Checkpoint

It's been revealed a third Sea Lion killed in the Catlins was likely stabbed by a human. Now a reward for information leading to the killers convictions has been more than doubled to twelve thousand dollars thanks to donations. A baby female Sea Lion was shot and left to die in the Catlins Estuary in the lower South Island in September last year. The following month the pup's mum was found shot dead. A third sealion had to be euthanised in November after she was found badly injured at Waipati Beach. The NZ Sea Lion Trust's Jordana Whyte spoke to Lisa Owen.

The smashing of headstones by vandals at an Auckand chapel have been described as "senseless, stupid and unecessary". Police are investigating the damage at St Stephens Chapel, after receiving a report on Monday evening. Marble headstones have been broken into pieces, while sandstone graves were literally smashed to smithereens. The local community has been left shocked by the damage, which looks like it will cost roughly 35-thousand dollars to repair. Finn Blackwell and Marika Khabazi report.

Hamiltonians are disappointed the French rugby team won't be spending the entire week in town before their match. Les Bleu have chosen to spend most of the week in Auckland, despite not playing a match there. Libby Kirkby-McLeod reports.

British MPs have voted in favour of a bill establishing an independent regulator to oversee men's football in England's top five divisions. The football governance bill was passed four hundred and fifteen to ninety-eight at its third reading in the House of Commons overnight. The government has previously said an independent regulator will protect football clubs by ensuring their financial stability. Sports reporter Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A chocoholics dream, a competition to create a unique hot chocolate drink. The Sweet as Hutt Hot chocolate challenge was started in 2015 by the Hutt City council to help regenerate the city centre and coax people out during the cold months. This year there are 13 finalists, including the mid winter'd, gingerbread flavoured with hints of cinnamon, maple syrup and vanilla bean, as well as the "squirrell swirl", salted caramel with smooth peanut butter and snack sized snickers bars on the side. The winner is decided by a public vote and a panel of judges. One of those judges, Toby Sanderson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Adam Hancock spoke to Lisa Owen about 200 pre-schoolers in China who were poisoned by meals prepared by school chefs.

Retail NZ has said it believes forcing vendors to take real folding money would be a step backwards. It comes after New Zealand First introduced a members bill that would make it illegal to refuse cash for essential services like food, fuel and telecomunications. Retailers and service providers would also have to take cash payments up to $500. The "Cash Transactions Protection Bill " would also require vendors to hold enough cash in case of a digital outage of more than twenty-four hours. Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about an otherwise sleepy regional town in country Victoria becoming the focus of global media attention after a jury returned a guilty verdict against the so-called mushroom killer who murdered her lunch guests with a poisoned Beef Wellington two years ago.

Fifteen years after Feilding farmer Scott Guy was shot dead, his parents remain hopeful the truth over what happened that cold winter morning will emerge. Bryan and Jo Guy say their lives are now divided into two parts - before Scott was killed and after. The second part is hard to navigate, but they're determined not to be ruled by bitterness, and instead keep Scott's memory alive. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

News from the business sector, including a market report.