Checkpoint

The Wellington Phoenix will kick start their A-league women's campaign at home this week against Canberra United after sitting out the first week. With a new coach, new import players and the additon of a championship winner the side believe they'll finally get into the playoffs. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A conservationist and former bee keeper is describing biosecurity's response to the yellow legged hornet as "hopelessly inadequate". Three queens have been discovered on Auckland's North Shore, one in the early stages of building a nest, and two males have also been spotted. The hornet, that's not established in New Zealand, is known to feed on honey bees and could pose a threat to the industry. Northland conservationist and former beekeeper Brad Windust spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about major developments from Sudan's civil war, as well as more progress in the Gaza Ceasefire agreement.

There are calls for greater transparency about how Pharmac prioritises medicines on what is effectively a wait list for funding as it considers culling that list. If the proposal goes ahead the government drug buying agency will focus on cutting drugs that have been in the lowest ranked group on the options for funding list for more than two years. Publicly drugs on the funding wait list appear in alphabetical order; but where they are ranked in terms of priority for funding is kept secret. Leukemia and Blood Cancer chief executive Tim Edmonds spoke to Lisa Owen.

In light of Halloween Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland spoke to Lisa Owen about the various Kiwi treats that you can't find on New Zealand shelves anymore.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the former Prince Andrew being stripped of all royal titles and privileges, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales winning a legal battle against a French magazine.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A major power outage is affecting much of the Far North. Lines company Top Energy says more than 23 thousand homes and businesses are currently without power. CEO of Top Energy Russell Shaw spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Kiwis are chasing redemption, and the Kiwi Ferns want to get one over the best in the world, when rugby league's Pacific Championships return to Auckland. After a week off, the Kiwis face a Tongan side and the Kiwi Ferns face Australia in another double-header on Sunday. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Who ever said "be sure to the smell the flowers along the way" probably never sniffed the complex blend of rotting meat, wet dog and sewage; apparently the signature fragrance of Voodoo lillies. It seems only fitting that two varieties are on the cusp of blooming this halloween in the Begonia house at Wellington's botanic garden. Visitor Experience Manager at Wellington Gardens, Raydeen Cuffe spoke to Lisa Owen.