Checkpoint Choice

The Mana College first XV coach has spoken out about a recent refereeing controversy. The Horowhenua Kapiti Rugby Union recently called off all junior, college, and senior matches after a referee was subjected to what they say was serious abuse and intimidation. However, more than three weeks on - Mana's coach has adamantly denied the allegations and responded with some of his own. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

An Auckland hospice is having to cut the number of people it cares for by almost a third because it's short of funding. Totara Hospice gets $8.8 million from the Government, but that doesn't even cover the wage bill, so it fundraises on top of that. Faced with a shortfall of $3.6 million, Chief Executive Tina McCafferty sounded the alarm bell to try and ward off cuts. But with no solution a month later, the South Auckland community the hospice serves is going to start feeling the impacts. Totara Hospice chief executive Tina McCafferty spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The Australian Police force is coming for New Zealand officers with the lure of more money and housing allowances. Police recruiters will be in Christchurch and Auckland this month to host jobs and information sessions for the Northern Territory. First year constables there earn a salary of compared to $83,000 here - the salary quoted on the new cops website in New Zealand. After 5 years in the force that increases to $121,000 in Northern Territory, compared with $91,000 here again. On top of that there's also a housing allowance of up to $34,000. Recruitment officer Brett Wilson spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

The Tasman district remains in a state of emergency after Friday's devastating floods, leaving residents cut off for the second time in successive weeks. Some roads remain treacherous, while water is still out in some settlements. Six schools and early childcare centres were closed today in what was supposed to be the start of term three, and some residents are still unable to return home, having to make do without clean clothes or even fresh water. Ellen O'Dwyer reports.

A young boy with a visible black eye blew out five candles on his birthday cake at a daycare centre....a few months later, weighing just 16 kilograms, he died from horrific injuries inflicted by the hands of his carer. An inquest into the death of Malachi Subecz in 2021 has heard how the woman looking after him while his mother was in prison subjected him to months of horrific abuse. Malachi's death sparked national outrage and a series of reviews into the child protection system. Amy Williams reports.

Scientists working to help track the health of endangered Hector and Maui dolphins have made a breakthrough which they compare to solving a 3 billion piece puzzle. Using that analogy, the puzzle pieces are poor quality DNA samples. They need the samples to help build a picture of a whole genome. Then that genome information can then help to work out whether conservation efforts are working or not. Among the scientists who have found a new technique to do this, is Otago University PhD Candidate Sebastian Alvarez-Costes who spoke to Melissa Chan-Green.

Student nurses and midwives say they're taking on the same workloads as qualified staff in order to fill gaps in the sector, and they are doing it all for free. It comes as nurses, midwives and other healthcare staff around the country prepare to take strike action over what they say is a failure by Health NZ to address their staffing concerns. Australia has just introduced a payment for eligible students doing work placements and they say a similar system should be introduced here. Evie Richardson reports.

Wellington is gearing up for an international rugby double header with the All Blacks and Black Ferns playing back to back games tomorrow at a sold out Sky Stadium. The All Blacks are seeking to beat France and improve a poor recent record in the capital while for the Black Ferns players it's their last game to impress before the squad for this year's World Cup is named. Rugby reporter Joe Porter reports.

A digtal health expert says Aotearoa needs clear laws on the use of artifical intelligence, including what information and data can be fed into model, and whats off limits, as AI is increasingly used in health and other areas. Associate Minister of Health, David Seymour has written to Pharmac encouraging them to use Articficial Intelligence to speed up their processes and improve access to medicines. Medsafe and Pharmac say they've started using Artificial intelligence tools to process complex information and large data sets. AUT Associate Professor and expert in digital health Sam Madanian spoke to Lisa Owen.

An emergency alert has gone out to people affected by recent flooding and today's heavy falls in the Tasman region. Nelson Tasman Civil Defence sent out the emergency mobile alert this afternoon, which advises people who evacuated in the heavy rain a fortnight ago, or anyone who feels unsafe, to get to higher ground, now. A state of emergency has been declared for the waterlogged Nelson Tasman region, with hours' more heavy rain forecast. There is a risk to life due to flooding, slips and high rivers, and conditions are worsening. Civil Defence controller Alex Louverdis spoke to Lisa Owen.

With the rising cost of some dairy products cheesing more than a few shoppers off non dairy alternatives are closing the price gap. The Vegan Chesse awards are being held in Auckland this month, with six judges, chosing winners in twelve categories. The panel will be nibbling their way through plant based cheeses in categories from the humble cheddar to brie, camembert, blue and feta. Vegan Society spokesperson Claire Insley spoke to Lisa Owen.

