Checkpoint

A part of measuring time known as leap seconds could soon be adandoned. At the moment there a two systems used to measure time, atomic time and solar time. To keep the two in sync, leap seconds are added. But the General Conference on Weights and Measurements votes next month on whether to call time on leap seconds. Adam Dunford from the Measurement Standards Laboratory spoke to Lisa Owen.

Nicola Willis has been given a pre-election lift, with Treasury painting a brighter picture of the government's finances in the short term. But the recovery has been largely driven by an increased tax take due to "higher and more persistent" inflation. So - what does it all mean for the election? Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

A senior pathologist is warning there's a traffic jam of tests in labs needing analysis, and the specialists who do the job are overwhelmed with work. The government is expanding some testing and screening, or making it more accessible for the likes of bowel and cervical cancer. But Associate Professor Diane Kenwright says the government has done nothing to bolster the workforce to deal with increased screening. Diane Kenwright spoke to Lisa Owen.

Wellingtonians may pay more for their electricity network in the coming years - as necessary infrastructure upgrades threaten to push them up significantly. The provider, Wellington Electricity wants to increase lines charges by up to $168 more for a year from 2028. But a consumer group says that'll be tough for many, who are already struggling with "astronomically high" power bills. Wellington issues reporter Ellen O'Dwyer reports.

While the government's books were poured over in parliament today, Labour leader Chris Hipkins visited blue heartland - trying to win over the Employers and Manufacturers Association in a late-morning meet and greet. Meanwhile, National leader Christopher Luxon was visiting industry, and an old people's home in Wellington. Political reporters Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira and Lauren Crimp spoke to Lisa Owen.

The NRL judiciary will tonight decide the fate of Kiwi Rugby league player Phoenix Crossland. The Newcastle Knights hooker was sent off in Sunday's NRL preliminary final after a tackle on Penrith Panthers' star Nathan Cleary left him with a horrific ankle break. Sports reporter Bridget Tunnicliffe spoke to Lisa Owen.

To some, election billboards might seem a bit old fashion, a symbol of a bygone political era, to others, a platform to vent their frustrations with politicians. A man has been arrested for allegedly defacing and removing election hoardings in Auckland's Takanini. So are billboards still an effective way to reach voters? Political marketing expert at the University of Auckland, Dr Edward Elder spoke to Lisa Owen.

United States correspondent, Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about a series of taxpayer funded ads lauding the US president, which have copped criticism from both sides of the political aisle. As well as a female prisoner who is set to be executed in Tennessee, which will be the first time a woman has been executed in Tennessee in more than 200 years.

As the election looms closer, only about 60 percent of young people eligible to vote are actually enrolled. So Checkpoint took the streets today to ask those aged 18 to 24 if they'll be voting, or why they're chosing not to. Bella Craig reports.

The Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Update has forecast a deficit of $6.8 billion in 2026/27, down from May budget's $11.4 billion prediction. The improved forecasts meant the government intended to borrow $15 billion less over the next four years. Economist Cameron Bagrie spoke to Lisa Owen and broke down what the numbers mean.