Checkpoint

The government is pushing ahead with plans to loosen regulations for the hemp industry, which it says has been hamstrung by outdated rules. The changes mean hemp growers will no longer require a licence if the plants contain less than one-percent THC which is the main psychoactive compound that can make people high. The Regulation Minister David Seymour, who made the announcement in Ashburton today, says the changes could generate more than $7 million of economic benefit over the next ten years. Adam Burns reports.

Sevu Reece has announced he is leaving the All Blacks after next season to take up a contract in France. He is currently Super Rugby's all time leading try scorer and has played 37 tests for the All Blacks, but the writing may well have been on the wall for Reece given his age. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

Two years on from setting up it's own security service a popular Auckland shopping precinct says its slashed crime in its area, but it is appealing to the government for help with some people who are still falling through the cracks. In the past year the Newmarket security team has recovered more than $170,000 of stolen product, dealt with 88 breaches of trespass orders and 416 repeated offenders. Newmarket Business Association chief executive Mark Knoff Thomas spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the US seizing an oil tanker of the coast of Venezuela - further escalating tensions between the two nations, as well as tourists - including kiwis - potentially having to expose more of their digital life if they want to travel to the US.

NZTA is reducing speed limits on several sections of a popular holiday route in time for Christmas. Four sections of State Highway 25 will drop to 50 kilometres from 80 or 70 kilometres. Waka Kotahi says there were 982 submissions on the speed review in the Coromandel region and the majority saw benefits in lowering the speed limits. Linda Davidson owns a bed and breakfast on one stretch of road where the speed limit is reducing and spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about school's in the UK reintroducing Covid measures to combat this season's flu outbreak, as well as the owner of a controversial nude gladiator statue preparing for a legal fight.

Special Olympics fever has touched down in Christchurch with the national summer games getting under way. The pinnacle event for athletes with intellectual disabilities has returned to the Garden City for the first time in 20 years. Teams began pouring into Otautahi yesterday ahead of today's opening ceremony which started this afternoon. Adam Burns reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Caps and West Indies continue their tight test tussle. The West Indies pulled off a miraculous, record setting draw in Christchurch, but the Black Caps have the ascendency in the capital after day one. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The food safety watchdog is recommending better traceability of delivered meals and better management of left over food following an investigation into how mouldy rancid lunches were served to students at a Christchurch school. A report by New Zealand Food safety has found there is no wider food safety issue with the provider, the School Lunch Collective, and that the meals had likely been left at the school the week prior and mistakenly given to students. Food Safety Deputy Director-General Vincent Arbuckle spoke to Lisa Owen.

Locals in the Auckland suburb of Glen Innes say they're too scared to use the bus after two unprovoked attacks on Monday night left one man dead and another seriously injured. Both men were passengers on the same 76 bus with the first victim being stabbed in Glen Innes before getting off, and the second then being attacked later in Orakei. A 36-year-old man has appeared in the Auckland District Court today charged with murder and grievous bodily harm. Felix Walton has more.

As Australia's ban on social media for under 16 year olds comes into force, MPs are drumming up support for similar online protectsions here. Both Labour and National party MPs today co-hosted an event at Parliament which illustrated some of the damaging things young people can see online. Nick James went along for a look.

The lawyer for man who was allegedly killed by his prison cellmate claims the death was entirely preventable. A homicide investigation in underway following the death of Jon Trubuhuovic who was 69 years old. He died ten days after being assaulted, alleged by the man he was sharing a cell with. Trubuhuovic's lawyer James McGilvary spoke to Lisa Owen.

A group of law professionals is calling for a Commissioner for animals; claiming current animal welfare laws are out of date, not fit for purpose and the system is riddled with conflicts of interest. The New Zealand Animal Law Association has released a 60-page report making a detailed case for a commissioner for animals. President of the New Zealand Animal Law Association Marcello Ferrere spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker says he's devastated by his positive doping test, but is confident he'll be cleared of wrongdoing. The former WBO world champion has given his first interview since returning an adverse finding in a drug test following his shock loss to Fabio Wardley in London in October. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

26,000 people are being told that their computers are infected with a software stealing their sensitive information. The National Cyber Security Centre took the unusual step of sending emails to all addresses identified as having the malware today. It says Lumma Stealer is typically found on devices using Microsoft Windows operating systems. The latest attack is no surprise to a cyber security expert, who says cyber criminals aren't slowing down. Aura Information Security general manager Patrick Sharp spoke to Lisa Owen.

