Checkpoint

Pike River families are calling on the government to kill a bill they warn will put lives at risk. Workplace Relations Minister Brooke van Velden is proposing a radical shakeup of New Zealand's health and safety laws. Today relatives of the Pike River victims joined the Council of Trade Unions as they rallied against the changes outside Parliament. Tess Brunton reports.

Aotearoa's thoroughbred and harness industries are racing to their own demise. Combined the industries contribute $1.7 billion to GDP a year. But a report by the TAB New Zealand Racing Advisory Committee concludes without major, urgent governance, tax and attitude changes, the industry is effectively in a downward spiral. New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association CEO Nick Johnson spoke to Lisa Owen.

The January storms that battered the coast north of Whangarei are now a distant memory for many people, yet some Northlanders are still living with the effects. Five months later, displaced residents still can't go home, and as Peter de Graaf discovers, some have no home to go to.

It is game over for the Moana Pasifika rugby franchise, for now. Hail mary bids to save the franchise have failed, because no one could guarantee the capital needed, according to New Zealand Rugby. Moana went into liquidation in May, owing more than $8 million. NZR chief financial officer Chris Kinriad spoke to Lisa Owen.

A soldier facing court martial for headbutting and threatening to kill someone of senior rank denies there was any physical contact between the two. The solider was facing six charges at a hearing at Linton Military Camp near Palmerston North, but three counts were today withdrawn. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham was at the court martial and spoke to Lisa Owen.

The White Ferns are still on the hunt to defend their T20 World Cup crown after beating Scotland by six wickets overnight. A better net run rate has boosted their hopes, but a tough showdown with England in their final pool play match awaits. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Parking fees are being extended in a popular Auckland retail strip, despite some businesses saying they're already on their knees. Auckland transport's extending paid parking into more Ponsonby streets even though more than 80 percent of feedback was against the move. Marcin Kulak who co-owns the restaurant Mekong Baby on Ponsonby Road is not happy with the decision and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about talks between the US and Iran concluding in Switzerland. The region, like the rest of the world, is hoping for real stability after a shaky start to the peace agreement.

The rise of far right extremism in the classroom has prompted a teachers union to seek expert advice for those at the chalkface. The PPTA is hiring someone to develop guidelines for teachers due to the growing prevalence of extremist views being expressed by some students. That includes homophobia, anti-semitism, racism, trad-wife and misogynistic views. PPTA president Chris Abercombie spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about work continuing to determine whether the discovery of two seabirds infected with the deadly H5 strain of bird flu, foreshadows a major outbreak of the disease that could have serious consequences for the country's native animals and its poultry industry.