Australia correspondent Peter Ryan spoke to Lisa Owen about the new chief executive of the telco giant Optus vowing to weed out and sack staff who breach ethical and legal standards. Stephen Rue takes over with Optus in deep damage control, over allegations that sales staff exploited vulnerable people selling them mobile gear they didn't want or didn't need.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

A rainbow community advocacy group said New Zealand is missing out on a growing visitor market by not actively rolling out the welcome mat to LGBT-plus travellers. Currently, Tourism New Zealand isn't targeting tourists from rainbow communities, but the head of Pride Pledge says rainbow travelers represent a huge economic and social opportunity. Tourism reporter Tess Brunton has more.

The scrap is in the same city as three separate groups - each with their own bid to join the competition. Sports reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A lower North Island district council is not giving up its fight against a proposal to toll a new highway linking Manawatu and Hawke's Bay, as a key deadline looms. The Tararua District Council is continuing its "stop the toll" campaign, ahead of a New Zealand Transport Agency Board meeting tomorrow, at which it will make a recommendation about tolling the new road. Reporter Jimmy Ellingham spoke to Lisa Owen.

One in three retail workers feel unsafe heading into the peak Christmas shopping season. This is according to a new safety report surveying almost 400 New Zealand and Australian workers. The research commissioned by tech company Motorola Solutions found their top three concerns were, shoplifting, hostile customers and smash and grabs. Director of Motorola Solutions, Dan Leppos spoke to Lisa Owen.

Parliament has erupted into fiery emotion this afternoon, with the entire public gallery emptied, as the government ushered the Treaty Principles Bill through its first reading. The bill received the support of all three coalition parties - but ACT is its only real champion - with National and New Zealand First vowing to vote it down after select committee. The opposition parties have labelled the process a disgrace. Deputy political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

Organisers of the Christchurch Show are breathing a sigh of relief following a positive start to the three-day event today. There had been fears of an A&P no-show earlier this year when its association board flagged financial difficulties - and led to an appeal to local authorities for a multimillion dollar life line. But with new management and a council top up, the longstanding Canterbury staple has been resurrected, complete with all the animals and rides, but with a different name. Reporter Adam Burns went along.

Local newspapers for the chop include the Te Awamutu Courier, Bush Telegraph, Whanganui Midweek, Manawatu Guardian, Napier Courier, Hastings Leader and the Central Hawkes Bay Mail. In an email, the company that owns the Herald, said advertising revenue for the publications has declined and distribution costs have jumped by up to 55 percent; meaning the publications are no longer profitable. NZME said at this stage it is only a proposal and it's asked for feedback. Checkpoint asked CEO Michael Boggs on the programme, he declined. Central Hawke's Bay Mayor Alex Walker spoke to Lisa Owen.

The First Reading of the Treaty Principles Bill is underway/ The Treaty Principles Bill has passed its First Reading in the House today, with support from the coalition despite two coalition leaders being absent from the vote. It comes as the Hikoi mo Te Tiriti carries on its way to Wellington. National MPs have been more forceful in their opposition to the Bill today but have stuck to their party line. Political reporter Lillian Hanly joins us now

A national hikoi opposing government coalition policy impacting Maori is building momentum as it moves closer to the capital. Thousands joined the Hikoi mo te Tiriti as it crossed the Harbour Bridge in Auckland yesterday with thousands more turning up at rallies held in Hamilton as it travelled through the Waikato today. As Maori news editor Taiha Molyneux reports, a new generation of political activists has seen a rise in rangatahi participation in the movement which has led to a shift in approach.