Checkpoint

A security guard who was stabbed in the neck while working at a popular Auckland shopping hub is said to be recovering well after surgery. The incident happened when the guard approached a man near the Westfield Newmarket about 2:30pm yesterday afternoon, following an earlier incident and the man allegedly pulled out a knife. A 24 year old has been charged with aggravated wounding. The security guard is employed by the the Newmarket Business Association, Chief Executive Mark Knoff-Thomas spoke to Lisa Owen.

Health services are on high alert with the official declaration of a whooping cough epidemic today. It comes as the most recent data shows vaccination rates for babies are woefully low - especially for Maori and Pasifika. Ruth Hill reports.

Opposition to the Government's plan to resurrect live animal exports continues to grow, this time it's on the wharf. The Maritime Union, which represents water siders and stevedores, who have in the past loaded freighters including the ill fated Gulf Live stock, has officially voted to oppose the resumption of live animal exports. The government's delaying the release of a public disucssion document on the issue until next year but remains committed to reinstating the trade that was worth 374-million dollars in 2022. This time round it's promising the highest standards of animal welfare and gold standard transport ships - but has not provided specifics. The practice was banned in 2023 over welfare concerns and following the sinking of the Gulf Live stock one killing almost 6000 cattle and 41 people; including two New Zealanders. Maritime Union spokesperson, Victor Billot spoke to Lisa Owen.

All Auckland buses will have driver protection screens installed by 2026 and those behind the wheel hope this will help to deter aggressive behaviour. The government and Auckland Council are co-funding the project to retro-fit more than 1000 buses with custom-made plexiglass screens, and the first lot of completed buses was revealed today. There have been repeated calls for more safety measures for the city's bus drivers after an increase in physical assaults in the city. Amy Williams filed this report.

A former political figure who sexually abused two teenagers nearly 30 years ago has been jailed for two and a half years. It almost brings the historic case to a close - with the offender now appealing his sentence and the District Court's decision to deny him permanent name suppression. A warning, this report from political journalist Anneke Smith contains distressing details.

Five tourists have died of suspected methanol poisoning in Laos, a country in southeast Asia, after drinking what's believed to be contaminated alcohol. A New Zealander is among those who have fallen ill in the popular backpacking town of Vang Vieng. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed it has been contacted and is providing consular assistance. British Lawyer Simone White is the fifth person to die after drinking suspected Methanol laced alcohol. An American, two Danish tourists and a Melbourne teenager have also died. Professor David Ranson, the head of Monash University's department of forensic medicine spoke to Lisa Owen.

Methanol laced alcohol is thought to have killed five young tourists travelling in Loas in South East Asia. Among the dead are a british lawyer, as Australian teenager from Melbourne and two danish woman. It's believed they all consummed drinks laced with methanol, a potentially deadly substance that is found in bootleg alcohol. A New Zealander is among those who have fallen ill in the popular backpacking town of Vang Vieng. Two Australian backpackers who feel ill were reportedly given free shots of vodka at the backpackers hospital in the town. Tommy Walker is a journalist with extensive experience covering Southeast Asia, he spoke to Lisa Owen from Bangkok.

The All Blacks will be looking to quell any doubts left behind after a razor thin loss to France last weekend. Coach Scott Robertson has named his squad in what will be the team's final test of the year against Italy this weekend. RNZ sports reporter Jamie Wall spoke to Lisa Owen

He can topple a small car with his bare hands, eats up to eight eggs for breakfast and is the "strongest old fulla in the country." Rich Farrell is the inaugural winner of the New Zealand's Strongest man, masters division. He is currently in Atlanta, Georgia training for the Official Strongman Games to be held in Wisconsin along with four other kiwis who will be going for it at the competition. Farrell weighs in about a 130 kilos and is excruciatingly strong, he spoke to Lisa Owen.

Gaetz - who resigned from congress to take on the Attorney General role - has been under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct and said the controversy around his nomination had become too much of a distraction. Just hours after Gaetz's withdrawal, the president-elect named former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his new pick for the job. United States correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen.

A 2023 treasury survey showed the number of people using cash on a daily basis went from almost 96 percent in 2019, to just over 57 percent in 2023. Yet anytime the potential "end of cash" is predicted, it gives rise to some pretty emotional responses from many people, who still like to have the option. This is despite a growing number of retailers and businesses - who only want payment by plastic. But right now Australia is taking steps to make sure cash sticks around, and our Reserve Bank isn't ruling out doing something here. Money correspondent Susan Edmunds spoke to Lisa Owen.

Australia correspondent Peter Ryan spoke to Lisa Owen about how the digital giants in Australia are facing fines in the tens of millions of dollars if they fail to block under 16s from social media platforms. It's all part of tough new laws being pushed to deal with mental health issues from excessive exposure to social media.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The Warriors path to NRL glory has been laid out with the release of the schedule for 2025. An ANZAC test in Christchurch, a trip to Vegas and the return of the women's side mark an exciting year ahead for the club. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

First year University of Canterbury students are being forced to go flatting as capacity in the university's halls of residence is completely maxxed out. Enrolment at UC went over 22,000 at the start of this year - up 20 percent from 5 years ago. But that's meant over 4000 students have applied for spots in the first year halls when there are only 2000 spaces available. With so many students forced to look elsewhere to live, flats are also becoming harder to come by. Bella Craig reports.