News
Dozens of Corrections staff lose jobs over Covid-19 vaccine mandate
The union representing prison staff is warning the loss of dozens of workers who refused to get vaccinated will disrupt prison life.
Manawatū health planning reshaped for Omicron
The planned Covid-19 response has been updated to adapt for the arrival of Omicron, Manawatū health officials say.
Stanley Waipouri's killers denied parole
Two men jailed for killing a Palmerston North man 15 years ago will remain behind bars after their first parole hearings.
Women accused of breaching Covid-19 restrictions to go on trial
Three women accused of flouting Covid-19 restrictions by travelling to Auckland the same weekend as an anti-lockdown protest in October are heading to trial.
Lawyer calls for ACC review of work-related cancer claims policy
An experienced ACC lawyer is urging the corporation to review the way it assesses claims for people with work-related terminal cancer.
No-alcohol beer 'flying out the door'
New research into New Zealanders' beer buying habits shows a huge rise in the popularity of low- and no-alcohol beer.
Derelict heritage-listed building looks set for development
There are renewed hopes a long-awaited new development could return a Palmerston North inner-city eyesore to its former glory.
Family questions hospital's actions after death of father who fell out window
The family of a man who died days after he was injured when he fell two storeys out a Palmerston North Hospital window are holding the hospital responsible for his death.
Ross Taylor's school coach: 'The country is proud of him'
After 400 matches and 40 international centuries, Ross Taylor is retiring from the Black Caps. His old school coach from 20 years ago reflects on the cricket star's career and just how far he's come…
Palmy police station undergoes upgrade due to seismic shortfall
The station was one of several city buildings designed by Kevin O'Connor and Associates found to have potential deficiencies.
Suppression lifts for 89-year-old charged in Lake Alice investigation
John Richard Corkran is accused of injecting patients aged under 16 at the hospital's child and adolescent unit with paralysing drugs as punishment.
Teen jailed for death of Grace Virtue denies being the one to inflict 'significant violence'
A teen jailed for her part in the violent home invasion of a 90-year-old Levin woman, who died weeks later of a brain injury, now claims she was not the one who inflicted the fatal blows.
Enthusiasts getting Silver Fern railcars up to speed after club purchase
The fondly remembered Silver Fern railcars were the height of luxury, gliding between Auckland and Wellington in the 1970s and 1980s.
'It was like a tsunami and I could see it coming' - Residents clearing up after deluge
Forestry slash and mud litter properties after destructive torrent of water destroys road and leaves 48 homes flooded.
Palmerston North council eyes bowling greens for housing
Two overgrown former bowling greens in Palmerston North are at the centre of a land-use debate pitting housing advocates against green-space defenders.
Residents assessing the damage after torrential rain in Manawatū
The clean-up has begun in Manawatū after the second dump of torrential rain within three days left properties damaged, roads and bridges washed out, and nerves frayed.
89-year-old charged with ill treatment of children pleads not guilty
An 89-year-old man charged with injecting adolescent patients with a paralysing drug at Lake Alice psychiatric hospital in the 1970s has pleaded not guilty to eight charges of ill-treating children.
Charges against only one former Lake Alice staff member 'not a satisfactory outcome'
The former patient says the decision to lay charges meant it finally felt as if survivors were listened to.
Lake Alice: Lawyer's submission for alleged abuser rejected
A psychiatrist accused of torturing patients at the Lake Alice child and adolescent unit has failed to escape criticism from a Royal Commission.
Women accused of breaching Covid-19 restrictions named after suppression lapses
Three women accused of flouting Covid-19 restrictions can now be named - they didn't turn up to court to argue why suppression should continue, and the judge said there was no reason to keep their…
'Not sure what I have to do': Bulls chews over red light setting
Businesses in the Rangitīkei town of Bulls, near Palmerston North, are getting to grips with operating under red light restrictions from Friday.
Poor rating result of failure to fill mental health liaison role, DHB says
The MidCentral District Health Board has been unable to fill a critical role despite advertising nationally and internationally, it says.
MidCentral DHB 'as well-prepared as we can be' for Covid-19 cases
Plans are in place and now health officials in the MidCentral region are waiting to see if their preparation will be the bedrock to surviving a summer period of learning to live with Covid-19.
Concerns raised about KiwiRail's planned 177ha Palmerston North yard expansion
KiwiRail has outgrown its decades-old rail yard in Palmerston North and plans to transform 177 hectares of land to the north of the city into a 24-7 operation designed to accommodate trains up to 1.5…
Treasury put aside 10 times amount of money paid to abused Lake Alice patients
Government documents uncovered from more than 20 years ago have shown Treasury earmarked more than $130 million to resolve legal claims from former patients of psychiatric institution Lake Alice.