Stories by Meriana Johnsen
News
Funding rethink stalls case for Auckland light rail project
The business case for light rail from Auckland Airport to the City Centre is being held up, as the transport minister considers an "alternative approach" to the funding and design of the proposed…
KiwiRail on track for an expanded workforce
Rail workshops are looking for more mechanical engineers, as the industry's workload ramps up providing jobs for an extra 40 workers at KiwiRail's Hutt workshop.
Wellington council tight-lipped on possible Uber partnership
The Wellington Regional Council won't say if a partnership with Uber is being considered.
E-scooters allowed on Wellington streets despite calls to ban
The Wellington City Council has backtracked on banning e-scooters from footpaths, after it found it couldn't legally enforce a ban.
Petition against housing project 'desecration' taken to Parliament
The government has been delivered an 18,000 signature petition, calling on it to revoke a housing development consent on sacred Māori land at Ihumātao. Video
Fainting preschoolers spur KidsCan initiative
Children fainting at preschool and kindergarten has been the catalyst for the charity, KidsCan, to launch a nationwide programme to provide another 1000 kids with fresh meals and clothing.
Pedal to the metal: Kāpiti expressway repair costs grow
The Kāpiti expressway north of Wellington needs a further $25 million worth of resurfacing, just two years after opening.
Bus and train driver shortage: 'We're leaving people stranded'
Wellington commuters are being warned to expect more cancellations as a shortage of both train and bus drivers in the region continues.
Backlash after 'Māori nationalists' labelled threat
Indigenous leaders have called for consequences after a Department of Corrections working group on countering violent extremism identified "Māori nationalist groups" as a potential threat to the…
Protesters 'scared' but resolute, as eviction draws nearer
A community occupying land near Auckland Airport to stop a housing development being built alongside sacred land say they are feeling increasingly scared, as the threat of eviction draws nearer.
DHB application for fresh inquiry is about money, not justice - QC
A Waikato DHB application for a fresh coronial inquiry into Nicky Stevens' death is being driven by concerns about liabilities, one of the country's leading lawyers has said.
Targeted funding needed to fix 'appalling' Māori wellbeing
The Salvation Army says the government needs to get "brave" and think radically to try to eradicate the disparities between Māori and non-Māori. Audio
Cyclists want law change after near-misses with buses
Cyclists are fighting buses on Wellington roads, with more than 100 complaints in the last year, including reports of buses passing by a hair-width.
Deactivated by Uber: 'They're going to listen to the rider and not listen to the driver'
More Uber drivers say they've been locked out of the ride-sharing app because of customer complaints they weren't even notified about.
Tourist 'puzzled' over time taken for refund from $930 taxi ride
A Scottish tourist who was charged $930 for a 5-minute taxi ride could have avoided chasing a refund for over a week if the industry had not been deregulated, the Taxi Federation has said.
Govt 'lip service' to concerns about Chch commuter rail
A public transport group is disappointed that Labour's pre-election promise for commuter rail in Christchurch appears to be off the cards.
Disappointment over axing of Kāpiti interchange
The government says the Peka Peka interchange project - which would have cost up to $29m - wasn't worth it. Locals says canning the project is "short-sighted".
'Unacceptable levels of racism, sexism and homophobia'
An independent review has found bullying and harassment at all levels of Fire and Emergency.
Uber drivers fear sudden termination from false passenger complaints
One driver has been deactivated twice because of what he says are false complaints from passengers but the ride-sharing company say its deactivation policy is fair.
Some top names for Māori newborns shouldn't be on list - cultural advisor
What's in a name? That's the question some Māori are pondering, following the release of last year's top baby names.
'We come from a world where things have been kept well undercover'
Attitudes to same-sex relationships might have changed, but the stigma of being gay persists in retirement villages, an elderly gay man has told RNZ.
SPCA criticised over article supporting 1080 ban
The SPCA has come under fire for saying it wants a ban on the use of 1080 poison.
Cleaning fees unjustified, Uber riders say
Uber users feel like they're being taken for a ride over cleaning fees of up to $150.
Charity warns of debt increases over Christmas
The Wellington City Mission has urged people not to go into debt for their loved ones this Christmas.
Lack of indigenous rights protection in Paris agreement frustrates ropu
A group of Māori and Pasifika rangatahi are frustrated that indigenous rights are not specifically protected in the Paris Climate rulebook.