Checkpoint

The ACT party is the biggest loser in the latest TVNZ Verian poll with just 10 days to go until the election. Whilst National remains steady on 36 percent, no change from last week, David Seymour's party is down two to 10 percent. On that basis a National/ACT coalition would get a combined 59 seats in Parliament- not enough to govern alone. It means it would need NZ First or to do that Epsom-style deal with Raf Manji's Opportunities Party in Ilam which is also up 1 percent to two. Labour remains steady on 26 percent in the poll, the Green Party is also steady on 13 percent, NZ First remains steady on 6 percent and Te Pati Maori steady on 2 percent - now polling the same as The Opportunities Party. Despite being in isolation, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins is up 2 to 25 percent as preferred Prime Minister, just behind Christopher Luxon who is up three points to 26 percent. Winston Peters remains third favourite on 4 percent and David Seymour has dropped two to three percent. The Verian poll would give National 46 seats, ACT 13, Labour 33,Greens 17, NZ First 8 and Te Pati Maori 3 if Rawiri Waititi wins Waiariki. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338362263112

The Silver Scroll Awards Ceremony, celebrating the country's best songwriters, is about to get started in Auckland's Parnell in just over an hour's time. Singer-songwriter Marlon Williams is chasing a second scroll after taking out the top prize five years ago. Also among the finalists are songs by indie rockers The Beths, jazz rappers Avantdale Bowling Club, folk band Tiny Ruins, and psychedelic rockers Unknown Mortal Orchestra, who last won the award back in 2015. Tony Stamp joins us from the action at Spark Arena [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338355912112

A Dunedin vegetarian eatery that lets people pay what they can afford for a feed has tripled the number of meals its making each night. The Bowling club started as a food truck but moved into premises in Caversham last year. The thing that's different about this eatery; a main costs just four bucks if you bring your own container..five if you dont. But if that's still a budget buster, customers pay what they can afford ,..or nothing at all. The Dunedin Bowling Club co-owner Jackie Bannon speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338352029112

Cash-strapped Massey University is wielding the axe, proposing to slash jobs and courses. Students and staff say the plan puts the university into a death spiral. If courses are cut expertise will be lost, and fewer people will choose to study there. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham has the story.

Engineers have been assessing a massive landslip that's cut off more than 1500 residents from Gisborne, unless they want to take a significant detour. The slip has swept away a section of Tiniroto Road between Rockhill Road and Parikanapa road, leaving it impassable. Damage from Cyclone Gabrielle already meant longer routes to Tiniroto and Hangaroa. Murry Cave, Gisborne District Council's Principal Scientist speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338350416112

News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338351872112

Animal control is grappling with a surge in dog attacks in Auckland. There have been almost 2500 attacks in the year to June, 250 more than the same time last year. Over 2500 canines had to be put down over the same time, double the previous 12 months. Animal shelters are also heaving, with more than 6000 dogs impounded. Finn Blackwell has more.

New Zealand Rugby League is signaling a new era for the men's and women's national sides ahead of the inaugural Pacific Championships. After losing the World Cup final to Australia last year the Kiwi Ferns have called up 11 debutants to make their mark on the international scene this month. Likewise, the Kiwis are digging deeper into the talent pool as injuries and players looking to represent other nations has forced the selectors hands. We're joined by sports reporter Felicity Reid. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338349277112

All Rugby players from the team that trashed the Ranfurly shield are available for selection for this weekend's games despite an ongoing investigation into behaviour at a post match party. Pictures of the Log O' Wood busted in half surfaced on social media, including some that show white powder on the shield. One player is also facing drink driving charges after crashing a car into a fence the morning after the team's winning game. Today, Hawkes Bay Magpies vice captain Brad Weber, who wasn't at the post match party, fronted a press conference, with the head coach. Captain Tom Parsons, wasn't made available but will lead the team out at Sunday's game against Bay of Plenty. Hawke's Bay Rugby chief executive Jay Campbell confirmed the player who dropped the shield had been drinking, but couldn't say how much. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338350249112

Both Labour and National were back on the hustings today, encouraging people to vote, but as many as 1 million New Zealanders have yet to receive their EasyVote card. People do not need the card to vote, but many people think they do, and the delay has earned the Electoral Commission a slap-down from Labour's leader. More than 70,000 people voted yesterday and about 60,000 the day before. That's more than in 2017, but well behind 2020. Our deputy political editor Craig McCulloch pulled together this report.

