Checkpoint

A cryptic message from high jumper Hamish Kerr has raised questions about his participation in this month's Commonwealth Games. Athletics New Zealand say Kerr will be in Glasgow but they can't guarantee he'll attempt to defend his gold medal. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

Yet another Australian state is waiting to hear whether it has a case of a deadly bird flu, after a sick giant petrel was found on a Noosa beach in Queensland. More than a dozen cases of a deadly strain of the H5-N1 virus have been detected since it arrived in Australia last month. In Aotearoa, as precaution, DOC has been vaccinating around 300 core breeding birds from five of the country's most threatened species. Biosecurity minister, Andrew Hoggard spoke to Lisa Owen.

The former mentor of the man who went on a frenzied stabbing attack at an Auckland supermarket has spoken about his radical ideas of Islam. Ahamed Samsudeen was shot twelve times by police, ending the attack that saw six people stabbed and another injured. A coronial inquest into his death is underway, looking at the time leading up to the attack and his path to violent extremism. Finn Blackwell reports.

As the world mourns a Hollywood heavyweight, Central Otago residents are remembering a neighbour who preferred gumboots to the red carpet. Sir Sam Neill made the famous wine region his Kiwi home. In the towns of Alexandra and Clyde, locals considered him one of their own. Otago Southland reporter Katie Todd has more.

Time is running out to save two Kaitaia mills, that are together are one of the town's biggest employers. In March, the Japanese owner of the mills, Juken announced its is leaving Kaitaia, but no buyers have been found. The Far North District and Northland Regional Councils are asking for government investment to keep the businesses and jobs going. Savage from Workers First Union spoke to Lisa Owen.