Checkpoint

The government has announced changes to the foreign buyers ban, letting some wealthy foreigners back into the housing market, but only if they're spending at least $5 million. It is a significant turnaround for New Zealand First, which helped put the ban in place back in 2018 when it was in a coalition government with Labour. Acting political editor, Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

Reserve Bank Chair Neil Quigley has resigned. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about European leaders expressing their outrage at Russia's deadliest attack on Kyiv in over a month, as well as councils in the UK that have issueed safety warnings about flying national flags from lamp-posts.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Black Ferns World Cup campaign continues in the early hours of Monday morning. New Zealand play their second pool match against Japan in Exeter, and are sweating on the fitness of three players. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The chorus of business leaders calling for something to be done to help Auckand out of a funk is growing. A major event can see businesses making a month's earning in just a night, according to Hospitality New Zealand. But it said the government's passed up some major opportunities already and needs to front up with funding if it wants to attract more. Hospitality NZ chief executive Steve Armitage spoke to Lisa Owen.

Police have released footage of two hooded figures, believed to be fugitive father Tom Phillips and one of his children, breaking into a Piopio business. Phillips has been on the run in the remote King Country bush since December 2021, after taking his three children from Marokopa. Police said while they investigate the milk theft, and other alleged crimes by Mr Phillips, their priority is to bring his children home. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports. Criminal psychologist Dr Tim Watson-Munro has worked on a number high profile cases in Australia and joined Lisa Owen from Melbourne.

There is a stoush simmering over the crewing of Gisborne's fire station with the union claiming its has been left unstaffed. The union said for just over an hour yesterday there was no one at the main fire station and that meant the city was vunerable in an emergency. Off duty staff were called in to the cover the station while all rostered crews were dealing with the aftermath of a blaze. But the union said off duty firefighters can only cover for a maximum of three hours. But FENZ said the station was never without cover. NZ Professional Firefighters Union national secretary Wattie Watson spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Loafers Lodge murder trial today watched CCTV footage of a man setting a fire inside the Wellington boarding house on the evening it burned down. A 50-year-old-man, who has name suppression, is accused of murdering five people by setting the lodge alight in May 2023. Reporter Kate Green was in the High Court in Wellington and spoke to Lisa Owen.

One of the most anticpated test matches of the year is on the horizon, with the All Blacks set to take on the Springboks. There is a lot on the line as the traditional heavyweights of world rugby square off, with the Eden Park streak now standing at 50 unbeaten games for the All Blacks, and there has been plenty of drama in the build up. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.