A 14-year-old killer will spend more than three years behind bars for the manslaughter of Dunedin schoolboy Enere McLaren-Taana. The then-13-year-old stabbed the 16-year-old victim, who was a Trinity Catholic College student, with a large kitchen knife, after a confrontation between the pair at Dunedin's bus hub in May last year. After a trial in March the teen killer was acquited of a muder charge, but the jury found him guilty of manslaughter. Tess Brunton reports.

During the Second World War and the years that followed, New Zealand, like much of the world, faced a time of austerity, especially when it came to food. Rationing, coupons and making do became part of everyday life with things like tripe, makeshift butter and fidget pie on the menu. Cookbooks from this period are all about making food go further, and letting nothing go to waste. With the cost of food a struggle for many families today, Louise Ternouth had a chat to some of those who can remember this time and got some tips.

Parents in a small Manawatu village are not onboard with potential changes to a free school bus route, that could see their kids stranded or facing what they say are unfordable fares. The Ministry of Education is reviewing funded bus routes including, 25 around Palmerston North. At the moment about 180 children take a Ministry funded buses from Ashhurst...to schools in Palmerston North which is about 15kms away. There's no high school in Ashhurst. To qualify for a free ride you have to go to your closet school which in this case would be Freyberg High. But a number of students taking the Ministry buses go to other colleges. Parent, Chris Love spoke to Lisa Owen.

Wild weather is lashing the tops of both the North and South Islands this afternoon. A heavy rain warning is in place for the water-logged top of the South Island where, the MetService says, there could be a threat to life. The Nelson-Tasman region is under a state of emergency, as residents there are warned of significant flooding and possible slips. The MetService has issued an orange rain warning for the top of the North Island, as well as Taranaki, Bay of Plenty and Tairawhiti. MetService meteorologist John Law spoke to Lisa Owen.

Politicians are grappling with who should pay for damage to homes from future weather related events - and just how much responsibility is on the government to front up. n independent reference group set up by the Ministry for the Environment has released a raft of recommendations help the government shape climate adaptation laws. It suggests a phase out of government support for houses that are flooded or damaged by weather events. But those already affected by severe weather events say they'd be in a tight spot if it wasn't for government support. Political reporter Lilian Hanly reports.

A North Shore woman says she's stressed out and being kept awake at night after getting an eight hundred dollar bill from Watercare, because its smart meter clapped out. The latest bill claims the Browns Bay couple used an average of 4342 litres of water per day. Added to the couples other catch up bill, they now owe Watercare more than 12 hundred dollars. Following a Checkpoint investigation Watercare revealed thirteen thousand of its smart meters have malfunctioned, and need to be replaced. As a consequence customers have been charged incorrectly and after getting zero use bills are now facing big catch up accounts. Watercare customer Lizzie spoke to Lisa Owen.

The eye-watering price of butter has prompted Finance Minister, Nicola Willis to ask for a please explain from her former employer Fonterra. Checkpoint has run numerous stories about the cost of the pantry staple, with the price climbing as high as $18 for a tub of semi-soft butter. Fonterra has pinned the price of dairy products here on the global dairy trade auction price, but Willis has questioned why people overseas are getting a better deal. Farmer and former Fonterra Board member Leonie Guiney spoke to Lisa Owen.

Pensioners camped out in a Waikato carpark are facing an uncertain future after years living on the site, but the carkpark owner says most of them cant afford to go anywhere else. The Classics Museum in the Hamilton suburb of Frankton has allowed people living in campervans to park on its land for $50 a week. Many of them are elderly and on low incomes; some of them have been there for years. But it is a breach of the museum's resource consent that only allows limited short term stays. Now Hamilton City Council has put the landowner on notice. Classics Museum Owner Tom Andrews spoke to Lisa Owen.

A growing number of people are giving up their dream career, and settling for any job, or jobs, in order to put food on the table. While the unemployment rate has remained steady 5.1 percent, The number of people working part-time jobs has jumped to 20.5 percent of employed people an increase of over 4 percent. But for some, fewer hours is a last resort, applying for hundreds of jobs with hundreds of other applicants before settling for a part-time role. Others are working seven different roles just to earn enough to live. But while it's a way of survival for some, others are opting for a patchwork career. Evie Richardson reports.

