Checkpoint

The owner of Wellington brewery Fortune Favours has ssaid they are being forced to shut down just days after one of their beers took out a top honour at Wellington's Beervana beer festival. Owner's told staff this week they would be winding up the brand's central Wellington brewery bar by Sunday. Bill Hickman reports.

A school girls' first XV rugby team is about to play for an unprecedented fourth national title in a row. The team, from Manukura in Palmerston North, are put through their paces every day at the college, which has a focus on te ao Maori and sport. They're under the watchful eye of coaches who know what it takes to make the grade. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

Though kick off is still a while away, the Super Rugby Pacific draw has been locked in for 2026. A pair of blockbuster kiwi derbies will start the season, however Hurricanes fans will be made to wait an extra week to see their side take the field. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The union representing media workers at Stuff have described the latest pay rise offer as "insulting". This afternoon more than 150 journalists and other staff walked off the job and began picketing outside Stuff's offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Members of the Etu union which is representing the workers say the company is showing contempt for its staff. Reporter Felix Walton was at Stuff's Auckland office and spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a mass shooting at a church in Minneapolis which has killed two children, and injured more than a dozen.

Westpac wants the government to consider making employer Kiwisaver contributions for workers over 65 years old compulsory. Right now when an employee hits 65 employers dont have to keep making Kiwisaver contributions, if the staffer has been a member for five years. That is despite more people working past the age of super eligability. Chief executive of BT Funds Management, Westpac's KiwiSaver Scheme provider, Nigel Jackson spoke to Lisa Owen.

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about Nigel Farage's Reform party's plans to deport 600,000 migrants, as well as two men who were jailed for selling petfood to unsuspecting shoppers.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Warriors are backing some bold calls by the Penrith Panthers ahead of this week's NRL games. The defending champions have benched players with significant experience for a grudge match with the Bulldogs tomorrow night, as teams, including the Warriors, jostle for places in the top four. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Big box wholesale supermarket chain Costco has its eyes on expansion, and a new "express lane" for supermarket developments will help that happen, according to the Minister for Economic growth. Nicola Willis today unveiled policy changes that the government believes will help boost competition in the grocery market that's curently dominated by two chains; Woolworths and Foodstuffs. Minister for Economic Growth, Nicola Willis spoke to Lisa Owen.