Wellington Region
Unitec and Whitireia need massive government bailouts
Extreme financial difficulties have prompted multi-million-dollar government bailouts for two more polytechnics, Unitec in Auckland and Whitireia in Porirua.
Development's opponents want to protect environment and history
Opponents of a $500 million development in Wellington are continuing to fight for the area in court.
Defence lawyer urges jury to keep open mind in rape case
The Crown and Defence have given their opening statements for the trial of five men over the abduction and rape of a young woman in Kapiti.
Kapiti Coast to Auckland flight back up and running
Air Chathams stepped in to resurrect the Kapiti to Auckland route after Air New Zealand abandoned it in April. The first Air Chathams flight departed this morning. Audio
'We know there have been problems'
After weeks of complaints, Wellington will get back its popular route 18 service.
Wellington submarine pipe to supply water in an emergency
A pipe is to be built under Wellington Harbour to supply the capital with fresh water in the event of a large earthquake.
Plans for joint convention centre and movie museum scrapped
Plans to build a convention centre in Wellington that would also be home to Sir Peter Jackon's movie museum have been scrapped, but both parties vow to go ahead with the projects separately. Audio
Wellington bus passengers revolt
Angry bus commuters gathered at Wellington's Newtown Community Centre last night to let the regional council know just how frustrating the new bus service is for them, with people sharing stories of… Audio
Fare protest floated for frustrated Wgtn bus commuters
Fed up Wellington bus passengers should consider not paying their fares in protest at the capital's revamped public transport network, a community organiser says.
'Projectile' family took home has been detonated - police
A live projectile from World War Two, found by children in a Wellington regional park, has been safely detonated.
What's next for the capital's under fire bus network?
Public transport advocates say they are happy progress is being made on capital's botched bus overhaul, but more needs to be done on the hubs system and on problem bus routes. It follows an admission… Audio
Wellington Regional Council issues bus mea culpa
Public transport woes continue to plague two of the country's biggest cities - in Auckland the effort to phase out school buses in favour of "normal" public transport seems to have backfired, while… Audio
Henry Wong Doe plays Rachmaninov
NZ pianist Henry Wong Doe talks about playing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No 2. with the APO tonight. Audio
Upbeat Thursday 9 August
We feature piano from a classical and jazz perspective: NZ pianist Henry Wong Doe plays Rachmaninov with the APO and American jazz pianist Shelly Berg is soloist for the NZSM Orchestra and Big Band.
…Coming up
Nights' Pundit Dr Eric Crampton
Nights' Pundit and Chief Economist at The New Zealand Initiative, Dr Eric Crampton joined us in the studio to take a look at localism and subsidiarity. Local Government New Zealand has suggested a… Audio
Wellington's old trolley buses are making a comeback
Wellington's old trolley buses were taken off the roads late last year but 50 of them will now be converted into battery powered vehicles, with some back on the road as soon as January. Audio
Oranga Tamariki ignoring safety report, grandmother says
A Hutt Valley grandmother says an Oranga Tamariki safety report recommends her grand-daughter should be in her care full-time, but she's not.
Wellington council to hold meetings for fed-up bus commuters
Three weeks on from the launch of Wellington's new bus network, some frustrated passengers have given up and reverted back to driving or catching a taxi instead.
What's in a name?
Victoria University is holding a meeting tonight at the Rutherford House lecture theatre, the first of three meetings this week to consult on its proposed change of name to "University of Wellington".
…Insight: Water - Who Pays?
RNZs Local Government reporter Laura Dooney takes a closer look at the huge financial pressures facing local councils trying to keep our water safe and clean. Video, Audio
