Checkpoint

A group of law professionals is calling for a Commissioner for animals; claiming current animal welfare laws are out of date, not fit for purpose and the system is riddled with conflicts of interest.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.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

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.

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.

A Korean national who was caught in an undercover sting trying to smuggle multiple New Zealand geckos out of the country has been jailed. Gunak Lee's lawyer argued he was a naive mule when he agreed to do it for someone he hadn't even met. Kim Baker Wilson, who was in the Manukau District Court for Lee's sentencing, spoke to Lisa Owen.

Critical public health roles - including in emergency management, pandemic preparedness and Maori health - are on the chopping block at the Ministry of Health, with yet another restructuring under way before Christmas. The Public Service Association says the loss of skills and expertise will leave New Zealand vulnerable, as the risk from disease and natural disasters continues to ramp up. Consultation on the changes closes in just over a fortnight and any changes are expected to be in place by April. Ruth Hill reports.

Finishing touches are getting added to the country's biggest indoor sport and aquatics centre, which opens to the public in central Christchurch in less than a fortnight. The long-delayed $500 million building, Parakiore, has a 50-metre competition pool and five hydroslides, as well as nine sports courts and a High Performance Sport New Zealand training base. It replaces the much-missed QEII park facilities destroyed in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Anna Sargent reports.

The country's fastest man over 100 metres is trading in his black singlet and hopping the ditch. National record holder Eddie Osei-Nketia has officially completed his transfer of allegiance and will now compete for Australia. The 24 year-old last represented New Zealand at the World Athletics Champs in 2022, and broke the New Zealand record in a time of 10.08 seconds. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

From a two bedroom apartment that went for just $15,000 to a $35 million seaside mansion, 2025 has seen some pretty remarkable property sales. Latest data from Cotality shows the national median house price sits at $806,551, which is more than 17% below the 2022 peak. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds shared some the years best bargains and biggest blowouts with Lisa Owen.

A Victoria University Professor has sparked a debate over what is acceptable language after she posted on social media saying she ignores emails from students if they use the greeting "hey", as she thinks it is rude. However in a statement Victoria University said "so long as correspondence is not ill-mannered, then an informal tone can be quite acceptable". Plain language and writing trainer Colleen Trolove spoke to Lisa Owen.

At least five children have been taken to hospital with chemical burns after an apparent mix up at a Christchurch childcare centre. Emergency services were called to the centre, in the suburb of Woolston, about quarter past one this afternoon. Samantha Gee was at the childcare centre on Ferry Road and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about an unofficial roll out of the country's social media ban beginning today with the tech giant Meta starting to delete accounts held on its platforms. The full social media ban is due to be implemented next week.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Caps are well in control of the first cricket test against the West Indies in Christchurch, as day three belonged to the kiwis who now have a lead of well over 300. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A blend of former soldiers posted from a range of conflicts, gathered together today to mark the 75th year since their military unit was formed. The 16th Field Regiment was formed to fight in the Korean War - and since 1950 it has served around the world. Today, veterans and their families have remembered their parts in modern history's turbulent times. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

After all the planning and waiting, the Swedish furniture megastore IKEA has opened in Auckland. While hundreds of customers, including the Prime Minister celebrated the much anticipated store opening, the rest of the city was braced for disruption. Traffic management was in full effect, with authorities warning of delays of up to 40-minutes around the motorway. Finn Blackwell got amongst the frenzied crowds and filed this report.

A government decision to reject stronger climate targets is pitiful, and will cost households in the long run, scientists, advocates and opposition politicians say. The coalition today released its response to recommendations from the Climate Change Commission to strengthen New Zealand's 2050 targets for methane and carbon emissions. It rejected them both, saying adopting stronger targets would impact GDP - but critics say today's decision will cost the country far more dearly. Climate Change Correspondent Kate Newton reports.