Checkpoint

A consumer advocacy group is urging the government to stay the course and ban card surcharges. Surcharges on credit card and contactless payments are estimated to cost New Zealand shoppers up to 65 million dollars a year. The government had pledged to scrap them, but the proposed law is stalled. Consumer NZ's campaign manager Jessica Walker spoke to Lisa Owen.

A father of four says words cannot describe the relief he felt having a stable roof for his family after they spent a month living in a van before moving to emergency housing. His family is among those who have moved into 41 new homes at a Salvation Army social housing development in south Auckland. Amy Williams went along to the opening and filed this report.

A jerry-rigged backyard invention has turned into sizzling hot property for a retired farmer turned entrepreneur. Alan Dyer created the Sossbosser to stop his sausages from rolling around on the BBQ, and ensure they're evenly cooked all over. The first iteration was made from number eight wire. Now the invention is attracting international attention. Alan Dyer spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the Australian Prime Minister vowing to do nothing to help the plight of so-called "ISIS brides" and their children stuck inside Syria and attempting to return to Australia. It comes amid a divisive debate targeting the country's Muslim's, and threats of violence as the community observes the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The New Zealand Breakers' first Australian NBL season under new owners comes to an end this weekend. The front office of the basketball club has plenty to ponder in the off-season as they once again missed the play-offs and one of their stars leaves for the NBA. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

For the second day in a row, Parliament has been consumed by claims of racism - owing to Winston Peters' targetting of a Green MP with Cook Islands heritage. Labour MP Kieran McAnulty was ordered to leave the house after accusing the speaker of double-standards. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

Residents of the storm smashed southern Wairarapa are assessing the damage after their homes and properties were inundated with floodwater. Torrential rain earlier this week caused widespread havoc across the lower North Island, knocking out power and cutting off access to rural and coastal settlements. Hundreds in the south of Wairarapa have been isolated after raging floodwaters took out two bridges, but one reopened last night, and the other just an hour ago. Mary Argue was there.

Plans to ramp up citizen's arrest powers are a minefield of potential dangers, including death, according to the Police Association. It is strongly opposed to some of the changes being suggested in the Crimes Amendment Bill. Among them, allowing ordinary citizens to use reasonable force and mechanical restraint during an arrest. Police Association president Senior Sergeant Steve Watt spoke to Lisa Owen.

A red herring that transformed into a lightning rod is how the Housing Minister has described the angst and unease in Auckland over plans for two million home, which the government has now done a u-turn on. It has whittled down the number after a public backlash, something the opposition has called an embarrassing u-turn. Kim Baker Wilson reports.