Stories by Rayssa Almeida
News
How do you ditch a Christmas tree?
Once the festivities wrap up, figuring out what to do with that parched pine tree in your lounge is a chore many people are happy to postpone.
'Hostile confrontation' on streets of Peru unnerving, NZer says
A New Zealander living and working in Peru says protests in the country are out of control, and everyone is scared.
Cost of living, rentals factors as SPCA inundated with animals needing foster homes
Auckland's SPCA in Mangere claims every year the centre is reaching breaking-point to be able to catch up with the backlog of cats to be fostered.
Kāinga Ora puts social housing development on hold after backlash
The development in Auckland has been controversial since the beginning, with Kāinga Ora apologising for "missing a step" and not opening the project for community consultation.
A Christmas tattoo: How far is too far when expressing your love?
One woman spent thousands of dollars on a full back tattoo with all the North Pole has to offer to celebrate the jolly season.
Rhythm & Vines face backlash over keeping convicted rapper in line-up
Organisers for Gisborne music festival Rhythm & Vines say artist Dizzee Rascal will remain in this year's line-up, despite a conviction for domestic violence. Audio
'True family man': Indian community mourns Sandringham dairy worker
The Indian community says the death of Sandringham dairy worker Janak Patel should not be in vain.
When is it too early for Christmas decorations?
For some, fairy lights and Santas should only be allowed after 1 December, but is there a right time to get festive? Many are making the effort now.
Man collapses and dies after 'disturbance' on Auckland street
Police were called to Ronayne Street about 4am after reports a man was causing a disturbance.
Security firms inundated and unable to cope with pre-Xmas demand
Security companies say there is a massive demand for services and staff are struggling to cope in the run-up to Christmas.
Rotorua residents say 'no more' to emergency housing
Rotorua residents say the concession of more emergency housing contracts will take a toll on the community.
Emergency housing in Rotorua has 'created a monster', motel owner says
Residents and business owners say the emergency housing system in Rotorua is "a bloody fiasco".
Rotorua is a 'ghost town' due to emergency housing crisis, resident says
A resident says Rotorua has become a "ghost town" because of the rise on motels serving as emergency housing.
St John hopes CPR training will increase cardiac arrest survival rate
Hato Hone St John hopes to train 10,000 people around the country this month in CPR with the aim of increasing the survival rate of those who have cardiac arrests.
SPCA recovers 13 weak, underfed pigs living in very poor conditions
The SPCA has recovered 13 pigs left in very poor conditions in a property in the Wellington region.
Auckland police investigate series of burglaries overnight
Two teenagers have been arrested following ram raids on a petrol station and a store in Auckland.
More than 100 passengers forced to wait in airport corridor overnight
Passengers were reportedly told they could not go through the security screening point because it was not staffed until 5am, forcing them to sit and wait in a cold hallway until the area opened. Audio
Making the four-day week work: 'You've got to move to the future'
Businesses who have started offering their staff a four-day working week say this is what the future of employment should look like.
Former Auckland MIQ facility Jet Park Hotel set to reopen to public
One of the first and biggest hotels to become a managed isolation facility in Auckland is ready to re-open its door for guests. Audio
Strippers paying thousands in fines, bonds to be able to perform: 'I was now losing money'
Between bonds, fines and unexpected costs, some adult performers say they are losing money at their jobs - and are trying to get attention on their treatment. Audio
'It's traumatising' - Sex workers report everyday discrimination in banking, business
Sex workers say discrimination still "makes it hell" to get a mortgage, a bank account or simply open a business.
Blood cancer patient charity campaigns for Pharmac to fund medicine
Blood cancer patients are urging Pharmac to fund a medicine that would restore the quality of life of those suffering with the disease.
Owners get lowdown on dog threat to coastal species in DOC campaign
Unmanaged dogs injure or kill many native and critically endangered marine mammals and coastal birds every year in New Zealand, DOC says.
Land around Mangamuka Gorge 'constantly moving' - Far North deputy mayor
The Far North Deputy Major says major arterial roads have been left looking like an 'earthquake zone' after wild weather hit the region last week.
Release of police dog on young people unjustified - IPCA
Setting a police dog on two young people, resulting in serious injuries, was unjustified, an investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority has found.