Checkpoint

A new service at Taranaki Base Hospital is transforming the life an Opunake farmer. Mark Walsh has had kidney function issues most of his life and travelled out of region for specialist dialysis treatment sometimes twice a week - but not any more. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin explains.

Australia correspondent Peter Ryan spoke to Lisa Owen about how voters are bracing for what could be a long election campaign as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese seeks another term amid a cost of living crisis.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The smokefree minister has been accused of intimidating health officials - after she hit back at their feedback and accused them of undermining her efforts. That's the accusation from the Public Service Association and Labour - but Casey Costello has today won the backing of her boss and colleagues, deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Election Day tomorrow, Donald Trump trying to overturn the last election and whether he could again and an election worker in the state of Georgia being arrested for making threats.

Pharmacists are being swamped with patients who can't get doctors appointments or are faced with massive wait times. The workload is unsustainable, according to their professional body. A work place survey in September showed an 80 percent increase in requests from community pharmacy patients who couldn't get access to a GP. There's been a 53 percent increase in requests for advice for minor conditions and a 43 percent increase in people wanting help with more serious conditions. The Pharmaceutical Society said funding is not keeping pace with demand, president Michael Hammond spoke to Lisa Owen.

The race that stops a nation has come and gone for 2024, and here with more on the winner is sports reporter Jonty Dine.

The number of guns being made in New Zealand using 3D printers is on the rise and police say the technology is getting better and better. Last month an Otago man became the first person in New Zealand to be jailed after using a 3D printer to make multiple firearms. New Legislation was passed in 2020 making the crime of manufacturing punishable by up to ten years in jail. Blueprints for 3D guns are readily available on line and it's not illegal to download the files. One of the most popular 3D printed weapons in Australia is reportedly a semi automatic weapon that can fire up to 30 rounds withut needing to reload. Here, police say it is the smaller pistol which is the 3D weapon of choice. Detective Superintendent Greg Williams spoke to Lisa Owen.

It's the stuff of nightmares for any student on the eve of a big exam. But more than a hundred Canterbury University students have been struck down by what they believe was a dodgy chicken dish served at their halls of residence. The suspected food poisoning at University Hall and Ilam Apartments was so widespread and so severe - some students had to vomit on the floor or out windows, while others that made it to the toilets on time, found they were all being used. Some students even missed their exams because they'd been so sick. Now, they no longer want to eat the catering provided. Delphine Herbert reports.

Pushing for pay parity is one way our first all female owned and coached basketball team is trying to change the narrative of women's sport.The BNZ Kahu basketball team was recently bought by five women; a basketball legend, a former Football Fern, a dual international, a New Zealand tennis rep and the founder of a women's sports media organisation. As well setting an example for pay, they're attracting overseas players and even teams - with two from the Indian league joining the comp next year, Bella Craig has the story.