kinnaird spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the Albanese Government saying it will take "every practical option" to shield Australians from the global economic fallout from the war with Iran.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has broken another goal scoring milestone while playing in the United States. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.