Checkpoint

The prime ministers of New Zealand and Singapore have just signed a world-first agreement. It commits both nations to keeping supplies moving in times of crisis, and gives New Zealand fuel security. Political editor Jo Moir spoke to Melissa Chan-Green from Singapore.

A long-term patient of Palmerston North Hospital's gastroenterology department is concerned about the care he'll receive when the last permanent doctor leaves next month. Over recent years the service, which focuses on patients suffering from problems with their digestive systems, has struggled to attract specialists to work there. One left on Friday, and the other finishes in June. Temporary and locum doctors will fill the gaps, although Health NZ says it's sent out offers of employment to new recruits. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

The men from the capital still sit comfortably atop the Super Rugby ladder, after dispatching the defending champions at the weekend. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Teachers who were with 15-year-old Karnin Petera on a school caving trip in May 2023 gave emotional evidence at an inquest into his death in Whangarei. Northland reporter Peter de Graaf spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

"A humanitarian gesture." That's how Donald Trump has described a plan to get stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. Details around how the US-led efforts would operate are scarce, but the President has warned that any Iranian intervention would "be dealt with forcefully." Iran said any American action in the Strait would breach the current ceasefire. Meanwhile, Iran has put forward a new peace proposal to bring an end to the war. Middle East correspondent in Doha, Lou Browne spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A council operated crematorium is being called out over its charging, with families taking their loved ones a hundred kilometres away for the service to be carried out. Tauranga City Council runs the only crematorium in the city and charges $979 for an adult cremation. That's compared to $695 in neighbouring Hamilton and $630 charged in Rotorua. Crematoriums run by Auckland Council charge $750. Funeral director Carla Turner runs several funeral homes and calls Tauranga's charges a rip off. Turner spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about how the UK's terror threat level has been raised once again, following the latest antisemitic attack in London and how Central London had a brand new sculpture. She also spoke about a routine driving test just outside of Paris taking a turn for the worse.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

We're heading towards the business end of the Super Rugby Pacific season. The final stretch before the play-offs will kick-off in the capital on Friday. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Fonoti-Fuimaono brothers have just been named among 12 of the country's most promising opera singers, who will compete against each other in the Dame Kiri te Kanawa song quest semi finals in July. The proud Samoan siblings grew up in Hastings and now live in Hamilton,where they all studied music at Waikato University. Melissa Chan-Green spoke with two of the brothers Faamanu and Jordan, who say it took a while for the trio to celebrate their good news together.