Checkpoint

The Black Ferns conclude their World Cup campaign against France tomorrow morning in the playoff for bronze. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Prime Minister has said he is "delivering" on National's election promise not to forget blood cancer patients despite some telling Checkpoint they feel forgotten. Checkpoint has spoken to a number of blood cancer patients who've had to set up donation pages or raid their Kiwisaver to get the potentially life prolonging unfunded Daratumumab or, dara, which costs hundreds of thousands of dollars or even move to Australia to get the drug. Malcolm Mulholland from Patient Voice Aotearoa.

A sense of relief and justice was palpable at the High Court in Wellington today as the man who lit the fatal Loafers Lodge fire was convicted of murder. But it was underscored by incredible heartache. A jury of 10 were unanimous in finding 50-year-old Esarona Lologa guilty of five counts of murder, and one of arson, for setting the Wellington hostel alight in 2023. Five people died in the deadly blaze: Michael Wahrlich, Melvin Parun, Peter O'Sullivan, Kenneth Barnard and Liam Hockings. Lauren Crimp reports.

The Prime Minister has hosed down the hopes and expectations of blood cancer patients holding out for more funding for drugs and treatments, despite promises made during the election campaign. However Christopher Luxon said his government is "delivering" and he is proud of their progress. Some blood cancer patients have moved to Australia to get the unfunded drug Daratumumab or dara. It costs hundreds of thousands of dollars here, but is virtually free across the ditch. Lisa Owen posed the question to the Prime Minister, has this government delivered on its promises?

A group of high schoolers from around the country are running lines and pacing the floor of a Wellington school this week, preparing for a Shakespeare showcase. The Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand's national schools production brings together the best of the bunch from regional competitons, for a week-long programme of rehearsals and workshops. Kate Green reports.

A group of primary students from Hamilton East School has recorded an album that is about to be pressed on vinyl and sold in record stores. The album is a cover of Split Enz debut album, Mental Notes, fifty years on since the album's debut. Teacher and mastermind behind the project, Lachie Holt spoke to Lisa Owen.

Terror in the skies over Auckland today as a Qantas flight from Sydney, Australia touched down in Auckland following reports of a fire in the cargo hold. Fire and Emergency were alerted just after 11-o'clock this morning. Sixteen fire trucks were called to Auckland airport to respond to the incident that's left passengers shaken. Finn Blackwell reports.

More than 11 years after the deaths of two patients at Palmerston North Hospital's mental health ward triggered damning reviews into the facility, a replacement has been opened. But the families of Erica Hume and Shaun Gray who died in 2014, and families of patients who have died since, were absent at the official ceremony today. Health NZ says they'll get a chance to look through the new ward and has apologised if they wanted to attend the opening. A warning, this report from Jimmy Ellingham mentions suicide.

Eden Park is the focus of this weekend's rugby action, as the wounded All Blacks take on the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe Cup test of the year. The All Blacks come off a record loss in their last test but welcome back some key players. Meanwhile the Wallabies have had some exceptional results to give their long-suffering fans hope of a first Bledisloe Cup series win in 23 years. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

Are you feeling wealthier? Stats NZ's latest data on household net worth shows that for many of us, the answer should be yes. But how can that be, and who's actually getting the benefit of the increases? Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Lisa Owen.