Checkpoint

There has been a sharp rise in the number of retail businesses shutting up shop. The latest quarterly market report from BWA Insolvency shows retail businesses going into liquidation, receivership or voluntary administration is up almost 75 percent in the last quarter. That is despite the overall insolvency rate for all business types being relatively flat. BWA Insolvency principal Bryan Williams spoke to Lisa Owen.

Nursing graduates who have applied for hundreds of jobs and haven't found work say it is devastating to hear there is a shortage of nurses. The nurses union says our health system is falling into a deeper crisis with emergency departments and wards bursting at the seams. It follows revelations that Health New Zealand has hired just 54 additional full time equivalent nurses in the past two years. The situation is driving some graduates to consider making the move to Australia, joining their course mates who have already left. Bella Craig reports.

A review in to the Mount Maunganui landslide concluded no one person was to blame for the tragedy, but a litany of systemic failings led to preventable deaths. The report also made a series of recommendations, including that every natural hazard identified as a risk to life should have a single named person within the council is accountable for its management. Structural and geotechnical engineer Dr Paul Jaquin spoke to Lisa Owen.

A former mayor of Tauranga says warnings about the landslide risk on Mount Maunganui never reached him in his 12 years as mayor. Stuart Crosby says a review that found the council failed to act before a landslide killed six campers should be a wake-up call for councils up and down the country. Felix Walton has more.

Auckland has had it's worst week for flu hospitalisations in a decade, while New Zealand is also close to the highest influenza rates in four years. Charlotte Cook spoke to Lisa Owen about the latest data.

A National MP has gone against his party ranks and criticised a charity tax change from this year's Budget. Gleg Fleming - the MP for Maungakiekie - was at a charities event in Wellington when he said the policy had zero logic. Political reporter Giles Dexter spoke to Lisa Owen.

The mother of a man who was murdered in Auckland's maximum security prison has told a coronial inquest she wants the corrections department held accountable for his death. Blake Lee was stabbed to death by another inmate, in an exercise yard inside Auckland Prison at Paremoremo in March 2020. A Coronial inquest into his death is underway at the Auckland District Court. Finn Blackwell reports.

The Black Ferns will blood a trio of test debutants against Australia this Saturday as they kick off a gruelling test schedule to close out the season. This Saturday's O'Reilly Cup clash marks the first of eight internationals for New Zealand as they meet Australia, a side they have never lost to in 29 games. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

There is concern a spate of thefts across Hawkes Bay could be funding drug habits. Police say it is likely the very specific array of items have been stolen to order, with rural properties and contractors targeted. Railway crossing bells were taken from two different spots, creating major safety risk. Hawkes Bay Senior Constable, Pehi Potaka spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about an about-turn on Canadian tariffs and a record trillions in debt, as well as a close aide of President Trump who has been dominating headlines.