Stories by Bill Hickman
News
Know your rights - police officer thrown off game by left-hand driver
Watch: A police officer has been caught on camera breathalysing the passenger of a left-hand drive car before waving them through a checkpoint this weekend.
Oranga Tamariki review: Agency refers 28 complaints over staff conduct to police
An external review of Oranga Tamariki secure residences was begun in June after six staff were stood down over allegations of serious misconduct.
'Missing link' in Wellington cycleways divides factions
A city councillor has called the bike lobby "greedy" as a proposal to link Wellington's popular cycleway network along the waterfront quays threatens to divide the capital's transport factions…
Emergency doctors call for 24 hour security staff at all EDs
A lack of staffing and beds is overflowing into emergency departments with dangerous consequences, a new report says. Audio
Watch: Protesters face angry motorist on Wellington's urban motorway
Climate protesters blocking the southbound lane of Wellington's urban motorway are lucky to have escaped without injury this morning.
'The right care at the right time': Enthusiasm for wider use of mental health co-response teams
Getting things wrong at the start of a mental health crisis makes everything worse for patients, mental health workers and emergency services staff, an expert says.
'Planet Key' songwriter takes aim at Parliament
Wellington songwriter Darren Watson is taking aim at Parliament again with a new song released just in time for the upcoming election.
Wellington Town Hall set to get multi-million dollar recording facility
A new multi-million dollar recording facility is set to make Wellington's Town Hall the centre piece of the country's film industry and classical music scene.
Search for Breanna Muriwai continues, one year on from disappearance
A police spokesperson said they had spent thousands of hours trying to find her.
Vaping regulations: Fewer than 100 infringement notices issued to retailers
The majority of notices issued were for selling vapes to people under the age of 18.
Judge reverses suspension of GP who shared misinformation about Covid-19 vaccine
A Wellington District Court Judge has upheld an appeal of the Medical Council's suspension of a GP over conduct relating to Covid-19.
Close shaves on capital's new cycle lane
A new two-way cycle lane connecting Wellington's Basin Reserve to Waitangi Park on the waterfront has opened access between the city and southern suburbs.
Advice for charging e-scooters comes after explosion causes critical injuries
Fire and Emergency is urging owners of e-scooters and e-Bikes powered by lithium ion batteries to take care when charging the devices.
Hollywood strike last ditch effort to rein in AI use on screen
The rise of artificial intelligence in the film industry has some fearing a future where films are created without cameras and actors. Audio
Sinéad O'Connor remembered as brave but vulnerable voice of a generation
Musicians and members of Aotearoa's Irish community say Sinéad O'Connor's music will be playing all over the world today. Video
Starship Children's Hospital to get $20k thanks to a girl and a chip with a heart
A 10-year-old from Auckland's North Shore has raised $20,000 for Starship Children's Hospital by auctioning a uniquely shaped potato chip on Trade Me.
Wellington teenager competing in UCI Mountain Bike World Cup
Erice van Leuven first came to international attention at 10 years old after a clip of her going hammer and tongs on her tiny, bright pink, kids bike went viral. Video, Audio
'Won't be living this one down' - relative of missing motorcyclist
A relative of one of two motorcyclists who went missing overnight in the Akatarawa Forest had a few words to say about the incident. The pair were found safe after a cold night in the bush.
Out for a duck: Visitor saved from uncertain fate at Basin Reserve
A Wellington woman says she could never have predicted she would make a sprawling catch to rein in one of the most famous names in New Zealand cricket this week.
Parents, principal outraged over vape shop near school
Parents and teachers in a Wellington suburb are outraged a vape retailer is set to open near a bus hub that gets their children to and from school each day. Audio
Dairy owners want parents held to account for young offenders' crimes
The government is being urged to take a tougher stance on parents of children too young to face prosecution over retail crime.
Firearms Registry to launch this week, nearly four years after it was proposed
The New Zealand Firearms Registry is set to go live on 24 June, nearly four years after it was proposed in the wake of the Christchurch Mosque terror attacks.
'I think we are all responsible - not just the owners of Loafers Lodge'
Hundreds of people gathered in Wellington's Cathedral of St Paul in a service of remembrance for the victims of the fire.
Dementia patient assaulted another resident as he lay unconscious and dying - report
The Aged Care Commissioner has criticised a Tauranga care home after a dementia patient assaulted another resident as he lay unconscious and dying.