Checkpoint

Nicola Willis is doubling down on her strategy for getting the government's books back in order - even as new forecasts show yet another delay to that plan. Treasury officials unveiled their half-year update this afternoon - revealing a bleaker picture than last predicted - and no sign of a surplus this decade. A year ago they were predicting a surplus by 2029 - now they're picking 2030. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

Just two months ago he was mayor Wayne Brown's deputy chief of staff, but now he is publicly criticising his former boss over a proposed 7.9 percent rates rise. Josh Van Veen left his post after the October local body elections and is now a spokesperson for a lobby group that is demanding the mayor front up and answer questions about the rates rise. Jessica Hopkins reports.

The classic summer festival is the latest loser in the cost of living crisis, with another iconic event announcing it's downfall today. Splore is part of a growing list of struggling festivals with big names like WOMAD and One Love also on pause. But with many young people still crying out for a summer experience, some smaller events are hoping they'll pick up punters let down by the big festivals. Evie Richardson reports.

The man hailed as a hero for disarming one of the Bondi Beach gunmen has spoken for the first time from his hospital bed. Ahmed Al Ahmed was shot multiple times after he rushed one of the attackers and wrestled the gun off him. Two gunmen were targeting people celebrating the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. 15 victims were killed and dozens injured.  Meanwhile, Australia's national cabinet has unanimously agreed to bolster rules around gun ownership in the wake of the Sunday's terrorist attack. Charlotte Cook spoke to Lisa Owen from Sydney.

Some Canterbury dairy farmers are striving to limit nitrate leaching and their cows' environmental footprint by planting special crops and experimenting with new winter grazing systems. Researchers have pointed to dairy effluent as a primary cause of elevated groundwater nitrates, with the country's highest percentage in Canterbury. Anna Sargent has this report, the second of a three-part series about the region's nitrate emergency.

For people with disabilities, every-day life can require some workarounds, let alone a natural disaster. The Wellington Region Emergency Management Office has launched a new emergency preparedness guide developed by and for disabled people, to help everybody prepare. Kate Green reports.

Professor Zachariah Q Wigglebottom is Aoteaoa's only certified hedgehog pest detection dog and its a busy time of year for him right now. They might look cute but DOC says hedgehogs hoover up the eggs of native birds, lizards, the rare giant native centipeded, weta and other rare insects. Wigglebottom's handler, Adriana Theobald spoke to Lisa Owen about the work they do.

The Ashes are attracting as many headlines off the field, as on it. England coach Brendon McCullum is defending his team's time-out at the beach, as they prepare for the third Test against Australia. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about the death of legendary Hollywood director Rob Reiner, as well as the hunt continuing for a suspect on the deadly Brown University shooting.

2.5 million passengers will travel through Auckland Airport in its busiest five weeks of the year. Travel can be a great joy but also a legal minefield; who covers costs with a cancellation, what if you get bumped from a flight that is over booked, and what's the deal if the replacement flight is more expensive. Jessica Walker from Consumer NZ spoke to Lisa Owen with tips for travellers.