Checkpoint

There's a least one wildly enthusiastic indoor bowler among the hundreds gathered for the National Championships in Palmerston North. Kevin Boothby has been to 57 in a row, a record! The event that's being held at the Central Energy Trust Arena over eight days is being live streamed on YouTube. Kevin Boothby spoke to Lisa Owen.

A model, who's previously worked for Huffer believes the kiwi brand is using AI generated models in a new campaign. Elijah Timmins-Scanlon spotted the campaign on social media and initially thought one of the pictures was him. He said closer inspection shows it wasn't and he posted a comment suggesting it was AI generated and said Huffer blocked him. Huffer has not responded to Checkpoint's requests for comments. Elijah Timmons-Scanlon spoke to Lisa Owen.

The annual muster of wild horses in the central North Island is underway but there's concern about how many can find new homes.The animals live on Defence Force land near Waiouru and the musters are an important part of keeping the population in check, to protect the alpine environment. Rehoming efforts are proving difficult this year too. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham has more.

The Prime Minister is in Brisbane ahead of meeting with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese. The annual leaders meeting takes place tomorrow, where the pair will discuss trade, security and defence issues.

A mother and son caught smuggling 18 kilograms of pounamu to China have been fined $5000. It's illegal to take more than five kilograms outside the country without consent, but this is the first time anyone has been punished for it. Felix Walton reports.

Residents in Island Bay say they were confronted with nightmare scenes when faecal matter and sanitary products overflowed from the wastewater system during heavy rain. Wellington Water says a blockage near the southern end of the suburb overnight caused sewage to burst from manhole covers and gully traps over nearly a kilometre. Reporter Bill Hickman has more.

The White Ferns have wrapped their final training camp ahead of the T20 Cricket World Cup which begins next week. The New Zealanders are the reigning champions and International commentators predict they'll be in the final four again. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke with Lisa Owen.

A Bay of Plenty family is desperate to get back two emotional support dogs they fear have been stolen from their farm for breeding. The pure bred blue english Staffordshire bull terriers went missing on Tuesday from Glue Pot road in Oropi near Tauranga. Owner, Amanda Hacche, says the dogs are more than pets. She spoke with Lisa Owen.

Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah rejects a US-brokered ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel. And Donald Trump responds to vote to rein in US military action in the Iran war. Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke with Lisa Owen.

Virgin Media O2 surveyed 6000 people over a year in the UK, with results indicating about 35 percent of phone use is without intent. It also estimates people there spend almost five years of their waking lives doom scrolling. Victoria University senior lecturer Alex Beattie spoke with Lisa Owen.