Stories by Laura Dooney
News
Govt needs to do more on climate change - report
The New Zealand government needs to do more on climate change, a new report says.
Wairarapa rates increases may 'force people from their homes'
Wairarapa residents living in flood-prone areas are confused and angry about a proposal to change the way they pay for flood protection.
Wellington councillor fights for action on sexual assault
A Wellington city councillor has been criticised for being heavy-handed in her efforts to rid the city of sexual assault.
Council approves new Chinese Embassy building
A new Chinese embassy building will be built on a hectare of land in Wellington's Mt Cook.
Petone businesses lose money over roadworks: 'It really impacts us'
Road works on a street in Petone, Lower Hutt, cut 65 percent of a businessman's profits over three weeks making it hard for him to feed his family, he says.
Moves made to reduce runoff already - farmers
Work is already well under way to reduce pollution from farms going into waterways, farmers say.
'I was very upset and angry that I had been violated'
A lawyer who says she was raped by a senior male colleague while summer clerking, is telling her story to encourage others to come forward.
'It was closure whether I like it or not'
As the Wahine floundered in Wellington harbour, a young soldier went to help survivors as they swept into Seatoun on lifeboats. He recently tried to track down a boy he saved.
Regional council proposes adding 'h' to Manawatu-Wanganui
The Manawatu-Wanganui regional council is expecting controversy after asking locals if they want to add an 'h' to the spelling of its name.
New green buses ready to roll out on Wellington streets
Green is the new yellow for Wellington buses, with the first batch of new buses for Wellington's streets arriving from the UK.
'We are prepared to fight for our existing terms and conditions'
Wellington bus drivers are already embroiled in a legal fight with their new boss over pay and conditions.
Pāua divers clash with shark cage operators
Pāua divers are asking for human safety to be considered when it comes to shark cage diving. Video
Council thinks big on Kāpiti route
Kāpiti Coast District Council plans to talk to airlines about expanding services beyond the Auckland to Kāpiti route that needs replacing when Air NZ pulls out.
Freedom camping 'easy', tourists say
Freedom campers say New Zealand is 'made for' people like them, as authorities face up to an issue they agree has reached crisis point.
Wellington Council looks to widen proposed bed tax
Wellington City council has moved to widen a proposed bed tax, as it looks for ways to fund economic and tourism growth in the city while keeping rates down.
Inquest into elevator death: Tension over health & safety
Sub-contractors weren't following health-and-safety regulations when a man was killed by a lift he was fixing in a Wellington building, a coroner has been told.
Free weekend parking in Wgtn CBD could go
Wellington City Council is considering getting rid of free parking on the weekends, in a bid to keep rates down.
Wellington council spends up on housing
Wellington City Council is planning to spend nearly $28 million on getting more homes built in the capital.
Porirua abuse bucks national downwards trend
Porirua's children are suffering increasing rates of abuse, despite such abuse declining across the rest of the country, a report prepared by the Porirua City Council shows.
Cyclone Gita: Communities prepare for damaging storm
West Coast authorities are already preparing for the ex-tropical cyclone Gita to hit. Audio
Chocolate venture finds waterfront site
The company hoping to keep chocolate manufacturing alive and well in Dunedin has found a site for its expansion.
Wellington Universities look at housing more students
Victoria University is planning to build accommodation for students past first year, to help ease the rental shortage and price gouging in Wellington.
Wellington rental crisis 'a perfect storm'
A mother in Wellington is "struggling" to find a new place to live with her daughter after her rent went up by $100 a week. Video
Plunket 'will still provide' despite cuts - former president
If a proposed restructure goes ahead at Plunket, it will still provide well for families, a former president of the organisation says.
Council warned to chlorinate water or risk illness
A leading freshwater ecologist is criticising planned chlorination of Christchurch's water supply as a last resort, or ambulance-at-the-bottom-of-a-cliff approach.