Checkpoint

Australia correspondent Nicole Johnston spoke to Lisa Owen about a row that has broken out between the Australian government and a far-right Israeli politician.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Despite making their way back into the win column the Warriors have one less thing to be happy about. Warriors forward Jackson Ford has been handed a three match ban after he was sighted for a dangerous tackle last week. It means the side will play out the rest of the regular season without one of its more consistent players as the race for the playoffs tightens up. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

The lawyer for a New Zealander detained in US believes Sarah Shaw's case attracted international attention because she's a young pretty white mum, and said there are thousands of other immigrants locked up, that the world shouldn't turn its back on. The mum and her six year old son were detained, when she re-entered the States from Canada without a fully renewed visa. After her story went global, Sarah was released on the weekend. Her lawyer Minda Thorward spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Education Minister Erica Stanford has said test results from last year show the government's action on reading, writing and maths is more urgent than ever. The results show only 24% of pupils in year eight, the final year of intermediate school, were writing or doing maths at the level demanded by the new curriculum. Education correspondent John Gerritsen reports.

Fears are growing in the disability community that a vital travel subsidy scheme could be capped. The Total Mobility Scheme that is co-funded by the government helps disabled people who cant use buses trains or ferries get where they need to go in subsidised taxis. The scheme has been under review for the past two years, with no official word on any changes. Disability groups fear the subsidy will be cut or overall funding capped, seriously restricting options for people who use the scheme. Auckland academic Dr Sally Britnell spoke to Lisa Owen.

From curling tongs you heat in the fire, to a shaving and tooth pulling bowl, a new display in Christchurch is showing off a range of grooming techniques from over the centuries. Christchurch hairdresser Michael Turner has been collecting hair salon memorabilia for over 25 years, and decided to donate some of his gems to go on public display at Ferrymead Heritage Park. Rachel Graham reports.

"The carnival's over". Those were the words of Foreign Minister Winston Peters who appeared to be celebrating Trevor Mallard's early exit as ambassador to Ireland. Mallard is being replaced by Angela Hassan-Sharp. Political reporter Russell Palmer spoke to Lisa Owen.

Invercargill will soon have a new mayor, but this vote is different to recent ones. It's the first election since the 1990s that an incumbent hasn't sought re-election, with current Mayor Nobby Clark stepping down. Instead, eight candidates are competing to take the mantle - a mix of current councillors and new faces. Tess Brunton reports.

After six years in the international football wilderness All Whites midfielder Ryan Thomas is back. Thomas is one of 23 players named today in coach Darren Bazeley's squad for two matches against Australia next month. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.