Checkpoint

A digtal health expert says Aotearoa needs clear laws on the use of artifical intelligence, including what information and data can be fed into model, and whats off limits, as AI is increasingly used in health and other areas. Associate Minister of Health, David Seymour has written to Pharmac encouraging them to use Articficial Intelligence to speed up their processes and improve access to medicines. Medsafe and Pharmac say they've started using Artificial intelligence tools to process complex information and large data sets. AUT Associate Professor and expert in digital health Sam Madanian spoke to Lisa Owen.

Severe weather has hit Auckland, with heavy rainfall and wind warnings in place. Auckland Emergency Management general manager Adam Maggs spoke to Lisa Owen.

An emergency alert has gone out to people affected by recent flooding and today's heavy falls in the Tasman region. Nelson Tasman Civil Defence sent out the emergency mobile alert this afternoon, which advises people who evacuated in the heavy rain a fortnight ago, or anyone who feels unsafe, to get to higher ground, now. A state of emergency has been declared for the waterlogged Nelson Tasman region, with hours' more heavy rain forecast. There is a risk to life due to flooding, slips and high rivers, and conditions are worsening. Civil Defence controller Alex Louverdis spoke to Lisa Owen.

This week marks twenty years since beloved New Zealand television series Outrageous Fortune first went to air. The award-winning comedy-drama based in West Auckland was appointment viewing during its six year run. Some of the creative forces behind the show have reflected on its success whilst lamenting the challenges facing local storytellers today. Adam Burns reports.

With the rising cost of some dairy products cheesing more than a few shoppers off non dairy alternatives are closing the price gap. The Vegan Chesse awards are being held in Auckland this month, with six judges, chosing winners in twelve categories. The panel will be nibbling their way through plant based cheeses in categories from the humble cheddar to brie, camembert, blue and feta. Vegan Society spokesperson Claire Insley spoke to Lisa Owen.

A 14-year-old killer will spend more than three years behind bars for the manslaughter of Dunedin schoolboy Enere McLaren-Taana. The then-13-year-old stabbed the 16-year-old victim, who was a Trinity Catholic College student, with a large kitchen knife, after a confrontation between the pair at Dunedin's bus hub in May last year. After a trial in March the teen killer was acquited of a muder charge, but the jury found him guilty of manslaughter. Tess Brunton reports.

The capital is set for a double whammy weekend of rugby. The Black Ferns kick things off tomorrow afternoon taking on Aussie's Wallaroos and in the evening the All Blacks gear up for match two of a three test series with France. Sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen.

During the Second World War and the years that followed, New Zealand, like much of the world, faced a time of austerity, especially when it came to food. Rationing, coupons and making do became part of everyday life with things like tripe, makeshift butter and fidget pie on the menu. Cookbooks from this period are all about making food go further, and letting nothing go to waste. With the cost of food a struggle for many families today, Louise Ternouth had a chat to some of those who can remember this time and got some tips.

Parents in a small Manawatu village are not onboard with potential changes to a free school bus route, that could see their kids stranded or facing what they say are unfordable fares. The Ministry of Education is reviewing funded bus routes including, 25 around Palmerston North. At the moment about 180 children take a Ministry funded buses from Ashhurst...to schools in Palmerston North which is about 15kms away. There's no high school in Ashhurst. To qualify for a free ride you have to go to your closet school which in this case would be Freyberg High. But a number of students taking the Ministry buses go to other colleges. Parent, Chris Love spoke to Lisa Owen.

Wild weather is lashing the tops of both the North and South Islands this afternoon. A heavy rain warning is in place for the water-logged top of the South Island where, the MetService says, there could be a threat to life. The Nelson-Tasman region is under a state of emergency, as residents there are warned of significant flooding and possible slips. The MetService has issued an orange rain warning for the top of the North Island, as well as Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and Tairawhiti. MetService meteorologist John Law spoke to Lisa Owen.