Stories by Katie Todd
News
Anti-5G protestors rally in Christchurch as roll-out continues
About 200 anti-5G protesters turned out in Christchurch this afternoon, calling for more public consultation and a thorough examination before the new technology is used.
More coins in the hat needed for buskers festival
Christchurch's buskers festival is swinging into action tonight, and it's promising to lure the biggest crowds to the central city since pre-earthquake times.
Two still in hospital after bus crash near Queenstown
Two people remain in hospital after a tour bus rolled on the Glenorchy-Queenstown road yesterday afternoon.
Auckland Island pigs: 'It's a big call to eradicate them'
The Department of Conservation's efforts to cull Auckland Island pigs are being labelled a crime against humanity by the Rare Breeds Conservation Society.
Support for dietitians at rest homes to deter malnutrition and under-eating
In-house dietitians are being touted as a possible solution to under-eating and malnutrition among rest home residents.
Health ministry alerts hospitals to new deadly virus in China
The Ministry of Health has warned health professionals about an outbreak of a deadly new virus in China, which is causing symptoms from fever to severe lung disease.
Police resume search for body of missing kayaker
Boats and helicopters are looking over more than 40 square kilometres of murky water, as the search for a missing kayaker on Lake Ellesmere / Te Waihora resumes this morning.
Cause of 'ferocious' fatal boarding house fire still unknown
The cause of a fatal early morning inferno in a Christchurch boarding house remains unclear, but suspicious circumstances have been ruled out as investigations continue.
Lyttelton locals fight against cruise ship berth construction
Residents and researchers are worried construction work at Lyttelton Harbour could impact on local Hector's dolphins, but the company says it's been redesigned to minimise impacts on sea life.
Dame Catherine calls for more support after sex worker killed
The Prostitutes Collective says it's a tragedy five Christchurch sex workers have been killed in 15 years, including 34-year-old Bella Te Pania on New Year's Eve.
'There's too many dying': Westland Petrels dazed by LED street lamps
Conservationists say the fledgling season of the native Westland petrel has been marred by the Transport Agency's new LED streetlights near Punakaiki.
Free Christmas lunches: 'We become their family for the day'
Thousands of people are embracing the offer of a free, hearty meal and good company at City Mission lunches in the main centres today.
Union says Bunnings' store closures 'came out of the blue' for workers
Two Bunnings stores in the North Island are abruptly closing before the New Year, putting about 30 to 40 jobs on the line. Audio
Lamb overtakes ham as New Zealander's favourite Christmas meat
New Zealand's loyalty to lamb has pushed glazed ham out of prime position on dining tables this Christmas, according to Retail Meat New Zealand.
Whakaari / White Island: Whakatāne Hospital staff take stress leave
Whakatāne hospital doctors, nurses and specialists are taking stress leave after the horror of last week's deadly eruption at Whakaari / White Island. Audio
'It would mean ... Tayla and Sunmara didn't die in vain'
Family and friends of two teenage sisters killed by a fiery car crash on Christchurch's Port Hills are pleading for guard rails to be installed at the site.
Mums of former crèche kids dismayed by Peter Ellis appeal process
Three women say Peter Ellis' "death-dance" is taking them to breaking point, after claims he sexually abused their daughters in 1991.
Aerospace: To Christchurch and beyond
With enough investment, Christchurch could become the country's space hub within five years and offer thousands of aerospace-related jobs.
Synthetic cannabis ring in Chch dairy: 'mastermind' causes stir in court
A Christchurch woman police say was the mastermind of a $4 million synthetic cannabis ring was yelling in court and trying to distribute flyers yesterday before her sentencing today.
Cars with defective airbag parts to be denied WoFs
Owners of about 12,000 cars with defective airbag parts will have trouble getting WoFs next year.
Visitors carving names in Moeraki boulders
An increase in the number of people carving names and words into Moeraki boulders and leaving rubbish behind has prompted calls for better management of the increasingly popular site.
National promises to back Waitaha hydro-power scheme if elected
Simon Bridges has promised to give a controversial West Coast hydro-power scheme the green light, after the proposal was vetoed by the Minister for the Environment in August.
Uni's handling of med students rort 'denies natural justice' - RDA
University of Otago's process for handling a medical school rort has been "seriously deficient", the Resident Doctors Association says, and raises concerns about the impacts on hospital wards.
Otago power price hike: 'blame for this goes far and wide'
Aurora Energy's proposed power price rise - about 18 percent across Otago to make up for "historic underinvestment" - has residents worried.
Fake flyers target Williams Corporation: $4k reward offered for culprit
A Christchurch resident is distributing mischievous fake flyers to sabotage the reputation of the city's biggest high-density home builder.