JOURNALISM
2025
Department of Corrections opens new ‘world-class’ Waikeria Prison facility in Waikato
A dialysis machine, body scanner and biometric security system are some of the “state of the art” features of Waikeria Prison’s new 596-bed facility.
Man accused of hit-and-run manslaughter appears in court
The man accused of causing the death of deaf and blind cancer survivor in a hit-and-run has appeared in court.
The NZ region with the highest road death toll
Waikato remains the region with the highest road death toll, according to the Ministry of Transport, despite a national drop in fatalities.
From a pig pen to home ownership: Jeannie Maano's migrant journey
After living in a pig pen for a year, Jeannie Maano says the feeling of walking into his family’s new house in Putāruru was indescribable.
’Ultimate playground' - Extreme kayakers take on Huka Falls
Champion kayakers going over Taupo’s Huka Falls have prompted warnings from officials who say the practice is “extremely dangerous”.
230 workers affected as Kinleith Mill paper machine shuts
Oji Fibre Solutions confirmed the news to workers at an open-air meeting on the mill’s grounds.
Precautions in place after NICU babies test positive for bacteria
Babies have been testing positive for a “highly adaptable” bacteria for months.
'I felt like an awful person': Woman's 17-year journey to diagnosis
The average wait time for a diagnosis of endometriosis in New Zealand is about 10 years. Some women can go undiagnosed for over 20 years.
Teenage student dies after being hit by train
A woman who pulled five children riding tricycles on unfenced tracks to safety says the death was “inevitable”.
2024
Behind the scenes at the funeral of Kiingi Tuheitia
Meet the armies feeding thousands of mourners.
Community rallies around 230 endangered mill workers
A campaign has launched to spotlight the cost potential job losses on the rural town.
One day life was ‘sweet’, the next his ‘head was gone’
Why Riley Jeeves says NZ’s mental health system is ‘broken’.
Family of murdered 8-year-old files complaint against police
They claim that if proper procedure had been followed, a beloved child would still be alive.
The continued search for fugitive dad Tom Phillips
Rewards, roadblocks, local perspectives: Covering one week of a multi-year manhunt
Culturally mediated bail checks could have prevented fatal shooting
Shargin Stephens was shot dead by police in Rotorua in 2016
Less than 18 months to live: How Paige lives with cancer
The 26-year-old was diagnosed with a terminal, stage-four brain tumor but no one can tell from her smile.
Globally rare habitat will take centuries to recover from blaze
The Waikato wetland fire released $9.6m worth of carbon into the atmosphere.
Ram raid: Liquor store invaded during Great NZ Muster
The culprits struck as 700 sheep and 1000s of spectators gathered for NZ’s annual Running of the Sheep event.
2023
'I’m still here with you': Meet the volunteers who sit with dying patients
A regional hospital called for help and was overwhelmed by the response.
Childhood dreams and space stations: One NASA astronaut’s story
The 400km trip from the Earth’s surface to space lasts nine minutes. Dr Kate Rubins has made the journey twice.
Author remembers the ‘accident’ that created a beloved character
Dame Lynley Dodd celebrates Hairy Maclary’s 40th publication birthday
Mongrel Mob member sentenced for ‘execution-style’ murder
In a case of mistaken identity, an innocent man was shot in the head and neck, then left for dead at his home.
From New Zealand to Quebec: Canadian fisherman finds message in a bottle
How one man’s near decade-old message in a bottle reached a stranger.
Pharmac announces discontinuation of brain tumour drug lomustine
The survival rates for Stacey Gardner’s condition are between 22 and 50 per cent.
Gang members line streets after mob boss’ murder
Schools have also closed following Stephen Taiatini’s death and extra police staff had been brought in to provide round-the-clock coverage.
Family wants Pharmac to fund continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)
When Charlie Windell’s wife and son go to sleep each night, he’s not sure if they will wake up the next morning.
‘I don’t want to shoot you': Cop tells of moments before he fired fatal shots
The officer broke down as he gave evidence, telling an inquest the man “was going to try and kill me”.
2022
'Falling apart at the seams': 382 vacancies for health workers
The regional health organisation declined to provide the total number of vacancies for 2019 and 2018.
'I just battled on': 85-year-old reflects on life with long Covid
Val Stewart once watched a volcano erupt from the boiler room of a steam engine. Now, she struggles to remember her own name.
From open world to wake up calls: The Covid generation
Young kiwis remember when the reality of the pandemic hit home and how the virus shaped their life milestones.
'Equity issue' as some rural patients face six-week wait to see a doctor
Practices often feel "one resignation away from collapse" .
Māori liver cancer patients having to travel more than 200km for surgery
Māori health advocate says it is a choice between travelling to get treatment, or putting food on the table.
Frontlines 'burnt' and 'bled' by two years of Covid-19
Mental health struggles have “absolutely escalated”.
'Monstrous surprise': Why a man's heart stopped seven times
Gary Cassidy drove himself to his local emergency department.
'He promised me he would stay alive’: Mother fears for son in Ukraine
Ukraine's Interior Ministry does not give any information on casualties among its armed forces.
Couple escape dramatic crash as van plunges 300m
It happened so fast Rosie and Tom didn't have time to be afraid.
2021
'Life was getting sucked out of them'
Andrew Leota will never forget what it was like to watch people die of Covid-19 in Kazakhstan.
Our lockdown warriors
When the Bay of Plenty was plunged into lockdown on August 17 a small army of unsung heroes geared up and got to work.
'We do our best.': Local veterans of Afghanistan reflect on 20 years of war
New Zealand withdrew forces from Afghanistan this year, ending almost 20 years of involvement in the conflicts plaguing the country.
Israel-Palestine ceasefire: Calls for peace from Rotorua expats
Omari said his people had heard the term ‘ceasefire’ before.
Parents 'in shock' after 18-year-old suffers brain bleed
Ammoto Roldan Lictao and his wife Elaine are living every parent's worst nightmare.
Rotorua's migrants and former refugees share their stories
Stories of sacrifices, dangers and joys that is difficult to put into words.