Start a new sport, learn an instrument or read a book was the advice given by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese today as millions of teens lost access to their social media accounts. The world-first nationwide ban bars anyone under the age of 16 from accessing ten major apps including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok. Australia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen.

As we hurtle into the so called silly season at break neck speed some of you may feel the wheels are about to fall off. On the family front there can be pressure to deliver the perfect day, cook a chef grade ham, get along with your least favourite uncle and balance the household budget. Add to that the current debate about whether the summer break is too long; with claims New Zealand effectively shuts down for the summer and beyond, giving the impression the country is closed for business. Principal Psychologist at Umbrella Wellbeing, Dougal Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen with some advice.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about calls in Australia for an overhaul of parliamentary entitlement rules as a senior government Minister faces controversy amid daily revelations detailing how she and her family have enjoyed some of the perks of office.

The fire burning in Tongariro National Park is now contained, but the after effects are still taking a toll on the tourist hotspot's economy. It's the second major fire in just a month -- the first of which seared some 3000 hectares of the world heritage site national park. Jimmy Ellingham reports

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Blacks won't play in the regions for at least another three years while New Zealand Rugby cashes in on crowds in the city centres. Next year the All Blacks play just four home games. New Zealand Rugy are unapologetic about how they work out where the top teams play but say not all is lost for the smaller centres. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

It has been revealed a major RMA overhaul with two new laws replacing the Resource Management Act; a Natural Environment law and a Planning law. The planning bill would lay out what infrastructure is needed and when, with land secured for key things like roads, schools, and utilities. The changes could boost GDP by more than $3 billion a year. The Minister responsible for RMA, Chris Bishop spoke to Lisa Owen.

The coalition is heralding the single largest economic reform in a generation - as it sets out its sweeping overhaul of the RMA. The much-loathed Resource Management Act has proved a perpetual bugbear - confusing and complex. The government says its radical new approach will make that much easier. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

A manhunt is underway after one man was fatally stabbed and another injured onboard the number 76 bus in east Auckland last night. Police have described it as "appalling" and unprovoked. A passenger was attacked by another man onboard as he got off the bus. He was taken to hospital but died a short time later. Another man has had surgery on his hand after he got on the bus and was attacked minutes after the other assault. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin spoke to Lisa Owen.

DOC is investigating after shuttle operators dropped hikers at the start of the Tongariro Alpine crossing despite a bad weather forecast, Meaning they shouldn't be on the track. Transport operators must adhere to official NIWA advisories and not take anyone to the walk if there's a bad forecast. Meanwhile multiple blazes have broken out in Tongariro, just a month after another massive wildfire ripped through three thousand hectares of the national park. Tongariro Operations Manager Libby O'Brien spoke to Lisa Owen.

Police have arrested a man after two unprovoked attacks on two passengers on an East Auckland bus last night has left one dead, and another seriously injured in hospital. The first victim got off the route 76 bus with a fatal knife wound to his torso just before 8pm, and about 10 minutes later a second person boarded the same bus and was also stabbed. A warning, Lucy Xia's report contains details listeners may find distressing.

The consequenses have continued in the wake of one of the scariest sporting moments of the year. Eliesa Katoa's rugby league career and long term health are both in serious jeopardy after the Tongan forward took three separate head knocks in a single game, resulting in a seizure and brain surgery. Sport reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Christchurch secondary school's end of year prize giving and concert has become a thing of legend. St Andrew's College practically broke the internet in 2023 with its performance of Stairway to Heaven. This year's showstopper was a heartfelt tribute to Aotearoa with a medley of iconic kiwi anthems. Recently graduated student Miu Kim, who played a violin solo in the performance, spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about media giant Paramount throwing its hat in the ring to buy Warner Brothers, sparking a bidding war with Netflix, as well as the Defence Secretary facing more pressure around US strikes on alleged drug boats.

The festive season will put some people in the red, and not only when it comes to bank accounts and Santa suits - but also in the form of retail rage. The feelings of being overwhelmed, frustration at not getting a carpark, having to queue endlessly for the check-out, missing the cut off for the post, along with tough economic times are all gearing up as Christmas approaches. Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about plans for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to travel to London to discuss peace proposals, as well as ongoing investigations into a pepper-spray assault at Heathrow Airport.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Two months out from the Winter Olympics Queenstown skier Alice Robinson is proving she'll be one to watch in Italy. The 24-year-old claimed her 20th career World Cup podium today, the second time she'd medalled in Giant Slalom in two days. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Firefighters are scrambling to contain several fires burning in Tongariro National Park. More than a dozen fire vehicles plus five choppers are fighting the blaze, which is estimated to be 100 hectares. It comes just a month after another massive wildfire ripped through 3000 hectares of the national park. Fire and Emergency's director of operations Brendan Nally spoke to Lisa Owen.

