Checkpoint

Labour's leader Chris Hipkins has flatly denied claims made by his ex-wife on social media - but says he's not going to get into a back-and-forth through the media. Mr Hipkins made the comments to reporters at Parliament in his first media conference since the claims were published. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

Food prices have gone up 4.5 percent in the year to February, with beef mince up a whopping 23.2 percent to $24.46 per kilogram. Fruit and vegetables also shot up by 9.4 percent, and meat, poultry and fish were up 7.5 percent annually. Checkpoint has also been monitoring the cost of everyday groceries across the different supermarket chains for the past four years, we did the same today. Bella Craig reports.

Cancer exacts a high price at the best of times but it's gettting more costly for hundreds of patients due to war in the Middle East. Many people with cancer are forced to drive hundreds of kilometres to main centres for treatment and specialist appointments. The conflict in the Middle East has seen petrol prices jump, costing an extra $23 to fill an average petrol tank. Under the National Travel Assistance scheme patients needing to travel frequently to see specialists can apply for a mileage reinbursement. But the payment is only 34 cents a kilometre and has strict criteria. The Cancer Society's southern head of cancer services Craig Watson spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Canterbury lines company is offering a $5000 reward in a bid stop to thieves pinching copper wire from their power poles. Mainpower says its already had more thefts this year than in the whole of last year. Mainpower chief executive Sean Horgan spoke to Lisa Owen.

A $25 million injection to add more health workers and create extra space during the busiest time of year for illness has been greeted with caution by those on the frontlines. The funding will see more than 300 extra staff, and 71 beds added to hospitals ahead of the colder months - which the government says will increase patient flow and reduce wait times. Health correspondent Kate Green has more.

A Bay of Plenty health team is making big gains in childhood vaccination rates - bucking a national trend. Over about 18 months, the immunisation rate for Māori under twos in its care has jumped from 58 to 70 percent. The team at the Western Bay of Plenty Primary Health Organisation says the secret is taking a personal approach. Rowan Quinn reports.

The T20 cricket double header between New Zealand and South Africa has started in Hamilton. In a quick turnaround from the opening game of the series the White Ferns are looking to make it two from two. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Prime Minister has described the Pacific as a super highway for drugs, during a visit to Samoa. The two counties have signed a co-operation agreement, where customs and police will share information and work together. Several New Zealand Officers will be embedded in Samoa. Earlier this year a ship intercepted in international waters near French Polynesia was found to be carrying about five tonnes of cocaine. Police Commissoner Richard Chambers is on the Prime Minister's trip to islands and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Donald Trump has said he is "not happy" with the UK and blasted several other nations after his calls for help went unanswered. As the Iran war heads into its 18th day attacks haven't let up in the region; US Central Command says it's struck 7,000 Iranian targets and damaged more than 100 ships. Iran has continued retaliatory attacks against Israel and across the Middle East. Washington DC correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen.

A leading economist is warning New Zealand to brace for two weeks time - which they say could be when the country experiences a real fuel choke point. Petrol has gone up about 50 cents per litre since the beginning of the war in the Middle East. The Hormuz Strait, a major shipping route for crude oil remains closed, but the government says New Zealand doesnt have a supply problem. Cameron Bagrie from Bagrie Economics spoke to Lisa Owen.