Checkpoint

Parliament is wrapping up for the year, and for the term of the 54th Parliament, as MPs ready themselves to hit the campaign trail for the next six weeks. Political reporter Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa Owen.

The firefighters' union is calling for an inquiry into the management of Fire and Emergency New Zealand. NZ Professional Firefighters Union members have handed over a petition to politicians in Wellington today, demanding action. This comes a week after Internal Affairs Minister Brook van Velden declared she had no confidence in the FENZ chief executive, and a damning select committee report revealed organisational failings. Anya Fielding reports.

Police say a young child who was critically injured in the Southland town of Otautau has died in Starship Children's Hospital. Emergency services were called to a property in Otautau on Saturday night, where the child was found. Otago Southland reporter Tess Brunton spoke to Lisa Owen.

More than 50 business leaders have signed an open letter to politicians, asking them to keep their hands off private businesses. The New Zealand Initiative is behind the letter, asking parties to withdraw some of their policies and uphold private property and contract rights. It comes off the back of proposals to sell off or separate supermarket assets, and buy back the Australian-owned BNZ. New Zealand Initiative executive director, Oliver Hartwich spoke to Lisa Owen.

As wildlife flourishes in a fenced Otago ecosanctuary, mahi is ramping up to protect the birds flying the coop. In July, Predator Free Dunedin received $3.9 million over three years from the Department of Conservation to boost its predator elimination work. That funding means they'll soon be targeting mustelids, rats, rabbits and feral cats lurking around the Orokonui Ecosanctuary. Tess Brunton reports.

Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams' new private netball league could bring together two Auckland professional sports franchises. RNZ understands Auckland real estate director and long-time Mystics sponsor Peter Thompson is in talks with the high-profile couple about buying a franchise licence for the new league. The move could see the Mystics join forces with the Blues, with the two clubs already sharing a commercial link. Sports editor Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some Kiwi Classic Car lovers have reached the top of the leader board in a global drive to raise funds for Men's health. The Distinguished Gentleman's Drive is on this Sunday. More than 200 drives are planned around the world - seven in New Zealand. But it's the event, Dapper Drive, in Wairarapa that's leaving others in the dust. Organiser Malcolm Fleming spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about all eyes being on the US and Iran at the UN General assembly, as well as the US talking about banning Iranian airlines worldwide.

The government was warned not to pump taxpayer money into concerts, because profits would probably go off shore and the costs would likely outweigh the benefits. Yet the Tourism Minister went ahead and funded shows by Robbie Williams, Linkin Park, Post Malone and Bruno Mars. Former festival director for Splore, Jon Minty had a funding application rejected, and Rob Warner, a music industry veteran promoter and performer got the documents under the OIA. Both spoke to Lisa Owen.

A survey has found that most adults are putting off getting their eyes checked. But is it more than just not wanting to wear glasses that's stopping them? Anya Fielding reports, in this first of two stories about the cost of eye care.