Stories by Matthew Theunissen
News
Far North in desperate need of rain
Water restrictions are likely for more parts of the Far North if there is not significant rainfall soon, and the forecast is not good.
Government accused of being 'too relaxed' over new Covid strains
A former WorkSafe inspector says procedures at airports, ports and MIQ facilities are far too relaxed to prevent one of the new strains of Covid-19 getting into the community.
Covid-19: Lockdown expected if UK variant found in community - expert
New Zealand's managed isolation facilities now house both the highly-transmissible UK variant of Covid-19 and a new one associated with South Africa.
Coromandel's windscreen woes - 'It's not really good enough'
One motorist had three windscreen cracks in a single journey by stones flicked up from loose road surfaces - others have had glass chipped on the way home from getting the previous day's damage fixed.
Paedophile found with child abuse images sentenced to 3.5 years
A freelance campera operator who was found with a cache of child sexual abuse material has been sent to prison for three and a half years.
Negative Covid-19 tests leaving India were positive on arrival in NZ
Five people who tested positive for Covid-19 in New Zealand's isolation facilities had negative results before leaving India.
IPCA report into Alo Ngata's death 'disturbing reading', lawyer says
An IPCA report has identifed multiple failures by police officers who restrained Alo Ngata, who was on meth when arrested for assaulting an elderly man. He later died in hospital.
Auckland Covid-19 borders causing problems for farmers
Farmers around Auckland's southern border are finding themselves unable to check their stock, and having to drive vast distances to get feed and equipment.
Thousands of Aucklanders turning to food banks
Auckland now has 29 registered food banks, many more than before the Covid-19 pandemic, as increasing job losses wipe out family incomes.
Auckland lockdown affecting businesses throughout NZ
Many businesses outside of Auckland say they're struggling - and some are closing up - as they're cut off from the country's largest city, and its population of 1.6 million.
Review recommends merging Auckland's two events agencies
A high-level review of Auckland's council-controlled organisations recommends merging its two events agencies. Audio
Woman who fatally stabbed her abusive partner sentenced to home detention
The systemic disadvantage suffered by Māori helped to create the conditions in which Karen Anne Ruddelle stabbed and killed the man she loved, a judge has found.
Hamilton ATM explosives 'not capable' of widespread damage
Two homemade explosive devices were detonated outside a Hamilton shopping centre this morning - in an apparent effort to crack open an ATM.
Judges retire to consider appeal against council ban on Southern, Molyneux event
Three Court of Appeal judges have retired to consider whether Auckland Council broke the law by denying two far right speakers the opportunity to host an event in one of its venues.
Another escape from managed isolation in Auckland
A man managed to get out from Crowne Plaza in Auckland by tailgating a staff member, but was apprehended less than 100 metres away from the hotel. Video
Ports of Auckland fined more than $420k after boat hit swimmer
Husband and father Leslie Gelberger died after he was struck by a pilot boat when swimming off North Shore in 2017.
Northland floods leave homes uninhabitable, farms under water
As the flood waters recede in Northland the full extent of the damage from the weekend's deluge is becoming clear. Audio
'We had to slash our spending': Auckland Council cuts jobs, defers projects
Aucklanders will have to pay more in rates, but will get less, as the council tries to fill a $750 million hole in its budget. Audio
Aucklanders question use of Covid-19 tracing app: 'Why would we scan it?'
The government has renewed its call for New Zealanders to use the Covid-19 contact tracer app, but out on the streets, most people were a bit blasé about it. Audio
NZers anxious for deportation after Australian guards isolate
Twenty-one coronavirus cases are linked to an outbreak at a Sydney pub, where some guards from the Villawood detention centre were attending a party.
Govt outlines $200m in support for Auckland Council projects
The government is stepping in to fund nearly $200 million of Auckland Council projects as the council struggles to plug a $750m hole in its budget.
Deportations of NZers from Australia resume this week
Deportees will stay in 14-day isolation at an undisclosed facility when Australia starts sending back New Zealanders again this week.
Discovery of Chinese miners' remains causing fury
Almost 120 years after they sank to the bottom of the Tasman Sea, the discovery of the remains of Chinese gold miners is causing fury.
Christchurch protest organiser stands firm
An organiser of the Black Lives Matter protest in Christchurch is standing by his decision to help create the event, despite social distancing rules not being followed.
New 100 limit for gatherings: 'Everybody's been waiting'
The increase in numbers at gatherings to 100 from midday Friday is being met with excitement, trepidation and some disappointment. Audio