Nick Butcher
Neighbours tell of frantic screams
Neighbours of an elderly woman who died in a Wellington house fire today say they heard her screams for help, but the fire was so fierce all they could do was try to douse it with garden hoses. Audio
Unions say 25 cent wage increase both cynical and insulting
Trade Unions say a 25 cent an hour increase in the minimum wage is both cynical and insulting and will do nothing to improve the living standards of the country's lowest paid workers. Audio
Major travelling exhibition of Ralph Hotere works
A major travelling exhibition of Ralph Hotere works is being planned for later this year, as art lovers and collectors come to terms with his death. Audio
Gareth Morgan challenges suburb to become cat free
The philanthropist Gareth Morgan took his anti-cat message to a public meeting in Wellington last night -- and was left with the last word when some angry cat owners walked out before he'd finished. Audio
Finding Tongan criminals in NZ could take time
An immigration lawyer says officials will struggle to track down about 40 Tongans thought to be living in the country whose criminal records were cleared so that they could obtain visas. Audio
Up to three thousand people displaced, aid just beginning
Nine people are confirmed dead and up to three thousand are homeless following the eight-point-zero magnitude earthquake and tsunami in Solomon Islands. Audio
Wages rise overall but unions argue many miss out
Latest figures show an annual rise in wages of one-point-eight percent but a union group says almost half of all workers got no pay increase at all. Audio
Questions over golfers' use of deer velvet spray
Questions are being asked whether professional golfers who have been using deer velvet spray have been playing with an unfair advantage. Audio
Days of fear of dentists drill and needles could be numbered
The days of children living in fear of the dentists drill could be coming to an end. Audio
Unions to fight for thousands of postal worker jobs
Unions are vowing to fight for thousands of jobs that could be lost if a plan to cut postal delivery services to just three days a week goes ahead. Audio
Confessions of a hitchhiker
Nick Butcher meets some interesting people while hitch-hiking to Palmesrton North. Audio
The mysteries of Matiu-Somes Island revealed
Nick Butcher spends a night on Matiu-Somes Island. Audio
Kapiti coast highway site holds secrets of early Maori
A long stretch of grassy dunes on the Kapiti Coast that may be the path for a highway linking Manawatu and central Wellington is to be studied by archaeologists. Audio
Learning a second language
Is it time to make learning a second language compulsory? We preview tonight's Outspoken programme on this subject. Audio
Social service demand at saturation point in 2012
Key social support services say demand for help from vulnerable people this year reached a saturation point that they can barely keep up with. Audio
Young drinkers say alcohol warning labels won't work
Young drinkers and an accident and emergency doctor say labels on alcoholic beverages warning about the risk of death from excessive drinking would have little effect on society. Audio
Palestinians and Jewish Council concerned for homeland people
At least 64 Palestinians have been killed in the airstrikes, which Israel says will continue as long as Hamas fire rockets into its territory. Audio
Ordinary NZers celebrate birthdays with Prince Charles
Sixty-four New Zealanders celebrating birthdays yesterday got to do it in royal style, rubbing shoulders with the visiting royal couple. Audio
New Hurricanes partnership worth about 3 million dollars
Shareholders in the new Hurricanes super rugby franchise are adamant they'll get a return on their investment valued at about three million dollars. Audio
800 mourners attend defence lawyer Greg King's funeral
About eight hundred mourners including judges, police, government ministers, MPs and patched gang members have farewelled the high profile criminal defence lawyer Greg King. Audio