Checkpoint

The Prime Minister is rattling through a blitz of business promos on his first day in China, showcasing New Zealand's wares, and pitching it as a tourist destination. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

A senior doctor has said she's kept awake at night by having to ration care at Whangarei hospital which she says is understaffed and under resourced. Others say it's frustrating, exhausting and like being on the deck of the Titanic. Senior Northland doctors, who are union members walked off the job and onto the picket line this morning, on a 24 hour strike, after a break down in negotiations over pay and conditions. All hospitals in the region, including Whangarei Hospital and its emergency department are still open, although Te Whatu Ora says some planned treatment and appointments are being disrupted. Checkpoint called the Whangarei doctors who were striking and they spoke to Lisa Owen about thieir experiences.

The father of Sophia Crestani, who was crushed to death at an over-crowded Otago student house party, is calling for a liquor store in the heart of Dunedin's student quarter to shut an hour earlier. Bede Crestani is campaigning for a safer student environment through the Sophia Charter for Community Responsibility and Wellbeing. He spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealanders have filled out their last traditional Census form, with the five-yearly count to be scrapped from 2030. The census, which has existed in a similar format for more than 70 years, will be replaced with a combination of data gathered from other government agencies and other surveys. It comes after falling response rates and concerns over the rising costs. Samantha Gee reports.

A new research lab in Porirua has been built to be set on fire. The Building Research Association said the $40 million facility can simulate the way fire spreads through multi-storey buildings, providing some of the most advanced fire testing capabilities in the Southern Hemisphere. Kate Green reports

The man who was given a restraining order for stalking British tennis player Emma Raducanu earlier this year has been caught trying to apply for tickets for this month's Wimbledon Championships. Tournament organisers blocked the man's attempt to enter the public ballot and have promised beefed up security for the event. It comes as another British player, Katie Boulter, has revealed the scale of online abuse she's suffered, including death threats. Sports reporter Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

The price of butter has seen a number of schools ditch traditional fundraisers in favour of selling blocks of butter instead. Westgold has been supplying the 250 gram blocks which go for $4, and schools get to keep $1 a block. It's a bargain compared to supermarkets where some 500 gram blocks are hitting $11. But Kaitangata School in South Otago has manged to cash in on the deal, raising thousands. Teacher and parent at the school, Brittany Morrison spoke to Lisa Owen.

Asia correspondent Erin Hale spoke to Lisa Owen about a volcanic eruption in Indonesia that has left many tourists, including New Zealanders, stranded in Bali, meanwhile two suspects have been arrested after an Australian tourist was shot and killed in Bali.

Chiefs fans have been told that cow bells are not welcome at the Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch on Saturday. The Waikato supporters are known for enthusiastically ringing the metal bells that were traditionally tied around cows necks. But the Crusaders have warned fans metal bells will be confiscated at the gate at Apollo Project stadium, and they may be melted down. Crusaders CEO Colin Mansbridge spoke to Lisa Owen.

Cyclists on Auckland's North Shore can finally take the bus across the Harbour Bridge. Buses in the city don't have bike racks - and the only public transport option cyclists have had to get across the harbour is to catch a ferry. RNZ reporter Jessica Hopkins tagged along on one of the 15 Auckland Transport's North Shore Express buses with the newly installed bike racks.