Checkpoint

It's long been a fashion staple, and it only takes a look to many of our sports teams or fashion designers to see New Zealanders have long had a love affair with the colour black. In our capital's recycle boutiques - black is the colour above all else that dominates. It even appears to be more popular than usual. Mary Argue reports.

The SPCA isn't just dealing with animal abuse its staff are increasingly in the firing line; facing verbal and physical threats. There has been 70 incidents reported so far this year, but the animal welfare protection agency believes the numbers are much higher with some staff just putting up with daily abuse. In one case a worker in Hawke's Bay had a cat thrown at them. SPCA general manager for animal services Dr Corey Regnerus-Kell spoke to Lisa Owen.

Dame Lisa Carrington is back and she hasn't missed a beat. The eight-time Olympic champion is back with the elite Canoe Sprint squad after answering an SOS call from the national selectors. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

How do you teach kids about the money and its value when cash is increasingly invisible, and transactions are often online or via cards? Co-founder of the SquareOne app thats helps children understand finance and managing their money, Jamie Jermain spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Lisa Owen about the new focus on the conflict raging in Sudan, particularly its impact on the humanitarian situation.

A long time Auckland environmentalist won the battle to protect a bunch of berms he has planted in an urban style jungle over decades. But plants on another grass verge will be removed by Auckland council after complaints from some residents in a nearby apartments. Freeman's Bay resident Mark van Kaathoven has been working on the berm gardens outside his home and neighbouring properties for more than three decades. Auckland Council has now given most of the berms protected status under its restorative gardening initiative, meaning they can't be removed. Mark van Kaathoven spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thompson spoke to Lisa Owen about the UK's government looking to introduce harsher punishments for people smugglers, as well as moves to evacuate sick children from Gaza.

A glimpse of a new era in Auckland Transport has been unveiled today. At Britomart Station an updated map gives commuters a preview of the new stations and rail-lines they will use when the long-awaited Central Rail Links opens. The over-budget and over-time CRL is nearing completion, but officials aren't ready yet to say exactly when it will open. Finn Blackwell has more.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has been forced to apologise for the actions of a team trainer. Corey Bocking has been labelled a disgrace for disrupting a Titans conversion attempt, costing them a potential victory. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.