Checkpoint

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Wellington Phoenix women lost more than half of their attending fans last season. On average the Phoenix had 739 people at their home games at Porirua Park in the 2024/25 A-League Women competition. According to a Professional Footballers Australia report this was 61 percent fewer fans than the previous season and the biggest decline in the 12-team competition. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Drones with thermal imaging equipment have been checking the flanks of the big burn at Tongariro National Park for hotspots, and Department of Conservation fire crews remain on duty today. At the height of the blaze, FENZ firefighters and DOC crews have been supported by local volunteer who opened marae up to evacuees, helped feed workers and co-ordinate operations. Bubs Smith from Ngati Hikairo ki Tongariro, the guardian hapu, is one of them and spoke to Lisa Owen.

He was once considered a liberal darling and champion of progressive policing, now Andrew Coster's reputation and legacy are in tatters. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

The IPCA report that has found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police has revealed a long police roll of dishonour; staff and senior officers identified only by their ranks, each hidden behind a single letter of the alphabet. The current Commissioner believes collectively their actions amount to a cover up; atrocious behaviour that shows a complete lack of integrity. Yet some of those heavily criticised are still employed, while others have been able to quietly resign. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers spoke to Lisa Owen.

It's fair to say that Gareth Morgan has led a varied life. Now the economist, businessman and philanthropist - turned politician has taken on perhaps his most curious project to date. The 72-year-old has turned his hand to creating a sculpture trail in the hills north of Wellington, with purpose-built works by local and international artists, some of which are bigger than houses. Nick James was given the opportunity to take a tour of the rich lister's unusual property.

Watercare has agreed a compensation deal with oyster farmers left without an income after tens of thousands of litres of sewage spilled into the Mahurangi Harbour contaminating their oyster beds. A fault at Watercare's new Warkworth Wastewater Treatment plant caused the massive sewage overflow. Testing then revealed the harbour's oysters were contaminated, Forcing the oyster farms to shut down for a minimum 28 days. Mahurangi Oyster Association chairperson Lynette Dunn spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Everyone can see now just how bad it was". Those were the words of Police Minister Mark Mitchell who revealed that emails containing allegations about Jevon McSkimming's behaviour were kept from him by former police commissioner Andrew Coster's office. Coster is named in a scathing report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority into former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming. The report found a group of high-ranking police officers failed to properly act on accusations of sexual offending against McSkimming. Kate Green reports.

First there was the "Bomb Squad", now there's the "Pom Squad". The English rugby team has taken inspiration from the Springboks ahead of this weekend's clash against the All Blacks at Twickenham. England has replicated South Africa's infamous tactic of stacking its bench with forwards - a ploy the British media are dubbing as the "Pom Squad". Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Illegal dumping teams and street sweepers are busy in North Dunedin with students allegedly tossing a vast array of junk roadside, as they abandon flats and head home for the Summer. Discarded items include old couches, mattresses, desks and countless bags of rubbish. The Dunedin City Council it's the worst it's seen in recent years and extremely disappointing. Otago University Student's Association Vice President Amy Martin has been out helping with the clean-up and spoke to Lisa Owen.