Nita Blake Persen
Walks in Auckland's Waitakere Ranges remain popular
Hundreds of people continue to walk the tracks in the Waitakere Ranges and as Nita Black-Persen reports, not everyone knows about the rahui or the spread of kauri dieback disease. Audio
New cannabis legislation 'slow progress' - patients
Some medicinal cannabis users say the Government's plan to overhaul the law offers hope but no material changes for them. A new law will protect terminally ill people from prosecution if they use… Audio
Demolition to begin on flood-hit Edgecumbe homes
The Edgecumbe homes that were red stickered after a wall of water burst through the town's stopbank in April are finally being demolished. More than 300 homes were damaged when the Rangitaiki River… Audio
Dry weather forces six-week wait for Waiheke water
A desperately dry Christmas is in store for some Waiheke Islanders, with fresh water unable to be delivered to many homes for at least the next six weeks. As tourist numbers swell over the holidays… Audio
Govt lacks plan to cope with climate change - report
Billions of dollars worth of infrastructure and thousands of homes are at risk of sea-level rise and severe weather caused by climate change, but a new government report says there's a total lack of… Audio
300,000 families tipped to get an extra $75 a week
Parents are welcoming the government's new Families Package, saying it will help them afford asthma inhalers, groceries and petrol. Nita Blake-Persen reports. Audio
Police track down youth who stoned cat to death
A video of five young people stoning a cat to death is so disturbing police investigating the case say they were sickened by it. Audio
Police appeal for witnesses after Papamoa beach fight
Police are appealing for witnesses after a large fight in Papamoa on Sunday night. A woman is in hospital with a suspected broken leg. Other residents say they heard gun shots, as well as people… Audio
'Mo-hell' - WINZ paying for families to stay at motel from hell
It's been dubbed the Awanui 'mo-hell', and Work and Income is paying for homeless families to stay there. Some say it shouldn't be operating, let alone housing kids. Video, Audio
Owner furious as Kiwibank ditches Post Shop after robberies
After surviving three robberies at gunpoint, Bhaksar Desai, owner of the Owairaka Post Shop, says he's now been stabbed in the back by Kiwibank, which plans to pull its services from his business. Audio
Auckland's million dollar reveal
120,000 people made 10 million property searches between them after Auckland house values went online today. Video, Audio
South Auckland homeowners brace for rates rise
Homeowners in one of Auckland's cheaper suburbs could find themselves out of pocket when their next rates bill arrives in the mail. The average value of Auckland properties rose by 45 percent in the… Audio
Family event planned for RLWC2017 Tonga match
Auckland Council is scrambling to organise a family friendly event for Tongan rugby league fans to prevent disorder from spilling out onto the streets on Saturday night. The council's tourism fund… Audio
Will govt pay half Auckland's America's Cup bill?
Revamping Auckland's waterfront for the America's Cup comes with a hefty price tag - but the locals don't seem to mind. Auckland's mayor wants the government to pitch in for at least half the cost… Audio
$21m-worth of NZ recycling banned from China
There are fears $20 million-worth of plastic, paper and other waste will end up in landfill when it can no longer be recycled in China. From next year, China will stop taking certain waste products… Audio
China ends used plastic imports, recyclers left scrambling
Recycling companies are scrambling to figure out what to do with the thousands of tonnes of plastic they have been sending to China when a ban on some imports kicks in next year. Paul Evans is the… Audio
Actors welcome 'Hobbit Law' repeal plan
New Zealand actors are welcoming the new government's plans to scrap the so-called 'Hobbit Law' that prevents film workers from collective bargaining. Audio
Protest outside Fletcher meeting as profit forecast slashed
Protesters and Fletcher shareholders clashed with board members in a meeting today after the company slashed its profit forecast because of the $160m hit it took in its building and interiors section.
…Fletcher Building workers strike over pay
Dozens of workers from Fletcher Building businesses walked off the job this morning after pay negotiations with the country's biggest construction company stalled. Video, Audio
No smoking on Auckland's beaches this summer
Auckland's beaches, outdoor dining areas and most public spaces in the central city will be smokefree this summer, thanks to a new ban being brought in by Auckland Council. Audio
