Stories by Ruth Hill
News
Hospital rot: Health Minister demands answers
The Health Minister is demanding answers from South Auckland health bosses after they failed to tell him the full extent of the leaky building crisis at Middlemore Hospital. Audio
Hospital buildings full of rot and mould
Four big Middlemore Hospital buildings, including the children's hospital, that serve thousands of South Auckland people are full of rot and dangerous mould that could make staff and patients sick.
Council evicts tenant for 'no reason': 'They really want to kick me out'
A man with mental health problems is facing eviction by the council using a law, which the Prime Minister has criticised as unfair to tenants.
Shoppers warned over 'too good to be true' online stores
Christmas shoppers are increasingly avoiding the last-minute dash to the store by going online.
'I've never known a year like it'
Wellington's unusually long spell of sunny weather has forced authorities to dip into its storage lakes two months earlier than usual.
Lack of legal avenues shows re-entry 'vital' - Little
The minister responsible for Pike River re-entry says further legal action against the mine's boss is unlikely. Video, Audio
Trespassed man illegally arrested, IPCA finds
A Lower Hutt man who was pepper sprayed by officers trying to serve a trespass notice on him was within his rights to stop them entering his home, the police watchdog says.
Trolley buses cost $6m more a year than diesel - council
Wellington's soon-to-be scrapped trolley buses cost about $6 million more to operate each year compared with running the same number of diesel buses, according to the regional council.
Trolley bus supporters hope for 11th-hour reprieve
The distinctive rattle and hum of Wellington's trolley buses is set to be silenced forever on Halloween.
Takahē population growing at record rate
Love is in the air for the rare takahē, with the number of breeding pairs topping 100 for the first time in 70 years ago.
Porn-site users lured by ad scam
Visitors to some porn websites may have been duped into downloading malicious software, the government's cyber security watchdog is warning.
Research details packaging chemicals found in food
Chemicals from plastic and paper packaging are leaching into some foods sold in New Zealand, new research shows.
NZDF admits 'alternate possibilities' in 2012 Afghan firefight
The Defence Force stands by the findings of its official investigation but accepts friendly fire may have played a bigger role in a deadly firefight in Afghanistan in 2012.
Call for independent watchdog needed to protect children in care
Two complaints of sexual assault of young girls living at the same state-run home shows the urgent need for an independent watchdog to protect the interests of children in care, the Children's…
Solo mum: 'I live on literally $10 a week for my own food'
Choosing between paying the rent and putting food on the table is life for many sole parents reliant on a benefit.
Nobel laureates criticise Greenpeace's GM stance
Scientists feel 'stymied' by irrational prejudice against GM, a New Zealand scientist says.
Abused may get new self-defence law
A new law recommended by the Law Commission would recognise family violence victims who kill are usually reacting to years of mounting abuse.
Not enough support for deported crims, doctor says
Agencies and scrambling to cope with Kiwi criminals deported from Australia due to a lack of government support, a Christchurch doctor says.
Payroll problems: No changes for Holidays Act, govt says
The government is not inclined to change the law to make it easier to comply with the Holidays Act, despite widespread payroll problems. Audio
NZ joins Australia, US for Talisman Sabre
For the first time, New Zealand has been invited to take part in Australia's biggest mock war exercise with the United States - Talisman Sabre.
Dispute over 'living wage' proposal
A regional business group is considered legal action to stop the Wellington City Council extending its 'living wage' policy to council-controlled organisations.
Workforce claims 'misleading' - doctors' union
Government figures showing record numbers of doctors and nurses employed in the public health system do not tell the full story, the senior doctors' union says.