Checkpoint

Twenty people have been charged in an organised crime sting across several jails following an almost year-long investigation. Fifteen prison staff and five members of the public connected to inmates were among those arrested. It's alleged the Corrections' officers working at Mount Eden jail were smuggling contraband like cellphones and meth into the prison. Staff employed by the prison operator Serco have also been arrested. Police believe the mobile phones were being used by prisoners to run their drug importation and distribution operations while locked up. Corrections' chief Executive Rachel Leota spoke to Lisa Owen.

Too much admin and not enough pay. Principal Sam Mortimer from Greymouth High says both are barriers stopping foreign born or foreign qualified teachers coming to our schools. He said newly-qualified teachers aren't paid enough to meet minimum pay rates for work visas, and the paper work is excessive. Meanwhile, a New Zealander with Australian teaching qualifications says she nearly gave up because of the admin and fees. Education correspondent John Gerritsen has more.

Australian and New Zealand police will fund a strike force in Colombia to fight the Pacific drug trade. The announcement comes as Pacific leaders and police chiefs gather in Suva this week to discuss transnational organised crime. RNZ Pacific reporter Kaya Selby has more.

Netball New Zealand is the latest national sporting organisation to fill its Chief Executive vacancy. Experienced sports and major events leader Jennah Wootten has been put in charge of the country's largest women's sport.

A new study has found women working in sectors with an obvious gender pay gap are not just broke, but broken. Researchers at AUT spoke with 47 Lead Maternity Care midwives and their families about their wellbeing and family life. They say what they found was "confronting" Being on 24/7 call with high caseloads led to foregoing sleep, healthy eating, and exercise - contributing to illness and injury. Lead author of the study, James Greenslade-Yeats, a research fellow at AUT Business School spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Trump administration has filed murder charges against Cuba's former president Raúl Castro. The 94 year old is accused of playing a key role in the shooting down of two American planes which killed three US citizens and one resident 30 years ago. It comes amid heightened tensions between the two countries brought on by US sanctions and a push for regime change in the communist nation. Washington DC Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Citizens Advice Bureau is facing significant funding challenges. Wellington City Council decided yesterday to effectively halve its funding for the local bureau, leaving the free independent service reeling. Citizen Advice Bureau CEO, Kerry Dalton spoke to Lisa Owen.

Evening business for 20 May 2026.

The Chiefs are encouraging their fans to flout the ban, but the Crusaders have fired back by threatening to melt any they manage to confiscate.

The funding feud between Nicola Willis and Winston Peters is continuing, amid revelations the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will not have to find savings in this year's Budget.