Checkpoint

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A charity called WanderSearch has noticed a big increase in interest in devices it provides to help authorities track down vulnerable, missing people in an emergency. That comes after a series of missing people reported to Police. Rachel Graham reports.

DOC is about to start vaccinating some of New Zealand's most threatened species against a highly virulent strain of the bird flu that's shown up in Australia. The H-1 N-5 strain is not in Aotearoa, but has recently been detected in miogratory sea birds in Australia. DOC senior science advisor and wildlife vet Dr Kate McInnes spoke to Lisa Owen.

Christchurch will host the All Blacks for the first time in four years tomorrow night. The first test of the Dave Rennie era sees his side take on France at the new Te Kaha Stadium. Sports reporter Jonty Dine is in Christchurch and spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Cancer Control agency is planning to reduce cancer risk due to alcohol, poor nutrition and sun exposure. It's part of its three year strategy for tackling the disease, which comes as it's estimated that the annual cancer diagnosis rate will increase from more than 30,000 in 2025 to over 45,000 in 2044. Cancer Society CEO Nicola Coom spoke to Lisa Owen.

You'd be hard pressed to find anyone in Northland who doesn't want a better road linking Whangārei to Auckland - but at what cost? Apart from the hefty price tag, a new highway also comes with environmental and human costs, as reporter Peter de Graaf finds out.

An inspection into a Dunedin forensic facility for people with intellectual disabilities has found 'some of the worst practices observed' according to the Chief Ombudsman. The office carried out an inspection of ward 10A at Wakari Hospital under the crimes of torture act. It found compelling evidence of punitive and coercive treatment at the world, with some people subjected to prolonged restraint or long term seclusion. Chief Ombudsman John Allen spoke to Lisa Owen.

Christchurch rugby fans are fizzing over the return of test rugby to the city after four years. The new Te Kaha stadium is sold out for the All Blacks opening game of the season against France tomorrow night. Rugby reporter Joe Porter has more.

Tall Blacks head coach Judd Flavell made a big money move a couple of months ago to link up with a Japanese club side, though he insists he hasn't lost sight of the mission to get the New Zealanders to another Basketball World Cup. Flavell is back from Japan for tonight's game against the Phillippines in Auckland as part of the World Cup qualifiers. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Screen time and kids sport might seem like a mismatch but a trial across several school appears to be proving otherwise. GameFit, a Sport Waikato programme uses virtual reality headsets to get kids moving. Sport Waikato's head of innovation and sport, Leanne Bats spoke to Lisa Owen.