The Inquiry into the Government's Covid-19 response has held a tense session this afternoon, as critics described what they called red-flags in the vaccine roll out and mandates. Today was the fourth day of the inquiry, with tomorrow rounding out the hearings in Auckland. More hearings are expected to be held in Wellington next month. Today, commissioners scrutinised evidence put forward by groups like Voices for Freedom and The Health Forum. Finn Blackwell reports.

All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has made two injury-enforced changes to his starting side for the second test against France naming one debutant in the process. Meanwhile the Black Ferns have also named their squad for a one off test against Australia in the capital with Ruby Tui a surprise inclusion. Tui has an opportunity to impress before this year's women's World Cup after initially being left out of the Black Ferns squad. RNZ rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Lisa Owen.

Two Northlanders are set to take part in the world's longest and arguably most grueling paddling race, the Yukon 1000. Named for the 1000 miles or 1600 kilometres the teams paddle it will take the pair through Canada into Alaska, traversing bear and wildfire country and freezing glacier fed waters. They will have to paddle about 18 hours a day to complete the journey inside the 9 day cut off and be totally self sufficent, carrying everything they need on the kayak. The paddling pair, Calvin Ball and Ryan Baxter spoke to Lisa Owen.

Fast food ads on bus shelters are a recipe for harming our children and should be banned according to a junk food marketing expert. Researchers from Auckland and Waikato University reviewed 172 ads on bus shelters near Auckland schools. They found all but one billboard showed supersized portions that exceed what's deemed a heathy serving for children. Lead Researcher Victoria Egli says the ads normalise overeating in children and should be banned in public places. She spoke to Lisa Owen.

Is New Zealand getting short changed when it comes to big music concerts? Venue operators and promoters say that attracting the biggest artists to these shores is proving difficult. There was Taylor Swift last year, but since then several prominent acts have excluded New Zealand, despite booking Australian shows. And now there are calls now for the government to step in to help lure these artists back with financial incentives. Adam Burns reports.

The Central Stags will become the first New Zealand team to compete in the Global Super League when they touch down in Guyana this week. The second edition of the T20 cricket tournament brings together five top domestic teams from around the world to compete for a share of a US $1 million prize pool. This will be the first time the Stags have played overseas in 15 years. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The number of business going belly up are in record numbers. In the six months to the end of June there been 594 applications to wind up businesses that owe money that's a six year high. IRD enforced liquidations made up more than 70% of applications last month. For the past two years IRD insolvency applications have outstripped all other creditors combined as the Department applies more pressure for failing businesses to cough up tax debts. Partner at specialist insolvency firm McDonald Vague Keaton Pronk spoke to Lisa Owen.

The leader of a union representing junior doctors has said she is dreading the day when a hospital worker's killed at work. Since a staff member was held up at gunpoint outside Palmerston North Hospital in April, Checkpoint has heard from many health workers who don't feel safe on the job. Health NZ has said it is continuously improving security and taking on feedback. But unions said the problem is still a big one and one even wants to see security guards with beefed up powers. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

Morningside's Kind cafe is shutting up shop after 7 years . The owner said it has been going backwards in the face of rapidly rising cost, including rent, changes in spending habits and staff leaving New Zealand for opportunities in Australia. The cafe started as mainly vegan, but last year introduced meat to the menu in a bid to stay afloat. But it has now been placed in voluntary liquidation. Kind cafe co-owner Nigel Cottle spoke to Lisa Owen.

It's been revealed a third Sea Lion killed in the Catlins was likely stabbed by a human. Now a reward for information leading to the killers convictions has been more than doubled to twelve thousand dollars thanks to donations. A baby female Sea Lion was shot and left to die in the Catlins Estuary in the lower South Island in September last year. The following month the pup's mum was found shot dead. A third sealion had to be euthanised in November after she was found badly injured at Waipati Beach. The NZ Sea Lion Trust's Jordana Whyte spoke to Lisa Owen.

The smashing of headstones by vandals at an Auckand chapel have been described as "senseless, stupid and unecessary". Police are investigating the damage at St Stephens Chapel, after receiving a report on Monday evening. Marble headstones have been broken into pieces, while sandstone graves were literally smashed to smithereens. The local community has been left shocked by the damage, which looks like it will cost roughly 35-thousand dollars to repair. Finn Blackwell and Marika Khabazi report.

British MPs have voted in favour of a bill establishing an independent regulator to oversee men's football in England's top five divisions. The football governance bill was passed four hundred and fifteen to ninety-eight at its third reading in the House of Commons overnight. The government has previously said an independent regulator will protect football clubs by ensuring their financial stability. Sports reporter Dana Johannsen spoke to Lisa Owen.

