Checkpoint

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the country's budget day, which was preceded by a pre-budget announcement that a tourist tax could be introduced across England.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

After taking time out of the game to deal with a serious injury and to focus on her mental health, Grace Wisnewski has fallen back in love with football. The Kiwi has been recalled to the Football Ferns as they get set to take on the Matilda's in a two-test series across the ditch. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tiny parts of vehicle tyres are making up the biggest source of microplastics in our ocean, according to marine scientists. They have been looking at tyre particles on roadsides and in storm water in Auckland and say almost half the rubber that sheds on our roads ends up in our environment. The vehicles contributing most to the problem are both EVs and Utes. Marine microplastics researcher at the University of Auckland, Dr Samantha Ladewig spoke to Lisa Owen.

A mother convicted of murdering her two young children will remain behind bars for at least 17 years, after her sentencing in Auckland today. Hakyung Lee was found guilty by a jury of murdering eight-year-old Yuna Jo and six-year-old Minu Jo earlier this year. She concealed their bodies inside suitcases, hidden inside a storage locker, before leaving the country. The children were discovered almost four years later after the contents of the locker was bought in an online auction. At sentencing, Lee's family spoke of the immense anguish the murders have caused. Finn Blackwell reports.

The Reserve Bank has dropped the OCR to its lowest level in three years, down to 2.25%. Some home loan rates started to drop just minutes after the OCR cut of 25 basis points. The Reseve Bank says economic growth has "likely" resumed and will likely increase off the back of lower interest rates. Kiwi Bank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr spoke to Lisa Owen. The Reserve Bank has dropped the OCR to its lowest level in three years, down to 2.25%. Some home loan rates started to drop just minutes after the OCR cut of 25 basis points. The Reserve Bank says economic growth has "likely" resumed and will likely increase off the back of lower interest rates. Kiwi Bank Chief Economist Jarrod Kerr spoke to Lisa Owen.

A new AI navigation tool will provide a digital front door to mental health services, according to the Minister responsible. The government says a big barrier to accessing mental health services is not knowing what is available, where to go and who to talk to. The online tool using artificial intelligence will allow people to see what is on offer in their area and in some cases allow them to book directly. Minister for Mental Health, Matt Doocey spoke to Lisa Owen.

A native freshwater fish thought to be lost from Auckland's wetlands has resurfaced after more than a decade of searching. Populations of the elusive and endangered Waikaka, or Black Mudfish, have been relocated in a small corner of Helensville just in the last couple of months. Victor Waters reports.

Fifa will adopt a new tennis-style system for next week's draw for the 2026 World Cup. The draw ceremony for the first 48-team World Cup will be held next week in Washington DC. With the expanded format comes changes to how the draw is structured. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

It started as a tiny seed of an idea, but it has grown into a flourishing vege garden, in an unlikely spot; a concrete company carpark in Kerikeri. Now that carpark is feeding a bunch of families in need. It is the work of a local tradie who got the idea from another business owner and then had to figure out how to turn his company's sealed parking lot into fertile ground without sacrificing the parks. Roof Bay of Islands director turned vege gardener Rick Harper spoke to Lisa Owen.