Laura Dooney
Wellington's bus chaos good news for scooter shop
50cc scooters have been flying out of the door of a central Wellington scooter shop, and staff say the new bus timetable and routes are the reason why. The routes created by the regional council and… Audio
More knowledge needed about plastics in the ocean - National
Ministry for Environment has come under fire for not having more information about how much plastic is in New Zealand's oceans. Officials were today questioned on their knowledge, but National MP… Audio
State care abuse survivors await Royal Commission
Survivors of abuse in state care are worried about how long it is taking to get a Royal Commission of Inquiry underway. The inquiry was announced in February, and after consultation, a report written… Audio
Wellington City Council accredited as living wage employer
Wellington City Council has become the first local authority in the country to get accreditation as a living wage employer, joining another 110 employers across New Zealand. Audio
Part of Te Papa collection stored in dirty warehouse
One of Te Papa's most important whale skeletons is being stored in a building that was dirty, and had birds, insects, and possibly rodents living in it. Experts are shocked to hear how the national… Audio
Taranaki braces for more bad weather, possible tornadoes
Taranaki is bracing for another evening of terrible weather, possibly bringing more tornados, after being roughed up by one last night. The forecast's slightly better further north in the Bay of… Audio
Plans for joint convention centre and movie museum scrapped
Plans to build a convention centre in Wellington that would also be home to Sir Peter Jackon's movie museum have been scrapped, but both parties vow to go ahead with the projects separately. Audio
Man denied treatment for MS because he couldn't walk 500m
A man living with multiple sclerosis says Pharmac denied funding for his medication because he was unable to walk more than 500m - one of the criteria patients and advocates say needs to be… Audio
Insight: Water - Who Pays?
RNZs Local Government reporter Laura Dooney takes a closer look at the huge financial pressures facing local councils trying to keep our water safe and clean. Video, Audio
Local councils hold tight to water control
Local councils say there's no way water should be removed from their control under a Government review. It's investigating how councils run drinking, waste and stormwater, and whether they can afford… Audio
25 jobs could go in Te Papa restructure
Public outcry is building after details of a restructure at Te Papa were revealed. Up to 25 jobs could go if the proposed shake-up goes ahead as outlined. Audio
More details of proposed job losses at Te Papa
RNZ News has learned more details of plans to cut jobs at the national museum, Te Papa. The proposed changes have led to fears the country's treasures won't be looked after properly. And staff at Te… Audio
'Skinner has declined to speak' - Goochland County sheriff
A New Zealand man who was shot in the US trying to enter the house of a teenage girl he'd met online, has now been arrested and is being held in a secure ward at a local hospital. Twenty-five-year old… Audio
One dead after Papakura house fire
One person is dead after a house fire in Papakura, Auckland. Fire and Emergency says it got the call at 3.20am that the large house was alight. Northern communications shift Manager Scott Osborne told… Audio
NZTA re-evaluating planned Ōtaki-Levin highway
The Transport Agency is re-evaluating a planned four lane highway aimed at making the road safer, and opening up the corridor between the two towns, north of Wellington. Audio
Prison for Mongrel Mob meth ringleader
Steven Blance and William Berkland, both members of the Mongrel Mob, pleaded guilty to a raft of drugs charges earlier this year. Video, Audio
Council could partly fund Kapiti Auckland flights
Kāpiti Coast District Council is considering putting up some money to help get local flights off the ground again, after Air New Zealand stopped its daily flight between Paraparaumu and Auckland in… Audio
Girl with disability misses weeks of school after Ministry delay
A 12-year-old girl with disabilities had her transport to school cut off for weeks due to delays from the Ministry of Education. The family had to reapply for the service, after moving just five… Audio
Climate change experts urge govt to do more - now
A climate change group's final report has called on the government to be more proactive in the face of climate change, and do more to figure out how to pay for the work it needs to do. Audio
Wairarapa flood protection plan confusing - locals
Wairarapa residents living in floodprone areas are confused and angry about a proposal to change the way they pay for flood protection. The Greater Wellington Regional Council wants to change the… Audio