Checkpoint

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A long-serving White Fern has been selected for her last Cricket World Cup alongside four newcomers for next month's 50-over tournament. Captain Sophie Devine will lead New Zealand for the last time at tournament in India and Sri Lanka, where she will be joined by first-timers Flora Devonshire, Polly Inglis, Bella James and Bree Illing. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

10,000 jobs have disappeared in just three months, according to Stats NZ. There are now 50,000 fewer jobs than in December 2023. Auckland lost nearly 5000 jobs, Wellington over 1300, Hawke's Bay over 800, and in Waikato close to 700. Provincial areas have also been hit despite the farming sector being a bright spot in the economy. Economist and Infometrics chief executive Brad Olsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Taupō man is convinced he saw Tom Phillips three times while spending over 1000 hours searching for him. Leon Wood covered close to 20,000 km during his search, logging his movements as he went. Leon Wood spoke to Lisa Owen.

A rudimentary shelter with tree branches holding up a black tarpaulin, dirty plastic buckets, a Jack Daniels whisky box and an LPG bottle are in some of the images released today of what police believe to be one of the campsites used by Tom Phillips and his children in recent months. Police said the grim and dirty campsite was about 200 metres from where his remaining children were found on Monday, across the rugged terrain of Western Waikato. With all of Phillip's children safe and accounted for, a new phase of the investigation begins: the search for anyone who assisted the fugitive father and hold them to account. Lucy Xia reports.

Dame Noeline Taurua will not be the Silver Ferns coach for the upcoming Series against South Africa. A statement from Netball NZ said there have been ongoing discussions between Netball NZ, Dame Noeline and the Silver Ferns management team concerning proposed changes to the Silver Ferns High Performance programme and environment. However, they were unable to resolve issues to everyone's satisfaction in the time available before the Taini Jamison Series. Sports journalist Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand's biggest pastoral farmer is keen to coax the next generation into business with the chance to buy into the management of a rambling east coast property, that's actually owned by all of us. State Owned farmers Pāmu Landcorp is looking for someone to invest a minimum of $250,000 in the 1700 hectare Mahiwi farm. The land is not for sale, the new farmer will have an interest in stock and assets. Chief executive of Pāmu Farming, Mark Leslie spoke to Lisa Owen.

Te Pati Maori MP Takuta Ferris has doubled down on the controversial comments he made about race during the final days of the Tamaki Makaurau by-election. His latest social media post puts him at odds with his party's earlier apology, and was today roundly condemned by MPs from across the House. Mr Ferris posted on Instagram last week, criticising Labour for having "Indians, Asians, Black and Pakeha" campaign for its candidate, Peeni Henare. Those remarks prompted Te Pati Maori to clarify that its movement has always been for "the people", but in a further post, Mr Ferris has come out swinging at his critics. Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira reports.

The former teacher of two children who's remains were found hidden in suitcase three years ago has given tearful evidence before the High Court in Auckland today. Hakyung Lee, is on trial, accused of murdering her children six-year-old Minu and eight-year-old Yuna Jo. The Crown claims she was aware of her actions, while her appointed counsel argues she was insane at the time. Jurors heard evidence from a forensic toxicologist, and hospices nurses who had looked after Lee's husband, before attention turned in the afternoon to the two victims. Finn Blackwell reports.

The Penrith Panthers could be in for some major disruption ahead of their finals clash with the Warriors this Saturday. An unofficial Warriors fan page on Facebook is circulating a list of ideas of how members can help make the opposition's stay in New Zealand uncomfortable. The Panthers have alerted the NRL to the page which has encouraged fans to cause a scene outside of the away team's hotel. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.