Philippa Tolley
Top Stories for Friday 11 June 2021
Top stories this morning... Alarming figures show New Zealand is increasingly dependent on coal to generate electricity A shortage of nurses forces a Christchurch hospital to cancel operations Joe… Audio
Minister defends joint venture after critical Auditor-General report
Marama Davidson is defending a joint venture set up to combat the high rates of violence in Kiwi homes.
The venture was set up in 2018 to bring government and community agencies together to tackle… Audio
Government gives lifeline for visa workers
Visa workers in New Zealand have been thrown a lifeline from the government.
Around 10,000 Working Holiday visas and Supplementary Seasonal Employment work visas due to expire this year will be… Audio
Auckland tops global ranking of most liveable cities
Auckland has topped a global ranking of the most liveable cities and Wellington is 4th.
The new survey of 140 cities by the Economist Intelligence Unit has given Auckland the top spot thanks largely… Audio
Kawerau Mayor on Tasman Mill closure
The closure of the Tasman Mill in Kawerau has been confirmed, with the loss of 160 jobs.
The mill has operated in Kawerau for 66 years, but will close at the end of this month.
Kawerau Mayor Malcolm… Audio
DHBs promise to get back to negotiations with nurses
District Health Boards are promising to get back around the table with nurses following an eight-hour strike by nurses yesterday over pay.
Tens of thousands of DHB-employed nurses and their… Audio
Border exemptions to let 200 dairy workers, 50 vets into NZ
The government has announced that it will extend around 10,000 working holiday visas and Supplementary Seasonsal Employment (SSE) visas for another six months to aleviate ongoing labour shortages.
… Audio
Hanmer Ski field opens extra early thanks to Canterbury storm
The Canterbury storm brought destruction to the South Island - but also a fresh dump of snow.
Yesterday ski enthusiasts rushed to the Hanmer Springs Ski Area - the first skifield to open for the… Audio
Asylum seekers may finally be resettled in Aotearoa
It's taken eight years, but Australia looks like it might finally be ready to send some of its asylum seekers to New Zealand.
Australia's Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews is working with New… Audio
Samoa's two Prime Ministers meet for secret negotiations
Samoa's outgoing Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi and Prime Minister elect Fiame Naomi Mata'afa met on Thursday afternoon as part of secretly held negotiations about the transition to a new… Audio
Second Harbour Crossing coming for walkers and cyclists
The Transport Minister has confirmed the government will build a second Auckland harbour bridge exclusively for cyclists and walkers.
Michael Wood says the standalone structure will be built as part… Audio
Canterbury flooding: State of emergency to continue another week
A state of emergency will continue for a week in Canterbury's worst-hit flood areas.
It will remain in place in Ashburton, Selwyn and Waimakariri districts but will be lifted elsewhere across the… Audio
Canterbury floods: Holidaymakers set to hit damaged roads
The long weekend is almost here, and many will be making travel plans to get the most out of their extra day off.
But with much of Canterbury ravaged by floodwaters, motorists are being warned to… Audio
Irish health service says cyber attack had 'devastating impact'
The head of the Irish health service has said that the "devastating impact" of a ransomware cyberattack on Irish hospitals "cannot be overstated".
That attack came just days before the one that left… Audio
Federated Farmers president on flood clean up
South Canterbury got "a fair hiding" in the severe rain from Saturday to Monday - and the damage across the region shows it. Federated Farmers South Canterbury president Greg Anderson says there is a… Audio
Forest and Bird not happy with government work on whitebait
Four of six whitebait species are threatened or at risk of extinction. Yet Forest and Bird says the government's latest moves to protect the fish are wholly inadequate.
Minister for Conservation… Audio
Lawyer on laws surrounding sharing intimate pictures
What happens when a relationship dies - but shared intimate images remain?
Allegations have emerged former National Party candidate Jake Bezzant impersonated his ex-girlfriend Tarryn Flintoft online… Audio
Waikato DHB cyber attack: Big questions remain - IT expert
It's two weeks since a major cyber security attack against Waikato Hospital crippled services and raised concerns about confidential patient information.
IT security expert Daniel Ayers says big… Audio
Naomi Osaka: Post-match press conferences outdated, should be rethought - Dame Susan Devoy
Tennis star Naomi Osaka's withdrawal from the French Open has ignited concerns about the tough mental pressures and stringent demands placed on athletes.
The four Grand Slam tournaments have since… Audio
Managed isolation escape attempts dropping after police decision to prosecute
Fewer people have attempted to escape managed isolation and quarantine facilities since police decided to prosecute all absconders.
Sixty-two people broke the rules in the year after MIQ was opened… Audio
