Checkpoint

US Correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the latest on the US Iran deal.

"Almost as bad as it gets", said the Immigration Minister after a blistering report into a multi-million dollar failed tech upgrade. Erica Stanford has accused officials of misleading ministers over years, and indulging in creative accounting to stay under the radar. After a tortured seven-year saga the tech project has been scrapped with more than $30 million lost. An investigation has now been launched. Deputy Political Editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

Europe correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about new social media restrictions for the UK, as well as British Armed Forces boarding a Russian shadow fleet tanker in the English Channel.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Whites have brushed aside the political backdrop to tomorrow's Football World Cup opener against Iran. The All Whites can't afford to have too many distractions as they'll be the underdogs when they step on the pitch in California against a side ranked 65 places higher than them. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Finance Minister says petrol prices will fall if the US-Iran peace deal holds, but it is a big if, and it will take time. Political reporter Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa Owen.

The NBR rich list, out today, estimates the collective value of the countries 150 wealthist people is about $129 billion, up from $102 billion the year before. The Green Party say Aotearoa's economy is bigger than it has ever been but welath is being "hoovered up", while food insecurity and homelessness rises. Co-leader Chloe Swarbrick spoke to Lisa Owen.

Museums and galleries are calling for a dedicated central fund for cultural institutions, as many battle to keep the lights on. They're among the country's most visited attractions but are struggling to balance the books and fork out for patching up ageing buildings, seismic upgrades and rising operational costs. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.

A retail industry group is sounding the alarm over figures it says show that a third of the tobacco smoked in New Zealand is from the black market. A report prepared by FTI consulting - on behalf of the tobacco industry - found there was a rise in the consumption of illicit products last year. However, an anti-smoking advocate says the numbers don't add up, and the real black market figures are likely much lower. Finn Blackwell reports.

A leading New Zealand research institute believes it is on track to deliver a cutting edge immunotherapy for blood cancer patients in the public system next year. But only if it can get government funding. Researchers at the Malaghan Institute are well into clinical trials of CAR-T cell therapy with 60 patients. The institute's Clinical Director, Doctor Robert Weinkove spoke to Lisa Owen.