Stories by Niva Chittock
News
Chch beer festival raring to go, despite initial struggle to source carbon dioxide
More than 40 brewers from across the country will descend on Christchurch's Hagley Park this weekend, for the annual Great Kiwi Beer Festival.
Ground-breaking treatment leaves patient feeling like they have 'a new body'
Being given a whole new body might sound like something from a sci-fi movie but a New Zealander says a new genetic treatment has felt just like that.
Ministry explores hospital staff parking options as extension hangs in balance
Te Whatu Ora Waitaha says it does not know when a decision will be made on whether to proceed with an overdue extension to an existing secure parking building at Christchurch Hospital.
Christchurch Hospital staff say parking shortage puts safety at risk
Christchurch Hospital nurses say their safety is being put at risk while Te Whatu Ora weighs up building some much needed parking for them.
Chris Hipkins as PM: What Christchurch's swing voters think
Three Waters, the Covid-19 response and the needs of rural communities are top of mind.
'Abuse of power,' waste company says of repeated plan rejections
The company behind a proposed waste incinerator plant has labelled a second returning of its consents an abuse of power.
'Nobody did anything': Mum says unmasked gang members put ICU patients at risk
A teenage cancer patient's mother says she felt no one was willing to ask Mongrel Mob members in Christchurch Hospital's intensive care unit to put on a mask.
'A horrible environment': Gang members block hospital parking, intimidate public
Te Whatu Ora Waitaha has confirmed gang members blocked off public parks at Christchurch Hospital in the lead-up to Christmas.
Causes of Lyttelton Harbour contamination remain under investigation
While Cass Bay's contamination levels dropped, other beaches nearby were still not safe to swim at.
Infested cruise ship concerns spark biosecurity meeting
Biosecurity NZ and the Cruise Association are working together to reduce the number of cruise ships being sent for last-minute cleaning.
Water quality making Canterbury beaches not suitable for swimming
Water quality at the beaches has consistently failed to meet Ministry of Health guidelines.
How ships meet NZ's strict biofoul thresholds
There has been an increase in demand for the work due to a shortage of cleaning facilities and stricter biofoul thresholds.
Algae-ridden cruise ship asked to leave New Zealand waters
The Viking Orion first docked in New Zealand in mid-December.
Egg shortage: Supermarket shelves bare as industry deals with supply issues
Supermarket shelves are bare of eggs while others are limiting the number of cartons customers can buy during a drop in supply.
Lack of hospital staff parking results in run-in for nurse
Christchurch Hospital staff continue to suffer parking woes as plans for other options and additional parking have yet to materialise.
'It's New Zealand's crisis': Demand for Christmas food boxes goes up
Pavlovas, jelly and pies were among some of the free Christmas treats sweetening the festive season for struggling Cantabrians.
'Investing in elective care actually saves money' - Hospital opens major new extension
Canterbury Charity Hospital says a new extension will help it offer a better quality of services to thousands of people.
Black Ferns welcomed into Christchurch
Canterbury Black Fern players received a warm welcome home this evening in Christchurch's Victoria Park.
Wāhine Māori raise awareness of safe sleeping through wahakura wānanga
It's been almost three years since wāhine in Ōtautahi have been able to come together for wahakura (co-sleeping baskets) wānanga.
Little priority given to sex education in schools, teachers say
The majority of schools are likely failing to meet the recommended teaching time for sex education, a survey suggests.
General Practice leaders hit out at being excluded from pay parity package
General Practices say it is devastating staff have been left out of a pay parity package for healthcare workers.
Vulnerable people re-traumatised by court staff taking industrial action, victim advocate says
PSA union members have been working to rule by taking their allocated breaks - but most courts have had to be cleared half an hour before breaks, leaving about two and a half hours of sitting time per…
'She was amazing': Mother seeks justice for slain daughter as inquest adjourned
The mother of a murdered woman says sitting through the inquest into her daughter's death is the hardest thing she has done.
Expert witness tells court Tainui's second murder could have been prevented
A psychology professor has told Coroner's Court in Christchurch she believes Nicole Tuxford's murder could have been prevented.
'She thought she was going to die': Mother's chilling testimony about Tainui's first victim
A mother has recounted how her daughter told her it was only a matter of time before her ex-partner killed her.