Checkpoint

Consumer expects power prices to increase by about five percent this year and has said it is lines charges that are to blame. Stats NZ figures show electricity went up 12.1 percent last year. Consumer's price forecast comes in the wake of the government's plans to build a liquefied natural gas import terminal, in a bid to soften price spikes, when renewable energy like solar and wind don't play ball. Paul Fuge who manages Powerswitch - the electricity comparison website operated by Consumer - spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about violent clashes between police and protesters rallying in opposition to the controversial visit by Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

More than 60 medals have been won so far by athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics - including a silver for New Zealand - but these precious mementoes are barely surviving the celebrations. Women's downhill alpine skiing gold medallist Breezy Johnson hadn't even made it past her post-race media session with the BBC when hers fell apart. Games organisers are now investigating what has caused medals, of all colours, to crack or come apart. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The lawyers who represented the white supremacist terrorist who massacred 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques have given evidence to the Court of Appeal today - and outlined a very different version of events to that of the terrorist. Reporter Timothy Brown was in court and spoke to Lisa Owen.

When is a tax not a tax? Apparently, when it is a levy, except it seems sometimes a levy is not a levy either. That was the coalition's contention at Parliament today as it pushes ahead with plans to build a new liquefied natural gas import facility - funded by a charge levied on the electricity companies. Labour has labelled it a "gas tax" which will drive up power bills - but the government insists it will actually reduce them. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

A Northland father is pleading for a review of dog laws and a crackdown on owners after his young daughters were left terrified after witnessing a brutal attack by a pack of roaming dogs right outside their house. Last financial year the Far North District Council received 1087 reports of stray dogs and in the last two weeks it has issued about 800 infringements for unregistered dogs. But Tyrone Biddle believes more needs to done before a child is seriously injured. Biddle spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government is scrapping a troubled advisory group led by businessman Sunny Kaushal. The Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime has been dogged by controversy since it was established by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith in October 2024. Most recently, three of its five members resigned within a month of each other, with one saying it had become a very unpleasant environment under Kaushal. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham spoke to Lisa Owen.

Experts say it is safe to swim in the city's harbour despite the massive Moa Point sewage spill - but locals Checkpoint spoke still aren't up for taking a dip so close to the contaminated site. It comes after a catastrophic failure wastewater treatment plant started pumping out millions of litres of raw sewage into the ocean nearly a week ago. Nick James reports.

Snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott is New Zealand's first medallist of the 2026 Winter Olympics. A crash followed by a comeback secured the silver medal in the Big Air event in the mountains of Italy. This medal is just the latest accomplishment by New Zealand's most decorated Winter Olympian, whose Games aren't over yet. Sports reporter Felicity Reid reports.

Manawatu parents and caregivers are dipping into their savings and even taking out loans in order to find a bus service to get their children to school. This comes after some school buses that used to run into Palmerston North were axed as a result of a Ministry of Education review into over 250 routes nationwide. One high school reports that 300 of its students are affected by the changes. Jimmy Ellingham has more.

Empty cannisters of nitrous oxide or 'nangs' discarded by Auckland motorway on and off ramps is concerning one south Auckland councillor, who suspects people are huffing and driving. There's growing calls for tighter regulation around Nitrous Oxide, a colourless gas, which is used as a painkiller in medical and dental procedures and also in catering to whip cream. But when inhaled for recreational use, it can have dangerous long-term side effects like nerve damage in the brain and spinal cord. Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor Matt Winiata spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Ghislaine Maxwell refusing to answer any questions from Congress members related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and how News presenter Savannah Guthrie has posted another plea for help as the search for her mother continues. He also spoke about a lawsuit in Los Angeles accusing some of the biggest social media giants of creating "addiction machines."

