Stories by Charlotte Cook
News
'They are terrified' - Ukrainian student's horror over Russian attack
A Ukrainian woman in New Zealand has spent all morning on the phone to her family at home, who are sheltering underground as shockwaves rattle the bunker.
Christchurch mosque terrorist claims inhumane treatment in prison
The Christchurch mosque terrorist says he pleaded guilty to the murder of 51 people last year because of the inhumane and degrading treatment he experienced while awaiting his trial.
DOC's Orca care excedes budget by $17k
The Department of Conservation spent $130,000 looking after Toa, the orphaned Orca.
Corrections found LynnMall terrorist 'increasingly openly hostile and abusive'
Corrections has revealed more details about the LynnMall terrorist's violent behaviour while he was remanded in prison.
Some prisoners have 'no idea' when their trials will be heard
Covid restrictions have disrupted the legal system so badly that some people are spending longer in prison waiting for a trial than they would be sentenced to if found guilty, a barrister says.
Prison officers worry about asbestos exposure during Waikeria Prison riot
The risk of asbestos inhalation during the Waikeria Prison riot earlier this year may never be known because the Department of Corrections rushed to clean equipment before testing it.
Long wait for rehab, psych help in prison: 'It's quite dire'
A man who has been in prison for a decade has been told he will have to wait another two years before he can receive any form of psychological treatment, his lawyer says.
'Some offenders are waiting years for appropriate treatment'
Department of Corrections is under resourced, leaving inmates waiting years for psychological help and rehab programmes, the Parole Board says.
Prisoners know they can 'get away with bad behaviour' - union
Almost half of prisoners are being let off internal disciplinary charges while violence against officers is on the rise.
English fans in tears over win: 'I never thought we would get to a final'
At a popular pub on Cuba Street, expats watched their teams battle it out in the European football championship semifinal.
Wellington's largest transitional housing facility opens
People who might otherwise be left out in the cold now have a warm, safe and dry place to stay with the opening of Wellington's largest transitional housing facility.
Covid-19: Government struggling to recruit MIQ security staff
Only 48 of the 156 advertised roles for security staff at managed isolation and quarantine hotels have so far been filled.
Inspectors intervene after inmate assault during visit
Prison inspectors had to intervene when two inmates seriously assaulted another inmate at Arohata Prison and staff did nothing to protect the woman.
Pensioners 'confused and upset' over lack of Covid-19 vaccine info
While Wellington waits to see if the region will move back down to alert level 1, there is growing frustration from some older people over the speed of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout.
Wellington businesses lose customers as level 2 restrictions continue
Wellington businesses say they feel hobbled under the level 2 Covid-19 restrictions, but are grateful for the resurgence support payment.
Wellingtonians rush to get Covid-19 tests as region moves to alert level 2
At least one Wellington community testing centre is fully booked as thousands rush to get tested.
Hydro power: More dry weather may mean blackouts, switch to coal-generated
National grid operator Transpower says the hydro lake levels are 67 percent of where they would normally be at this time of year, but there is no cause for worry yet.
Level of undiagnosed Covid-19 cases in 10,000 blood samples 'really low'
A study of blood samples has revealed eight cases of Covid-19 that went previously undetected in the community.
Covid-19: Wellington commuters face anti-mask propaganda on train
"What's all the fuss about masks?" is the title of an official-looking pamphlet that was being thrust in the face of Wellington train commuters yesterday.
Transmission Gully never likely to hit initial cost estimates - review
A review into Wellington's billion dollar highway Transmission Gully has found the project was flawed from the start. Audio
Christchurch terrorist holds off on fresh legal challenge in court
The man convicted of the Christchurch mosque shootings has held off from initiating a judicial review of his prison conditions, and designation as a terrorist entity.
Women tradies say they're working without toilet access
No toilets, topless calendars and comments about their appearance are just some of the things women tradies say they deal with on a daily basis.
Principal 'beyond angry' as classrooms closed due to mould, students sent home
The Hutt Valley High School principal says officials have known about the problems for years and failed to act. Audio
MIQ changes exercise bus protocols, but calls for tighter controls remain
The head of managed isolation and quarantine facilities has made more changes to the exercise bus system, after failures onboard a bus from the Grand Mecure Hotel.
Feilding childcare centre accused of abuse to close after losing licence
A Feilding childcare centre investigated over claims of smacking children and feeding them mouldy food has lost its licence and is set to close.