Checkpoint

Thousands of Kingitanga followers are arriving at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia for the start of the Koroneihana. Our reporter Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira is there.

More than 35,000 nurses walked off the job following nearly a year of deadlocked negotiations between Health New Zealand and the union over pay and working conditions. The Nurses Organisation says the offer currently on the table is a massive step backwards and an effective pay cut when compared to the cost of living. Some of the striking nurses, placards in hand, gathered outside Simeon Brown's Pakuranga electorate office, where the minister had signed off on a hand made sign of his own. District Nurse Rose Maber was protesting outside. She talks to Lisa Owen.

Three Amazon data centres have come online in Auckland today, with the tech giant inviting prime minister Christopher Luxon to speak at its big event. But much of the detail is secret, including where the centres are, the specific jobs they'll create and exactly how much power they need. Political reporter Russell Palmer has more.

Shoppers looking for alternatives to filling the trolley at the supermarket are heading to local markets for cheaper prices. As part of RNZ's Pinch Point series on the cost of living, Bill Hickman went to the capital's Harbourside Market where Wellingtonians go to save a few dollars on fresh produce.

Former US Open champion Naomi Osaka has caused an upset at the tennis tournament in New York by defeating third seed Coco Gauff in straight sets. The 27-year-old Japanese player is back into the quarter-finals of the grand slam for the first time in five years. She's also creating a stir with her lucky charms for matches which honour Black American tennis players. Sports reporter Felicity Reid talks to Lisa Owen.

Gumboots can be a bit of lifesaver for many farmers but for one West Coast dairy manager, his gummies were an acutal life saver when he was struck by lightening. Chris Wilson, from Westport, was out on his quad bike herding cows to the milking shed early yesterday morning when there was a flash of white light that hit him. Chris tells Lisa Owen his survival story.

Chicago is bracing for a major immigration enforcement operation.

An Auckland store owner who says her business has been brought it knees during construction for the city rail link wants proper compensation for the ongoing distruption. But Annie Quan, the owner of Natural Health store on Albert street tells Lisa Owen the stress has been overwhelming and the fund is not enough.

Fire and Emergency has said it has 70 new trucks on order and is investing $20 million in new vehicles despite firefighters claiming they are short of trucks, leaving some regions exposed. Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK securing a record breaking export deal, as well as some bad news for Harry Potter fans with confirmation there'll be no reunion of the original cast.