Stories by Lauren Crimp
News
First-ever Census data on NZ's rainbow communities released
Census data has revealed one in 20 New Zealand adults identify as LGBTIQ+, or part of the rainbow community.
Climate protesters confront Resources Minister Shane Jones
A group of climate protesters clashed with resources minister Shane Jones in central Wellington today, when he happened to walk by their march down Lambton Quay.
Khandallah murder accused loses name suppression
The woman charged with murdering an elderly Wellington resident has lost her fight for name suppression - but it will remain secret for now.
100,000 homes could be covered in ash in next eruption
Ruapehu will blow again in the next 50 years - and what that'll look like is "really uncertain".
Mystery flower rearrangement at cemetery upsets families
Whānau with loved ones buried at an Upper Hutt cemetery are upset someone has moved dozens of vases of flowers from headstones.
Trial date set for elderly woman's accused killer
A woman charged with the murder of an elderly Wellington resident in January will face trial by jury in June 2025.
Public housing: Can companies do the job of charities?
The country's only for-profit registered community housing provider says a person living in a car would not care whether their new home is built by a company rather than a charity.
Govt's emergency housing spend drops a third in a month
The government is celebrating the decline, saying emergency housing is not safe for families to live long-term.
Crown knew it legally had to pay midwives better, court hears
Health ministers' comments prove the Crown knew it breached legally binding agreements to improve midwives' pay and contracts, a lawyer has told the court.
Crown never formally agreed to pay midwives more - government lawyer
A government lawyer said there was a "shared aspiration" for change, but that was not a concrete agreement to change pay or contracts.
Preparing for the big one: Wellington residents act out quake scenario
Wellington's emergency management has been working with communities to ready them for the big one - the quake and subsequent tsunami that will turn towns, cities and lives upside down.
Council didn't listen to locals ahead of devastating flood - report
A review a flood that hit 400 homes in Wairoa has criticised Hawke's Bay Regional Council, with locals calling council staff "patronising" and "technocratic". Audio
Auckland bus driver 'badly shaken' after being attacked by passenger
An Auckland bus driver is "badly shaken" after being punched in the face on the job on Saturday, leaving him with stitches and a broken tooth, a union says.
Transport system killing thousands prematurely each year, academic says
Prioritising walking and cycling would improve overall health and save the health system money, new research shows.
Govt must act to break supermarket duopoly - consumer watchdog
Even more drastic change than the grocery commissioner's plans to ramp up regulation and enforcement is needed, Consumer NZ says
South Island missing out on fair share of transport funding, commentators say
Auckland alone has secured $8.4b from the government - more than twice as much as the entire South Island.
'They can't carry this loss any more': Resthomes' plea for care of disabled people
The call comes as Minister for Disability Issues Louise Upston has announced a shake-up for Whaikaha, including a freeze on funding for facilities that look after disabled people.
Hundreds could be sleeping in cars after leaving emergency housing
The government doesn't know where they've gone - but an advocate says it's likely nowhere good.
Unclear whether gang patches at council meeting broke law
Patched Mongrel Mob members performed a haka in regional council chambers to celebrate a decision to keep Māori wards.
New rules 'tightening the gateway' into emergency housing
Explainer - The changes making it harder to get into emergency housing, and harder to stay in.
Govt was warned emergency housing crackdown could increase homelessness
With little affordable housing available, ministers were told changes could see more people living on streets and in cars, documents reveal. Audio
Kiwi pilot killed in Cairns crash wasn't reckless, former colleague says
Blake Wilson was a "goody good" and the dramatic circumstances of his death don't make sense, a coworker says.
Mum says son left with fractured eye socket in school beating
The boy's family has reported the attack to police while Ashburton College says the behaviour is "completely unacceptable".
Man critically injured after being shot, macheted outside pub
He was shot in the torso and sliced in the head on Tuesday night.
'One of the best': Tributes as Kiwi pilot killed in Cairns helicopter crash
Blake Wilson, 23, from Palmerston North was killed when a helicopter he "misappropriated" crashed into a hotel. Audio