Stories by Justin Latif

Church minister Suiva'aia Te'o says proactive communication, compassion and clear information have led to a fully vaccinated congregation.

As Auckland heads into day 80 of lockdown, a free virtual event for young people in the south of the city is offering not just an escape from the monotony, but a chance to discover a new creative…

Encouraging people to get the vaccine has been a challenging but rewarding journey for Auckland councillor Josephine Bartley.

If vaccination rates remain below 90 percent, health experts fear the worst is yet to come for South Auckland.

Teenagers as young as 14 have been needing emergency housing during lockdown, and social agencies say it's a growing issue requiring urgent attention.

As Savage's DJ, Toko Manuel plays to thousands every summer, but mentoring South Auckland's next generation of hip-hop artists is what brings him the most satisfaction.

One of the positive cases from the Assemblies of God Church of Samoa cluster has shared his experience of recuperating from Covid-19 while in quarantine with his family of eight.

It is a hard time for everyone in the hospitality industry, but one owner-operator is finding support through his popular social media account - and spreading positivity in return.

"The next week is going to be pretty tough," church spokesperson Jerome Mika says of the largest cluster in the latest Covid-19 community outbreak.

A South Auckland church's Facebook account was hit with racial abuse when it was named a Covid-19 location of interest, but the community is refusing to be dragged down by the comments.

Watercare is yet to integrate climate change into its long-term modelling tools, and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff is concerned.

After the two previous lockdowns, South Auckland leaders say not having a community outbreak located in the region is a small relief.

Can chess clubs, barbecues and cultural dance save youth from gangs? A bunch of South Aucklanders think so, as Justin Latif reports.

Auckland councillor Efeso Collins received death threats after criticising a reality police TV show, and says it's made him reconsider his future in politics.

The poor state of South Auckland's community facilities - particularly compared to wealthier areas - is well known. So how did a group of Ōtara residents convince council to build them a new…

Auckland Council inspectors are being asked to take worker exploitation more seriously after liquor licences were approved for bottle store owners breaching employment laws.

While welcoming this month's benefit increase, a group of South Auckland budgeters say it is going to require more than a few dollars to fix the "horrifying" debt faced by so many of their clients.

To some, the government's light rail project might just mean faster trips to the airport, but for the community of Māngere, it could be an economic game-changer.

Dreams of a South Auckland startup ending plastic pollution by turning recycled waste into furniture came to a crashing halt when a devastating tornado tore through its premises, Justin Latif reports.

Following the government's decision to make a formal apology for the dawn raids of the 1970s, academics, activists and community leaders have called for it to be followed up with further action.

An innovative business accelerator programme is not only helping people get a foothold into the hospitality industry but is also changing the way South Aucklanders think about their local cuisine.

Partially completed street works can make roads even more dangerous than before, a group of Māngere East residents is discovering.

Te Whāngai Trust utilises the Māori concepts of whāngai and whānau to help young South Aucklanders turn their lives around and find a career - and they do it by growing plants.

Sāmoan authors say their language is more than just a means of communication, but also a way to build confidence among their fellow youth.

A South Auckland principal has rejected the government's school lunches, saying it does nothing "for people's mana". Others say it's the village raising the child. Justin Latif reports.