Checkpoint

Rates, rent and power are a trio of factors responsible for driving up inflation, which has now jumped to a 12-month high. Stats NZ data showed food costs were also surging, alongside rates shooting up by 12.2% and electricity rising by more than 8%. However inflation is still within the Reserve Bank's target band and Finance Minister Nicola Willis has said it is under control. But the opposition said it shows the cost of living is still a problem. Kiwi bank Economist Jarrod Kerr spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A pair of Auckland sniffer dogs who couldn't pass their training are looking for new homes. Biosecurity NZ said Bernard the beagle would be better suited to a life of leisure than the fast-paced world of sniffing out contraband. His colleague Ozzy doesn't much like instructions being barked at him, preferring to do his own thing. Nonetheless, Bernard and Ozzy have had a high degree of training and they are in hot demand, with 50 households applying to adopt in just 24 hours. Felix Walton reports.

The government has green-lit a new medical school at the University of Waikato, ending months of delays due to coalition wrangling. It was a National election promise, and it has finally got the go ahead, with the government announcing it will front up around $80 million while the University pays $150 million for the project. It will add 120 doctor training places each year, starting in 2028. The announcement also came as inflation edges to a 12-month high, and the Minister in charge of Pharmac released a new letter of expectations. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Police have said the 20-year-old killed after a brawl in Hamilton at the weekend was celebrating his upcoming birthday at the time. Locals near to the scene of a fatal brawl in Hamilton have voiced there concerns about safety in the area. Police have launched a homicide investigation after the young man's death which followed reports of a fight on Alexandra Street just after midnight on Sunday. Three others were also injured, some seriously, but they've since been discharged from hospital. Finn Blackwell reports.

The All Blacks managed to wrap up their first test series with a clean sweep over France. Despite back to back losses - a second-string French side piled on the pressure but didn't have enough to secure a win against the All Blacks. Meanwhile there was a tantalising last minute try for the Warriors to stun the Newcastle Knights. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A group of six people who were caught in an avalanche in the backcountry of Mt Ruapehu were extremely lucky no-one was hurt according to the NZ Mountain safety council. The group had reported being near the Summit Plateau on Friday when the avalanche happened. Their report to the NZ Avalanche Advisory said four people had become partially buried - one had only their face and arm exposed - and another was completely buried except for their hand sticking out. Everyone was dug out within 10 minutes and no injuries were reported. NZ Mountain Safety Council Chief Executive Mike Daisley spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Middle East correspondent Jacob Brown spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about dozens of people being killed while lining up for food in Gaza, as well as Israel issuing new evacuation orders for Palestinians in the Gaza strip.

Sounds Air has announced further cuts in their regional routes meaning tourists jumping between spots in the South Island like Blenheim and Christchurch will first have to travel north to Wellington. From the 28th of September, Blenheim to Christchurch and Christchurch to Wanaka flights will stop. The company cites escalating costs like a 145% increase in the civil aviation authority levies and a weak New Zealand dollar among the reasons for the cutback. It means 10 staff will lose their job. Marlborough Mayor Nadine Taylor is worried about the impact it will have on the region and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

United Kingdom correspondent Edward O'Driscoll spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the identities of British spies and SAS soldiers being leaked as part of a huge data breach that also put thousands of Afghans at risk of reprisal from the Taliban, as well as 16 and 17 year olds in the UK now being able to vote in the next election.

Frustrated University of Canterbury students are missing out on lectures or late for class because of the daily struggle to find a car park on campus or surrounding Ilam streets. Some have resorted to parking in staff spots so they can rush to exams, while others run the risk of getting tickets by breaching two-hour limits. Joe Shaw reports.