Checkpoint

Christchurch locals say the city is prospering and heading in the right direction, on the back of an ASB report finding Canterbury is the best place to be in the country economically. But there's concern the good times won't last, with rising fuel prices and they worry about how the economy will be affected by the war in the Middle East. Anna Sargent reports.

Dave Rennie has assembled his All Blacks coaching squad. Neil Barnes, Tana Umaga and Mike Blair have joined incumbent Jason Ryan as the men to assist Rennie in his quest to rebuild the All Blacks empire. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

It brings a whole new meaning to golden pastry, when you are actually talking about a pie with 23 karat gold flakes around the crust, a Wagyu beef filling and gravy made from expensive wine. That pie has sold for $260 on Trade Me, with all proceeds going to charity. The Baker Tirau came up with the expensive pie in honour of a visit from a competitive eater from Australia, and a few leftover pies sparked the idea of a fundraiser. The Baker Tirau owner Shane Kearns spoke to Lisa Owen.

The US President is walking back his threat to "obliterate" Iranian power plants if the Strait of Hormuz wasn't completely opened today. The about face comes after Iran vowed to retaliate with its own strikes on crucial infrastructure in the nearby Gulf states. Donald Trump says military action against Iran's energy grid has been postponed after talks between both countries. US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen.

More than 140,000 working families with children will get an extra $50 a week as part of the plan to counter rising fuel prices. Another 14,000 families will qualify for a part payment. The top up is being delivered through a boost to the in-work tax credit that will kick in from April. It is a temporary increase and will last a year, or until the price of 91 octane petrol drops below $3 a litre for four consecutive weeks. The Salvation Army's Bonnie Robinson spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about talk surroudning Iran's long-range missile capability and the potential impact that could have on the UK., as well as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor who has been pictured for the first time since his arrest.

New Zealand Cricket want to explore a franchise league to replace the current domestic T20 competition. Board chair Diana Puketapu-Lyndon says a revitalised domestic league was the preference instead of entering a New Zealand team in an expanded Australian Big Bash T20 competition. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A new national online pet adoption platform being launched to hook animals up with their forever humans. Groups can post animals needing homes in a kind of one stop shop. More than 70,000 cats and dogs are abandoned across the country each year. The site has been set up by pet food brand Savour Life; founder Michael McTeigue spoke to Lisa Owen.

Rakiura locals fear surging fuel prices will soon send their power bills rocketing up or that Stewart Island - which relies on diesel generators for electricity - may face blackouts. Rakiura is home to about 400 people, and it burns through about 1000 litres of diesel a day to create electricity. Anna Sargent reports.