Checkpoint

Last week's severe weather has highlighted the differing ways some small communities approach the cleanup, with some saying locals need to be empowered to muck in themselves rather than waiting for council contractors. Residents are generally discouraged from clearing slips on public land and roads and told to wait for emergency services or council contractors. However, this doesn't discourage some residents from taking matters into their own hands. So, should isolated communitiies given more power to deal with damage from weather events? Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports.

GPs and nurse prescribers will be able to diagnose attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD in adults from next week, but they won't be funded for it. Those working in the sector are warning it won't be as simple - or as cheap - as booking a 15 minute appointment. And it won't improve access for most children. Ruth Hill reports.

Jellyfish, smashed rackets and illegal grunts - the Australian Open has delivered plenty of drama this year. The four top seeded men hit the court today to secure their spot in this weekend's final. Meanwhile women's top seed Aryna Sabalenka has punched her way to her fourth final in a row, but not without a bit of controversy. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

A semi-retired specialist investigator has been called back to active duty after an intruder was discovered in a sanctuary off the coast of Rakiura, Stewart Island. Detector Gadget, a rodent sniffer dog is now patrolling Ulva Island, Te Wharawhara, after a young female rat was found in a trap there earlier this month. The island achieved predator free status in 1997 and is home to native species including the Stewart Island brown kiwi, tokoeka, the kaka, and South Island saddlebacks. Gadget's handler, Sandy King spoke to Lisa Owen.

Americas correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about President Trump preparing to reopen the airspace over Venezuela for commercial travel, after it was closed for almost a month as a result of the US Military operation to capture Nicholas Maduro.

Coromandel businesses are encouraging people to visit this weekend, despite parts of the region being hammered by severe weather last week. The last part of State Highway 25 that was closed due to damage has reopened today. But NZTA says there's still about 20 spots along the highway that are down to one lane due to slips. General manager of tourism organisation, Destination Hauraki Coromandel, Kylie Hawker Green spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about Police in Western Australia who have come under fire for taking two days to announce an investigation into a "potential terrorist attack" on Monday.

More than a hundred people mucked in today to clean up the capital's waterfront. Wellington Museum's Great Big Waterfront Clean-Up happens annually, and it's now in its eighth year. Krystal Gibbens went down to check it out.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Getting kicked to the kerb by the Aussies could have a silver lining for New Zealand's A-League clubs. The Wellington Phoenix and Auckland FC have been booted out of the Australia Cup - a knock-out competition run during the A-League pre-season - and now they have their sights set on a different kind of warm up. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Recovery efforts are back underway at the site of the fatal Mount Maunganui slip after they were earlier suspended when more land movement was detected. One of the six people missing has now been formally identified. A child and grandmother were also killed when a landslip hit a house in Papamoa during last weeks severe weather. The tragedies have renewed focus on the risks of land movement, so how aware are New Zealanders of the hazards they pose and what are the warning signs? Lauren Vinnell, a senior lecturer at Massey University's Joint Centre for Disaster Research, spoke to Lisa Owen.

In a Parliament first, National and Labour are teaming up to tackle modern slavery. Backbench MPs from the rival parties have put forward new legislation, and they are using a new rule to fast-track it up Parliament's agenda, skipping the usual "biscuit tin" lottery. But this big show of bonhomie appears to have been by necessity. Despite the prime minister's personal passion for the topic, it seems the ACT Party was blocking it from going through Cabinet. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

Staff cuts are to blame for a massive IT outage at hospitals in Auckland and Northland according to a union. The Public Service Association says its members had to resort to paper systems and white boards overnight Wednesday after it says an outage took down Emergency Department, laboratory and in patient systems. Health New Zealand says hospitals and emergency departments remained open and patient care continued safely during the incident. The PSA says the latest failure is a direct result of cuts to Health New Zealand's digital team. PSA national Secretary Fleur Fitzsimons spoke to Lisa Owen.

The prime minister says it could take up to six months to remove masses of soil dumped on damaged roads on the East Cape from last week's storm. Christopher Luxon visited weather-hit Te Araroa and Hicks Bay by helicopter, and spoke to media at the Tai Rawhiti emergency coordination centre. Like locals, he's bracing for a long and tough road ahead. The PM's comparing the devastation in some places to 20-23's Cyclone Gabrielle. Meanwhile, work has just resumed at Mount Maunganui a week on from the deadly land-slip there. Rescue workers were pulled out of the disaster site this morning after technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered and work suspended. It came ahead of a vigil tonight for a community still reeling over the deaths of six people. Kim Baker Wilson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Pencils, pens, textbooks and a full set of uniform might seem like the basics for any school student, but many families are relying on donations to start the school year. Several schools across the motu are able to fund parts of their school uniform, through their own coffers, local commuity trusts and donations. But some school principals says covering back-to-school costs means they are having to make sacrifices elsewhere. Bella Craig reports.

