Checkpoint

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams is back and making more tennis history. Playing her first singles match in 16 months, the 45-year-old became the oldest player to win a tour-level singles match since 47-year-old Martina Navratilova won at Wimbledon more than 21 years ago. Sport reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The Government has ordered Sport New Zealand to scrap its work on guidelines about the inclusion of transgender people in community sport. New Zealand Rugby said it had been using advice from Sport New Zealand on transgender inclusion in community sport, and found them very helpful and valuable. Mike Hester, New Zealand Rugby's Head of Participation Community Rugby said moving forward, the organisation will be guided by values and also by its participants. He spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Under government direction, Sport New Zealand has scrapped guidelines for the inclusion of transgender people in community sport. The removal comes after a review showing the principles did not reflect legitimate community expectations that sport should prioritise fairness and safety. New Zealand First is claming full credit for the change as its coalition partners struggled to explain why the change was needed. Russell Palmer reports.

Gumboot Friday has had a green light for its second year of funding but has had its targets increased after meeting the minimum numbers set for its first year. Last year the process by which the charity was awarded 24 million dollars funding came under scrutiny by the auditor-general who said the way the decision came about was "unusual and inconsistent". But mental health Minister Matt Doocey has backed the charity saying it's helping thousands of young people get access to support faster. Founder of Gumboot Friday Mike King, spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Leaving it to the last minute to enrol to vote will become a thing of the past, under sweeping electoral law changes the Government's announced today. The changes mean enrolment will close before the 12 day long advance voting period begins. There will also be a total ban on prisoners voting and providing free food, drink or entertainment within 100 metres of voting places will become an offence. Otago University Law Professor Andrew Geddis spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Vanuatu's Climate Change Minister has said the Pacific now has more leverage in climate negotiations after the UN's top court found that countries can be held legally responsible for their greenhouse gas emissions. The president of the International Court of Justice, Yuji Iwasawa, said climate change is an urgent and existential threat. From the Hague, Jamie Tahana reports.

The Warriors have faced a stern test in their return to the NRLW and their coach is calling for the competition to re-think how travel for the women is managed. The Warriors' only win in the first three rounds of the competition came in front of their home fans in Penrose, and their latest extensive travel day to Newcastle is something coach Ron Griffiths said he doesn't want to replicate. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Boarded up and blocked off - an Auckland city cafe owner is worried for his business after the road it sits on was effectively turned into a cul-de-sac. Hoardings have been placed around the former Fitzroy Hotel in the inner city, as the cracked building is deemed dangerous and unstable. But it's having a knock on effect on nearby businesses, with footfall down and parking limited. Owner of The Tuesday Cafe, Nick Worthington spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about Donald Trump reportedly being told his name shows up "multiple times" in documents related to Jeffrey Epstein. An article published by the Wall Street Journal claims US Attorney General Pam Bondi informed the president about the matter in May. The White House has dismissed the report and a spokesman for Trump called it "fake news".