Stories by Anna Sargent
News
Smelly Christchurch composting site to operate indoors, close in 2026
Residents have been complaining about the smell for 14 years and councillors have now agreed to shift processing to an industrial site in South Hornby. Audio
Lawyers for CTV building engineer Dr Alan Reay claim allegation unwarranted
Lawyers representing the engineer whose firm designed the CTV building that collapsed in the Christchurch earthquake say the complaint against Dr Alan Reay has no basis and should be dismissed.
'They're very significant': Lancaster Park's Memorial Gates restored and ready for unveiling
Sports enthusiasts will once more be welcomed into Christchurch's famed Lancaster Park through the historic Memorial Gates.
Safety at level crossings not up to scratch - TAIC
Transport safety investigators are calling for better safety measures at level crossings, following a near collision between a bus and a freight train in Christchurch.
'Nerve-racking' and 'exciting' - First-time eligible voters weigh in on the pressure to decide
More young people are turning out to vote each election, but their numbers still lag far behind the country's older voters.
Stanford backs school over plans to slash roll but won't commit to retaining status quo
National's education spokesperson says there's no reason to reduce Chisnallwood Intermediate's roll, but is not promising to keep it as it is if the party wins power.
Health campaigner calls for liquor licensing overhaul after Mama Hooch sexual assault case
A health campaigner is calling for an overhaul of the liquor licensing laws saying the Christchurch Mama Hooch sexual assault case has exposed significant failings.
Mama Hooch assaults: 'It doesn't give women confidence they'll be listened to'
A father whose daughter helped to jail sexual predators Danny and Roberto Jaz said she would have reconsidered going to police if she had known how long the legal process would take.
'For those things I'll never forgive you': Mama Hooch sexual assault survivor
Nine survivors of Danny and Roberto Jaz's attacks read powerful victim impact statements to the court ahead of the pair's sentencing today.
David Benbow retrial: Prosecution says he had 'motive', 'means' and 'opportunity' to kill
A court has heard former corrections officer David Benbow killed his childhood friend after finding out he had begun a relationship with his ex-partner.
Education sector says international students flooding back into country
The education sector says the country's recovery from the Covid-19 slump in international students is well under way. Audio
Lawyers in Lauren Dickason trial make closing arguments as end nears
Justice Cameron Mander will sum up the case next week, before the jury begin their deliberations.
'Very dangerous': Teens warned against hacking disposable vape batteries
Young people are hacking their used disposable vapes to wring more use out of them - worrying parents and horrifying emergency services. Audio
Murder-accused mother horrified by visions of harming her children - psychiatrist
A forensic psychiatrist has told the High Court that Lauren Dickason was horrified by vivid visions of harming her children the month before she killed them.
Court told Lauren Dickason 'was severely mentally unwell' when she killed her daughters
A court has been told there is no question Lauren Dickason was severely mentally unwell on the night she killed her three children and did it out of love.
Astronomer dismisses meteor theory for North Canterbury's puzzling boom
The cause of a boom that has shaken houses north of Christchurch twice in one week remains a mystery.
Surgery centre's emergency closure sign 'how bad nursing crisis has become'
Christchurch's only 24-hour surgery was forced to close its doors for almost three hours on Tuesday night due to high demand.
Watch: Police say more remains found inside Pike River Mine
Detective Superintendent Darryl Sweeney said recent imaging from borehole drilling showed the remains of two or possibly three miners.
'Enough is enough' - Mother seeks action to cut young people's access to vapes
Panicked parents have banded together to call for stronger action from the government.
Uber drivers hit speed bump in fight for employee rights
In a landmark decision, a court ruled that four Wellington Uber drivers were employees of the rideshare company, not contractors. Uber's appealing that - but drivers are determined to fight back.
Principals back clampdown on youth vaping, urge more help for kids to give up
One principal says anything to make vaping less attractive was welcome, while another says more needs to be done to combat what principals are calling a crisis. Audio
Principals back clampdown on youth vaping, urge more help for kids to give up
One principal says anything to make vaping less attractive was welcome, while another says more needs to be done to combat what principals are calling a crisis. Audio
Principals back clampdown on youth vaping, urge more help for kids to give up
One principal says anything to make vaping less attractive was welcome, while another says more needs to be done to combat what principals are calling a crisis.
Beckenridge mystery: Stepfather in dire financial state before disappearance
A detective has told a Coroner's hearing that John Beckenridge was in a dire financial position at the time he went missing with his stepson, Mike.