Checkpoint

The government is introducing legislation to ban under 16s from social media today, and put greater responsibilities on technology companies to protect children online. It will require social media platforms like Instagram, Tiktok, Snapchat and Facebook to take "reasonable steps" to check users are over the age of 16. It will also introduce "significant penalties" for companies that fail to meet their obligations. Political reporter Lillian Hanly spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent, Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about the US treasury secretary talking up a plan to cripple the Iranian regime with new sanctions. Just how the US will financially target the Islamic Republic isn't yet clear - with details set to be laid out tomorrow morning. Iranian officials have warned the US against the planned action, threatening to further choke off oil shipments in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf.

Regional Tourism NZ say they have been blindsided over an apparent political flip flop on a bed levy. The National Party has now ruled out any kind of accommodation levy for visitors. That is despite Christopher Luxon speaking about the possibility of one just a fortnight ago. Any levy was intended to help fund infrastructure in the face of growing tourist numbers. General manager of Destination Marlborough and Trustee of Regional Tourism NZ, Tracey Green spoke to Lisa Owen.

United Kingdom correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the return of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex to the UK reigniting debate over their security arrangements.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

We're about a day and a half away from the first test between the All Blacks and Springboks in Johannesburg and All Blacks coach Dave Rennie believes his side can give themselves an early advantage in the four test series by "drawing first blood". Rugby reporter Joe Porter joins us from Johannesburg.

An east coast conservationist has turned surrogate dad to two baby emus that escaped a feral cat attack on their nest. Ruatoria man Graeme Atkins rescued the survivors after earlier stumbling across the nest and scaring away the real bird dad.

Provincial rugby's crown jewel has returned after nearly 50 years. Te Tai Tokerau's Taniwha team blew away Canterbury last night at Te Kaha stadium to be the latest Ranfurly Shield holders. Teuila Fuatai was at Whangarei airport for the team's arrival.

Tauranga councillors had a detailed report showing there was a high risk people could die if their local campground got hit by a landslide but no one read the report. The council says that despite the report being in an August 2025 council agenda, it was not read and the meeting never happened. Five months after the meeting was cancelled six people were killed in a landslide. Waikato/Bay of Plenty reporter Rachel Moore has more.

Auckland's had its worst week for flu related hospitalisations in a decade; 177 people admitted across four of the city's hospitals. Health New Zealand says 188 elective surgery were cancelled to free up resources, following a surge in respiratory cases. University of Otago Professor of Public Health Dr Michael Baker, believes more could have been done sooner - including stronger advice about masks. Dr Michael Baker spoke to Lisa Owen.