Checkpoint

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the BBC apologising to Donald Trump but refusing to go further.

A Dunedin community group's pipedream to forge a flat trail through the hilly city to Mosgiel is closer to becoming a reality. The first stage from farmland, through an 1800s Victorian gothic railway tunnel and into native bush is nearing completion after years of mahi. Today, the trail welcomed a $2 million boost from the government to help extend the trail to the suburbs of Fairfield, Abbotsford, and Green Island. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Ferns will have a new coach by Christmas. Outgoing coach Allan Bunting says he wasn't pushed but he is not seeking reappointment after the Black Ferns finished third at the Rugby World Cup this year. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A group of residents at an Auckland retirement village are trying to put the brakes on a policy which could see electric vehicles banned within its gates. Fairview Lifestyle Village in Albany says they're concerned about the risk an EV fire would pose to the busy community's residents and homes. The policy is still in mediation, and residents who already own electric vehicles are allowed to keep them, but they're not letting any new EVs into the gated North Shore community. Retirement Village Residents Association chief executive Nigel Matthews spoke to Lisa Owen.

Police say a special multi-agency group that's goal is to prevent family violence and protect victims never did a threat assessment of a violent serial stalker who went on to kill weeks after being released from prison. That's despite Canterbury police knowing the man's criminal history and that he was in their District. Nathan Boulter stabbed the woman 55 times as she returned to her Christchurch home with her two children in July. Canterbury police, District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Taranaki family have paused work on the rebuild of their coastal bach after a pair of nesting little blue penguins - or korora - took up residence beneath its floorboards. The Vile family, who are redeveloping a classic two-bedroom bach at Urenui Beach, are now patiently waiting for the chick to fledge. Taranaki Whanganui reporter Robin Martin has been at Urenui.

"Be careful what you wish for" - a warning from an Australian mayor who has been talking to local body leaders about capping rates. Local Government Minister Simon Watts is working on a rates cap model with the policy details to be announced before Christmas. New South Wales has had a rates capping system in place for 40 years and councils have to apply to go above the cap. This year the Northern Beaches Council asked for a 40% rate rise, and ended up being allowed to charge ratepayers 25%. Northern Beaches Mayor Sue Hein spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Rotorua women's refuge says it has been shocked at the increase in the number of those needing to escape abusive homes over the past 18 months. But the rise in those affected by family violence isn't just a Rotorua problem, with one Auckland provider telling RNZ the economic situation has compounded the problem there, too. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports.

A witness in the inquest into 13 deaths linked to Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke's Bay has warned the coroner that more people will be harmed unless local councils set trigger levels for rivers, so everyone knows when an evacuation is needed. The second phase of the coronial inquiry ends today in the Hastings District Court. For three weeks Coroner Erin Woolley has been looking at why hundreds of people's lives were put at risk during the 2023 weather event when they weren't evacuated in time. Hawke's Bay Tairawhiti reporter Alexa Cook has been covering the inquest.