Checkpoint

News from the business sector, including a market report.

Now that Joseph Parker's name has been cleared, he is setting his sights on a return to action. As for who Parker wants to fight? "Everyone can get it" the former heavyweight champion declared today. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The first New Zealander to go to space is now launching what is hoped will be a hub for Aerospace in Canterbury. New Zealand's space sector already supports a total of 17,000 full-time equivalent jobs according to a 2025 report. Entrepreneur, Mark Rocket would like to see that grow and he has a track record in the industry having been involved in the early days of RocketLab and Virgin Galactic. Now CEO of Kea Aerospace, they are working on a solar-powered aircraft capable of flying into the stratosphere for research. Mark Rocket spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

After budget blowouts and years of delays - ironically when it came time to announce the date Auckland's first underground rail will open, the Council and Government got ahead of themselves. Hours before Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland's Mayor Wayne Brown were to announce the opening date, the billboards had beaten them to it - in a mistake by the advertising supplier. Lucy Xia was at the announcement where the gaffes continued.

The government's new plan to introduce industry led subjects for senior students has the potential to stem the flow of early exits from school, a principal says. The number of students leaving school before the legal age of 16 has been trending upwards for the last decade. Those who leave have to get an early leaving exemption once they are 15. The government today announced it would introduce nine industry-led subjects in years 12 and 13 which may affect the number of early school leavers who go off into a trade or training. Chair of the Secondary Principals Council and Whangaparaoa College Principal Steve McCracken spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Christopher Luxon has caught his caucus off-guard with an off-the-cuff campaign promise today, telling talkback radio that he'll hold an referendum on MMP if re-elected. The Prime Minister made the captain's call on NewstalkZB this morning, after being asked whether he would test public's appetite on the country's electoral system next term. Deputy political editor, Craig McCulloch spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The mother of a Kiwi climber trapped in ravine in Solomon Islands for more than a week says her son and his friend are doing well, after a pretty harrowing experience. Deni Holl's 25 year old son Keanu Isaksson and his 19 year old mate Luca Zylstra-Law were climbing the Solomons' highest peak when they got stuck for eight days before being rescued on Tuesday. RNZ Pacific's Kaya Selby reports.

Police say last year saw a 50 percent increase in burglaries involving copper and recyclable metals, with over a million dollars worth of metal going missing over a six month period. Now they're working alongside the scrap metal industry in a new scheme designed to disrupt the surge of thefts. Bill Hickman reports.

Some of the biggest names in women's football will be playing in Auckland on Saturday in a rare exhibition match. English side Chelsea have just arrived for the clash against an Auckland FC Invitational team, and they've brought some stars to this side of the world. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

A group of nine to 11 year olds have successfully prompted change from the Council over road safety concerns. The year five and six students at Lyall Bay School went to Wellington City Council to bravely deliver their submission on a trial that will make the road outside their school a low traffic zone. The change, which the committee voted to make a permanent fixture, is hoped to make the school safer at drop off and pick up times. Lyall Bay Principal Melanie Dean spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.