Timothy Brown
First wave of Aucklanders flood through Queenstown Airport
The first wave of Aucklanders have flooded through Queenstown airport today, now that the city's border is open. Their arrival has been hotly anticipated by tourist operators desperate to revive their… Video, Audio
Central Otago lizard species need more help than ever
In Central Otago some of New Zealand's most endangered animals have long called the country's coldest and driest climate home.
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Airport proposal divides small town
A proposal to build an international airport in the small Central Otago settlement of Tarras has reopened a divide in the town.
Almost a decade ago, a proposal for an irrigation scheme split the… Audio
New housing development hoped to ease booming Cromwell's short supply
In Central Otago, a former gold mining town is undergoing another boom.
Cromwell is bursting at the seams, but one of the first projects to receive approval under the government's fast track… Video, Audio
Migrants in Queenstown struggle without vaccine pass access
Some of Queenstown's migrant community have been left out in the cold under the new Covid protection framework.
Only New Zealand or Australian ID is accepted to apply for the vaccine pass - making it… Video, Audio
Financial struggle closes all doors at Youth Hostel Association
A icon of New Zealand's backpackers market is closing its doors due to the financial hardship caused by the pandemic.
YHA will permanently shut its 11 hostels from December 15. Timothy Brown has… Audio
Covid-19: Bay of Plenty leads charge in vaccine number turnaround
With just days until the Covid-19 traffic light system comes into effect, it's clear vaccination is the key to loosening restrictions.
While success stories like Auckland are well canvassed, other… Audio
South Island prepares for the traffic light system
A traffic light Christmas is on the way, but freedoms will depend on the level of vaccination.
So what can the South Island expect?
Timonthy Brown reports. Audio
Ōhau locals' quick thinking saved lives in fire - investigators
Fire and Emergency says the quick thinking of residents and emergency services saved lives during last year's Lake Ōhau wildfire.
Investigators say the blaze - which destroyed 48 homes and buildings… Audio
Covid-19: Vaccination targets will still leave some unprotected
Health data from Saturday show that 81 percent of the eligible population have received their second Covid-19 vaccine.
Auckland is close to reaching 90 percent full vaccinated - currently just one… Audio
Covid-19: Derogatory and offensive comments more prevalent
The Delta outbreak has unleashed a greater willingness to use derogatory and offensive slurs as part of public discourse.
That's the take of one University of Auckland research fellow who says terms… Audio
Wiremu Namana jailed for life over brutal Dunedin killings
A Dunedin man who brutally murdered a couple before setting their home alight to hide his crimes, has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
Wiremu Namana appeared in the High Court in Dunedin this… Audio
Dozens at first day of Southland's farmgate vaccination tour
Dozens of people have turned out for the first day of a farmgate vaccination tour of Southland.
Two mayors from the region have teamed up to tow teams of vaccinators in caravans to remote settlements… Audio
South Island reacts to new Covid-19 protection framework
The Prime Minister has dangled the carrot of lifting some restrictions in the south if they can get the island 90 percent fully vaccinated.
Community and business leaders say this provides the step… Audio
Mixed feelings as South Island held at alert level 2
There's mixed feelings in the South Island over the government's continued decision to hold at alert level 2 despite more than a year since the last community Covid case.
Some say the safety-first… Audio
Milford Sound tests emergency response
Dozens of people from around the south gave up their time at the weekend to test and improve how Milford Sound Piopiotahi will respond to an emergency, such as a magnitude 8 earthquake along the… Audio
Ohai says goodbye to more than 100 years of coal mining
Ohai is today closing the book on its more than century long association with coal.
The small western Southland settlement sprang up around large coal deposits discovered in the 1910s, but its time… Video, Audio
New report claims Tarras can support international airport
Christchurch Airport has today released analysis showing Tarras - a small Central Otago farming settlement - can support an international airport.
The airport - which is owned by Christchurch City… Audio
Could Queenstown Lakes experiment with inclusionary zoning?
Could Queenstown Lakes be the experiment with inclusionary zoning that New Zealand needs?
The district council is seeking feedback on plans that could see developers having to hand over homes or cash… Audio
Three children killed in Timaru, woman in hospital, police investigating
Police are investigating the death of three children in Timaru, after officers were alerted to the triple homicide last night.
Emergency services were called to a Queen Street flat in the suburb of… Video, Audio