Rachel Thomas
Wellington Water: partially treated sewage ends up in harbour
New Zealanders flush toilets millions of times each day, but official data shows many of them lead to treatment plants that are not meeting conditions for treating wastewater. Data is available on… Audio
Tuatara genome sheds light on disease resistance, long life
The same man who went looking for the Loch Ness monster has now led a study that reveals the inner fabric of New Zealand's most famous Jurassic survivor - the tuatara. Two years ago, Neil Gemmell from… Audio
Muslim leaders want transcript of Christchurch gunman's interview made public
The Royal Commission into the Attack on the Christchurch Mosques has revealed it has interviewed the man who shot 51 people dead at the Al Noor and Linwood mosques last year.
Brenton Tarrant's guilty… Audio
A lot riding on Chch shooting royal commission report - victim's sister
The Royal Commission into the Attack on the Christchurch Mosques has revealed it has interviewed the man who shot 51 people dead at Al Noor and Linwood mosques last year.
Brenton Tarrant's guilty… Audio
Iwi want to block Auckland bid to draw water from Waikato River
Waikato iwi want to block Auckland Council's bid to more than double the city's daily water grab from the Waikato River.
Auckland's mayor has asked the Environment Select Committee to add the consent… Audio
Expert says offer of help with dolphin protection plan was ignored
An international marine expert has waded in on debate over the science underpinning a plan to save Maui and Hector's dolphins, saying she tried to help, and was ignored.
The plan - which remains… Audio
Peace activists call for NZ to pull out of war games exercise
Peace activists say New Zealand shouldn't send a ship to take part in a major war games exercise off the coast of Hawaii.
The Rim of the Pacific exercise - or Rimpac - is the world's largest… Audio
Protests underway against Naval exercises in Hawaii
A petition and weekend of action is planned to protest New Zealand's involvement in a major naval exercise in Hawaii in August. The Rim of the Pacific exercise - or Rimpac, is the world's largest… Audio
National Plan of Action for Seabirds working to zero deaths
The Government has launched a new plan aimed at stopping the thousands of seabird deaths that happen from commercial fishing each year. More seabirds breed in New Zealand waters than anywhere else in… Audio
NZ needs to keep sight of ecological goals
An environmental expert says while the short term focus of the Budget makes economic sense, it's important not to lose sight of our ecological goals. 11-thousand 'nature-based jobs' are promised in… Audio
Mary Potter Hospice facing 'unsustainable' debt hole
The Mary Potter Hospice is facing a debt hole that its boss has admitted is unsustainable.
The charity's financial burden has grown after its charity shops were shut for two months and a major annual… Audio
Grieving family relieved at change to level 2 tangi rules
The heartbroken whānau of Pukekohe butcher Roy Green say they are relieved the government has loosened restrictions on tangihanga.
The young father and husband died suddenly on Sunday night, leaving… Audio
Dentists, hairdressers prepare for work in masks, gloves
Beauticians, dentists and barbers are getting ready to get back to work, but they are also having to get ready PPE gear for working in close contact with their clients.
Many small businesses have… Audio
Coronavirus: Rubbish bins overflowing with takeaway cups
New Zealanders have relished the chance to re-claim their takeaway flat whites, but at what cost to the environment?
Alert Level 4 is estimated to have saved more than 20 million coffee cups going to… Audio
Coronavirus: Small businesses desperate for rent relief
Small businesses are desperate for rent relief, with some saying they have no choice but to walk away from their lease.
On average, rent accounts for about 40-percent of a firm's fixed costs.
… Audio
Covid-19: Events industry feels the squeeze
New Zealanders planning an indoor wedding, a 21st or a funeral could be hit with a four thousand dollar fine or up to six months in jail if they invite more than a hundred people.
The crackdown is… Audio
Kea found to be brilliant problem solvers
Kea are well known as the big green parrots that steal your windscreen wipers and nick your cellphone, but this trickery may be indicative of a bird that isn't so different to humans when it comes to… Video, Audio
Problem solving kea can judge statistical odds
Kea may be best known for their irritating cry and tomfoolery, but it turns out the tricky green parrot isn't so different to humans when it comes to problem solving. In a paper published today in… Audio
Emergency meeting held on state of Wellington water
Wellington's water authorities will hold an emergency meeting today to try to find a solution to the onslaught of pollution affecting the city's rivers and beaches.
Wellington Mayor Andy Foster and… Audio
Wellington coast residents upset with water quality
Wellington's Owhiro Bay residents are fed up after more than two decades of human waste making its way into their local stream and bay. Over 20 years, the bay and it's swimming spots have been opened… Audio