Checkpoint

One Tauranga mother is challenging the Ministry of Education over what she says is an outdated model for school holidays. Karina Tendler told RNZ the number of breaks kids have during the year seems to rely on an outdated expectation that families have one parent home all the time. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds looked into the issue and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about severe wet weather across Asia which has killed dozens of people, as well as two North Korean defectors who have made their debut in a brand new K-pop group.

It's the business equivalent of sporting's yellow card - a New Zealand wool company putting out an open letter to New Zealand rugby about the acrylic beanies that are made overseas. Norsewear posted on social media saying die hard fans had contacted them upset once they had realised their beanies were "synthetic, offshore imports". This lead the company to ask why our sporting legends don't wear the fabric our Kiwi identity is wrapped up in. Norsewear owner Tim Deane spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Australian correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the death of the man convicted of the outback murder of British tourist Peter Falconio 24 years ago which has not brought an end to hopes that the dead man's missing remains could still be located.

An Auckland mental health facility catering for people with long-standing or chronic problems will shut down. Health NZ has been consulting on its proposal to close Rauaroha Segar House, and this afternoon told patients and staff the service will close its doors. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Warriors star and former All Black Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is being linked to a Saudi Arabia-backed rebel rugby competition. The 32-year-old still has one year to run on his Warriors NRL contract but is open to switching codes again on a deal that could get him around $1 million a year. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A man who lost his parents and sister in the Erebus disaster supports a new proposal to build the long awaited national monument in Christchurch David Allan told Checkpoint in 2023 he was optimistic a memorial would be finished by the end of last year, 45 years since the tragedy. But more than two years on there's not even a decision on the location, let alone construction of the monument. There was pushback on locations in Auckland and the Ministry for Culture and Heritage has now proposed three potenital sites in Christchurch and asked families for feedback. David Allan spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The system for certifying the new Health Homes Standards has been described as being like drivers issuing their own warrants of fitness. Since July 1st, all rental properties across the motu have been required to comply with the standards, which set minimum requirements for heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture ingress and drainage. Currently there is no certification required in order to complete an assessment, meaning nearly anyone can. It has prompted calls for an independent certification system, to ensure rentals are indeed healthy homes. Bella Craig reports.

Do you know how much your work colleagues earn? A new bill that looks set to pass into law, may mean you can find out. The bill, from Labour MP Camilla Belich, would mean employers can't enforce gag orders if staff want to talk about their salaries, even if they have a pay secrecy clause in their contract. So far it has had the support of the National party and passed its second reading last night, meaning it's a step closer to becoming law. Employment lawyer Steph Dhyrberg spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.