Scientists studying dramatic Antarctic sea ice loss have called for urgent reductions to greenhouse gases to keep the planet within liveable conditions. Marine and ice specialists from top research outfits gathered at an emergency summit in Wellington today to discuss record low sea ice in Antarctica this year, which they described as "deeply alarming." Climate Change Correspondent Eloise Gibson attended a briefing with some of the researchers afterwards, she speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338291337112

The Panmure-Ōtāhuhu electorate, or Manukau East as it was formerly known, has long been a Labour stronghold. Labour MP Jenny Salesa has held the seat for three terms and has her eyes on a fourth. But she's found competition in this campaign, against former Auckland councillor and mayoral candidate Efeso Collins, who's standing for the Greens and is a well-known figure in the area. National's new candidate also says it's not a given the seat will still be red come October 14. Reporter Tom Taylor and camera operator Nick Monro have the story. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338291477112

The budget for fixing Wellington's Town Hall has blown out to nearly double the estimated cost. The building has been closed for close to a decade after it was deemed an earthquake risk in 2009. Bill Hickman has more.

A man's been sentenced to ten months home detention for a "callous and cowardly attack "on a dog walker with a samurai sword. Darryn Clarke, 43, earlier pleaded guilty to causing grevious bodily harm with intent to injure after the incident in January this year. During his sentencing at Manukau District Court this afternoon, the court heard that Clarke was driving his Tesla on Batty Rd in Karaka, south Auckland, when the dog walker stepped into the road and gestured for him to slow down. Reporter Louise Ternouth was in court and joins me now live in the studio. ..and just a warning parts of this story are confronting. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338287581112

A normally pristine Hawkes Bay beach is still blanketed with slash following Cyclone Gabrielle, but there's no money to clean the wood debris away. Waikare Beach, a regional gem, is inundated with bits of logs and waste wood strewn kilometres up and down the beach making access difficult. A DOC campground at the nearby river mouth is closed until further notice due to flooding and slips damage and the boat ramp is due to be demolished. The regional Silt Recovery Taskforce says its visited the beach several times and has a clean-up plan but no money for it. The taskforce's Woody Debris Manager is Jamie Cox and he speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338288752112

News from the business sector, including a market report. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338288072112

The warehouse weetbix supply crisis is over, following pressure from shoppers. Manufacturer Sanitarium says it heard the calls from consumers. And its reducing weetbix exports, so it can keep feeding the cereal into the red sheds. The Commerce Commission sent a please explain letter to the cereal maker, but Sanitarium remains adament there's been no breach of the Commerce Act. Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338288071112

The Black Caps got the ideal hitout ahead of their opening Cricket World Cup game against England on Thursday with a win in their final warm-up match in India. In a rain-reduced game against South Africa, New Zealand secured a 7-run victory under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method. We're joined by sports reporter Felicity Reid. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338285094112

Aucklanders could be facing a double-digit rates hike next year, as the city council again looks at how to cover costs. Earlier this year, council put rates up by 7.7 percent as part of a plan to plug its $325 million budget hole. Looking ahead, council says those rates could nearly double next year from a starting point of 13.75 percent, as it looks to once again balance the books. Finn Blackwell has more.

Several councils and government ministries could be facing bills in the hundreds of thousands to fit essential filters to their drinking water supplies in the wake of Queenstown's cryptosporidium gastro outbreak. There are 60 confirmed cases of the parasite induced gastro, that can cause severe diarrhea, stomach cramps and vomiting. The national water regulator, Taumata Arowai, has issued 150 compliance notices requiring councils and others to install UV filters to protect the water from Protozoa, an organism that can cause of raft of nasty health issues. The cause of Queenstown's crypto outbreak has yet to be indentified but it's been revealed some of the networks that supply the town with water are not fitted with the compulsary filter. Steve Taylor from the national water regulator, Taumata Arowai speaks to Lisa Owen. [embed] https://players.brightcove.net/6093072280001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6338287340112