Checkpoint

The way New Zealanders are able to hold media to account and challenge content is about to change after the Government announced it wants to scrap the Broadcasting Standards Authority. Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith said that the media landscape has changed since the BSA was set up in 1989 and regulation hasn't kept up. In a statement, the BSA said it has said for more than 15 years the current Broadcasting Act is "no longer fit for purpose." But a former BSA member said the authority plays an important role and abolishing it leaves some communities more exposed to media harm. Pulotu Tupe Solomon-Tanoa'i spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about how Australian mortgage customers are facing the news that bank interest rates are on their way up and despite how four people have now been attacked in Western Australa's Lake Argyle, it didn't stop a major swimming event being held there over the weekend.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Days after copping demerit points for what was deemed as aggressive behaviour on the cricket field New Zealand bowler Kyle Jamieson will be back in action on Wednesday morning. Playing in the Indian Premier League for the Delhi Capitals, Jamieson celebrated a little bit too hard at weekend, which caught the attention of competition organisers. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A pharmacist said there would need to be additional training if the profession was called on to offer more treatments to ease pressure on GPs. ACT leader David Seymour said his party would extend the role of pharmacists beyond changes already coming into effect next month. In a policy announced on Tuesday, he said pharmacists could treat chest infections, ear infections, skin infections and acute pain, and be responsible for triaging skin cancer concerns. From June, pharmacists will be able to offer funded treatment for six conditions including head lice, scabies and conjunctivitis. Pharmacist, director of Mangawhai Pharmacy, Lanny Wong spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The High Court has heard how a Nelson policeman did not realise he had been hit by a car that killed his colleague, until he woke up injured on the ground. Senior Sergeant Adam Ramsay was critically injured and his colleague Lyn Fleming was killed in the crash in the early hours of New Year's Day last year. Hayden Tasker is on trial for her murder and badly injuring Mr Ramsay. Reporter Samantha Gee spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

With fuel prices expected to be impacted for at least six months, the flow on effect on household expenses is likely to last through to the new year. The Prime Minister says the conflict in the Middle East brings "huge amounts of anxiety and worry and concern," for New Zealanders. Meanwhile, ANZ spending data out on Tuesday showed an unusually large drop in grocery spending for the month of April of 1.4 percent. Not surprisingly, our spending at the petrol pump has gone up 22 per cent since February. Economist Cameron Bagrie spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

While Minister Simon Watts on Tuesday described the latest development as "the Government getting out of the way," councils who have pushed back against the Government's plans have been thrown a lifeline. They've been given three months to join with other councils and pitch a plan to the Government for how they would like reform to look in their region. It now will not be passed into law before the election. Local Government Minister Simon Watts spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Crossing the Cook Strait is about to get a whole lot more expensive for commercial operators and consumers. The Interislander is hiking its fuel surcharge to 54 percent on commercial vehicles and trucks crossing the Cook Strait due to soaring energy prices. International shipping company Maersk announced its own 27 percent fuel surcharge and Bluebridge adjusted its prices last month. As Alexa Cook reports, the high ferry fuel surcharge is going to hurt.

The New Zealand rugby factory is continuing to export players in their prime. Hurricanes flanker Devan Flanders is the latest to join the long list of kiwis taking their talents offshore. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.