Checkpoint

The White Ferns are leaving no stone unturned ahead of this year's Cricket World Cup in India. Linking up with the Chennai Super Kings, a select group of New Zealand batters are spending weeks immersed in the conditions they're likely to face at the global tournament in September. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Devastation, dismay and shock were some of the reactions to St John's plan to axe a raft of community programmes. Hato Hone wants them gone by next year as part of decade-long strategy. 1100 volunteers could go, those are people helping out in emergency departments and rest homes, pick up groceries for those unable to, reading and offering companionship. Now there are warnings of grave consequences if the changes go through. Kim Baker Wilson reports.

A gas shortage could force a Taranaki business to shut down its fertiliser production plant for up to four months. Ballance Agri-Nutrients is warning if things dont improve, businesses maybe forced onto an energy roster, with rotating times for production. The Kapuni Plant uses gas to power their production and as a raw ingredient for fertiliser that is used by New Zealand farmers and growers. But a shortage of gas means the co-operative can't get a guaranteed supply and the prices quoted are up to 100% more than what they are currently paying. Chief Executive of Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Kelvin Wickham spoke to Lisa Owen.

A woman who has moved her elderly parents out of multiple rehab and respite facilites because of serious concerns, including over-crowding, mistakes with medication and unchanged soiled bedding, said sweeping reform is needed in aged care. The woman, we're calling Sandy for privacy reasons, said earlier this year her father, who has dementia, was discharged from a hosptial in the middle of the night in his pyjamas because there was no longer a bed for him. Sandy spoke to Lisa Owen.

The cost of power, gas and water is sending growing numbers of people to their local laundomat to wash and dry their clothes. But with laundry businesses subject to these same financial pressures, they're not exactly awash with cash either. Checkpoint visited a dozen or so laundromats to ask people about the cost of doing laundry in this tough economic climate. Bella Craig Reports.

Maths was the winner on the day, as thousands of school pupils across the motu have competed for glory in a the country's biggest maths competition. The Times Tables Rock Stars Mathematics Competition was held earlier today, with the event involving two corresponding 30-minute quizzes across the North and South islands. Erica Stanford was keeping a keen eye on proceedings at a Christchurch school, and herself, was put to the times tables test. Adam Burns reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Former All Black, Richie Mounga is set to return to Aotearoa midway through 2026. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

The president of a dog therapy organisation is open to working with St John volunteers whose services will soon be axed. As Checkpoint revealed last night, Hato Hone St John is plans to can its community programmes for hospital volunteers, community carers and pet therapy services. Vicky Graham is president of Canine Friends Pet Therapy, whose volunteers and their dogs visit rest homes and hospices, just as the St John volunteers do. Vicky Graham spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Zach Montellaro spoke to Lisa Owen about Donald Trump who has said there's a 'good chance' a meeting between himself, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky could soon happen.