Checkpoint

Aotearoa has pledged $2 million in humanitarian assistance to Nepal through the Red Cross. Several villages, kilometres of roads and more than a dozen bridges have been wiped out in a massive flood and landslides near the border with Tibet. Nepalese guide, Karma Renjen Lama grew up where the landslip hit. His sister's home has been wiped out and he is waiting for his family to be evacuated. He spoke to Lisa Owen.

Eateries around Wellington have been facing off for weeks in a hard-fought and popular competition for the capital's best burger. Lazy Juan on The Terrace has come out on top with its Marites burger, full of Filipino flavours. Anya Fielding reports.

It could still be months before Papua New Guinea parliament makes its decision on whether to approve of independence for the country's autonomous region of Bougainville. In an historic day yesterday, the result of Bougainville's independence referendum was finally tabled in PNG's parliament, after a seven-year wait. Johnny Blades spoke to Lisa Owen from Port Moresby.

Though the decision may be out of their hands, the Warriors will do everything possible to ensure they play finals football at their "spiritual home". The club is currently leading the NRL table and on track for a rare home play-off, but where that potential home final will be played remains uncertain. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

How young is too young for a child to travel unaccompanied on a long haul bus trip. From mid next month, Intercity is lifting the minimum age for unaccompanied children from seven to 10 years old. One Christchurch dad is not keen on the changes. Tim Frank's children regularly use Intercity buses to see their grandparents, but now his youngest will have to wait three years before he can join his siblings on board. Tim Frank spoke to Lisa Owen.

Clean-up efforts are underway across the Queenstown Lakes District today after a winter storm triggered slips, road closures, and emergency evacuations overnight. Nine houses have flooded, and - armed with shovels - some residents in Fernhill have been trying to stop a torrent of water from causing any more damage. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd has the story.

Volunteering is becoming a luxury fewer people can afford, according to Volunteering Northland. It has about 1000 people on its books, but says that doesn't reflect the reality of who's now able to help out. It's stressing organisations that rely on people donating their time. Community connections co-ordinator for Volunteering Northland, Verena Pschorn spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about growing calls for a ban on smart glasses capable of surreptiously recording video of people without their knowledge or consent.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A Waikato based tech company is looking for two hundred new workers, on top of the 300 people it has hired since January. Gallagher is a global company that specialises in animal management and security. Its revenue grew 33 percent over the past year. Gallagher CEO and Executive Director, Kahl Betham spoke to Lisa Owen.