A chocoholics dream, a competition to create a unique hot chocolate drink. The Sweet as Hutt Hot chocolate challenge was started in 2015 by the Hutt City council to help regenerate the city centre and coax people out during the cold months. This year there are 13 finalists, including the mid winter'd, gingerbread flavoured with hints of cinnamon, maple syrup and vanilla bean, as well as the "squirrell swirl", salted caramel with smooth peanut butter and snack sized snickers bars on the side. The winner is decided by a public vote and a panel of judges. One of those judges, Toby Sanderson spoke to Lisa Owen.

Retail NZ has said it believes forcing vendors to take real folding money would be a step backwards. It comes after New Zealand First introduced a members bill that would make it illegal to refuse cash for essential services like food, fuel and telecomunications. Retailers and service providers would also have to take cash payments up to $500. The "Cash Transactions Protection Bill " would also require vendors to hold enough cash in case of a digital outage of more than twenty-four hours. Retail NZ CEO Carolyn Young spoke to Lisa Owen.

Fifteen years after Feilding farmer Scott Guy was shot dead, his parents remain hopeful the truth over what happened that cold winter morning will emerge. Bryan and Jo Guy say their lives are now divided into two parts - before Scott was killed and after. The second part is hard to navigate, but they're determined not to be ruled by bitterness, and instead keep Scott's memory alive. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

A dog has found a flock of endangered blue duck or whio in part of the West Coast where they havent been seen for decades. Tui, a golden labrador retriever, is trained to sniff out the protected birds. She and her owner were surveying the Ten Mile Stream catchment in the Paparoa Ranges earlier this year when Tui found a feather. After covering some rough terrain Tui sniffed out seven Whio in total, including ducklings. Project Manager at the Paparoa Wildlife Trust and Tui's owner Glen Newton spoke to Lisa Owen.

So called minor crimes including petty theft and even low level assaults will likely never be investigated by police according to the boss of their own union. In May the Police Commissioner was forced to walk back a directive to staff that would have meant shoplifting allegations under $500 would not be investigated, petrol drive off below $150 and online frauds under $1000. But there was a u-turn after the Prime Minister and the Police Minister expressed concerns. But now, the Police Association boss says there is simply not enough resources to investigate everything. President of the NZ Police Association spoke to Lisa Owen.

The family a 99 year old ChrIstchurch woman whose phone was accidently cut off by a telco is appalled that its taken days to get what's effective her life line reconnected. Doreen Robertson relies on her landline for daily contact with friends and family and in case of an emergency. It went down on July second when a contractor was installing fibre to her property. Spark told her family the phone would be back on within twelve hours - but only after five days and several calls later, as well as the local MP getting involved was the phone reconnected. Doreen's son Trevor Robertson spoke to Lisa Owen.

After a quarter of a century living in a caged concrete pit two salt water crocodiles in the Solomon Islands have move to a sanctuary thanks to a New Zealand animal charity. The crocs had been surviving on rain water in the litter filled enclosure at the back of a cafe in Honiara. New Zealand based animal rescue, HUHA became aware of the animals when it was in the capital for a dog desexing campaign. It raised money and worked with Australia Zoo, and after months of wrangling the crocs have been rehomed at a local private sancutary. HUHA founder and chief executive Carolyn Press-McKenzie spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Employment Relations Authority has found a worker wasn't unjustifiably disadvantaged or constructively dismissed after he was ordered back into the office three days a week, when he'd been working from home four out of five days. The Employment Relations Authority said there was no permanent arrangement so no duty to continue it. Meanwhile the PSA is still waiting for an Employment Relations Authority hearing over the government's directive that work from home for public servants is not a right and should not compromise performance. Employment Lawyer at Anderson Lloyd, James Cowan spoke to Lisa Owen.

An Auckland councillor is on a mission to ground helicopters taking off and landing in residential areas for good. It follows multi millionaire Auckland couple, entrepreneur Anna Mowbray and former All Black Ali Williams recently getting approval for a helipad at their waterfront Westmere home. Three independent commissioners approved the resource consent application with some concessions, including a maximum of two flights day and 10 flights per month between the hours of 7am and 10pm. They concluded as per previous decisions; the use of helicopters in residential areas is a permitted activity under Auckland Unitary Plan. But one councillor wants these rules amended. Councillor Mike Lee spoke to Lisa Owen.