There's a mystery lurking in the waters of northern New Zealand. What happened to a highly invasive seaweed pest that smothered huge areas of seabed, threatening native species and the Kiwi way of life? Northland reporter Peter de Graaf tried to find out.

It is bad news for New Zealand basketballer Steven Adams, with his NBA season over due to injury. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

A pop up clinic offering free dental care in Wairoa has been overwhelmed with demand in an area that hasn't had a full time dentist for half a decade. The clinic is a joint project between Health New Zealand, iwi, Kahungunu and Hawkes Bay's Golden Apple dentists. Patients have been prioritised according to need and there has been lots of them keen to get in the chair, with the clinic's two week run almost over. Dr Isha Woodhams of Golden Apple Dental spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump threatening Iran with "major destruction" as he pressures the country to negotiate the a nuclear weapons deal, as well as two federal agents being stood down following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti in Minnesota.

A former National MP says discrimination against pacific peoples travelling to New Zealand needs to end and the government should change visitor visa requirements so they are treated the same as travellers from dozens of other countries. More than 45,000 people have signed a petition demanding equal treatment of visitors from New Zealand's pacific neighbours. Petition organiser Arthur Anae joins spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thompson spoke to Lisa Owen about how large parts of the UK have been hit by record flooding, how a UK study has found similarities between menopause and Alzheimer's and how the number of Brits giving up alcohol is on the rise.

Part of the cordon has been lifted near the site of the deadly Mt Maunganui landsip, allowing about a dozen businesses to reopen for the first time in six days. But just a few hundred metres around the corner, the recovery effort to find those buried continues - and that continues to weigh heavily on locals' hearts. Lauren Crimp reports from Mount Maunganui.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Auckland FC have taken some unique approaches to dealing with the Australian heat this summer. Wearing rain coats on sunny training days and spending hours in the sauna have been part of the preparation for A-League games across the Tasman. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Senior Cabinet Minister and National Party stalwart Judith Collins is returning to law after a 24-year career in politics. Ms Collins - one of the more familiar faces in politics - announced her retirement this morning, saying she feels like she's "done her dash". Political reporter Anneke Smith has more.

About 150 people have been evacuated near Papamoa after a land slip was deemed a risk to life. Tauranga City council says residents had to move from the Mangatawa Marae and Papakainga housing. The slip is near a watermain and there's concern that the pipe could break if the land moves anymore. Blance McMath is chair of the Mangatawa Papamoa Blocks that owns the Papakainga housing, and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Storm damage along Tairawhiti's East Cape is dividing students and teachers, with some cut off from their schools. State Highway 35, a vital link around the coast, has been severely damaged in last week's extreme weather. Some parts are closed, while other sections have restricted access. Te Waha o Rerekohu Area School in Te Araroa, which is due to start on Monday, is one of the schools cut off. Principal Lynn Burrell spoke to Lisa Owen.

A New Zealander who had his leg amputated after being severely injured while fighting in Ukraine says he sung Aotearoa's national anthem to keep himself going during his excruciating rescue. Khol Gillies had to wait days to be evacuated from the battlefield because fierce fighting made it virutally impossible to reach him. Gillies, originally from Hawkes Bay had been in Ukraine for six months fighting as a volunteer. Gillies spoke to Lisa Owen.

The public has had their say on whether the Prime Minister should be going to Waitangi - with a majority thinking it's important he does. The RNZ-Reid Research Poll asked New Zealanders their thoughts on whether the Prime Minister should be at Waitangi - and whether they think the Treaty has too much or too little an influence on government decisions. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen.

US officials have confirmed a branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will play a role in supporting American security operations during next month's Winter Olympics in Italy. The news has prompted outrage in Italy after ICE agents were involved with the fatal shootings of two US citizens in Minneapolis this month. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A crew of volunteers are using quad bikes to deliver essentials and do welfare checks around the storm hit East Cape, with some homes completely cut off and roads out. They're putting in long days dropping off gas bottles and food and helping clear up rubbish and debris. One of those volunteers is Te Hemara Rauhihi. He spoke to Lisa Owen.

