Checkpoint

A New Zealander who had his leg amputated after being severely injured while fighting in Ukraine says he sung Aotearoa's national anthem to keep himself going during his excruciating rescue. Khol Gillies had to wait days to be evacuated from the battlefield because fierce fighting made it virutally impossible to reach him. Gillies, originally from Hawkes Bay had been in Ukraine for six months fighting as a volunteer. Gillies spoke to Lisa Owen.

The public has had their say on whether the Prime Minister should be going to Waitangi - with a majority thinking it's important he does. The RNZ-Reid Research Poll asked New Zealanders their thoughts on whether the Prime Minister should be at Waitangi - and whether they think the Treaty has too much or too little an influence on government decisions. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen.

US officials have confirmed a branch of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will play a role in supporting American security operations during next month's Winter Olympics in Italy. The news has prompted outrage in Italy after ICE agents were involved with the fatal shootings of two US citizens in Minneapolis this month. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A crew of volunteers are using quad bikes to deliver essentials and do welfare checks around the storm hit East Cape, with some homes completely cut off and roads out. They're putting in long days dropping off gas bottles and food and helping clear up rubbish and debris. One of those volunteers is Te Hemara Rauhihi. He spoke to Lisa Owen.

A person is in critical condition following a shooting involving Border Patrol agents near the US-Mexico Border. Correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Greyhound racing industry wants tens of millions of dollars in compensation if the government pushes ahead with its proposed ban. The deadline to end the sport is July this year. Racing Minister Winston Peters has previously said serious injury rates among greyhounds have remained too high, and improvements made haven't been significant enough for the industry to retain its social licence. Canterbury Greyhound Racing President and a long-time greyhound trainer Jean Fahey spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about temperatures soaring across the country, reaching close to 50 degrees in some areas, potentially trumping previous record highs.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Labour Party has savaged a government advisory group on retail crime, calling it "dysfunctional, directionless and failing". It comes after Checkpoint yesterday revealed that three of the five members on the Ministerial Advisory Group had resigned in recent weeks.

It seems timing continues to rule out potential All Blacks coaching candidates. Coach Vern Cotter will leave the Blues at the end of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season to move to the Queensland Reds next year, therefore removing himself from the All Black coaching conversation. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.