Business leaders, community groups, health sector workers and churches are among those due to give evidence at public hearings held by the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The first public hearings of the inquiry's second phase got underway in Auckland today, with commissioners hearing from business people hit hard by the Covid lockdowns. Amy Williams reports.

A popular North Shore golf course is holding out hope it can survive council plans to turn it into a flood catchment. Auckland Council has confirmed the Takapuna Golf Course will become a permanent wetland that has the capacity to soak up more than half a million litres of water or the equivialent of 220 olympic size swiming pools in a flood. Supporters of the course have strongly opposed the plan and offered up alternative solutions. However, today the council confirmed that 18 hole golf course is no longer possible and it can't guarantee a nine hole course, that's up to the local board to decide. Spokesperson for Takapuna Golf Club Phil Jaggard spoke to Lisa Owen.

David Seymour's Regulatory Standards Bill has been put through its paces at Parliament, with its opponents lining up one by one to tear it down. Beginning this morning, and for the next three days, MPs are hearing feedback on the legislation which sets out new gold-standard principles for lawmaking. Ministers introducing new laws would be required to declare whether they'd met the new standards and to justify themselves if not. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch spoke to Lisa Owen.

The All Blacks are counting the cost of the opening test win over France with captain Scott Barrett in doubt for Saturday's second test in Wellington. Barrett left the field with an achilles issue in last weekend's 31-27 victory in Dunedin last, with the injury initially described as a niggle. It now seems more serious with All Blacks coach Scott Robertson saying an update will be provided tomorrow. Rugby reporter Joe Porter spoke to Lisa Owen.

Erin Patterson has been found guilty of murdering three of her estranged husband's relatives, by serving them beef Wellingtons containing death cap mushrooms. The jury also found Patterson guilty of attempting to murder Heather's husband Ian, who survived the mushroom poisoning but spent months in hospital. Michael Giles of the South Gippsland Sentinel-Times has been covering the trial and spoke to Lisa Owen.

A 15 year old school boy is cycling his way down the North Island this school holidays to deliver a letter in support of keeping Māori wards to parliament. The Whakatane High School student is due to hit the capital on Wednesday but the PM has declined to meet him when he arrives. He has been on the road with his letter for eleven days now, but it is not his first time - delivering a petition in support of Māori wards to the steps parliament when he was 10. Jack Karetai Barret spoke to Lisa Owen.

Auckland Council is going ahead with plans for a flood prevention catchment that will swallow-up at least half of a popular North Shore golf course; despite some strong objections. A chunk of the council owned Takapuna Golf Course will become a permanent wetland that has the capacity to soak up more than half a million litres of water in a flood event. The Insurance Council estimates there were a thousand claims from property owners in the area after the 2023 events. But New Zealand golf the course operators and top golfer Ryan Fox have been fighting to save the course. Auckland Council's head of flood resilience Tom Mansell spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some have rugby or football as their sport of choice, but there is a group in Auckland who spend their free time donning full suits of medieval armour and battling it out with swords and shields. While extreme sports like the Run-It-Straight events have caught headlines recently, Buhurt is a combat sport with a keen eye on safety, though it's not without risk. Training out of a warehouse on Auckland's North Shore, these noble knights have said it is all about the community. Finn Blackwell reports.

Do you know why your health insurance premiums are paying for someone elses operation? The cost of insurances have shot up recently; Stats NZ figures show as at March last year house insurance was up almost 25%, contents insurance up about 28% and car insurance up almost 23% compared to the previous year. Some companies offering health insurance as part of employment packages are looking to ditch or downgrade their cover as costs go up. Southern Cross had about 955,000 members last financial year or about 60% of Aotearoa's health insurance market by customer numbers. Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Regan Savage spoke to Lisa Owen.

A home insurance hike of 300% over the past five years has left one Napier man shocked. Bluff Hill homeowner Harry Machiela says he's used to muttering expletives when the letter comes each year, but this year he crunched the numbers and the cost of his house and contents insurance has gone up a whopping 300%. He lives in Napier, but says his property isn't in a flood zone. He spoke to Lisa Owen.

New Zealand's top female professional frisbee golf player is off to compete at the world champs in Finland later this month. Also known as disc golf players throw a frisbee into a series of metal baskets around an outdoor course. There are no age divisions and Michele Simpson will be up against people who make a living doing this full time. Aotearoa's top female pro frisbee golf player, Michele Simpson spoke to Lisa Owen.

