Checkpoint

The Foreign Affairs Minister says the world needs to face the "elephant in the room" on global emissions at a climate change meeting in New York. Speaking at a UN leaders breakfast on sea level rise, Winston Peters pointed to the four big emitters - the US, China, Russia and India. It comes as China - the world's biggest polluter - pledges its first cut in emissions. Political reporter Anneke Smith has more from New York.

Asia correspondent Katie Silver spoke to Lisa Owen about over 1000 children being poisoned by free school lunches in Indonesia this week, as well as a film in China which was digitally altered to turn a same-sex couple into a heterosexual couple.

A new Far North District Council bylaw requires all cats over the age of four months to be "chipped and snipped". It's a big change for the Far North which has not tried to restrict cats in the past, despite its warm climate and almost year-round kitten season. Reporter Peter de Graaf finds out what volunteers on the front line think about the new rules.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

One of Dame Noeline Taurua's inner circle insists that she wants to coach the Silver Ferns again, despite being dramatically stood down. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

So called crop sitters are being tricked into coming here from Vietnam for jobs that don't exist, only to find themselves working for international criminal groups, looking after massive cannabis grow houses. Police are concerned violence is escalating as local gangs try to muscle in on the business opportunity. Detective Inspector Callum McNeill spoke to Lisa Owen.

An advocate for Auckland's homeless says international students are joining the growing number of people sleeping rough on the city's streets. Throughout winter and into the chilly spring, Kildare Peterson has been dropping supplies to homeless people in the CBD and within his own community in Onehunga. He's seeing growing levels of desperation. One man told Checkpoint he would deliberately get arrested in order to have a roof over his head for a night or two, away from the temptations of drugs and alcohol. It's prompted calls to implement Duty to Assist legislation, to ensure all people have access to safe and stable housing. Bella Craig reports.

There are fears more and more teenage boys are being drawn into a world of extremism and toxic masculinity through exposure to misognistic ideas promoted online and by infamous social media influencers. It is showing up in New Zealand classrooms and in the blatant disrespect for female teachers, according to a report by the Auckland & Wellinton regions of the Post Primary teachers association. Teacher and Auckland PPTA regional chair Paul Stevens presented the paper at a conference this week and spoke to Lisa Owen.

Faced with rising household costs, people are turning to pedal power to save money on petrol and parking. Bike charities and loan schemes in Wellington are in demand, and the clientele is increasingly shifting towards higher wage earners looking for a cheaper, more planet-friendly mode of transport. Kate Green reports.

A Queenstown principal believes plans to axe 10 dedicated school buses' will have severe negative impacts on student attendance and could put children in danger travelling to and from school. The Minstry of Education is reviewing 17 routes which ferry almost 700 students to and from school. It says its found only 271 are eligible for Ministry-funded buses. Queenstown Primary says the public buses are already full and simply dont have room for the students if they're forced to switch. Queenstown Primary principal Fiona Cavanagh spoke to Lisa Owen.