Stories by Charlotte Cook

A former New Zealand soldier fighting in Ukraine is facing months of rehab after being hit five times by shrapnel and bullets while fighting in the Donestk Oblast region.

The former Defence Force… Audio

Despite plans to fix long wait times for New Zealand passports, the situation is the same as it was when borders re-opened last year.

There are currently more than 37,000 passports waiting to be… Audio

More than 6,000 people are enraged by a Ministry of Education decision to fit schools with American synthetic carpet over homegrown wool varieties.

The government has signed a nearly $8 million deal… Audio

The state housing agency Kāinga Ora is pushing for radical changes to Wellington's housing rules, including wiping protections for character buildings and allowing more development on flood prone… Audio

The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) couldn't use its preferred options in response to Cyclone Gabrielle because of ongoing critical staff shortages.

It's now paying a one-off bonus to all its 9000… Audio

The body of a slain New Zealand soldier in Ukraine will be brought back home by his uncle at an expected cost of around $65,000.  

Kane Te Tai was killed in action while clearing a trench last week… Audio

A large international company threatened a small Wellington Brewery with legal action over the marketing of a charity beer. 

Abandonded Brewery in Porirua created a energy drink infused beer for… Audio

The number of vapes being confiscated from people's checked luggage at airports over the past year has quadrupled. 

Almost 10,000 vapes had to be removed by Aviation Security in 2022 - up from just… Audio

A New Zealander fighting on the front line in Ukraine says he was brought to tears after his unit liberated three towns. 

Russia withdrew 30,000 troops from Kherson over the weekend, after nine… Audio

A former New Zealand solider on the front line in Ukraine says growing numbers of freshly conscripted Russians are being captured or killed within 72 hours of being called up.

The Russian President… Video, Audio

A 501 deportee, turned Evangelist Chaplain promised god he would never fire another gun - a promise that became near impossible to keep when he ended up working on the front line in Ukraine.

After… Audio

The part of the Ukrainian Army slain soldier Dominic Abelen worked for says it will do everything it can to repatriate a foreign fighter under their command. RNZ understands Corporal Dominic Abelen… Audio

A New Zealand medic back from the front line in Ukraine is warning doctors and nurses here not to join the war effort unless they are trained to work in conflict zones.

Huge numbers of foreign… Audio

A former New Zealand soldier now fighting on Ukraine's front line is certain the body of New Zealand soldier Dominic Abelen is in Russian hands.

The man, who RNZ has agreed not to name, was a close… Audio

A former New Zealand soldier fighting in Ukraine says he's proud to see other Kiwis on the front line - even though one of his countrymen has given his life for the cause. The Defence Force announced… Audio

Hundreds of dead Little Blue penguins are washing up on beaches around the Far North.

RNZ has previously reported more than 40 had been found dead in Tokerau Beach over the space of two weeks, but… Audio

Climate change is being blamed for more than 40 little blue penguins washing up dead over a week at a Far North Beach. Charlotte Cook has the story. Audio

It's time to talk about time of the month. Pro golfer Lydia Ko made headlines on Monday for talking about how having her period caused back pain, twisting her swing.

Even though about half the… Audio

A New Zealand Army veteran has joined the ranks of Westerners who have travelled to Ukraine to train volunteers how to hold and shoot a gun.

The former solider served for six years specialising in… Audio

Members of the disabled community are worried they'll been left on their own, unable to get out of bed or go to the toilet when the Omicron outbreak hits its peak.

Twenty-five percent of New… Audio

Boosters are being bolstered around the country, with the wait time between second and third doses shortened to 3 months.

More needles are going into more arms and the bravest of us can feel a little… Audio

It is predicted hundreds of thousands of people will have to self-isolate at home as Omicron spreads through the community.

The government and health officials are urging people to prepare by… Audio

Over the past two years, we've all become armchair experts about the virus.

We know how to tell how fast it's spreading, how you get it and what you can do to protect yourself.

But it's time for… Audio

Weighted hula hoops could be the next big fitness fad - if TikTok hits are anything to go by.

For most, when thinking of hula hoops people remember lunch times playing on the grass at school, but… Video, Audio

Inmates at Waikeria Prison say they had to share one faulty phone between 80 prisoners for months and wait up to four hours at a time to call their family.

The working phone often cut out mid call… Audio