Checkpoint

The road cones are gone, the sculptures unveiled and 23 new trains are set to start carrying commuters on Auckland's very own City Rail Link. Although trains won't run until Sunday, the CRL was officially opened by the Prime Minister and Auckland Mayor at a ribbon cutting ceremony this morning. But as dignitaries congratulate one another on the completion of New Zealand's biggest-ever infrastructure project, Auckland businesses continue to suffer due to the years of disruption it caused. Matthew Theunissen reports.

Government agencies that haven't beefed up email security could be leaving the door open to hackers, according to an international cyber security company. It follows revelations data may have been stolen form Dunedin-based company ZenTech and published online. International Cyber Security company, Proofpoint claims 50 percent of NZ Government agencies are exposed when it comes to email security. Senior Director of Asia Pacific and Japan, Steve Moros spoke to Lisa Owen.

Warriors fans are furious that some tickets snapped up for tomorrow's sell-out playoff against the Dolphins at Auckland's Mount Smart Stadium are now selling online at inflated prices. On Trade Me and other marketplaces some sellers are asking hundreds of dollars more than what they paid for the tickets. Rachel Moore reports.

One of Labour's most senior MPs has tied himself up in knots trying to explain the party's Capital Gains Tax policy. Willie Jackson seemed unaware whether the proposed CGT will affect small businesses, if they own the property they operate out of. Now, National's piling on the pressure. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen.

A 50-year-old Christchurch zoo is in financial crisis. There's a $4 million hole in its budget for this year and cash reserves will dry up by March. That is the sober assessment offered by Orana Wildlife Park's own board and leaders. Timothy Brown has more.

After a three-year hiatus Richie Mo'unga will be back in black in the last Test against the Springboks in Baltimore. Mo'unga is one of five players who will get their first start of the series on Sunday. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Auckland City Rail Link is about to open after a decade of construction and a spend of almost $5.5 billion. Auckland Transport's Stacey van der Putten spoke to Lisa Owen about what everyone needs to know ahead of the opening.

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Lisa Owen about major developments involving the Iran-backed Houthi militant group in Yemen, as well Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahi taking legal action against a newspaper that reported he was warned about a Hamas operation ahead of October 7th.

Is sport the answer to cutting youth crime and re-offending by tamariki? This week the government announced it is giving almost $2.5 million to six community sport and outdoor programmes. It is all part of the government's wider goal to reduce serious and persistent youth offending by 15 percent by 2030. Whenua Iti Outdoors in Tasman is getting $450,000 of funding over two years. CEO Mark Bruce-Miller spoke to Lisa Owen.

The latest news from Australia with correspondent Nick Grimm.