Checkpoint

A Kiwi woman and her six year old son could soon be released from a Texas immigration detention centre after being locked up there for weeks. Sarah Shaw and her son Isaac were detained three weeks ago, when she re-entered the States from Canada without a fully renewed visa. Sarah's friend Victoria Besancon has been campaigning for her release and raising money cover her expenses. Victoria Besancon spoke to Lisa Owen.

Residential building consents are still heading south with 11 out of 16 regions around the country rubber stamping fewer builds compared to last year. Labour has accused the government of effectively hammering a nail in the coffin of building industry by slashing the number of state houses Kainga Ora is building, contributing to a "huge slow down in construction". The Building Minister has said their maths is all wrong. Building industry analyst Mike Blackburn spoke to Lisa Owen.

Supporters of a New Zealand woman and her young son being held in a US immigration centre are pinning their hopes on a second attempt to be released on compassionate grounds. Sarah Shaw and six-year-old Isaac were detained by the United State immigration authority - known as ICE - nearly three weeks ago after she tried to re-enter her home state of Washington from Canada without the correct documents. The mother and son have been shipped the length of the country to a facility in Texas and have been unable to be released since. Rowan Quinn reports.

A patient at an Auckland mental health programme that will close its doors next month says she's feeling anxious about the future. Rauaroha Segar House, a publicly funded intensive service for people who have long-standing or chronic problems, stops its services on September the 19th. Heloise Cantin-Gilmore told Checkpoint her time there's been life-changing and there are no other realistic treatment options available to her. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

The expected exodus of New Zealand's top netballers has begun. Silver Ferns star Kelly Jackson has announced she's headed to Australia next season, signing with the Queensland Firebirds. There's speculation several other of her national teammates could be about to follow her across the ditch. Sports correspondent Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A nine year old has become Waikato's youngest indoor bowls champ, as part of a trio. Pixie Blake's team mates are a few decades older than she is. The trio took out the title at the Champion of Champions tournament in Hamilton at the weekend. Pixie Blake spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about the wife of South Korea's jailed former president being arrested, as well as Nepal opening up Himalayan mountins for free to clear congestion on Mt Everest.

Secondary school teachers around the motu have announced they will strike for the day next Wednesday, after pay talk with the govenrment stalled. They will double down in September if there's no progress with negotiations. The union said its members have overwhelmingly voted in favour of rostering students home, and not teaching certain year levels on specific days, in the week beginning September 15. Post Primary Teachers' Association president Chris Abercrombie spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the country announcing it will join the 147 out of 193 UN member states who will recognise a Palestinian state in September. Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu slammed the move calling it "shameful" while Australia's opposition leader said her coalition will revoke recognition if it wins the next election. Foreign minister Winston Peters said New Zealand will decide whether to follow suit in the next month.

News from the business sector, including a market report.