Checkpoint

The Australian Diamonds coach has seen all the headlines surrounding the Silver Ferns since the shock suspension of coach Dame Noeline Taurua. But despite all the turmoil she doesn't think the Silver Ferns will be vulnerable as the two sides prepare to square off in Melbourne tonight. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

There have been stormy scenes in Mangawhai today as the Kaipara District Council tried for a second time to hold an emergency meeting about allegations of election irregularities. Yesterday's meeting was adjourned by outgoing Mayor Craig Jepson after just 25 minutes when a 76-year-old protester approached the council table and refused to sit down.

The mood appears to be souring between coalition parties over the sale of well-known New Zealand's dairy brands to French multinational Lactalis. New Zealand First says the move to sell Fonterra brands like Mainland and Anchor is not in the country's best interests. But ACT's leader David Seymour is championing a free market approach, saying it's the farmers that should be making the decision. Political reporter Russell Palmer has the details.

The Health Minister has taken a deep dive into the pay packets and perks of senior doctors during a speech at their annual conference. Simeon Brown accused them of crossing an "ethical line" for choosing strike action. Executive Director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, Sarah Dalton spoke to Lisa Owen.

The government is changing the law around pharmacy ownership, a move one pharmacist said is putting commercial interest above patient care. Currently pharmacies must be majority owned and effectively controlled by a registered pharmacist. Now the government wants to open ownership to anyone. Westmere Pharmacy owner and registered pharmacist Sam Tibshraeny does not agree with the move, and spoke to Lisa Owen.

A fashion store owner says his staff has been left traumatised by a violent armed robbery earlier this week. Roopdarshan, a fashion and jewellery store in Auckland's Mount Roskill, was targeted by a group of nine masked offenders in broad daylight during the busy Diwali festive season. RNZ Asia's Blessen Tom has more.

A sea of Samoan supporters are set to descend on Mount Smart this Sunday. A blockbuster double header kicks off the 2025 rugby league Pacific Champs, with both the Kiwi Ferns and Kiwis in action against Fetu and Toa. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Fancy diving between branches at the top of a tree? Well the International Tree Climbing Championships may be just the thing for you. While tree climbing may elicit childhood memories - this is serious business with the masters champion to be decided in Christchurch this weekend. Timothy Brown went along to Hagley Park to see the aerial athletics.

If you fixed your home loan rate a while ago, you might have mixed feelings as you watch interest rates fall. They'll probably be lower for a while to come, but if you're missing out on the savings for now, that's hard to swallow. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds has been looking into what you can do if you have fix regret and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about the number of bear attacks in Japan hitting a record high, as well as the last surviving member of Sir Edmund Hillary's team that reached the summit of Mt Everest has died.