Checkpoint

Get off the couch, stop playing play station and find a job, that was the Prime Minister's message to unemployed young people, but it might not be that simple in some parts of the country. Christopher Luxon made the comments to Rotorua business leaders on Friday. Since then the government has anounced its bringing forward plans to income test the parents' of 18 and 19-year-olds getting a JobSeeker Allowance from next year. Rotorua Chamber of Commerce CEO Melanie Short spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about how the government and public have responded to the fatal attack on a Manchester Synagogue which occured overnight.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The first crop of kiwis to represent Aotearoa at next year's Olympic Winter Games have been named. Eight athletes were announced today for Milano Cortina 2026, led by the country's most decorated Winter Olympian. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Officials are investigating complaints about dogs certified by a Manawatu disability assistance dog trainer that's had its accreditation removed. K9 Search Medical Detection was dropped from the list of organisations allowed to train such assistance dogs, which have access rights to public places under the Dog Control Act, on 20 December last year. The dogs can support people with physical disabilities or medical conditions, and have the right to enter spaces such as schools, hospitals, public transport and shops. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham spoke to Lisa Owen.

Te Pāti Māori is trying to contain internal ructions - after a key ally and protest group severed ties - and critics from in-and-outside the party pile on.The leadership is rejecting the claims - but admits a reset is on the way. A former co-leader says it's needed. Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira reports.

The Minister for medicines has revealed he is pushing for hundreds of millions of dollars of more funding for drugs in the next year's budget. Associate Health Minister, who is responsible for Pharmac, David Seymour believes medicines should be viewed as an investment and there needs to be a different approach assessing the cost benefits of drugs. It comes as a new report shows the medicine gap between Australia and New Zealand is getting wider and deeper. David Seymour spoke to Lisa Owen.

"Made in New Zealand" - Defence Minister Judith Collins hopes to put that label on more drones and weapons around the world. The new Defence Industry Strategy, announced today, aims to boost local defence businesses and encourage tech companies to branch out into military technology. Felix Walton reports.

The government has announced it will put five million dollars into a roof fund for Auckland's Manuka Doctor tennis arena; the total cost is expected to be $15 million. It is the first project to get money from the government's $70 million Major Event & Tourism Package, that was announced just last month. Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland businesses and city leaders are renewing calls for a bed tax on the city's tourist accommodation to fund major events. Despite the government's $70 million boost for tourism announced last month, businesses hit by the highly disruptive construction of the City Rail Link and Heart of the City CEO Viv Beck are calling for a long-term funding model. Could a bed tax be the answer? Louise Ternouth reports.