Checkpoint

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Today started at the snowboard halfpipe and will end on the ski slope for New Zealand athletes at the Winter Olympics. This morning Cam Melville Ives qualified for the halfpipe final and now, like us, he'll watch on for a couple days as other Kiwis try to get themselves into medal positions. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some Mount Maunganui businesses are facing the equivalent of winter trading conditions in the middle of summer after the deadly landslip and the closure of the campground and hot pools, according to one restaurant owner. He is now appealing to the government and council for financial help. Some businesses closed due to the slip have only just re-opened this week. Owner of Rustica Italian Food pizzeria, Michele Delaini spoke to Lisa Owen.

Winston Peters has revived an old policy, promising to campaign on a referendum on the Maori seats. The opposition is calling it cynical race-baiting. Russell Palmer reports.

A Checkpoint investigation has revealed how easy it is to get potentially dangerous nitrous oxide or nangs in large quantities with virtually no questions asked. That's despite it being illegal to supply, possess or use the gas recreationally. Nitrous oxide, known as nangs or cream whippers, has legitimate medical and catering uses, but can have serious side effects when huffed. A growing number doctors and community leaders calling for restrictions on the gas. Checkpoint reporter Teuila Fuatai has been looking into this and spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Bay of Plenty man has begun walking with a club in case he has to fend off roaming dogs. There are growing calls for an overhaul of the 30 year old dog control act in the face of increasing attacks. Tommy Wilson, who lives in Te Puna in the Bay of Plenty, spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand First MP Casey Costello has told a Judicial Conduct Panel that the judge accused of disrupting a political party event must have known she was yelling at the then-Deputy Prime Minister. District Court Judge Ema Aitken is accused of yelling at Winston Peters during an event at Auckland's exclusive Northern Club, calling him a liar describing his comments disgusting. Today, the panel for the first time heard from the judge herself. Finn Blackwell reports.

Wellington councillors, industry groups and workers are sounding the alarm over immigration settings for bus drivers, warning of a looming shortage. A residency pathway for bus drivers, announced in 2022, required an academic English language level to stay in the country after two-years on a working visa. Now, drivers are coming to sit the test and some are struggling. Ellen O'Dwyer reports.

Super Rugby Pacific kicks off tomorrow night in Dunedin, where the bruised Highlanders are facing the Crusaders. That's just one of a number of interesting clashes in the first round. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

Cashing up clutter is becoming a national obsession. But there's still billions of dollars' worth of pre-loved goods lying idle in homes around Aotearoa according to a new report on the so-called circular economy. The report commissioned by Trademe surveyed 4000 New Zealand based people in October and November last year. The results show about 75 percent of them currently have unused or unwanted items they could sell. Head of Trade Me Marketplace, Lisa Stewart spoke to Lisa Owen.