Sarah Robson

Most of the defendants accused of health and safety breaches in the lead-up to the deadly Whakaari eruption are not yet in a position to enter pleas. 13 parties have been charged by Worksafe… Audio

The 13 organisations and individuals charged by Worksafe in the aftermath of the eruption are due back in court today.

They are accused of health and safety breaches in the lead-up to the disaster -… Audio

The extended pause to the travel bubble with Victoria has forced some people to make changes to their plans.

With Victoria in lockdown the government here has decided to maintain a pause on… Audio

No one has ever had their benefit cut for failing to get their children to school, or into early education, or enrolled with a doctor.

That's despite the requirement for parents on the benefit to… Audio

The boost to benefits was the centrepiece of Budget 2021, but questions are already being asked about whether it's enough to keep pace with the rising cost of living.

Beneficiaries will get up to $55… Video, Audio

It's being billed as a once in a generation increase to benefits that will lift thousands of children out of poverty.

But those at the sharp end say it won't go far enough to help the worst-off… Audio

The Salvation Army says the government's boost to benefits doesn't go far enough to lift families out of poverty.

Benefits will increase by $20 a week in July, with a further increase next April… Audio

Solo mums on the benefit say it's tough to make ends meet each week - and more money to lift benefits in this week's budget would be a huge relief. The government has promised to overhaul the welfare… Audio

Auckland's Te Puea Marae was thrown into the spotlight five years ago, as it opened its doors to help dozens of homeless whānau.

It's still helping vulnerable families, as a transitional housing… Audio

The government has made lifting thousands more children out of poverty a key priority, but solo mums on the benefit say they're struggling to make ends meet each week - and want to see more help in… Audio

The government's promised to lift thousands of children out of poverty and reform the welfare system - but those struggling to make ends meet say it's not getting any easier.

In the lead-up to this… Audio

One in five children are living in households where food can run out, and one in three are living in houses that are unaffordable for their whānau.

That's the bleak picture painted by the latest… Audio

Two new reports on child poverty and wellbeing paint a gloomy picture for tamariki and whanau doing it tough. Among the statistics, one in five children are living in households where food runs out… Audio

The amount of money the Ministry of Social Development has paid out to help people with car repairs has tripled in the last six years.

Demand for hardship assistance remains high: in the year to… Audio

The unemployment rate has defied the expectations of economists, banks and Treasury. Is it hiding the reality of the job situation, or did the wage subsidy save us?  Audio

Finance Minister Grant Robertson has just delivered another pre-budget speech to business leaders, this time in Auckland.

Reporter Sarah Robson was there. Audio

Two men will be jailed for life, after being convicted for murder and aggravated robbery over the Red Fox Tavern shooting more than 30 years ago. Father of two Chris Bush was 43 when he was gunned… Audio

New research has found there has been a significant drop in the number of parents smacking their children.

The University of Otago study, published in the Medical Journal, used data collected as part… Audio

The temperatures are dropping, which means power bills will soon start rising.

The government's winter energy payment for beneficiaries and pensioners kicks in from Saturday, but some say it doesn't… Audio

Winter is just around the corner and some pensioners are already thinking about what they can cut back on so they can pay their power bills.

The winter energy payment for people on benefits and… Audio