Checkpoint

Reaction to the Reserve Bank's 50 basis point cut to the OCR has been mixed, dependent on people's age and stage. Assuming the reduction is passed on in full, minimum repayments for a family with a 25-year, $500,000 mortgage will be more than $400 less a fortnight than they were in the middle of last year. But for people who are on a fixed income and relying on savings, like retirees, it's an effective pay cut. Infometrics chief forecaster Gareth Kiernan spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about UK opposition leader Kemi Badenoch being forced to defend attendance at her party's conference, as well as Nigel Farage who has been in court regarding a death threat.

The minister in charge of fisheries says more ocean space is needed for the farming of kai moana, so that aquaculture can one day rival New Zealand's beef sector. Shane Jones opened the industry's annual conference in Nelson today, speaking again of the need to create a new global-scale protein-based industry. Samantha Gee reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A stern warning has been sent to rugby and league players considering a switch to R360. The rebel league is reportedly set to launch in October next year and claims to have agreements in place with 200 top players from around the world. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The temperature is rising, so are sea levels, and the weather is getting more extreme. So if that iis what the science is showing us, why aren't we adapting more quickly to the risks? That is the question Earth Sciences New Zealand is looking to answer through a new $12 million research programme. Principal Scientist at Earth Sciences New Zealand, Nick Cradock-Henry spoke to Lisa Owen.

The outgoing Wellington mayor has taken aim at her critics in and outside the council in her final speech today. In her last three years in the hot seat, Tory Whanau has been outspoken about her own personal challenges as well as the abuse she and other councillors have suffered online. The council has also endured criticism of overspending and the appointment of a Crown Observer after it could not agree on selling it's stake in Wellington Airport. Bill Hickman reports

The Reserve Bank has cut wholesale interest rates by 50 basis points to 2.5%. It has also left the door open to a further cut in November. It considered a less aggressive move..but noted stronger inflation pressure and ultimately decided a smaller cut would further hold the economy back. Head of fixed income at Harbour Asset Management Mark Brown spoke to Lisa Owen.

Grain farmers are being ground down by rising production costs. As of July, the amount of all harvested crops was down 2% on last season - and the amount of unsold grain was up by almost 21,000 tonnes. Grain growers have said their profits are being eroded by massive jumps in the price of farm machinery, Russia's war on Ukraine resulted in cut price grain internationally and the added expense of kiwi grain navigating dangerous export routes. Chair of Federated Farmers Arable Industry Group, David Birkett spoke to Lisa Owen.

Police say a fatal house fire in the East Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach last Thursday was deliberately lit. A father and his son are the two believed to have been killed at the Murvale Drive property, which the family was renting. A double homicide investigation is now underway, and police are actively appealing for the public's help. Lucy Xia reports.