Stories by Sam Olley
News
Government sets aside $572m for Whangārei Hospital
The government has ringfenced $572 million for a Whangārei Hospital redevelopment. Audio
International sailors await boat reunions after border rules relax
Marina managers hope border restrictions being eased will bring hundreds of private yachts back from overseas.
NZers may soon have to pay even more at the pump - Waitomo Group
While the government says New Zealand does not rely on Russian oil, the global oil price is expected to continue rising as the conflict with Ukraine worsens.
Government terminates agreement relating to Whakaari/ White island
The government has ditched a Whakaari/ White Island Memorandum of Understanding.
GP suspended for anti-vax views begins District Court appeal
Two of the first doctors to be suspended for Covid-19 misinformation in New Zealand are appealing the Medical Council's decision in the Wellington District Court today.
Field hospital plan for Northland unlikely to come to fruition, DHB says
The Northland DHB says a field hospital in its pandemic plan is "extremely unlikely" to be used.
Northland DHB braces for field hospital, Covid-19 influx
Omicron patients will go to a makeshift facility if Covid-19 cases take up too many beds at Whangārei Hospital.
Anticipated Whangārei arts centre finally set to open
Whangārei's Hundertwasser Arts Centre will exhibit 80 works flown from Vienna when it opens on Sunday.
'This is not okay': Fed up nurse defaces anti-vax billboard
A Whangārei nurse is so annoyed by anti-vaccination billboards in Northland, she wore a disguise and spraypainted over misinformation. Audio
Anti-vaccine Murupara GP suspended pending further investigation
The anti-vax GP has been pushing his views on the practice's Facebook page for months, calling the vaccine "a gene therapy injection".
'Unacceptable': PM criticises cleaning business' use of graphic images on social media
The prime minister has condemned a trauma cleaning company that has been posting graphic death-related images on social media.
'Traumatising' - Cleaners post aftermath photos of crime, suspected suicides on social media
A crime scene cleaning business has been posting images of the aftermath of suspected suicides, attempted suicides, assaults and domestic violence. Audio
Omicron spread a 'huge worry' for Grey Power members
Families across Aotearoa are making contingency plans for loved ones in aged care after an Auckland rest home's suspected close call with the highly infectious Omicron variant.
Subdued long weekend for many Northland businesses
Te Tai Tokerau tourism and hospitality businesses are reporting a quieter Auckland Anniversary weekend than most.
The data Kāinga Ora does not 'centrally record'
Two RNZ OIA requests to Kāinga Ora have been declined, but they do show the agency does not centrally record compensation payouts or instances of behaviour that require a police response
Will Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai reefs recover post-eruption?
Ecologists are reviewing research on reefs around the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano, to see how biodiversity may fare following the latest eruption.
Northland's traffic light setting future to be revealed
Cabinet ministers met yesterday to decide whether it is tweaking settings that have all regions at orange except Te Tai Tokerau - it has remained in red over the summer break. Audio
Anti-vax GP speaks out against doctor who reported him
An anti-vax GP has lashed out at a trainee doctor who raised concerns about misinformation in patient notes.
'We are just hoping they got to higher ground': fear for residents' safety
A family whose village is one of the closest in the world to the Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha'apai volcano is anxiously awaiting news from fellow residents of Nomuka Island. Video
Doctor recording patients vaccinated against Covid-19 as 'magnetic' in notes
Ministerial emails released to RNZ reveal that a concerned colleague emailed officials about what they had seen and heard from the anti-vax doctor.
Northland recommended to receive more tourism support to 'not fall further behind'
Northland missed out on a tourism support package, despite Ministry of Social Development advice recommending it be included, a briefing obtained by RNZ shows.
'Dangerous' crash site unchanged despite investigation
A Northland intersection - where students were injured in a bus crash - is yet to change, despite investigators' advice.
Covid-19: Ministry of Health's 'fear' over lack of pregnancy vaccination data
Emails released from the Ministry of Health show staff were deeply worried about the lack of data tracking Covid-19 vaccination rates for pregnant women.
Hapū fears damage to sacred sites after Kaimaumau fire
Whānau who whakapapa to Wharemaru hapū o Kaimaumau are expecting to find extreme fire damage to sacred historic sites.
Covid-19: Relief as anti-vax psychiatrist suspended
The suspension of an anti-Covid-19 vaccination psychiatrist has brought relief to a mental health patient advocate, but she is worried the damage has already been done.