Stories by Conan Young
News
Matt Lauer agrees to give public better access to land
An agreement has been hammered out to ease the way for trampers to access American Matt Lauer's Hunter Valley Station.
House-hunters warned not to rely on seller's building reports
A warning has gone out to house hunters in Christchurch not to rely on building reports supplied by those selling homes.
Plans for online voting at local govt elections 'dangerous'
An Australian IT expert says New Zealand would be crazy to adopt online voting for local government elections and would be opening itself up to widespread electoral fraud. Audio
Selwyn District Council removes basketball hoops over safety concerns
A small South Island council denies it over-reacted in removing basketball hoops from three rural communities over safety concerns. Video
Southland famer to sue over purchase M. bovis infected calves
A Southland farmer has served notice that he intends to sue another farmer for knowingly selling him calves infected with mycoplasma bovis.
M bovis managers with little farming knowledge slow process - farmer
The Ministry for Primary Industries is being criticised for putting people in charge of Mycoplasma bovis with little knowledge of farming. Video
Area with clues on Pike River explosion cause could be explored
Key parts of the Pike River mine's electrical infrastructure could have survived the multiple explosions that shook it nearly eight years ago, the Pike River Recovery Agency has revealed.
Some South Canterbury roads 'totally unsafe' - Farmers
Roads in South Canterbury have become impassable due to the poor job the council is doing maintaining them, a local farmer says.
Mt Aspiring climber rescued after four nights trapped
The Australian soldier trapped high up on Mount Aspiring for four nights has finally been flown off and taken to hospital.
Weetbix trademark violation case in court
A battle between two breakfast cereals has wound up in the High Court in Christchurch.
Doctor convicted for secret toilet filming named
A Nelson cardiologist has lost his six month battle to stop his name from being published after he was convicted of secretly filming women using the toilet.
MPI refers evidence of serious staff misconduct to SFO
The Ministry for Primary Industries has referred evidence of serious staff misconduct to the Serious Fraud Office, the ministry says.
Plastic waste major threat to NZ seabirds
Single-use plastic is emerging as one of the biggest threats to seabirds around New Zealand and the government should stop its production, an environmental group says.
Club sports kicked to touch: NZ a nation of walkers
If you've taken a yoga class, gone for a walk or played table tennis recently, you're in good company.
New calicivirus strain in NZ longer than thought
Owners of pet rabbits are fearing for the safety of their animals after revelations a new strain of the calicivirus has been in the country much longer than first thought.
Christchurch Airport hotel caught up in Fletcher delays
Fletcher Building is involved in another delayed multimillion-dollar project, this time involving a new hotel at Christchurch Airport.
Overseas teachers filling roles NZers don't want
Schools are now looking overseas in search for woodwork and metalwork teachers as they struggle to fill vacancies with locally trained candidates.
M bovis: MPI gave farmers incorrect information - Privacy Commissioner
The Ministry for Primary Industries has been told off by the Privacy Commissioner over information given to farmers at a meeting about Mycoplasma bovis. Audio
Uncooperative farmers making M Bovis fight harder - MPI
A lack of cooperation from farmers has made officials' job of tracing the spread of Mycoplasma bovis more difficult, the Ministry for Primary Industries says.
'This is people’s livelihood': M bovis on Gypsy Day
Today is Gypsy Day, the first day of winter and the date dairy farmers from Kaitaia to Bluff move thousands of cows to new pastures for winter grazing.
Hundreds turn out again for te reo despite puhoro (bad) weather
Another big crowd turned out on a bitterly cold and wet Christchurch evening last night to learn te reo Māori.
$150m Christchurch red zone plan unveiled
After months of delay, a plan for Christchurch's residential red zone has been revealed. Video
Fishing industry lies revealed in leaked report
Some of the country's biggest fishing companies have been under-reporting their hoki catch by hundreds of tonnes, according to a leaked fisheries report. Audio
Deaf man in his 90s trespassed from bank: 'I have lost my personal dignity'
A Christchurch bank is being accused of elder abuse after trespassing a 93-year-old customer who is legally deaf and suffers from dementia. Audio
Fishing foes haddock out at panel event
Fishing industry heavyweights have gone head-to-head with some of their harshest critics in a panel discussion in Auckland.