Checkpoint

There's heated debate over whether a private home owner who's heavily landscaped parts of a public reserve backing onto Lake Taupō should be forced to return it to its natural state - and make it clear it's public land for everyone's use. A Taupō District Council report found landscaping at the property in Acacia Bay is not what was discussed to fix damage done during construction. Jane Arnott, has been calling on the Taupō District Council to take action and spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about polls closing in less than 24 hours as New York City chooses its next mayor.

There are increasing calls for the Melbourne Cup and horse racing generally to be stopped across the ditch and here in Aotearoa. The latest "Deathwatch" report from Australia's Coalition for the Protection of Race Horse says 175 thorough bred races horses died as a result of racing between August 2024 and July this year. That's an increase of nearly 14 percent compared to the year before. Here in New Zealand, the Deathwatch data records 15 deaths and 314 injuries for the year ending 31 July. Sandra Kyle from the Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses spoke to Lisa Owen.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A Wellington school is going against official advice telling some students to stay at home while their measles vacination status is confirmed after an infected person was at a prize giving. Meanwhile a national primary school's Kapa Haka event with more than 60 groups from 17 different regions is underway in Tauranga this week. Wellington Girls College is asking years 9 to 11 students to stay home while their immunisation status is checked. The move contradicts official advice from the Ministry of Education - that the students should be in class. Medical Officer of Health, at the National Public Health Service Dr Emma Sherwood spoke to Lisa Owen.

Tonga forward Eli Katoa was hospitalised following seizure activity on the sidelines during a Pacific Championships rugby league match against New Zealand at Eden Park yesterday. In worrying scenes ahead of the match, footage has emerged of Katoa copping a sickening head knock during his team's warm-up. But he was allowed to take the field for Tonga. However he then suffered two head knocks during the clash with the second one forcing him from the field. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The parents of an Auckland toddler say they're living in hope their wee boy will soon have access to a "miracle" life-extending treatment for his cystic fibrosis. Pharmac currently funds the drug Trikafta for those six years and older - but it's now considering including two to five-year-olds. Lauren Crimp reports.

It can be revealed concerns about the head of a government advisory group on crime are being kept secret. A Checkpoint investigation has found three staff members contracted to the Ministerial Advisory Group for Victims of Retail Crime are earning over $1000 a day. It has also revealed that officials have raised concerns with the Justice Minister about the group's chairman Sunny Kaushal, but Paul Goldsmith is refusing to say exactly what those concerns are. Checkpoint's Jimmy Ellingham spoke to Lisa Owen.

The war of words between Te Pāti Māori's leadership and two of its MPs has taken a dramatic step today, with president John Tamihere suggesting Mariameno Kapa-Kingi and Tākuta Ferris 'do the honourable thing' and step down. The bombshell social media post follows a move by the party's National Council to suspend Maria-meno Kapa-Kingi, who is MP for Te Tai Tokerau. John Tamihere's comments come as the executive for Te Tai Tonga - Takuta Ferris' electorate - launched a petition calling for Tamihere's resignation. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen.

At least one school is clashing with officials over how to handle the current measles outbreak, as three of the country's largest secondary schools confirm cases of the highly-contagious disease. Wellington Girls College, which confirmed a second case last week, is flouting the advice of public health and education officials and sending all students home, except for those doing exams, which begin tomorrow. There are now 17 confirmed cases of measles nationwide. Health Correspondent Ruth Hill reports. * This story has been updated since publication.