Checkpoint

A young jobseeker who kept getting pushbacks has created an opportunity for himself by thinking out of the box. At 24, Calib is not alone in his experience of the tough job market. While he's finally found an apprenticeship, he now must buy the tools he needs to do it. He's turned to his local community with a goal to do 100 lawns for $50. Calib spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

It was a catastrophic night for the Cowboys in the NRL. The North Queenslanders were crushed 82-12 at the hands of a ruthless Roosters side. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Ngāi Tahu Farming has been chosen by the Department of Conservation to operate the country's largest farm. Molesworth Station is spread over 180,000 hectares across Marlborough and North Canterbury - and is currently run as a cattle farm by state-owned Pāmu Landcorp. The Department of Conservation administers the land - and put the contract to manage the farm out to public tender. Ngāi Tahu Farming - a subsidiary of Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu Group was one of four bids. South Island Correspondent Tim Brown spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The death toll from this week's major earthquake in Japan has risen to 34. The 6.8 tremor rocked the southern city of Kumamoto on Tuesday afternoon prompting thousands of residents to evacuate their homes. There's been widespread damage and as search efforts continue there are concerns that the death toll will climb. Correspondent in Tokyo, Chris Gilbert spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

For years we've had fire service campaigns to install smoke alarms in every home, now Hato Hone St John is pushing for lifesaving defibrillators to be considered in the same way. A report in the NZ Medical Journal today found St John ambulance attempt 2000 resuscitations a year and only about one in 10 people survive. The rate hasn't changed in five years. Deputy chief executive of clinical services spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about Australia opening a new front in its ongoing campaign to get tech giants to toe the line on stricter regulation of social media -- with legal action launched against the messaging app "Telegram" for not doing more to remove terror content.

The New Zealand Blood Service says the capital's new blood bank officially opened by the Health Minister today couldn't come soon enough. The facility plays a critical role in delivering life-saving donor blood to patients and replaces a decrepit laboratory at risk of losing its accreditation. Reporter Mary Argue was given a tour.

Auckland FC are entering a new era of their A-League existence with an experienced Portuguese coach leading the way. Pedro Moreira landed in Auckland yesterday and was sharing his coaching vision for the upcoming season today. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The opposition is demanding the Prime Minister take action after Winston Peters said a Green MP who moved to New Zealand should go back to his own country. The New Zealand First leader in Parliament responded to some heckling from Lawrence Xu-nan with an abusive rant. Political reporter Russell Palmer spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Solar installers are warning of a looming worker shortage, if low-cost loans or subsidies are brought in without any support or training for the wider electrical industry. Many political parties have announced policies boost rooftop solar uptake ahead of this year's election. Some installers have seen demand treble this year already and say the industry is already near capacity. Climate Change correspondent Kate Newton reports.