Checkpoint

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about the United States announcing it will review the AUKUS security pact, putting Australia's multi-billion dollar nuclear submarine deal in a spot of difficulty.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Education advocates have said a government decision to remove special funding for Pacific and Māori students in vocational courses harks back to the days of a one-size-fits all education model. The funding cut applies to a per-student subsidy for Pacific and Māori enrolments at poytechnics and private training institutions. It is used to help fund dedicated support services for these students. Teuila Fuatai reports.

Netball New Zealand has called for World Netball to amend its strict eligibility criteria, which prevents players representing two different countries at consecutive world cups. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

While farmers are treated to record dairy and meat prices, mental health is still a massive issue with disproportionately high suicide rates in rural areas. Huge work loads, isolation and lots of financial pressure can all take a toll. A $3 million funding boost for the Rural Support Trust has been a welcome announcement at Fieldays in Hamilton, but has now sparked calls for more clinical psychologists in rural areas. Alexa Cook reports.

Inland revenue figures show a record number of hardship withdrawals from KiwiSaver is the past year. Between July 2024 and April 2025, more than $389 million's been taken out of KiwiSaver for financial hardship reasons. That's up from $300m on the year before. People can access KiwiSaver retirement funds in significant financial hardship, including for example to pay for food, power or palliative care. However, a fund manager told Checkpoint there is a multitude of social media videos full of workarounds to help people qualify for a hardship withdrawals and effectively game the system. General Manager for KiwiSaver Fisher Funds, David Boyle spoke to Lisa Owen.

A dozen Auckland High schools are voluntarily making changes to their competition rules to stamp out the use of so-called Year 14 players. Year 14's are students that return for an extra sixth year of high school so they can carry on playing sport. They're considered to have an unfair advantage due and age, size and experience. The issue is in the spotlight after Marlborough Boys' College confirmed it's fielding a first XV team with five year 14 players in this season's Miles Toyota Premiership. Auckland Grammar is one of the schools making changes to their rules to avoid the issue. Principal Tim O'Connor spoke to Lisa Owen.

Mark Lundy hasn't been able to speak a word publicly since he was released from prison early last month. That's because the man twice convicted of murdering his wife and daughter in Palmerston North over 20 years ago cannot speak to the media, post on social media or even blog about his case. Given he proclaims his innocence, some experts are concerned that this Parole Board condition impinges on his right to freedom of speech. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

The controversial 'run it straight' competition has announced it is relocating from Auckland to the Middle East. The much-maligned collision phenomenon was scheduled to host its final in Auckland this month, however, backlash has prompted a move to Dubai. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Research out of Australia has revealed that 16 out of 20 sunscreens, many of them sold in New Zealand, do not meet their SPF claims. One product, which sells in New Zealand for around $50, claimed to provide SPF 50 protection, but was found to have an SPF of just four. Aussie consumer group Choice tested 20 sunscreen products from household brands, including Banana Boat, Nivea and Neutrogena. Their research tallies with previous testing carried out by Consumer NZ. Consumer NZ research writer Belinda Castles spoke to Lisa Owen.