News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6336653786112

A private investigator who previously worked on the disappearance of Marokopa man Tom Philips and his children says it's a relief the police are finally taking the case seriously and treating it as a criminal matter. A warrant has been issued for Philips arrest on charges related to an aggravated bank robbery in Te Kuiti bank in May. He was allegedly with a female, both had their faces covered and were armed according to police. They made their get away on a black farm style bike. Tom Philips has been AWOL with his three children for about eighteen months. Private investigator Chris Budge speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6336652026112

The chair of an Otago local board is refusing to explain his racist comments towards a staffer at a local pub. Strath-Taieri board chair, Barry Williams, has been censured by Dunedin City Council for what it describes as a serious failure to uphold the standard of behaviour expected of an elected community representative. Checkpoint understands Barry Williams' racist outburst was directed at a female staff member at the Strath Taieri Hotel. Checkpoint has tried to speak to him for the last two days and he's sworn at us, and hung up. Our Otago/Southland reporter Tess Brunton has been in Middlemarch today speaking to locals. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6336651909112

The Warriors are counting down to their first NRL finals appearance in five years and are refusing to be overawed by the challenge in front of them. The Warriors play the defending champion Penrith Panthers on Saturday, a side they haven't beaten this season. Sports reporter Felicity Reid was at their home ground this afternoon finding out how the team feel during a rare finals week. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6336651312112

Labour's leader will have a word with some of his MPs after they were caught making incorrect statements about what National and ACT have planned after the election. National says it shows the party is desperate and will say anything to hold on to power. Here's our deputy political editor Craig McCulloch.

Is filling up at the petrol pump unfairly draining your wallet depending on where you live? Fuel companies have been asked for a please explain over significant & seemingly unjustified petrol price variations between towns and cities. Even the price spread within cities is under the microscope. In Auckland there was 52 cents between the cheapest and most expensive regular 91 according to the Commerce Commissions fuel monitoring report for the March 2023 quarter. The watchdog has new legal monitoring powers as part of a government push to promote competition in the fuel market. It's now asking the fuel companies to justify the inconsistent pricing. To discuss the findings Commerce Commission Chair, John Small speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6336650699112

'I saw those robbers': A Te Kuiti local who came face to face with fugitive Tom Phillips and an accomplice after they allegedly robbed a bank, has described the chaos in the main street when it happened. The robbery took place four months ago, but police have only now issued a warrant to arrest Tom Phillips for the crime. He went missing with his three children in December 2021. Last month Philips was spotted in disguise buying supplies at a hardware store. Now a Te Kuiti local has told Checkpoint they didn't realise the pair had robbed the bank, and told them to pick up cash they'd dropped on the road. A second person, a female, was also involved in the brazen theft. Both were armed. Police are urging the community to come forward, especially those they believe are helping the father of three to hide. Our reporter Tom Taylor has the story from Te Kuiti.

A kiwi ice cream company is using reject gold kumara that would otherwise be destined for landfill to make gelato. Island Gelato Co. says recent flooding has seen the price of kumara reach record highs, almost $13 per kilogram in some stores, but at the same time mishapen, outsized and over ripe Kumara are being dumped. So it started working with food producers to rescue the root vege and turned it into ice cold gold. Island Gelato Co. food patisserie engineer, Hannah Clark, speaks to Lisa Owen [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6336601465112

Two years ago, bookworms across the Auckland region rejoiced as Auckland Libraries stopped issuing fines for late returns. Since then, more than a million items have been returned after their due date, meaning millions of dollars of potential fines going unclaimed. But despite the loss of revenue, librarians say it's been an overwhelmingly positive change. Tom Taylor finds out why

Politicians are ramping up their campaigns after the major launches at the weekend, mixing and mingling with school children and waving signs at motorists around Wellington's Basin Reserve. While there will be an economic focus this week, National and Labour are still scrapping over tax treaties and who's employing the dirtiest political tactics. Our political editor.

Jane Patterson reports.