20% of New Zealanders are struggling to pay their power bills with 11% cutting back on heating their homes, according to Consumer New Zealand's latest energy survey. Stats NZ figures show the price of electricty has gone up almost 9% in 12 months. Some people have told Checkpoint they are in bed by five to save on heating costs, others are taking extreme measures like turning off their hot water cylinder or bathing in cold water. Consumer's Manager of Powerswitch, Paul Fuge spoke to Lisa Owen about how to keep your power bill down this winter.

New Zealand Para skier Adam Hall has been selected for a record-equalling sixth Paralympic Winter Games. He enters the record books alongside Graham Condon and Michael Johnson who competed at six Paralympic Summer Games. Hall, who was born with spina bifida, will compete in Slalom Standing and Giant Slalom Standing at the Games in Milano Cortina next year. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Some former students now living overseas have told Checkpoint they are too scared to come home because they could be arrested for being behind in payments, with heavy penalties adding up. Students loans are interest free unless people head off shore for more than 6 months. In April the interest rate went up to 4.9% and the late payment interest rate for all borrowers is 8.9%. IRD emailed more than three and half thousand student loan defaulters earlier this year warning them they are being monitored, and could face additional enforcement including arrest at the border. One expert doesnt think IRD's tactics are working. Tax specialist Terry Baucher spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Prime Minister has promised to take action in the coming months to tackle the cost of living crisis. Christopher Luxon has acknowledged it is still tough out there for too many kiwis and the government's focus is on unlocking economic growth. According to Stats NZ the price of food has gone up 4.4% in the last year. Electricity is up almost 9% and gas is up more than 15%. As of March last year house insurance was up almost 25 % and contents insurance up about 28%. This week figures from Centrix showed almost half a million people are behind on debt repayments. Finance Minister Nicola Willis spoke to Lisa Owen.

States of emergency remain in place for Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough this afternoon, but the sodden regions appear to have received less rainfall than feared. Torrential rain in Taranaki has caused widespread surface flooding, leaving parked cars submerged in water. The region has been under a red severe thunderstorm warning for much of the afternoon. Emergency operations centres have been set up in New Plymouth and Hāwera. Taranaki Emergency Management group Manager, Todd Velvin spoke to Lisa Owen.

More than a dozen Ministry of Social Development staff have walked off the job, refusing to return to what they say is an unsafe office with ''strong mould and sewerage smell'. Staff in the ministry's Thames office walked out of the office on Monday, leaving more than 10,000 clients without a face-to-face service. The office was supposed to be a temporary space, after MSD closed its main office in November 2023 due to damage. The Public Service Association has now issued MSD with a Provisional Improvement Notice under the Health and Safety at Work Act, which requires the employer to address concerns about health and safety. MSD has re-deployed staff to Paeroa which is 33km away and has upset community leaders. Thames Community Board chairman Adrian Catran spoke to Lisa Owen.

The amount of money Health NZ is spending on locum doctors to plug staff shortages is increasing and could reach $200 million this year. Checkpoint has obtained figures that show the spend on fill-ins is rising fast. A frontline doctor and the senior doctors union have said it is frustrating to see the increasing pot for temporary workers, when officials are saying money is so tight. Jimmy Ellingham reports.

A former IRD prosecutor is calling for changes to the student loan system so that Kiwis living overseas aren't put off coming home because they're worried about being arrested at the border. In April, interest rates for overseas borrowers was lifted from 3.9% to 4.9% and the late payment interest rate for all borrowers to 8.9%. Tax barrister Dave Ananth says this is putting people off returning to New Zealand at a time we should be encouraging skilled people to come home. Bella Craig reports.

More than 1000 households have been left without internet or mobile coverage in Golden Bay during today's wild weather, with residents even unable to dial 111. So far, the weather doesn't appear to have been as bad as was feared for the already-sodden Nelson, Tasman and Marlborough regions still recovering from the weekend's floods. But wild weather has battered the rest of the country, thunderstorms ringing out in Taranaki, as the region experienced widespread surface flooding, with emergency operations centres being set up in New Plymouth and Hawera. Nelson Tasman Civil Defence and Emergency Management Group controller Alec Louverdis spoke to Lisa Owen.

Pacific advocates say a proposed law change for out-of-hours immigration visits, like dawn raids, doesn't go far enough. The contentious enforcement practice involves immigration officers searching homes for people they have reasonable grounds to believe are liable for deportation between 6pm and 8am. It has been criticised for targeting Pacific people, particularly in the wake of the dawn raids era. Teuila Fuatai reports.