Checkpoint

Fire and Emergency dealt with almost 800 callouts between midnight and this afternoon with more than 100 of those calls being for life threatening events or due to serious damage. Fire and Emergency Assistant National Commander Ken Cooper spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some homes in Wellington may be without power until the end of the week, with the capital battered by heavy gales and flooding today. The dramatic storm cut power to more than 30,000 properties across the entire lower North Island, shutting dozens of schools, prompting ongoing evacuations, causing slips and flooding streets. Ellen O'Dwyer reports.

Thousands of properties are without power throughout Manawatu and Whanganui, as people were evacuated and schools closed for the day. Some have been restored but authorities are warning more wild weather could cause new issues. The power outages are also likely to affect cell towers across the regions, as well as water treatment plants so people in some areas are also being asked to conserve water. Manawatu-Whanganui group controller and Horizons Regional Council chief executive Michael McCartney spoke to Lisa Owen.

The boil water notice affecting thousands of households in Christchurch's east has been lifted for all but about 20 properties. About 14,000 households feared they'd face at least another day without being able to drink from the tap after the water supply in the city's east was found to be contaminated. A public health alert was issued on Saturday afternoon for people in New Brighton, Burwood, Wainoni, Aranui and Southshore after routine testing discovered total coliforms in the Rawhiti water zone. As Tess Brunton reports, the contaminated water has prompted calls for councils to change the way notify vulnerable and immunocompromised communities.

Officials have confirmed Auckland's Eden Park will host a State of Origin match in 2027. It'll be the first time the competition has been staged outside of Australia in 40 years. The move comes after three years of high-level talks with the NRL and the Australian Rugby League Commission in a deal reportedly worth five million dollars. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Wellington plastic surgeon is patching up dog attack victims on a weekly basis with some injuries so severe they're life changing. She believes Aotearoa needs to review animal control laws and consider mandatory reporting of bites and dog related injuries requiring medical treatment. Doctor Emily Yassaie spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Perry Wilton spoke to Lisa Owen about strikes in Gaza threatening the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. It comes ahead of the first meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump's so-called 'Board of Peace' - set to take place on Thursday.

It has been a day of weather chaos at the bottom of the North Island with thousands of properties still without power. Planes, trains and ferries were also disrupted. Five areas remain under local states of emergency as heavy rain and strong wind warnings continue for the central and southern North Island and eastern South Island. In Wellington, Hutt Valley roads were closed to due to flooding with some schools also closed. Hutt City emergency operations centre controller John Kingsbury spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Manchester United Football Club who has been forced to respond after controversial comments from its co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, as well as a development in the Donald Trump lawsuit against the BBC.

Tomorrow is Caturday at a south Auckland animal shelter, where a bumper crop of kittens are in desperate need of forever homes. The SPCA has more than 30 kittens available for adoption at its Mangere Centre, where it says the 40 year old building is crumbling and part of the cattery floods when it rains. The organisation has seen a surge in cats needing to be adopted across the country, and it hopes its Caturday events will see people heading home with a new family member in tow. Amy Williams reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

An Ardie Savea-less Moana Pasifika will be looking to build on their stunning 2025 season as Super Rugby kicks off this weekend. Star signing and former All Black Ngani Laumape says while he leaves a void, the squad will not let the standards set by Savea drop. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The crown has called for the Court of Appeal to dismiss the application filed by the terrorist who massacred 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques, saying it lacks substance and has no merit. Australian Brenton Tarrant is calling on the court to overturn his convictions and sentence, after he claims he was forced into pleading guilty by the torturous conditions he experienced in prison. The five-day hearing has concluded in Wellington. Reporter Timothy Brown was in court and spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Christchurch councillor's calling for a levy on all tickets to events at the city's new stadium to put the cost on users rather than just rate payers. At the moment the plan is for stadium goers to pay an extra five dollars on top of their ticket price but only if they are seeing an international act. Its estimated ratepayers will be picking up the tab for the stadium for decades to come with 1.75 percent of their rates going to cover costs. Councillor Yani Johanson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tai Rāwhiti residents are being warned to stock up with a weeks worth of supplies as an orange heavy rain warning looms for the already hammered district. Metservice is forecasting up to 250 millimetres of rain over 38 hours in some areas; with localised downpours and potential thunderstorms. Locals are still cleaning up from flooding three weeks ago with major roads still severely damaged. Tash Winoa from Te Araroa Civil Defence spoke to Lisa Owen.

A district court judge was today described as one of the best in the country to a Judicial Conduct Panel, which is this week hearing allegations she wasn't on her best behaviour during a New Zealand First Party function. Judge Ema Aitken is accused of yelling at party leader and then-Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters during an event at Auckland's Northern Club in 2024, calling him a liar. Today the court heard from other district court judges who were asked to give their thoughts on the incident and on Judge Aitken. Finn Blackwell reports.

