Checkpoint

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Football Ferns have qualified for 2027's World Cup with a far from convincing victory over Papua New Guinea in Auckland. There is now 14 months until the tournament kicks off in Brazil. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Two Waikato scientists, turned modern day pied pipers have been playing rodent chatter through speakers in the forest to lure rats into traps. If it works, it could cut pest erradication costs and be more efficient than waiting for rats to wander into traps. Speakers mounted on trees played the rat sound track on a loop day and night in forest at Tuateawa on the Coromandel Peninsula and Te Hoe near Hamilton. Wintec lecturer and researcher Dr Rhys Jones spoke to Lisa Owen.

Businesses in a south Auckland's suburb say they're sick of 18-wheeler commercial trucks blocking their access paths, doing roadside repairs and leaving oil on the streets. Last month, the Wiri Business Association asked Parliament's regulation review committee to look at how Auckland Council is enforcing the new Vehicle Use and Parking Bylaw, that came into effect in July 2025. The bylaw gives Auckland Transport the power to fine vehicles parking on roads and public places if they're causing obstruction or pose a safety risk. But local businesses say instead they've seen little change as Wiri's still an unregulated dumping and parkports.

A new government agency set up to wind down greyhound racing and help with rehoming of more than 1500 dogs has been meeting with industry leaders. Greyhound Racing Transition Agency Heather Simpson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland's Sky Tower and Harbour Bridge lights are not shining quite so bright at the moment to help fledgling Cook's petrels. Light pollution has been disorientating juvenile seabirds, especially since the number of lights on the Sky Tower doubled in 2019 when SkyCity switched to LED lighting. Jessica Hopkins reports.

A man released from jail on special conditions for trying to snatch a toddler for sex was at a playground just two days later. Two days after that, he was at a school. John Tekuru's case has raised the ire of the Sensible Sentencing Trust which said he should face stricter monitoring. On Thursday in court, he's admitted to breaching his conditions. Reporter Kim Baker Wilson spoke to Lisa Owen. Warning: Some listeners may find the details confronting.

Stewart Island locals are fundraising to build new housing for seniors, so they don't have to choose between living in unsuitable housing or moving to rest homes on the mainland. Otago Southland Reporter Katie Todd has the story.

New Zealand meet World Cup finalists Canada in Kansas, with one of their strike weapons cleared to play. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Napier Hairdesssing tutor has set up the classes to help fathers with the practical stuff but also to give them quality time with their daughters. The first workshop is already booked out. Eastern Institue of Technology Hairdressing tutor and mum Courtney Cook is running the workshops and spoke to Lisa Owen.