Checkpoint

The Black Ferns are getting ready for a packed end-of-year Test calendar. Coach Whitney Hansen named a 31-strong squad today. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Priortising family has led one mum-of-three to a life on the power tools, rather than in the hospital ward. Nearly six years ago Amanda Fitzgerald was juggling shifts as an oncology nurse at Starship Hospital in Auckland. But when her father died, the family moved to Reporoa to support her Mum on the family farm. To make a living Amanda started her own all female lawn mowing business, SheMows. Amanda Fitzgerald spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Middle East correspondent Madeline Croad spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about several sticking points between the US and Iran slowing progress towards reopening the Strait of Hormuz. An agreement between Oman and Iran - which would establish how the crucial shipping lane would be controlled - is reportedly in its "final stages".

Children as young as seven are among the record number of callers to Youthline. The mental health service says the reason for the calls has also become more serious and more complex. Over the last six months, Youthline has connected an average of four young people every day with emergency services because they were at immediate risk of harm. A few years ago that figure was closer to one a week. Chief Executive Shae Ronald spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Dunedin students on free power deals are causing overloading - leaving them cold and in the dark - and costing the lines company several hundred dollars to fix. Aurora Energy says this winter, its crews have attended more than 25 outages in Dunedin's student area. It's warning free power periods offered by retailers are causing high demand and electricity networks are not built to manage the extreme peaks. Paul Fuge runs Powerswitch for Consumer NZ and spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Checkpoint producer Johnny Sutherland speaks to Melissa Chan-Green about the 52nd annual Dog Derby at Coronet Peak.

Europe correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about the governing body for European football still threatening to boycott Fifa, despite it walking back plans to commercialise the World Cup.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A blockbuster night of boxing awaits Aotearoa this weekend. Auckland will play host to a stellar lineup of bouts tomorrow night, with David 'The Nice Guy' Nyika headlining in a world title eliminator. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Building little love nests for inanga or whitebait, that's what one DOC ranger and his team spent this year's spawning season doing. Their fibrous coconut mattresses proved a romantic hit with the threatened species.. who can be a bit fussy when it comes to reproductive habitats. In the Hawkes Bay their usual habitat was washed out in some places by Cyclone Gabrielle in 2023. So the DOC team got to work creating the perfect alternative. DOC Ranger Matt Brady spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.