A kiwi cancer patient forced to move to Australia to get life prolonging drugs, that are not funded in Aoteaora is giving a big thank you to the country. In New Zealand she was draining her savings and paying $133,000 a year for the drug daratumumab or dara; in Australia it is costing her nothing. Nic Vipond spoke to Lisa Owen.

There are growing concerns that sports betting companies are targeting young adults and university students through social media ads, and video content disguised as fun and games. Auckland University students' association says students are using their rent money and their student allowance on betting, some of them saying they're enticed by content and ads from betting companies like TAB and its online platform - Betcha NZ. Betting companies are also using influencers and sporting personalities in their content - including a high-profile New Zealand cricketer. Lucy Xia reports.

There is an air of confidence around the Wellington Phoenix women's A-League team this season that has their coach believing they could win the league. Last week the Bev Priestman-coached team briefly went to number one in the standings for the first time. Whatever happens during the remainder of the season, the Phoenix will have their best finish ever. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Sextortion complaints have jumped almost 50 percent according to online safety watchdog Netsafe. The online scams are a type of blackmail where someone threatens to share nude images or sexually explicit video of a person unless they get paid or are given more sexual content. On the eve of Valentine's Day Netsafe is reminding people to be careful; romance scams remain among the top ten reported to the watchdog. Netsafe's chief online safety officer Sean Lyons spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tourism-dependent businesses in the central North Island town of Waimarino have faced hard times since November's fire in Tongariro National Park. The blaze, which burned through almost 3000 hectares, kept the popular Tongariro Crossing closed for over a week and was then followed by a smaller fire in December, as well as wet weather. Although February has so far proven kinder, many say a good dumping of winter snow is needed to get the area, and its tills, humming again. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

America's correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about what the US president has called the "largest deregulation in American history." He made the comment after dumping a scientific ruling that's shaped America's approach to climate change policy for more than a decade. Donald Trump said it will make cars cheaper, while environmental groups have condemned the move.

There is an orange heavy rain warning baring down on several districts that are barely back on their feet after the extreme weather three weeks ago. Wet, windy and sticky weather is forecast for many parts of the country this weekend. Much of the North Island is under heavy rain warnings or watches - including areas of the East Cape, Opotiki and Coromandel. MetService meteorologist John Law spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australian correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about political turmoil continuing in Australia with the country's opposition leader Sussan Ley facing a leadership challenge after less than a year in the job.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Today started at the snowboard halfpipe and will end on the ski slope for New Zealand athletes at the Winter Olympics. This morning Cam Melville Ives qualified for the halfpipe final and now, like us, he'll watch on for a couple days as other Kiwis try to get themselves into medal positions. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some Mount Maunganui businesses are facing the equivalent of winter trading conditions in the middle of summer after the deadly landslip and the closure of the campground and hot pools, according to one restaurant owner. He is now appealing to the government and council for financial help. Some businesses closed due to the slip have only just re-opened this week. Owner of Rustica Italian Food pizzeria, Michele Delaini spoke to Lisa Owen.

Winston Peters has revived an old policy, promising to campaign on a referendum on the Maori seats. The opposition is calling it cynical race-baiting. Russell Palmer reports.

A Checkpoint investigation has revealed how easy it is to get potentially dangerous nitrous oxide or nangs in large quantities with virtually no questions asked. That's despite it being illegal to supply, possess or use the gas recreationally. Nitrous oxide, known as nangs or cream whippers, has legitimate medical and catering uses, but can have serious side effects when huffed. A growing number doctors and community leaders calling for restrictions on the gas. Checkpoint reporter Teuila Fuatai has been looking into this and spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Bay of Plenty man has begun walking with a club in case he has to fend off roaming dogs. There are growing calls for an overhaul of the 30 year old dog control act in the face of increasing attacks. Tommy Wilson, who lives in Te Puna in the Bay of Plenty, spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand First MP Casey Costello has told a Judicial Conduct Panel that the judge accused of disrupting a political party event must have known she was yelling at the then-Deputy Prime Minister. District Court Judge Ema Aitken is accused of yelling at Winston Peters during an event at Auckland's exclusive Northern Club, calling him a liar describing his comments disgusting. Today, the panel for the first time heard from the judge herself. Finn Blackwell reports.

Wellington councillors, industry groups and workers are sounding the alarm over immigration settings for bus drivers, warning of a looming shortage. A residency pathway for bus drivers, announced in 2022, required an academic English language level to stay in the country after two-years on a working visa. Now, drivers are coming to sit the test and some are struggling. Ellen O'Dwyer reports.

