Michael Cropp
Wellington residents urge parking fee hike backdown
People living on the fringe of Wellington's CBD are urging the council to dial back a planned parking fee hike, with some saying it will make them think twice about using their car. But as Michael… Video, Audio
Parents, nurses and PM celebrate PlunketLine's 25th birthday
The parents of a newborn who fell ill with potentially lethal meningitis, say they're incredibly grateful for Plunketline as the telephone support service celebrated its 25th birthday today. Video, Audio
Fruit rots and workers suffer amid Hawke's Bay labour shortage
An official labour shortage has been extended in the Hawke's Bay region to allow tourists to apply for visa variations -- but orchardists say it's too little too late, and they're calling on the… Audio
Primary school teachers reject government’s latest offer
Primary school teachers are considering more strikes after they voted against the government's latest pay offer, which they say wasn't very different to those they'd already rejected. Video, Audio
Wellington commuters could be stung by fare changes
Wellington commuters could end up paying an extra 450 dollars a year to bus to work, compared to going the same distance by train, if proposed fare changes go ahead. Audio
Wellington apartment block evacuated after slip
A block of flats in Aro Street has been evacuated after a large slip has come down behind it. Audio
Labour's student allowance boost welcomed by the sector
Students say a $50 a week boost for student allowances could be the difference between living in a cold and damp flat, or a warm and dry one. Video, Audio
Landing bigger planes in Wellington not possible, Court hears
The long legal battle over plans to land bigger jets at Wellington airport without expanding its safety zone has reached the Supreme Court. RNZ reporter Michael Cropp discusses all the circuits and… Audio
Renters call for WOFs to be made compulsory
Wellington City Council has launched a Warrant of Fitness for landlords, but while it's a good start, renters says the voluntary scheme should be compulsory. Audio
Half of emergency doctors report bullying by colleagues
Nearly half of all emergency doctors and trainees report being bullied, discriminated against or sexually harassed by their colleagues while on the job, a survey has found. Audio
Mental health screening 'futile' - school counsellors
A multi-million dollar screening process to identify students with mental health problems has been called well meaning but futile unless it's backed up by specialists to treat them. Audio
Planning urgently needed to deal with NZ population growth - economists
Statistics New Zealand says the population is increasing by one person every 6 minutes and 39 seconds. Economists say it's come at a great cost, putting undue strain on the country's infrastructure… Audio
Seabed mining a 'dangerous precedent' - Taranaki locals, conservationists
Environmental groups are warning a dangerous precedent has been set, paving the way for more seabed mining in the country's waters. Audio
Sugary drinks tax petition signed by 10,000 given to MPs
Public health advocates and researchers have backed up their call for a sugary drinks tax with a petition signed by nearly 10,000 people. Video, Audio
Kiwifruit growers open case against MPI over PSA in court
Kiwifruit growers are arguing the MPI failed to protect them from known biosecurity risks, and should never have let the vine killing disease PSA slip into the country. Audio
Councils vote in favour of getting more powers to control cats
The country's councils are calling on the Government to give them extra powers to protect wildlife from cats including microchipping, de-sexing and registration. Audio
Councils want government to help pay for flood protection
Local councils reeling from the effects of devastating storms want the government to step in and help pay for flood protection. Audio
Horowhenua's old mayor defends email handling process
Horowhenua's former mayor is standing by his old chief executive, who has been intercepting and moderating emails sent by the public to council staff and councillors. Our local government reporter… Audio
Gales, rain batter centre of New Zealand as storm moves north
A bruising winter storm with powerful winds and heavy rain is thrashing the centre of the country this morning. Audio
Fears country's essential infrastructure being run down
The Assistant Auditor General is worried the country's struggling councils are running down essential infrastructure such as drinking water, sewers and flood barriers, which could mean future… Audio
