Checkpoint

A leading blood cancer specialist is quitting New Zealand for Australia, because of what he describes as a race to the bottom in medical laboratory services. Lab scientist has resigned from his specialist cancer diagnostic role at Dunedin Hospital's Awanui owned pathology lab. Taylor has expressed serious concerns about Awanui labs, including a lack of training and resources. Taylor spoke to Lisa Owen.

It was even more bruising than your usual political showdown, with a cabinet minister walking away with two broken ribs. The Rumble in Russell to benefit Rugby for Life saw politicians, former All Blacks and local sportspeople square off in rugby and netball matches on Saturday. Spectators packed the sidelines to witness one of the biggest events on Northlands sporting calendar. Reporter Peter de Graaf was there.

Palmerston North Hospital is funded for six full time gastroenterologists, but has none following the departure of its last specialist. A public meeting to address concerns about the gradual gutting of the service gets underway shortly. Health NZ says gastro services are continuing at the hospital, but patients are worried about continuity of care. Health NZ chief clinical officer, Doctor Richard Sullivan spoke to Lisa Owen.

Hundreds of people in isolated southern Wairarapa remain cut off, some without power, after wild weather washed out a bridge and damaged roads. The Cape Palliser, Lake Ferry, Whangaimoana and Ngawi communities had supplies such as baby formula sent in by helicopter today, and they're being told to sit tight for another day or so. Sammy Carter reports.

Former Olympian, Auckland mayor and founder of a fitness empire, Les Mills Senior has died, aged 91. Mills began his athletics journey at Western Suburbs Running Club in Auckland as a youngster and went on to represent New Zealand on the world stage for two decades at a time when sport was not professional. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

It's a murky mystery, and some locals are milking it. On and off for nearly two years someone has been leaving half empty bottles of flavoured milk on top of a self service pump at a fuel stop in Alexandra. The milk bandit has left a smorgasboard of brands and flavours. A local woman who used the same fuel station has become obsessed with solving the mystery and is back on the case. Poppy Prendergast spoke to Lisa Owen.

Middle East correspondent Lou Browne spoke to Lisa Owen about a blame game breaking out over potential ceasefire breaches between the US and Iran. The fragile truce has faced more tests with the US carrying out a number of strikes on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz while Iran launched its own attacks across the Gulf.

ACT is campaigning on a welfare clampdown this election, saying benefits should be a hand up not a way of life. It wants to be make it mandatory for all health and disability benefits to be issued by MSD approved, designated doctors. Beneficiary advocate Kay Brereton says the policy shows a complete lack of understand of some peoples reality. Brereton spoke to Lisa Owen.

Teens in a Hutt Valley youth employment programme say without it they'd just be 'bumming out' - but now, they're confident they can find a job. Youth unemployment is soaring - at nearly 15 percent, it's roughly three times that of the wider working age population. Charity organisation Youth Inspire helps young people get the skills the skills to get into work, but recently it's been forced to crowdsource some of its funding. Mary Argue reports.

UK correspondent Lucy Thomson spoke to Lisa Owen about the extreme heat that is causing havoc in Europe, as well as growing concerns about the long-term health of younger adults in England following a new obesity study.