Checkpoint

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the Albanese Government saying it will take "every practical option" to shield Australians from the global economic fallout from the war with Iran.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Argentine football superstar Lionel Messi has broken another goal scoring milestone while playing in the United States. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The fairy tern; one of Aotearoa's smallest birds remains in big trouble after a turbulent breeding season saw a third of the eggs or new hatched chicks eaten by predators. 29 tara iti eggs were laid across three of the birds' four breeding sites this season, but keeping them alive reamins a massive challenge. There are only about 40 adult fairy tern or tara iti. Department of Conservation tara iti recovery programme lead Alex Wilson spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Inexplicable colonial-style arrogance" is how the Chinese Embassy has summed up public comments made by Judith Collins, Winston Peters, and their Australian ministerial counterparts. Australia's deputy prime minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles and Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong hosted Ms Collins and Mr Peters on Tuesday for their third annual get-together, which also marked 75 years of the New Zealand-Australia Alliance. But it's their joint statement following those talks that has agitated China's embassy in Wellington, and prompted a warning that the relationship between China and New Zealand is being put at risk. Political editor, Jo Moir reports.

The economy only grew 0.2 percent in the December 2025 quarter. But economists say we are now facing some serious headwinds. Gross Domestic Product, or GDP has risen in three of the last four quarters. It's the first time since September 2024 that the economy has recorded annual growth. But the data was recorded before war broke out in the Middle East, disrupting freight and sending the price of petrol and diesel skyward. Chief Economist at Kiwibank Jarrod Kerr spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's more discord in the music industry over the government helping fund two concerts here by popstar Robbie Williams. It has contributed an undisclosed amount from its $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package. But some in the industry say its corporate welfare and believe commerically viable big name acts would come here anyone. Dion Brant is CEO Of Frontier Touring the company bringing Robbie Williams to New Zealand. He spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand's oldest-running independent craft brewery - Sunshine Brewing has been sold - including its iconic Gisborne Gold brand. Taranaki's Three Sister's Brewery has swallowed its East Coast cousin, saving the multi-award winning brewery from potential closure. Taranaki Whanganui Robin Martin reporter has more.

A Dilworth survivor says a $90,000 redress offer is insultingly small. Hector, who's real name RNZ can't use, was a school boy when he was abused by Dilworth housemaster Alister Harlow in the 1990's. Harlow was sentenced in 2022 on charges of attempted sexual violation, indecency with a boy, and indecent assualt. Since then Hector has gone through the redress process which he describes as degrading and he wants to know whether anyone will take responsibility for what's been done to him. Finn Blackwell has more.

Auckland FC mark a milestone in the A-League this week, bringing up 50 games in the trans-tasman competition on Saturday. For the reigning Premiers one player stand outs in their two seasons in the league. Defender Francis de Vries has not missed a game since he first ran out with the team on October 19, 2024. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.