Super Rugby Pacific kicks off tomorrow night in Dunedin, where the bruised Highlanders are facing the Crusaders. That's just one of a number of interesting clashes in the first round. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

Cashing up clutter is becoming a national obsession. But there's still billions of dollars' worth of pre-loved goods lying idle in homes around Aotearoa according to a new report on the so-called circular economy. The report commissioned by Trademe surveyed 4000 New Zealand based people in October and November last year. The results show about 75 percent of them currently have unused or unwanted items they could sell. Head of Trade Me Marketplace, Lisa Stewart spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the FAA ordering the airspace above El Paso, Texas to be shut for ten days, only to be reopened shortly after, as well as the House of Representatives voting to overturn Donald Trump's tariffs against Canada.

There have been two cases of nerve damage linked to the use of nitrous oxide or nangs in Hawkes Bay. Community leaders recently called a crisis hui after an apparent spike in recreational use of the gas with dozens of empty cannisters being discarded, locally. Dr Nicholas Jones is the Medical Officer of Health in Hawke's Bay and was at the community meeting, he spoke to Lisa Owen.

Gore's famous giant brown trout statue is angling for an official name. The scuplture, made by a local artist and captured mid-leap, has proudly stood in the so called trout capital of New Zealand for almost 40 years. It's finally getting a name as part of a compeittion to promote the town's "On the fly festival" on the Mataura River. Gore District Council senior events co-ordinator Florine Potts spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about a 13 year old boy being arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a school stabbing, as well as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer making a bold statement in the wake of mounting pressure over his leadership.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Hamilton will play host to the Māori vs Indigenous All Stars rugby league match this Sunday, and for World Cup winner Kennedy Cherrington, the Māori jersey represents the pinnacle of the game. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Salvation Army is warning that families are starving and is calling on the Government to urgently increase food aid. Its latest State of the Nation paints are dire picture of worsening child poverty and unemployment, rising family violence and stubbornly high cost of living pressures. Penny Smith was at the launch of the report.

The Court of Appeal has heard from two further lawyers who represented the white supremacist terrorist who massacred 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques. Australian Brenton Tarrant is serving a life sentence without parole for the shootings at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in March 2019. The 35-year-old now claims he was forced to plead guilty due to being irrational from the solitary nature of his conditions. Reporter Timothy Brown was in court and spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government has announced a surprise review of the Reserve Bank's actions during the Covid-19 pandemic - and it's due to land just months out from the election. Opposition parties say it is a politically motivated hit-job - but ministers from across the coalition say it's simply about learning from past mistakes. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

An Auckland Neurologist says he is seeing increasing numbers of people suffering side effects from huffing nitrous oxide, with some users ingesting enormous quantities on a daily basis. Community leaders say there needs to be tighter regulation around who is able to buy and trade the product that can easily be bought in large thermos sized cannisters with the equivilent of hundreds of hits. Professor of clinical neurology at Auckland University, Dr Alan Barber spoke to Lisa Owen.

There are growing calls for an overhaul of dog control laws with people in some communities forced to walk with weapons so they can fight off aggressive strays. Meanwhile Auckland Council's campaigning for changes to the thirty-year-old dog control act saying they need stronger powers to tackle unprecedented levels of roaming dogs and attacks that are putting communities at risk. Local Government Minister Simon Watts spoke to Lisa Owen.

Over the past eight years a Far North Bay has been transformed from underwater wasteland to a thriving marine ecosystem. But the change isn't the result of an official marine reserve - it's because of a no-take rāhui, or customary ban, set up by local hapu. Reporter Peter de Graaf has more.

A much-loved and long-running Auckland secondhand bookshop will live to write another chapter, having saved itself from closure. Hard to Find Books was struggling to find a new location for its hundreds of thousands of titles after its landlord - the Catholic Church - decided to sell the famous former convent where the shop has traded for eight years. Following months of hunting the shop has finally found a home, but as other secondhand bookshops close their doors it's still facing a tough fight for survival. Evie Richardson reports.

It's been a big 24 hours at the Winter Olympics in Milano. Kiwi freestyle skier Luca Harrington flipped his way to a bronze medal in the slopestyle final this morning to claim New Zealand's second medal of the Games. Meanwhile, on the ice-skating rink, flips have been a source of controversy. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's concern that some behaviour at Dunedin's annual Flo and O weeks is out of control and highly dangerous, with students clambering onto roofs. A young man was critically injured early this morning after falling about ten metres from an Otago University building. A wine bottle was found on a ledge. Senior Sergeant Craig Dinnissen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Americas correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about a shooting in Canada.