Checkpoint

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the Australian government announcing it will pursure a more ambitious effort to reduce climate emissions, aiming to hit a target somewhere within the range of 62 to 70% by 2035.

Firefighters have contained a blaze in Canterbury that's destroyed a family's beloved vintage car collection. Crews rushed to an out-of-control burn-off fanned by strong winds in Southbridge yesterday afternoon, as the fire quickly spread across 38 hecatres. Anna Sargent reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Ferns have had a rough run of injuries at the Rugby World Cup and they've had another key player go down ahead of the semi-final against Canada. Forward Jorja Miller has asked for privacy around her undisclosed injury and it's unclear if she'd be back for a potential final. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Canterbury company is producing alternative plant proteins in a deal with one of Asia's largest food import companies, Lacto Japan. Leaft foods extracts proteins from lucerne, a crop normally used for sheep and beef feed, and creates plant-based, animal and allergen-free ingredients to be used in food manufacturing. Maury Leyland Penno from Leaft spoke to Lisa Owen.

An economist and former finance minister are calling on Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis to resign. It comes in the wake of worse than expected GDP figures out today - which show our economy shrunk by nearly 1% last quarter. Nicola Willis said it is not the government's fault - and has instead put the blame on the economic turmoil caused by tariffs. Russell Palmer reports.

A former top cop has joined a number of Kiwi blood cancer patients seeking cutting edge therapy overseas, as wait times grow for standard stem cell treatment in New Zealand. Stuart Lye was diagnosed in 2018 and fundraised to go to China for treatment. Stuart Lye spoke to Lisa Owen.

Graduates looking to start a career in the public service are finding themselves at a loose end, qualified and ready to jump into the workforce, but with nowhere to go. In the past two years close to a third of graduate roles and internship places have been cut from the public service. For some, the dire state of the job industry is driving them overseas or forcing them to leave their degree behind and take any job they can get. Now a campaign is underway to try and get some of the public service roles reinstated. Evie Richardson reports.

An overwhelming majority of New Zealanders support the government putting a cap on the amount councils can increase rates each year, according to the RNZ-Reid Research poll. In August it was announced a policy to cap council rates would be put before cabinet before Christmas. Researchers asked whether it was an idea people supported. Nick James reports.

Brandon Smith has faced court for the first time since he was charged with drug supply and betting violations. The Kiwis hooker entered no plea this morning, meanwhile further texts have been leaked which are set to be used as as evidence against him. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.