Checkpoint for Friday 8 August 2025

5:45 PM.United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the homelessness minister quitting, after she was accused of dodgy rent dealings, as well as UK Police turning to the public for… Read more Audio

5:37 PM.The Labour leader Chris Hipkins has rebuked his education spokesperson after finding out she ignored, then rejected offers to work with the government on NCEA reforms. ACT's David Seymour said if she… Read more Audio

5:33 PM.News from the business sector, including a market report. Audio

5:29 PM.Provincial rugby gets in full swing this weekend with the Farah Palmer Cup kicking off its 26th season. While the Black Ferns prepare for their World Cup defence, players back home will be eager to… Read more Audio

5:23 PM.Closures, swapping to more export alternatives or dirtier substitutes are some of the options facing small to medium businesses struggling to get gas contracts. The Business NZ Energy Council said a… Read more Audio

5:16 PM.Only two of the teen boys who went through the government's controversial military-style boot camp trial haven't reoffended. Despite this, the agency and minister in charge are trumpeting its success… Read more Audio

5:08 PM.Israel's defence force is getting ready to take over Gaza city after the security cabinet approved the plan. Ahead of an hours long meeting, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told media he… Read more Audio

4:52 PM.For over a decade, a pair of huge eagles ridden by Gandalf the wizard greeted people as they arrived in the city famous for the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit. But no longer. Today, Wellington… Read more Audio

4:46 PM.Business leaders and the Associate Energy Minister have been in crisis talks after a Taranaki manufacturer revealed looking to shutdown production for up to four months because it can't get a… Read more Audio

4:43 PM.It was all aboard the City Rail Link express today for the Prime Minister and Cabinet colleagues in another milestone for the multi-billion dollar project. A train did a special VIP test run in the… Read more Audio

4:28 PM.It has been an interesting last 24 hours for the All Blacks, as confirmation came through that Richie Mo'unga will be returning next season. Mo'unga will be eligible for test rugby in time for the end… Read more Audio

4:25 PM.There's a way that the money you're putting aside for your Lotto ticket could give you an almost certain $100,000 windfall. Lotto's Powerball is rolling over for a $20 million prize on Saturday. But… Read more Audio

4:18 PM.Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about Japan continuing to record a steep decline in population growth. Audio

4:06 PM.A children's reading book has been shelved by the Ministry of Education because it has apparently got too many Māori words in it. In a message to schools, it said student sized copies of 'At the… Read more Audio