With the Jevon McSkimming scandal once more erupting with competing claims, there are calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to establish all the facts. It follows an explosive interview on TVNZ's Q&A over the weekend - where the former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster accused both Labour's Chris Hipkins and the police minister Mark Mitchell of knowing more than they've let on. Both men have flatly rejected that. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

You are what you eat or so the saying goes, but it is increasingly difficult to know what New Zealanders are made of with data about our eating habits more than a decade and a half old. That's why public health experts are calling on the government to fund a new national nutrition survey. Professor of population nutrition at the University of Auckland, Cliona Ni Mhurchu spoke to Lisa Owen.

Health New Zealand is appealing for people who have been at any of almost a dozen measles locations of interest to urgently call Healthline. Te Whatu Ora says anyone at the locations on the days and times listed could be at risk of developing measles and spreading it to others. To date there's been 30 cases in the outbreak. Health New Zealand's public health medicine specialist Dr Sharon Sime spoke to Lisa Owen.

Hawke's Bay and Gisborne are sweltering under heat alerts today with temperatures reaching 34 degrees at Napier Airport and 32 degrees in Wairoa. They're not the only regions wilting under warm conditions - Gisborne hit 32.6 degrees this afternoon, and on Sunday new records were set for December temperatures in Tauranga and Whitianga. Warmer ocean temperatures are behind the surge in heat - as marine heatwave conditions develop in the waters off New Zealand. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti reporter Alexa Cook has more.

The rugby season might be over, but plenty of questions still remain over the state of the All Blacks coaching staff. The team had a year of ups and downs - suffering a number of disappointing losses to the likes of England, South Africa and Argentina. Scott Robertson's position as head coach is under the microscope ahead of next month's official team review. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

Running prodigy Sam Ruthe has shattered a record that's stood for more than three and half decades. The 16 year-old ran his 1500 metre heat in 3 minutes and 38.62 seconds at the New Zealand secondary schools track and field championship in Hastings. He broke the previous record held since 1989 by Commonwealth games runner, Richard Potts, shaving off six seconds. Sam Ruthe spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about Israel getting closer to implementing the second phase of the Gaza Ceasefire plan, and how that would change things for Palestinians living in Gaza.

A Christchurch man has ditched his home insurance after his premiums went up $1000, or 30% a year based on new risk pricing. Tower insurance has taken into account the risk of sea surge and landslips for the Burwood home, as well as earthquakes and flooding. But Trevor Taylor says his home is several kilometres from the sea and he can't fathom the insurer Tower's sea surge assessment. Trevor Taylor spoke to Lisa Owen.

Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen about Mo, a cat who's been reunited with his owner after going missing 14 years ago.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about several countries announcing plans to boycott Eurovision 2026 after organisers confirmed Israel will compete, as well as Britain and Norway joining forces to protect against Russian forces.

New Zealand are set to draw first blood in the three match series against the West Indies in Christchurch. The Black Caps have dominated for a second day in a row, leaving a daunting task for the visitors to try and save the first test. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Commerce Commission has taken down close to two dozen fake stores scamming online shoppers. The stores advertise online and often carefully cultivate the impression they're real local independent botiques or stores, when really they dont exist in the real world. Often, if the goods ever arrive they're cheap knock offs, worth a fraction of what's been paid. Commerce Comission Principal Compliance Advisor, Grant McIntosh spoke to Lisa Owen.

MP Mariameno Kapa-Kingi has been reinstated as a member of Te Pāti Māori, following an interim ruling by a high court judge, and will now attend the party's Annual General Meeting this weekend. Kapa-Kingi was expelled from the party, alongside Takuta Ferris, in early November after a period of internal conflict. The party's co-leaders said the decision had been make in response to "serious breaches" of the party's constitution. Both MPs have fiercely disputed their expulsions, with Kapa-Kingi taking her case to the high court. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.

Kmart is walking back some of its product recalls following an asbestos contamination scare with kids play sand products. The retail giant is cancelling it's voluntary recall notice for three products. Kmart has informed the Ministry of Business that testing comissioned by the company confirmed no asbestos was found. However, a recall is still in place for some other products. MBIE's Product Safety Spokesperson Ian Cpalin spoke to Lisa Owen.