Checkpoint

The lawyers who represented the white supremacist terrorist who massacred 51 worshippers at two Christchurch mosques have given evidence to the Court of Appeal today - and outlined a very different version of events to that of the terrorist. Reporter Timothy Brown was in court and spoke to Lisa Owen.

When is a tax not a tax? Apparently, when it is a levy, except it seems sometimes a levy is not a levy either. That was the coalition's contention at Parliament today as it pushes ahead with plans to build a new liquefied natural gas import facility - funded by a charge levied on the electricity companies. Labour has labelled it a "gas tax" which will drive up power bills - but the government insists it will actually reduce them. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

A Northland father is pleading for a review of dog laws and a crackdown on owners after his young daughters were left terrified after witnessing a brutal attack by a pack of roaming dogs right outside their house. Last financial year the Far North District Council received 1087 reports of stray dogs and in the last two weeks it has issued about 800 infringements for unregistered dogs. But Tyrone Biddle believes more needs to done before a child is seriously injured. Biddle spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government is scrapping a troubled advisory group led by businessman Sunny Kaushal. The Ministerial Advisory Group for victims of retail crime has been dogged by controversy since it was established by Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith in October 2024. Most recently, three of its five members resigned within a month of each other, with one saying it had become a very unpleasant environment under Kaushal. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham spoke to Lisa Owen.

Experts say it is safe to swim in the city's harbour despite the massive Moa Point sewage spill - but locals Checkpoint spoke still aren't up for taking a dip so close to the contaminated site. It comes after a catastrophic failure wastewater treatment plant started pumping out millions of litres of raw sewage into the ocean nearly a week ago. Nick James reports.

Snowboarder Zoi Sadowski-Synnott is New Zealand's first medallist of the 2026 Winter Olympics. A crash followed by a comeback secured the silver medal in the Big Air event in the mountains of Italy. This medal is just the latest accomplishment by New Zealand's most decorated Winter Olympian, whose Games aren't over yet. Sports reporter Felicity Reid reports.

Manawatu parents and caregivers are dipping into their savings and even taking out loans in order to find a bus service to get their children to school. This comes after some school buses that used to run into Palmerston North were axed as a result of a Ministry of Education review into over 250 routes nationwide. One high school reports that 300 of its students are affected by the changes. Jimmy Ellingham has more.

Empty cannisters of nitrous oxide or 'nangs' discarded by Auckland motorway on and off ramps is concerning one south Auckland councillor, who suspects people are huffing and driving. There's growing calls for tighter regulation around Nitrous Oxide, a colourless gas, which is used as a painkiller in medical and dental procedures and also in catering to whip cream. But when inhaled for recreational use, it can have dangerous long-term side effects like nerve damage in the brain and spinal cord. Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor Matt Winiata spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about Ghislaine Maxwell refusing to answer any questions from Congress members related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and how News presenter Savannah Guthrie has posted another plea for help as the search for her mother continues. He also spoke about a lawsuit in Los Angeles accusing some of the biggest social media giants of creating "addiction machines."

About 70 million litres of untreated waste is now being pumped 1.8 kilometres out into Cook Straight after the Wellington Moa Point treatment plant failed. The capital's south coast beaches are currently off limits because of contamination. Environmentalists are concerned about the nearby by Taputeranga Marine Reserve and wider eco system. Dr Christopher Cornwall, a senior lecturer in Marine Biology at Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington spoke to Lisa Owen.