Checkpoint

A thousand new homes in Queenstown are being targeted at "high quality, long term" renterns, with seasonal workers warned not to apply. Housing developer Simplicity living has the project on the fast-track pathway, and if it gets the green light the first 200 homes should be available within 18 months. Chief executive Sam Stubbs spoke to Lisa Owen.

The politics of climate change and the environment is front and centre at the annual Field Days agricultural showcase as Hamilton's Mystery Creek. National and ACT announced key emissions policies, with ACT reiterating its call to leave the Paris Climate Change agreement if methane targets aren't relaxed. Business Editor Corin Dann reports.

Expense records show a government minister spent almost $17,000 in airport parking fees over two years. Credit card records show between February 2024 and February 2026 Karen Chhour parked her vehicle at Auckland airport for a combined eight and a half months. That cost taxpayers $16,686. The figures were revealed alongside other MPs spending habits. Former Minister Peter Dunne spoke to Lisa Owen to give more context.

A New Zealand blood cancer patient who was forced to leave his children behind and make a last chance dash to Australia to access funded drugs has now been given a cutting edge transplant that is not publicly available here. Tawhai Reti, who has myeloma, had exhausted all treatment options in NZ. Earlier this year he moved to Australia without his family to access the lifesaving drug Daratumamab, which isn't funded here. It worked so well he has now been given CAR-T cell therapy, which could put him into remission indefinitely. Tawhai and Lani Reti spoke to Lisa Owen.

The sister-in-law of a woman detained by ICE in the US has described the quashing of her 2016 conviction as a huge relief. Everlee Wihongi's lawyer has told RNZ that she could be released from US custody is a matter of days or weeks, after a judge vacated her conviction for marijuana possession. The next step is to get the court's decision to immigration officials and homeland security. Finn Blackwell reports.

The Labour Party is promising cost-of-living relief for public transport users - pledging to cap their fares at no more than $20 a week if elected. National says it's just more irresponsible spending from Labour. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

One of New Zealand's most enduring sporting careers is set to reach another remarkable milestone. Twenty years on from making his Commonwealth Games debut, artistic gymnast Misha Koudinov has been named in the NZ team for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. It puts him on track become just the third Kiwi athlete to compete at six Commonwealth games. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

It was a bottle of wine sure to get people talking. A group of friends indulging in a bottle worth $400,000 over dinner a few nights ago. The 1996 bottle was bought by one of the friends in 1999 for $2000. Since then, friends have bought shares in the bottle. It was finally consumed after more than two decades at Wellington's Noble Rot wine bar. Bar operations manager, Jessica Wood spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about a fresh wave of back and forth strikes between the United States and Iran. The latest flare up follows the downing of a US Apache helicopter which was reportedly hit by an Iranian drone.

Aotearoa lacks a coherant complete approach to reducing the risk of natural hazards, according to a new report commissioned by on the country's largest insurers. AIG estimates that over the past 15 years the direct cost of natural hazards has been $4.2 billion a year. With 95 percent of that going directly to response and recovery, and just 5 percent to reducing future risk. Tasman mayor Tim King spoke to Lisa Owen.