Stories by Ruth Hill
News
Mt Everest threatened by mountain of human waste
A retired engineer from the United States is calling on New Zealanders to help a project to rid Mount Everest of half a century's collected human excrement.
At-risk children waiting months for investigations into abuse
At-risk children are having to wait months for outcomes of investigations into abuse and neglect, according to family lawyers.
WWI exhibition opens: The End of the War?
The granddaughter of a World War I soldier from Raratonga whose story is featured in a new exhibition says she hopes he would have been proud to see himself remembered.
Wairarapa Hospital not meeting quake standards - draft report
The hospital in Masterton, built just over a decade ago, does not meet earthquake resilience standards, a draft engineering assessment has found.
Taranaki crash victim survived earlier smash
The Waverley fire chief who helped Rosalie Porteous out of a crash a year ago says in 30 seconds, life can change from just cruising along to absolute bloody disaster.
Law changes to curb binge-drinking largely failed - research
Law changes to curb binge-drinking introduced six years ago have largely failed, new research has found.
Antipsychotic drugs prescribed to poor children more often - study
Australian children from poorer families - including babies under one-years-old - are more likely to be prescribed antipsychotic drugs for behaviour problems than others the same age.
Firm behind leaky buildings goes into receivership
A company behind a big construction firm that was ordered to pay millions for building a leaking high school has gone into receivership.
Judges worst offenders in law harassment survey
Almost a third of lawyers have received unwanted sexual attention and nearly 90 percent say they have experienced or seen harassment and bullying, according to a survey.
Govt dismisses officials' warnings over minimum wage bump
The government has dismissed officials' warnings that a rise in the minimum wage could cost jobs and push up prices.
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.