Checkpoint

The consequenses have continued in the wake of one of the scariest sporting moments of the year. Eliesa Katoa's rugby league career and long term health are both in serious jeopardy after the Tongan forward took three separate head knocks in a single game, resulting in a seizure and brain surgery. Sport reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Christchurch secondary school's end of year prize giving and concert has become a thing of legend. St Andrew's College practically broke the internet in 2023 with its performance of Stairway to Heaven. This year's showstopper was a heartfelt tribute to Aotearoa with a medley of iconic kiwi anthems. Recently graduated student Miu Kim, who played a violin solo in the performance, spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about media giant Paramount throwing its hat in the ring to buy Warner Brothers, sparking a bidding war with Netflix, as well as the Defence Secretary facing more pressure around US strikes on alleged drug boats.

The festive season will put some people in the red, and not only when it comes to bank accounts and Santa suits - but also in the form of retail rage. The feelings of being overwhelmed, frustration at not getting a carpark, having to queue endlessly for the check-out, missing the cut off for the post, along with tough economic times are all gearing up as Christmas approaches. Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about plans for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to travel to London to discuss peace proposals, as well as ongoing investigations into a pepper-spray assault at Heathrow Airport.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Two months out from the Winter Olympics Queenstown skier Alice Robinson is proving she'll be one to watch in Italy. The 24-year-old claimed her 20th career World Cup podium today, the second time she'd medalled in Giant Slalom in two days. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Firefighters are scrambling to contain several fires burning in Tongariro National Park. More than a dozen fire vehicles plus five choppers are fighting the blaze, which is estimated to be 100 hectares. It comes just a month after another massive wildfire ripped through 3000 hectares of the national park. Fire and Emergency's director of operations Brendan Nally spoke to Lisa Owen.

With the Jevon McSkimming scandal once more erupting with competing claims, there are calls for a Royal Commission of Inquiry to establish all the facts. It follows an explosive interview on TVNZ's Q&A over the weekend - where the former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster accused both Labour's Chris Hipkins and the police minister Mark Mitchell of knowing more than they've let on. Both men have flatly rejected that. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

You are what you eat or so the saying goes, but it is increasingly difficult to know what New Zealanders are made of with data about our eating habits more than a decade and a half old. That's why public health experts are calling on the government to fund a new national nutrition survey. Professor of population nutrition at the University of Auckland, Cliona Ni Mhurchu spoke to Lisa Owen.