About 70 million litres of untreated waste is now being pumped 1.8 kilometres out into Cook Straight after the Wellington Moa Point treatment plant failed. The capital's south coast beaches are currently off limits because of contamination. Environmentalists are concerned about the nearby by Taputeranga Marine Reserve and wider eco system. Dr Christopher Cornwall, a senior lecturer in Marine Biology at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the Prime Minister's chief of staff quitting over Peter Madelson's appointment, as well as Nigeria's President preparing for the country's first state visit to the UK in almost four decades.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A senior navy officer is facing a Court Martial over their alleged behaviour during a 2023 operation in Fiji, where they are accused of encouraging a junior officer to kiss them. The hearing is sitting at the Devonport Navy Base in Auckland. The senior officer has pleaded not guilty for doing an act likely to prejudice service discipline. Reporter Lucy Xia was at the hearing and spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Olympics have come to a devastating end for one of snow sports greatest. Downhill skier Lindsey Vonn suffered a brutal crash and a fractured leg in Cortina, dashing her dream of a second Olympic gold. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Taupo school will be closed again tomorrow after a block of classrooms went up in smoke in an alleged arson. The blaze broke out at Taupo-nui-a Tia College on Sunday afternoon, closing surrounding roads for several hours. Two young people have been charged over the fire and are due to appear in Taupo Youth Court this week. Taupo-nui-a Tia College principal, Ben Claxton spoke to Lisa Owen.

The terrorist who murdered 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques has made his first public remarks since the attack, claiming any remorse was irrationality caused by his prison conditions. Australian Brenton Tarrant is serving a life sentence without parole for the massacres at Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in March 2019. The 35-year-old is seeking to vacate his guilty pleas at the Court of Appeal. Reporter Timothy Brown was in court and spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government is pushing ahead with imported natural gas as the solution to huge power price spikes in winter. But the completion date seems to have been pushed out, and consumers may well be pinged for the costs. Political reporter Russell Palmer spoke to Lisa Owen.

All eyes are on the government's response to the Moa Point sewage plant meltdown. Wellington Water's chief executive is warning the public the capital's south coast could be off limits for months. Meanwhile the city's mayor wants a ministerial inquiry. Crews have spent the weekend trying to clean up the wastewater plant and get to the damage after it was shut after being flooded by raw sewage. In the meantime, millions of litres of untreated sewage have been spilling out into the Cook Strait since early Wednesday. Nick James reports.

A significant jump in the recreational use of nitrous oxide, or nangs, has Hawkes Bay officials worried, with claims big cannisters of the gas are being marketed directly to children. Nitrous oxide is a colourless gas, known as laughing gas, which is used as a painkiller in medical and dental procedures, and is also used in catering to make whipped cream. If inhaled recreationally nangs can have dangerous long-term side effects like nerve damage in the brain and spinal cord. In recent weeks, dozens of the discarded cannisters have started turning up. Stewart Whyte of Te Taiwhenua o Heretaunga called a crisis meeting and spoke to Lisa Owen.

A District Court Judge has faced a Judicial Conduct Panel for the first time today, after being accused of disrupting a New Zealand First function at Auckland's exclusive Northern Club. Judge Ema Aitken is before a panel in Auckland, over claims she called party leader Winston Peters a liar, during an event in 2024. Special Counsel today presented the allegations to a panel made up of a former Governor-General, a retired Court of Appeal Judge, and a sitting Court of Appeal Judge. Finn Blackwell was there.

Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen about the Seattle Seahawks beating the New England Patriots at Super Bowl LX.

Middle East correspondent Perry Wilton spoke to Lisa Owen about a fatal building collapse in Lebanon which has killed nine people.

Traffic is on the move again through the Waioweka Gorge, after the chunk of State Highway two between Opotiki and Matawai was closed for more than two weeks. Although traffic is still moving slowly, with only a single lane open and a guide vehicle required. There were 40 worksites along the road including eight spots with severe damage due to slips and flooding. Waioweka Gorge resident, farmer Anne Redpath has been unable to travel far with the road off limits, and spoke to Lisa Owen.

In Australia the upcoming visit by Israel's President Isaac Herzog is causing division and widespread comdemnation due to allegatoins he incited genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

While the country has been dragged into a devastating war, one man is ensuring that rugby stays alive in Ukraine, and young players have a possible path to safety. Anton Shashero is coach of Ukraine's national under 16 side, and thanks to sponsorships has spent the week in Aotearoa learning from some of the best in the business. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Another chunk of State highway 35 around the East Cape has slipped away after more rain this week; with communties still cut off two weeks after the district was hammered by severe weather.

The results of tests on the Wellington coast line contaminated with millions of litres of raw sewage are expected anytime in the next 24 hours. But beaches on the south coast and Lyall Bay remain off limits after the Moa Point waste water treatment plant failed; flooding the facility ..and sending massive amounts of untreated waste into the ocean.

A protestor's speech, a scuffle, and a few scathing comments. The coalition leaders were heckled at Waitangi today as they made their election-year pitches - but it wasn't smooth-sailing for the opposition either. MPs were formally welcomed to the Treaty Grounds on the eve of the national day - the prime minister making his return after skipping last year. Craig McCulloch reports.

