Tess Brunton
Helicopter crash survivors treated at Invercargill hospital
The three men who survived a helicopter crash near the Auckland Islands are back on the mainland, where they are being treated at Southland Hospital. Reporter Tess Brunton joins Checkpoint from… Video, Audio
Revamped Maniototo Hospital opened after years of fundraising
A Central Otago community's hard work has paid off with the opening of a new multi-million dollar hospital. The revamped Maniototo Hospital - which includes 29 new beds - begins a new era of medical… Audio
Public paying to keep industrial waste off roads
Stock effluent disposal sites are used to keep animal waste off New Zealand roads and prevent it from seeping into the environment. But local authorities and the Transport Agency are responsible for… Audio
Toxic material washing up after floodwaters spread rubbish
On the West Coast, toxic material is washing up after floodwaters spread rubbish from an abandoned landfill. While the river spreading the rubbish from the closed Fox Glacier Township Landfill has… Audio
Iraqi refugee family says Dunedin accommodation making them sick
A Iraqi refugee says his family has had to endure cold and damp living conditions in Dunedin because they weren't provided a full picture of the home they were moving into. Video, Audio
West Coast residents lose ‘lifeline’ south of Franz Josef
It usually takes just 25 minutes to travel between Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, but it's now a 12-hour drive after the Waiho Bridge was washed away by the rising river. Video, Audio
Dunedin City Council vows to oppose racism
Dunedin City Council has vowed to oppose racism in the city in a show of solidarity to the Muslim community after the attacks. The accused gunman lived in the city and had identified the Dunedin… Audio
Student climate change protest
Students across the country are taking to the streets today as a part of a worldwide protest against climate change. Elspeth Tilley tells us why it's important to encourage young people to challenge… Audio
Wanaka residents incensed by hotel plans
Residents at a Wanaka subdivision say they are being effectively gagged from having a say on what happens in their own backyard. A resource consent for a 113-room hotel for the Northlake subdivision… Audio
Queenstown locals to have say on local visitor tax
Tourists have warned they'll give Queenstown a second thought if a local visitor tax is imposed in the resort town. The Queenstown Lakes District Council has voted unanimously to hold a referendum on… Audio
No more large-scale developments in Queenstown, locals plea
A proposed special housing area in Queenstown is copping flack from the community who say the town can't cope with the influx of more people. And as Tess Brunton reports, more housing developments… Audio
New rules on cough medicines could limit access - GPs
Ministry of Health has reclassified several commonly used cough medicines, so they have to be obtained from a pharmacist or with a prescription - not just off the shelf. GPs say that could make… Audio
Half of Wanaka's KiwiBuild homes sitting unsold
In Wanaka, only five out of the original ten Kiwibuild homes at the Northlake subdivision have sold, while more than 200 homes are due to be built over the next two years. Our Otago-Southland reporter… Audio
Half of Wanaka’s KiwiBuild houses remain empty
Wanaka's housing market is booming and affordable housing is in high demand, but why are five out of ten KiwiBuild homes sitting empty? The original ten were offered in a ballot, but only five have… Audio
Jet boat community shocked by racer’s death
The jetboat community is reeling after Christchurch businessman Cameron Moore died when his jet boat left the water and skidded up an embankment during a race in Wanaka yesterday. Audio
Investigation underway after fatal jet boat crash
Investigations have begun after a competitor in a jet boat race was killed in a crash on the Clutha River near Wanaka on Sunday. Two people were in the boat - one survived and is in hospital with… Audio
Horse dies after being stabbed 41 times
A miniature horse has died after being stabbed more than 40 times in what SPCA describes as a frenzy attack. SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen says it's one of the worst cases of animal cruelty she… Audio
Dunedin woman recovering after Lime scooter injury
American Masters student Renee Whitehouse is recovering in hospital after being hit by a truck whilst riding an e-scooter home after work. Video, Audio
Health Minister fast-tracking cancer plan amid criticism
Health Minister David Clark is fast tracking a national action plan for cancer. It comes as a conference on cancer highlights major flaws in the public health system. The conference, held by Otago… Audio
Survival mode: Why some rural emergency services are under threat
Insight - Rural GPs and nurses are thin on the ground and the pressure on those trying to provide life saving emergency help is even more evident over the summer. Tess Brunton explores if they can… Audio
