Stories by Jemima Huston
News
'Some are feeling intimidated' - Younger students avoiding school bathrooms as vapers take over
Around the country, high school students are rushing home after school, bursting through the door and heading straight to the bathroom.
Auckland shooting: 'All we heard was gunshots', on-site construction worker says
A scene examination has continued at the site at the bottom of Queen Street on Friday in an unusually quiet city, still in shock after Thursday's terrifying events.
Self-employed midwives still waiting for their day in court for pay equity fight
Five years of negotiations with government has meant hospital midwives will receive a 15 percent pay increase. But self-employed, community midwives are still waiting.
Owners urged to keep dogs on leads around penguins after spate of fatal attacks
There has been a spate of fatal dog attacks on little blue penguins around the wider Wellington region.
Cataract surgery: Eye surgeons worry about meeting demand as more qualify
With the public health system under pressure, eye specialists were worried hospitals may struggle to cope with increased demand for cataract surgery. Audio
Cataract surgery: Eye surgeons worry about meeting demand as more qualify
With the public health system under pressure, eye specialists were worried hospitals may struggle to cope with increased demand for cataract surgery.
Wellington council to pilot official rental housing inspection service
Wellington City Council has announced a new plan to tackle homelessness, unaffordable housing and renters rights.
'A lot of mess' - Floodwaters reach windowsills of Waihī Beach pensioner units
Civil Defence teams were out at first light assessing the damage caused by flash flooding at Waihī Beach that forced up to 50 people from their homes. Audio
'You have to put in place the groundwork' - construction expert on National's housing plans
National says its new policy would require councils to zone enough new land for 30 years of demand, but an AUT professor says a stronger commitment to improve infrastructure is needed first. Audio
Family extend invitation to public to farewell Loafers Lodge fire victim
The family of Michael Wahrlich, who died in the Loafers Lodge fire, want his funeral to honour his life and dedication to the Wellington entertainment community.
Consumer NZ calls out supermarkets for hundreds of price errors
Consumer NZ is calling out "dodgy" supermarket specials after shoppers found hundreds of errors in grocery prices. Audio
Concerns about companies looking to buy up cyclone-damaged homes
Property experts are warning owners of flood-damaged homes in Hawke's Bay to take care when dealing with investment companies wanting to snap up their houses.
Meeting hears objections to lack of public consultation over Wellington housing project
Former Wellington mayor Andy Foster told the meeting the Mt Crawford Mātai Moana site was too locally significant for people not to have a say.
Homegrown review: A festival so good even the mayor had a boogie
Wellington was aglow yesterday afternoon with blue skies, bright sunshine and big smiles as festivalgoers descended on the waterfront for Homegrown.
Teacher unions optimistic govt willing to negotiate deal after strike action
Secondary teachers are back in negotiations with the government but will not rule out further strikes if they do not reach an agreement. Audio
'We just thought, bugger it, let's go': Soldiers say they disobeyed orders to save residents
Two soldiers say they disobeyed Civil Defence orders so they could rescue people trapped in Esk Valley during Cyclone Gabrielle.
Donations for cyclone victims 'a fine oiled operation'
In cyclone-hit Hawke's Bay, local iwi are working overtime to supply support for those affected.
Locals worry forecast rain will set back clean-up efforts
More rain in Hawke's Bay is worrying locals who have already made massive efforts to clean up from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Retailers claim minimum wage increases make it harder to maintain relativities for staff
Prime Minister Chris Hipkins announced minimum wage will go up by $1.50 an hour from 1 April and Retail NZ chief executive Greg Harford said retailers were disappointed.
CoreLogic's property economist sees turning point for building sector costs
Kelvin Davidson says there are signs of a turning point for the building sector, despite construction costs hitting a record high.