A person is in critical condition following a shooting involving Border Patrol agents near the US-Mexico Border. Correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Greyhound racing industry wants tens of millions of dollars in compensation if the government pushes ahead with its proposed ban. The deadline to end the sport is July this year. Racing Minister Winston Peters has previously said serious injury rates among greyhounds have remained too high, and improvements made haven't been significant enough for the industry to retain its social licence. Canterbury Greyhound Racing President and a long-time greyhound trainer Jean Fahey spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about temperatures soaring across the country, reaching close to 50 degrees in some areas, potentially trumping previous record highs.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Labour Party has savaged a government advisory group on retail crime, calling it "dysfunctional, directionless and failing". It comes after Checkpoint yesterday revealed that three of the five members on the Ministerial Advisory Group had resigned in recent weeks.

It seems timing continues to rule out potential All Blacks coaching candidates. Coach Vern Cotter will leave the Blues at the end of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season to move to the Queensland Reds next year, therefore removing himself from the All Black coaching conversation. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

In the Northland town of Oakura, locals are adjusting to a new reality - no proper road south to Whangarei for as long as the next three months. The road north reopened on Saturday but it is a long detour, and the emergency route south is narrow, steep and, frankly, frightening. Peter de Graaf reports from a town picking up the pieces after last week's storm.

The government is mulling an inquiry into the events surrounding the deadly landslide that crashed down Mount Maunganui on Thursday, leaving six campers missing - presumed dead. While the recovery effort continues, questions are being asked about whether the council-owned campground should have been evacuated earlier, when the alarm was raised about other slips on the maunga. Lauren Crimp is in Mount Maunganui and filed this report.

The government is assuring flood hit regions there's more financial support to come after announcing an immediate $2.2 million relief package. $1.2 million of that will go into topping up mayoral relief funds, while the other $1 million will reimburse marae that have provided welfare support to communities. Tairawhiti's East Cape has been hit hard, communities remain isolated, some homes are uninhabitable and lifeline roads are still touch and go. The mayor says it will take a lot to get the area back on its feet. Mayor for the District, Rehette Stoltz spoke to Lisa Owen.

There is a "strong case for an independent government inquiry" and families of those missing in the Mt Manuganui landslip "deserve" the facts, according to the Prime Minister. He has appointed Chris Penk to advise cabinet on the possible scope of an inquiry into the fatal disaster. Tauranga City Council is already planning to investigate but the Prime Minister said there is an inherant conflict. Newly appointment Associate Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery, Chris Penk spoke to Lisa Owen.

Thames Coromandel's local State of Emergency ends tomorrow, and the mayor says at this point it is unlikely to be extended. However, as the district tries to dry out it has some challenges ahead, including two major slips on its main highway and 63 storm-damaged homes. Libby Kirkby-McLeod spoke to people around the district and filed this report.

The temperatures are rising in Melbourne on and off the tennis court as the Australian Open reaches the quarter-finals stage. The city was forecast to reach 45 degrees Celsius and tournament organisers had to juggle the schedule for what could be the warmest day at the tournament on record. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

National has narrowly outperformed Labour as the party voters trust the most to manage the economy. Just over 32 percent of people trust the National Party the most to manage the economy in RNZ's latest Reid-Research poll. Labour is just a whisker behind on more than 31 percent. Political reporter Anneke Smith spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about President Trump speaking to Minnesota leaders about the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by ICE agents, as well as the public and political response that have come from that.

A south Auckland health clinic that is now operating 24-seven is hoping to take the pressure of an overrun Middlemore hospital emergency department. Local Doctors Otara is the first clinic to open through the night in Counties Manukau since 2020. It is gradually extended its opening hours to meet demand, with medical staff previously staying on after official closing because patients were still waiting to be seen. Dr Lloyd McCann, Chief Executive officer for Tamaki Health, which owns Local Doctors, spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government is kicking an extra $1.2 million into mayoral relief funds for areas hit by the severe weather, to help with immediate needs like food and shelter. But it has acknowledged that is a drop in the ocean and there will be more money to come.

Europe correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the captain of a suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker being taken into custody, as well as England's health system announcing a world-first cancer database.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The women's defending champion Madison Keys has been knocked out in the fourth round of the Australian Open. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.