Checkpoint

A leading search and rescue operator says he told police he could hear a noise so the search for a missing firefighter could continue. A coronial inquest is exploring the desperate search and rescue operation after volunteer firefighters Dave van Zwanenberg and Craig Stevens were buried by a slip at Muriwai on Auckland's west coast during Cyclone Gabrielle. A warning, listeners may find details in this report by Felix Walton upsetting.

Warriors fans will have one last season to barrack for co-captain Mitch Barnett. The Kangaroos and State of Origin representative has been released from his contract with the club a year early so he can return home to Australia. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A council cost cutting decision has resulted in a local attraction. When the Horowhenua District Council stopped mowing residential berms to save money, it made Levin resident Louise McCarthy very grumpy. She refused to cut the grass herself and declined neighbours offers to trim it too, until she decided to transform the berm into an urban meadow full of wildflowers. Louise McCarthy spoke to Lisa Owen.

An unofficial select committee run by ten former MPs from across the political spectrum has found that last year's pay equity changes should be repealed. The People's Select Committee on Pay Equity heard nearly 1400 substantive submissions on the law changes which canned 33 pay equity claims. The findings were revealed at an event at the National Library in Wellington this morning. Nick James reports.

There has been widespread unrest and destruction in Mexico following the capture and killing of the notorious drug lord known as 'El Mencho'. One of Mexico's most powerful cartels set fires, destroyed vehicles and fought with authorities across the country in response to the kingpin's death. The retaliation has seen dozens killed - including several National Guard Troops - while tourists have been told to shelter in place amid the wave of violence. Correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen from Mexico City.

Move on orders for the homeless are shifting attention onto enforcement and away from the needs of people trapped on the streets. That is according to a researcher who spends to two days a week on Auckland streets talking to people who are sleeping rough. The coalition plans to give police the power to shift rough sleepers, beggars or disorderly people, as young as 14, in city centres. Researcher from AUT Business School, Cordelia Stewart spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about former PM Boris Johnson wanting to see British troops on the ground in Ukraine sooner rather than later, as well as the US confirming it won't back out of its tariff deal with the UK, amidst uncertainty from British businesses.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Wellington Phoenix have gone to their perennial choice to fill the coaching void for the men's A-League team. Head coach Giancarlo Italiano quit straight after the 5-nil trashing in the derby on Saturday and this afternoon the club confirmed reserves team coach Chris Greenacre would take on the role - for the fourth time. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Residents of Auckland's Muriwai have described their frantic escape from landslides during Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. A coronial inquest is investigating the deaths of two volunteer firefighters after they were critically injured in a landslip. Felix Walton has more.