Checkpoint

The clean up is under way in parts of flood-ravaged Banks Peninsula after a severe storm battered the region. A local state of emergency remains in place for the peninsula, although State Highway 75 has reopened and telecommunications have been restored. Some properties remain cut off with multiple local roads still blocked. One community has taken it upon themselves to keep communication flowing through the crisis. Adam Burns reports.

A humble stripey fish could be key to treating a chronic & painful swelling condition that's a common side effect of some breast cancer treatment. Lymphoedema usually affects the arms or legs and can be caused by cancer treatments that remove or damage the lymph nodes. Auckland University scientists have discovered a molecule in Zebrafish larva that offers hope of a treatment. Lead researcher, Dr Jonathan Astin spoke to Lisa Owen.

There's further calls for more to be done about dangerous dogs, in the wake of Tuesday's fatal dog attack in Northland. 62-year-old Mihiata Te Rore was killed by a pack of three dogs at a property in the small town of Kaihu on Tuesday. It's prompted calls for change from as high up as the Prime Minister, while RNZ has been contacted by multiple dog attack victims who've shared their frustration at what they say is a lack of action by authorities. Finn Blackwell reports.

An Irish rugby star had his international debut overshadowed by an ugly racist response online. Edwin Edogbo was born and raised in Ireland, but due to his Nigerian heritage, has not been welcomed by certain corners of the Irish rugby fan base. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A team made up of veterans, former emergency service personal and other volunteers are travelling the country helping communities hit hard in recent extreme weather. The Northland coastal settlement of Oakura is one of them. While communities further down the motu have been hammered this week, Oakura was swamped in floodwaters and silt at the end of January and is still mopping up. Taskforce Kiwi volunteer Jenny Calder spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about several skiers who have died following an avalanche in California, as well Mark Zuckerberg who testified in the landmark social media addiction trial being held in Los Angeles.

The government has unveiled a major refurb of Auckland's controversial housing intensification plans. It has slashed the minimum number homes the city must plan for, from over two million down to 1.6 million. The original proposal caused an uproar, with some critics concerned about the preservation of heritage homes and intensification ruining the character of some suburbs. Auckland's Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about British Police assessing private jet travel information to and from a London airport over links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as well Metropolitan Police turning to technology in an attempt to crackdown on London phone snatchers.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The drive by shooting which hospitalised a former New Zealand rugby league star may have been retaliation as part of a reported gang war. Matt Utai was shot multiple times outside his home in Western Sydney, though it is now thought he was not the intended target of the attack. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.