Checkpoint

Melbourne Storm star Eliesa Katoa will miss the 2026 NRL season as he continues his recovery from brain surgery. The 25 year-old copped multiple head knocks while on test duty with Tonga during the Pacific Championships earlier this month. He suffered seizure activity on the sideline and was taken to hospital, where he had surgery on a brain bleed. After a two-week hospital stay in Auckland, the Storm has confirmed Katoa is now back home in Melbourne and under the care of the club's medical team. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland University Professor of Psychology Tony Lambert spoke to Lisa Owen about the science behind anauralia; a condition which means you cannot hear sound in your mind.

Asia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about the impact a diplomatic row between China and Japan is having on travel between the two nations.

A new Business NZ report estimates by 2045 Aotearoa will be 250,000 workers short. Without policy reform the rising cost of pensions and healthcare will consume all income tax. It concludes on our current trajectory we're under delivering on future prosperity. Business New Zealand director of advocacy Catherine Beard spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the conservative side of politics facing turmoil amid leadership wrangles at the state and federal level.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Caps can seal another ODI series win - and with a game to spare - when they play the West Indies in Napier tomorrow. Sports reporter Daniel Gilhooly spoke to Lisa Owen.

Health New Zealand has stepped up precautions after two confirmed separate outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant super bugs at Christchurch Hospital. It says there are fewer than 10 patients with the infection known as VRE but many are asymptomatic carriers. The bacteria is difficult to treat due to its resistance and in some case can be potentially life threatening. Associate Professor Mark Thomas, an infectious diseases researcher at the University of Auckland, spoke to Lisa Owen.

The clean-up requirements for the potentially asbestos contaminated colourful kids play sand are a bit of a grey area according to professionals doing the job. Chris Saunders is the president of the New Zealand Asbestos Removal Association and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Dismayed parents are grappling with whether their homes could be contaminated as they try to rid them of play sand that could have traces of asbestos. They are angry and feel there has been no real responsibility taken for the dodgy sand, and that the buck has been passed. 24 schools and 16 early childhood centres have closed - or have plans to - after a significant recall last week of educational colours rainbow sand, creatistics coloured sand and four products from K-Mart. They're going through special testing, but some parents want to know why the same isn't being offered to them. Kim Baker Wilson reports.