Jean Bell
Lengthy jail terms handed out in country's largest meth bust
Two men have been given lengthy jail terms for their part in importing nearly half a tonne of methamphetamine into New Zealand - Customs' largest bust in this country to date. Auckland man Isaiah John… Audio
Auckland water use reduction: 80,000 smart meters rolled out
Nearly 80,000 smart water meters will be rolled out across Auckland in the next four years as part of the city's efforts to solve its water woes.
The rollout is part of Auckland Council's plan to… Audio
Pacific Island teams on the way to Super Rugby
Rugby fans are cheering plans for Moana Pasifika and Fijian Drua to join a new professional competition next year.
New Zealand Rugby has announced both teams have been granted conditional licences to… Audio
Health officials scramble to find Covid-19 spread source at MIQ
Health authorities are scrambling to work out how Covid-19 spread between workers at Auckland's Grand Millennium managed isolation hotel.
Last night, officials announced that a third worker at the… Audio
Britomart's Chief Post Office building reopening to passengers
Auckland's Britomart Station will reopen part of the building closed for four years due to City Rail Link construction today.
Mana whenua blessed the reopening of the Chief Post Office building this… Audio
Infrastructure neglect a big risk for Tauranga ratepayers
Tauranga residents are being warned the area will pay in other ways if it doesn't invest in infrastructure.
The city's four commissioners are working through its upcoming long term plan after taking… Audio
Northland Councils want some of Housing Acceleration Fund
Cash strapped Northland councils are delighted at the prospect of getting their hands on some of the $3.8b fund that could help them build more houses.
The infrastructure fund is part of the… Audio
One year since first lockdown announcement
The Prime Minister made the call to put the country into lockdown because of Covid-19 one year ago on Tuesday.
Other countries were being ravaged by the virus and at the time, Aotearoa New Zealand… Audio
Denver Chance murder trial - detective describes scene
Warning: Parts of this report may distress some listeners.
A detective has recounted the lead up to discovering the body of Denver Chance in a chest freezer.
Jay Lingman denies murdering Chance but… Audio
Denver Chance killing: Man pleads not guilty to fatal shooting
Warning: Report contains details that may disturb some listeners.
A trial is underway for a man accused of shooting a man three times in the head before storing the body in a chest freezer.
The… Audio
Ex-state caregiver accused of sexual assault takes stand at trial
A former state-approved caregiver accused of sexually abusing boys took the stand today to give evidence at his trial. Earl William Opetaia denies 26 charges relating to six teens, dating back to the… Audio
Small occupation pops up in opposition to Erebus memorial
Three protesters' tents are still in place this morning on the site of the proposed Erebus memorial in Parnell.
Community leader Dame Rangimarie Naida Glavish says the site is culturally significant… Audio
Elderly should be next in line for Covid-19 vaccine - advocate
More than 9,000 frontline border workers have received the Covid-19 jab, and their families are next on the list.
A retirement village resident says older people should come straight after that.
… Audio
Covid-19: Auckland Arts Festival among many events scrambling to reschedule
The ripple effect of the latest alert level changes is being felt by event organisers today, with many scrambling to reschedule with others have been forced to can their event all together.
While… Audio
Bay of Plenty food bank demand jumps by a third in two years
The number of people needing help to have enough to eat and somewhere to live has soared in Bay of Plenty in lockstep with the cost of housing.
Demand for food parcels has jumped by a third, while… Audio
High hopes for new commissioners in Tauranga
Tauranga leaders have high hopes the newly announced commissioners taking over at the city's council will focus on tackling infrastructure problems as a top priority.
The commissioners were appointed… Audio
Tauranga City Council commissioners to be named
The commissioners who will take over the dysfunctional Tauranga City Council are set to be announced this week.
The Minister for Local Government, Nanaia Mahuta, sacked the council after the city's… Audio
DIA considers potential commissioners for Tauranga City Council
Just weeks before the government appoints commissioners to the Tauranga City Council, local leaders still don't agree on the best way for the city to move forward. The council is set to be replaced by… Audio
Sniffer dogs brought in to fight Kauri dieback
The country's first sniffer dogs specialising in kauri dieback are ready to get to work in the fight against the disease. The two dogs will add first line of defence against the incurable disease that… Audio
2020 disasters reveal inadequate mental health system
A Whakatane therapist says the Whakaari eruption and Christchurch mosque shooting reveal a health system unable to deal with mass casualty events.
Now there are calls for millions of dollars of… Audio