Sam Olley
Protest against Kaipara mayor who banned councillor's karakia
Close to 400 people have gathered in Dargaville to protest the Kaipara mayor, who shut down a councillor from opening a hui with a karakia two weeks ago.
Craig Jepson has since backed down from the… Audio
Inquiry finds emergency housing failed to meet basic standards
An inquiry has found emergency housing is failing to meet the most basic standards of decent accommodation and is a breach of human rights.
A report by the Human Rights Commission has found three… Audio
Around the motu: Sam Olley in Northland
The Kaipara Council karakia controversy rolls on, doctor shortages force cut backs at Rawene Hospital and it's been a year since the Kaimaumau Fires, which yielded a 9 million dollar emergency… Audio
Prison programme helps gang members put down patches
Gang members are putting down their patches in a prison programme led by a former-offender.
The Auckland Serco facility Kohuora, also known as Wiri Men's prison, says the number of charges laid… Audio
Pūwhakamua: Prisoner speaks about leaving gang
An Auckland prison says a programme led by a former offender is reducing gang membership, and crime behind bars.
One-hundred and fifty prisoners are participating in Pūwhakamua at the Serco facility… Audio
Ukrainian refugees learning English to get jobs
Ukrainian refugees who could barely say the English alphabet when they arrived here have since learned enough of the language to get jobs.
They've been doing classes at the Mānukau Institute of… Audio
Kaipara mayor stands firm on decision to ban karakia
Kaipara's mayor has been accused of racism and cultural ignorance, after stopping a councillor opening a hui with a karakia.
Craig Jepson interrupted councillor Pera Paniora several times last week… Audio
Black Ferns' crunchtime: 'Complacency is your enemy'
It's crunchtime for the Black Ferns this weekend when they face Wales in the Women's Rugby World Cup quarter final in Whangārei.
They've had a big boost with co-captain Kennedy Simon named to play… Audio
Far North Mayoralty still undecided
At least 40 percent of the elected mayors are new, after the elections reveal a lean to the centre right candidates.
University of Auckland politics professor Lara Greaves told Morning Report it… Audio
Officials warned govt not to strip tenancies act rights from emergency housing
Health officials warned the government not to strip emergency housing users of protection under the Residential Tenancies Act saying removing such rights couldn't be justified.
The government went… Audio
Documents reveal police actions toward Northland pair
A police investigation into the women who prompted an 11-day lockdown in Northland last year shows police didn't lay charges because the women got sick, and couldn't work the jobs they said they… Audio
Mum sends child to the South Island to avoid youth gang
A North Island mother who sent her son to Christchurch to escape a gang, says organised criminals are exploiting kids.
The mother - who RNZ has agreed not to name - says her child aged under 14 was… Audio
Far North residents plan to leave due to lack of healthcare
Some Far North residents say their access to basic healthcare is so bad that they're planning on leaving the region.
This comes after revelations that a shortage of health workers means there wil be… Audio
Gaps in local body election noms as deadline approaches
People wanting to stand for local government have just a few hours left to put their hat in the ring.
Nominations close at midday but some seats still have no candidates.
As Sam Olley reports, Te… Audio
Man believed to be mauled to death by dogs in Panguru
A man in Northland is believed to have been mauled to death by dogs on a Panguru property in Hokianga in Northland.
One dog was shot dead by police, two were captured and three remain on the loose… Audio
'Deliverance' ritual at Celebration Church under spotlight
A controversial Christchurch church accused of being "toxic" "hurtful" and "extreme" is facing further accusations.
Ex-members have independently contacted RNZ saying they were traumatised by the the… Audio
Cost of living funds to ex-pats 'salt in wound' for NZers struggling
Nearly 1000 people have opted out of the government's $350 cost of living payments.
The first installments have been landing in bank accounts today. But there's been a sour tinge to the government's… Audio
Joe Biden's swamp kauri bowl causing stir in Northland
A swamp kauri bowl gifted to the US President has upset Northland environmentalists who are calling it an "appalling" mistake.
The Prime Minister gave the bowl to Joe Biden on her recent visit to… Audio
Man waited 4.5 hours on hold to Air NZ
A man who waited 4.5 hours on the phone to Air New Zealand, then gave up, says the airline needs to introduce a permanent call-back service.
The company's facing the wrath of fliers unable to… Audio
Consumer confidence lowest seen since 1988
Rock-bottom consumer confidence has economists talking about the R word - recession.
The Westpac McDermott Miller Consumer Confidence Index out today shows consumers have never been as hesitant -… Audio