Checkpoint

RNZ understands National's Stuart Smith had tried but failed get a meeting with Christopher Luxon to warn him about flagging caucus support before Easter. Three polls have National hovering on or just under 30 percent. Ministers Todd McClay and Mark Mitchell have rubbished claims of leadership rumbles. Paul Goldsmith said any nervous backbenchers need to hold their nerve. Former National MP Maurice Williamson spoke to Lisa Owen.

The political leadership rumours have been swirling again today, with fresh reports of a National party mutiny. But Christopher Luxon is digging in - amid the questions about his leadership - insisting he still has the full support of his caucus. Political editor Craig McCulloch has more.

The conviction of serial rapist Malcolm Rewa for another rape almost four decades after he committed the crime has triggered a review of unsolved rape cases. Rewa was senteced at the High Court in Auckland today to ten years in jail for a rape committed in the 1980s. He was already serving a life sentence and preventive detention for the murder of Susan Burdett in 1992 and sexual attacks on 25 women. Detective Inspector Scott Beard spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown says transport companies wanting to keep fuel costs down should be moving goods overnight when there's no traffic on the roads. But the New Zealand Trucking Association says it's not that simple, with many warehouses and businesses unable to open at those hours. Trucking Association chief executive Dave Boyce spoke to Lisa Owen.

Residents of the Waitaki District in the South Island may face a 19 percent hike in rates. Officials say the proposed increase will costs ratepayers an average of about 13 dollars a week. Rachel Graham report.

Sports funding has been in the spotlight this week with reports that Saudia Arabia's Public Investment Fund is slowing down their spending in the sector. Over the last five years the kingdom has outlayed more than 10 billion dollars to prop up traditional sports and launch new events. LIV Golf is facing funding concerns for next season and two New Zealand players could find their careers in limbo. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Researchers from New Zealand, Australia and China are designing a chatbot they hope will make life online safer and more welcoming to seniors and non-digital natives. The research team has been speaking to senior citizens about challenges navagating tech and they're also working with a major charity that can't be named yet. University of Auckland researcher Dr Jade Brooks spoke to Lisa Owen.

Cuba's president said his country is "ready" for a potential attack by the United States. It comes amid heightened tensions between the two nations and repeated comments from Donald Trump that he'll turn his attention to Cuba after the Iran war. Americas correspondent, Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen.

In the year to the end of March, petrol prices went up almost 14 percent, diesel increased almost 37 percent. At the same time, fruit and vege is up almost 6.5 percent. Meat, poultry and fish is up 7.3 percent. Electricity is up about 13 percent. Infometrics Principal Economist Brad Olsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

In Australia -- fuel supply problems caused by the war in the Middle East suddenly got a whole lot worse today as a result of an overnight fire at one of the country's two oil refineries. Our Australia correspondent Nick Grimm joins Lisa Owen on Checkpoint.