Checkpoint

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The scrap for playoff spots is well and truly on in Super Rugby Pacific. The top four is occupied by kiwi sides with a diet of derbies on the menu in the coming month. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A new national fuel company has been given the go-ahead by the Commerce Commission. The merger of Gull and NPD would combine 240 sites across the country, but they would maintain their brands according to the proposal. The AA said the new entity will have greater buying power, which may ultimately lead to cheaper prices at the pump. AA's fuel spokesperson Terry Collins' spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

TVNZ's Political Editor Maiki Sherman has resigned from the state broadcaster, citing unprecedented scrutiny and enormous pressure on her over the past week. It follows a barrage of criticism after revelations she directed a homophobic slur at another journalist during late-night drinks in the Finance Minister's office a year ago. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

New Zealand universities have been caught up in a global hack of an online learning platform, leaving the personal details of students potentially exposed. The Canvas system is accessed online and used for assignments, to get grades and communicate with tutors. Impacted Universities include the University of Auckland, AUT and the Victoria University of Wellington. Aidan Donoghue is President of the Victoria University Students Association and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Dozens of Taranaki teenagers have jumped behind the controls of heavy equipment at an event designed to encourage young women to consider trades careers. Organisers of the Women in Trades showcase say women are valued employees, but many are missing out on six-figure salaries by not considering a life on the tools. It might not be as intimidating as some think, with one young potential recruit comparing working a digger to gaming. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin was in Inglewood.

Testing and treating children for a stomach infection in childhood is key to preventing a rise in stomach cancer diagnoses in adults, according to a new report. By 2045, it's expected 725 people will be diagnosed each year, that's a nearly 50 percent increase on the numbers now. Maori and Pacific people are up to six times more likely to get the cancer. But the study published in the New Zealand Medical Journal said there are opportunities to prevent it from developing with a relatively simple treatment for a stomach infection usually caught as a child. Dr Nina Bevin of the National Hauora Coalition was among the researchers and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Police have beefed up the number of officers out on the beat in Nelson's CBD over weekends due to bad behaviour by rowdy teens. Senior cops say alcohol is fuelling the trouble and they worry it will lead to violence.The problem has coincided with the closure of a Nelson charitable trust that helped kids stay on track. Samantha Gee reports.

Police are looking to design a bespoke head cushion with a local manufacturer after a man who was restrained in a chair inside police cells died. An Auckland Coroner has heard how Jaye Taueli forcefully thrashed his head back and forth repeatedly while tied down in the chair. He lost consciousness, and died in hospital from a ruptured malformed vessel in his brain, a day after his arrest. Reporter Lucy Xia was at the inquest.

It will be do or die for the Wellington Phoenix women on Sunday, when they host Brisbane Roar for a place in football's A-league final. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.