Nita Blake Persen

The government spent a record $34 million on emergency housing at hostels and motels between April and June - up nearly 230 percent from the same time last year. Nita Blake-Persen reports. Audio

Matatā residents are gearing up for a legal battle to be able to stay in their beachside homes after the council gave them an ultimatum - sell up, at market rate, or prepare for their land to be… Video, Audio

Former ACT and National MP and Auckland mayor John Banks has strongly hinted at another run at the city's top job. Checkpoint headed out on the streets of Auckland to ask if a Banks' campaign is what… Video, Audio

The government's fronted up to a South Auckland Work and Income office where parents have again been queuing since the early hours of the morning to get help accessing emergency grants. Nita… Video, Audio

Last week RNZ brought you the story of dozens of people queuing in pouring rain outside the office of Manurewa's Work and Income. The first person joined the line just after 2am last week to get an… Audio

Fears over the spread of Kauri dieback have prompted the permanent closure of 10 walking tracks in the Bay of Islands. DOC's Bay of Islands Operations Manager Martin Acroyd told our reporter Nita… Audio

Auckland Council is demanding action from a social housing provider after an elderly man lay dead in his flat for five days before being found. Bryan McGinty was found last month after neighbours… Audio

Beneficiary advocates say people in South Auckland are being forced to endure inhumane conditions to access emergency grants to feed and clothe their families. Video, Audio

A boom in the number of wild geese stalking the grounds of Auckland's Western Springs has ruffled feathers at the local council, with a cull of the birds now on the cards. But as Nita Blake-Persen… Video, Audio

The usually wet winter months are proving particularly dry this year - with parts of the country recording their driest January to June on record. The lack of rain has left Auckland's water supply… Audio

Babies are being dropped at preschool with no formula or nappies, and toddlers are going without shoes or lunches in the middle of winter. KidsCan is helping 25 early childhood centres, where teachers… Video, Audio

As the deadline closes in for the government's Healthy Homes standards, families living in state homes say more than extra insulation is needed to keep their children warm and healthy. Nita… Video, Audio

Auckland councillor Christine Fletcher is calling for all public electric scooters to be pulled from the city's streets until it's clear what caused the death of a man who died while riding a Lime… Video, Audio

An Auckland High school has been accused of spreading misinformation about vaccines during a year 12 English class - but the school says the discussion was part of a project aimed at building critical… Audio

Two people have died, and three others are seriously injured after a car was hit by a train on a rural crossing near Te Puke, Bay of Plenty. Our reporter Nita Blake-Persen is at the scene. Video, Audio

Hundreds of cows, calves and sheep are being sent to meat works in an injured, diseased or pregnant state, violating new animal welfare rules and prompting instant fines. Nita Blake-Persen reports. Video, Audio

Teachers are welcoming a new sweeter deal being offered by the government, saying it goes a long way to addressing their concerns over pay and working conditions. Audio

A leadership stoush at a marae in the heart of Auckland reached breaking point today, with former New Zealander of the year Lance O'Sullivan accused of bullying the longstanding board out of their… Video, Audio