Stories by Katie Todd
News
Kindies expect busier days as parents eye childcare savings
Childcare savings of up to $6.07 an hour are on the cards for low-income parents next year, figures provided to RNZ show.
Queen's funeral softens United Kingdom public's gaze on Royal Family
People in the United Kingdom say they will remember the funeral of the Queen as the event that made them fall in love with the royal family once again.
London shops go black to mourn Queen Elizabeth
The death of the Queen has subtly transformed some central London iconic shopfronts - with darkened windows, billboard tributes and floral decorations serving as symbols of a city in mourning. Audio
NZ Society members place floral tributes to Queen in Hyde Park
About a dozen members of the New Zealand Society UK have shared waiata in London's Hyde Park, and laid floral tributes to the Queen. Audio
Dozens of dogs taken from Northland property after fatal mauling
Twenty-five neo mastiff crosses and bulldog crosses have been rounded up at the Northland property where a man was killed in a suspected mauling yesterday afternoon.
400% increase in ram raids, few prosecutions - police data
A police report suggests groups of ram raiders are meeting in juvenile detention, and almost two thirds are escaping prosecution.
Visitors return to Ruapehu, but where is the snow?
Visitors have returned to Ruapehu after a tough few ski seasons, but a lack of snow has forced them to change plans, and led to a rocky start for local businesses.
Pakiri sandmining protesters: 'I'd like to see the dredge advertised on Trade Me'
Some coastal residents north of Auckland are preparing for a "David vs Goliath" battle to protect its soft white sand.
'We were soundly ignored': Govt spent $43k battling another pregnancy-related MIQ case
As Chris Hipkins apologises to Charlotte Bellis for comments about her MIQ application, it can be revealed the government dropped a similar case days before a scheduled court hearing.
Patients dying in ED a 'psychological hit' for doctors
Crisis meetings and investigations are continuing after Middlemore ED's long wait times appear to have cost a life on Wednesday.
Tight labour market leads to $10,000 finder's fees, large sign-on bonuses
Companies grappling with labour shortages and discerning job seekers are turning to hefty cash incentives to recruit staff - offering several-thousand dollar sign on bonuses or finders fees.
Bus drivers working 13 hour shifts call for better conditions
Auckland bus drivers working 13 hour shifts to cover staff shortages say their employers needs to take a hard look at the poor pay and "terrible" working conditions they offer.
Long-standing gang rivalry blamed for recent Auckland gun crime
The Police Association has laid the blame for shootings in Auckland and several scraps in the Far North squarely at the feet of the Tribesmen and Killer Beez gangs.
McCallum Bros to appeal after Pakiri sand mining bid rejected
Auckland's biggest supplier of sand for concrete has decided to lodge an appeal after Auckland Council rejected a bid to take more sand from Pakiri Beach.
NZers' social media comments scanned to inform Covid-19 response
A company commissioned by the government has been monitoring social media comments about the Covid-19 response for almost two years, reporting back every four days.
Govt's $1.4b housing funding: 'This is what Tamaki Makaurau desperately needs'
The mayor says the new funding is "fantastic", a property economist says investment allowing future housing is a good thing, and a developer says it's good for people and the environment.
Ram raiding 'a tragedy waiting to happen'
Fifteen to 20 ram raids are being reported each week across the country by members of the Dairy and Business Owners Group.
MIQ assessment adds 'insult to injury' for women forced to give birth abroad
Women forced to give birth overseas late last year, without any family support, say it is abhorrent health officials thought MIQ wasn't justified at that time.
MIQ not justified beyond November, health officials told govt last year
Top health officials agreed MIQ was "no longer justified" for most returnees months before incoming travellers were able to enter freely, according to a document the Ministry of Health tried to keep…
Waiheke Island hospitality businesses co-ordinating through group chat
A group of 27 restaurants and bars on Waiheke Island have turned to WhatsApp to co-ordinate their opening hours, share staff, and combat pandemic pressures.
Commercial landlord gives tenant one-star review over vax passes
An Auckland bar that has continued to use vaccine passes has received a one star Facebook review from its own landlord.
Police promise 'powerful' response to Auckland central crime spike
Police are accused of letting criminals run rampant in central Auckland and failing business owners, but say they will return to the area with a 'powerful' presence.
Government reveals plan to help combat modern slavery
The government wants businesses to do their bit to stamp out modern slavery, by reporting on anything amiss in their supply chain.
Covid-19 rule loophole allows bars and nightclubs to host seated service-free parties
A so-called grey area in the Covid-19 rules means bars and nightclubs have been hosting parties in the red light setting, free of masks or seated service. Audio
Most deaths in Omicron outbreak were of men
Nearly two-thirds of the people who have died in New Zealand's Omicron outbreak are men, and experts say the science is inconclusive as to why.