Could the rural equivalent of tinder targetted at health professionals help attract doctors to remote areas and keep them there. The boss of one health organisation thinks so.

Wellington Water's chief executive said an inspection of the the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant today has revealed the damage is as bad as they feared. An equipment breakdown at the plant has flooded the site with untreated sewage which is also pouring into the ocean at a an average rate of about 70 million litres per day. Lauren Crimp has more.

Social media is driving a boom in the use of untested and potentially harmful drugs that claim to help achieve Hollywood good looks. Despite being unnaproved by Medsafe, these types of peptides are still able to be bought online "for research purposes". An expert is calling for a crackdown on the use of peptides which he says carry long-term risks. Bella Craig reports.

Super Rugby Pacific is just over one week a way and fans have a few new law changes to look forward to. Officials say they are designed to make for a better viewing experience. RNZ's Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen about how some of the players have reacted to the changes.

A Wellington charity supplying school stationery to families who can't afford it may be forced to turn people away because demand is so high. Te Awakairangi School Stationery Drive, supplies children in the Hutt Valley with essentials like exercise books, pens, and backpacks. It's just one of several cost families face at the start of the school year on top of things like school uniforms. Nicky Smith, the organiser of Te Awakairangi School Stationery Drive spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the removal of hundreds of federal agents from Minnesota.

DOC's worried seventy million litres of raw sewage being pumped into the sea around the capital could contaminate a nearby marine reserve... and put several species at risk. The beaches are off limits after Wellington's Moa Point waste water treatment plant failed..flooding the facility ..and sending massive amounts of untreated waste into the city's south coast near the shore and Taputeranga Marine Reserve. The Department of Conservation's principal science advisor Shane Geange spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about British Police launching a criminal investigation into the former UK ambassador to the US, as well as a new report that has found seven million cancer cases could be prevented each year.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Foils' anxious wait for parts to arrive in New Zealand for the busted back of the SailGP boat is over. Over the last couple of days the newly manufactured parts have made it from the United Kingdom to Auckland and the team has renewed confidence they'll be on the water for their home grand prix next week. While praising the SailGP repair crew, the team has also taken a swipe at the officials' response to the crash that caused the damage. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Warehouse has announced it is cutting more than 250 jobs in its head office in a bid to cut operating costs. The company is partnering with an IT firm to tap into technology efficiencies including artificial intelligence. It comes the same day as new unemployment figures hit a ten-year high. Workers First Union represents some of the workers affected, spokesperson Rudd Hughes spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Prime Minister insists the government and iwi are aligned on improving outcomes for Māori, as he makes his return to Waitangi. Christopher Luxon is back at the Treaty Grounds after skipping last year - and has met face-to-face with iwi leaders. Political reporter Giles Dexter is at Waitangi

Some Wellington beaches are off limits with massive amounts of raw sewage being pumped out to sea after a treatment plant was swamped in contaminated water, during heavy rain. It could take months to repair the damage at the Moa Point treatment plant. During heavy rain last night water backed up in the outfall pipe and flooded the site in metres deep raw sewage. Wellington Water chief executive Pat Dougherty spoke to Lisa Owen.

Canterbury police are searching for a precious Olympic medal that was stolen in a burglary. Rowing legend Les O'Connell's gold medal was stolen from his home in the Christchurch suburb of Strowan around the early hours of Monday morning. The medal holds huge sentimental value to him, and he has pleaded for whoever has it to do the right thing. Police are now appealing to people who may have CCTV footage that could help them in the hunt. Christchurch Detective Nigel Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Christchurch community leader has made an emotional plea to the city's councillors to stop ignoring locals' concerns about the foul stench pouring from Bromley's sewage plant. It comes after some residents walked out of a fiery public meeting last night, frustrated by the council's inaction five years after fire damaged the plant, and as complaints about the odour continue to pour in. Anna Sargent reports.

A man is in hospital and the police watchdog has been alerted after a shooting in the Hamilton suburb of Whitiora this morning. Police shot a man who was wanted over a violent incident, after he pulled a shotgun on officers.

A long-term fix for an historic suspension bridge, whose cabling is sagging into the river below, could be decided next month. The Opiki toll bridge in southern Manawatu is a well-known landmark for many motorists driving to and from Wellington along State Highway 56. But, for the second time in just over two years, the ageing structure requires repair. Jimmy Ellingham reports.