Checkpoint

The family of a woman killed by a truck driver are calling for stronger accountability for preventable deaths on the road. Jade Evans and her unborn child were killed when a truck driver drove through a stop sign. The driver pleaded guilty to careless driving causing her death and was sentenced to two months community detention. He's lost his licence for 12 months and must pay reparations of $8000 to the family. Jade's mother, Kathryn Stothers spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the Middle East conflict cranking up again. More tit-for-tat attacks between the US and Iran have been launched since a month-long pause was broken earlier this week.

The Reserve Bank has hiked the official cash rate 25 basis points to 2.75 percent. However, the Reserve Bank is pointing to a recovering economy, with unemployment expected to decline and an improvement in real incomes by mid next year. Kiwibank economist Jarrod Kerr spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the Australian government planning to overhaul privacy laws in response to growing concerns about how digital technology is being used to gather information without consent.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Six years after a basketball development pathway was quietly dropped the Breakers are reviving it at their Auckland headquarters. 20 high school students have been selected to join the Breakers Academy - with little expectation they will play for the NBL club any time soon. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Older New Zealander's concern around access to safe and affordable housing has made its way to the steps of parliament this afternoon. The Christchurch Methodist Mission has presented a petition to the Minister for Seniors, on behalf of more than 3000 people who want the Government to prioritise building new affordable housing. Executive Director of the Methodist Mission in Christchurch, Jill Hawkey spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A jury has heard harrowing evidence about how a son found his father dead and his mother missing from their home, which had turned into a grisly crime scene. Lok Fung Lorrence Li is on trial in the High Court at Auckland charged with murdering Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and his wife Mei Han Chong in 2023. Finn Blackwell reports.

Foreign minister Winston Peters is chalking up news of a new port in the Cook Islands as a major win for Pacific regionalism. Peters is in Palau for the Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting and earlier today announced NZ and the US will be jointly funding a major port upgrade in the most northern island in the Cooks group. Teuila Fuatai spoke to Melissa Chan-Green from Koror.

A SuperGold Card discount is offered by hundreds of small and big name businesses in New Zealand. However, a lack of promotion means many older people are unaware they can save money. That means missing out on decent savings during the cost of living crunch. Business reporter Nona Pelletier hit the streets to investigate.