Stories by Bill Hickman
News
Neighbour heard 'I'm going to waste you' before ex gang boss shot
Relatives have paid tribute to Albert "Alby" Enoka as armed officers guard the scene. Audio
Softball coach whacked stabber with bat to stop frenzied attack
A Wellington man says an assailant who repeatedly stabbed his mother had empty eyes: "It was like there was nothing there."
We're not out of woods yet with bird flu, expert warns
It can take up to three weeks for birds to start showing signs of disease, Professor Jemma Geoghegan says.
Police officer 'thought I'd lost everybody' during flood rescue
Detective constable Patrick Noiseux was swept underwater while trying to reach seven civilians. When he came up, nobody else could be seen.
Fears Māori will pay heaviest price if police carry guns
"Overwhelmingly, those people who die will be young Māori men," the spokesperson for People Against Prisons Aotearoa says.
Gang patch ban: 'Some of them will probably die for it'
Long-term Mongrel Mob members say some will fight and die to defend their patches from being confiscated by police. Audio
Gang members reveal humiliating police tactics in new report
A massive research project into policing has shown the hierarchical structure of police is stifling discussion around bias and unfair treatment.
Seymour's hīkoi allegations 'inflammatory', principals say
The associate education minister says some schools are formally endorsing the hīkoi against his bill, flouting rules on political neutrality.
Fatal shooting by police in Wainuiomata justified - watchdog finds
Tane Wipa thanked officers for saving his hostage's life before he died, a report says.
Police hold hundreds of meetings with gangs, other groups as patch ban looms
The meetings were to communicate what's expected when the law comes into effect. Audio
Review: Crowded House's magic proves as vital as ever
Elroy and Liam Finn joined dad Neil on stage in Wellington - but it was clearly more than just an opportunity for a family jam session.
Increased liability concerns are preventing people from accessing the outdoors
Twelve associations are calling for recreational activities to be formally excluded from the Health and Safety Act 2015.
Treatment plant stinks of 'hydrogen sulphide and faeces', residents say
Deodorisers installed to manage the stench are "the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff," a councillor says. Audio
Lightly clad climber's legs 'shredded' after 'spur-of-moment' ascent
The injured man had to spend nearly six hours close to the Mt Taranaki summit wearing track pants and trainers.
Legal cannabis cards highlights flaws of roadside testing, critics say
The head of a medicinal Cannabis prescribing and supply service says its developing a "Canna-card" ID people can present if stopped by police to show they are legally using the drug.
'Absolutely gag-worthy': More treatment plant complaints
Lower Hutt locals are shutting themselves indoors to escape another wave of putrid odours from Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant. Audio
Wellington woman gets home detention for ex's manslaughter
The couple's 20-year relationship was "violent and angry", with police attending more than 50 callouts to their home over the years, the judge said.
Moving house by ... bike?
A Wellington woman says the city's new cycle lanes are opening up a world of possibilities of what can be achieved without motor vehicles.
What Wellingtonians think about the working from home crackdown
The Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says working from home is not an entitlement and more public servants need to be in the office.
Mt Cook rescue: 'Real jubilation' in climbing community after airlift
Two climbers are in good spirits after being plucked from "some of the steepest and most rugged terrain in the country" on Aoraki during a short weather window.
'It's just not good enough': Govt targeted over ferry woes
There are fears lives could be lost if the government doesn't step in to bring the country's ailing Cook Strait ferry services up to scratch.
What the stats say: Murder convictions up 77%, meth dominates drug landscape
New justice statistics show significant rises in the number of convictions for murder, manslaughter and driving causing death - though population increases are playing a part.
'No way' a 'one-size-fits-all' health approach will work - report author
A new study shows Pasifika children in Aotearoa are 115 times more likely to be hospitalised with acute rheumatic fever than European children.
Māori wards: Councils resentful about funding a binding poll
All but three of 45 councils which established the seats without a public referendum elected to retain the wards.
Gabrielle the 'new benchmark' for future storms in New Zealand - researcher
A new study found climate change increased the amount of rain that fell during Cyclone Gabrielle by 10 percent, compared to pre-global warming.