Nick Butcher

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 are being asked whether professional golfers who have been using deer velvet spray have been playing with an unfair advantage. Audio

The days of children living in fear of the dentists drill could be coming to an end. Audio

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

Nick Butcher meets some interesting people while hitch-hiking to Palmesrton North. Audio

Nick Butcher spends a night on Matiu-Somes Island. Audio

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

Is it time to make learning a second language compulsory? We preview tonight's Outspoken programme on this subject. Audio

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 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

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

Sixty-four New Zealanders celebrating birthdays yesterday got to do it in royal style, rubbing shoulders with the visiting royal couple. Audio

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

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