Stories by Samantha Gee
News
'It's a bit like a 3D jigsaw puzzle in places': Abseilers key to stabilisation work
Geotech abseilers have spent three months drilling into a 10,000 tonne block of rock to stop it from falling onto a road near Queenstown. Video
Ministry urges caution over compostable products
The Ministry for the Environment has issued a warning about compostable packaging - likening it to single-use plastics.
Fishing vessel sinks at Farewell Spit
A fishing vessel has run aground at the tip of Farewell Spit, at the top of the South Island.
Training, loaded containers will help iwi to mount effective emergency response
Iwi across the top of the South Island are now well equipped to be part of the official emergency management response in the event of a disaster.
Door opens for some South Islanders to resume recycling soft plastics
For those in many parts of the South Island, it's been a long time since they could recycle soft plastic waste.
Nelson Hospital revamp improves ability to treat Covid-19 patients
More than $1 million has been spent reconfiguring Nelson Hospital to better treat patients with Covid-19.
Church-goers able to 'reconnect with each other' this Easter, cathedral dean says
With the lifting of restrictions under the orange traffic light setting, there will be no limit on the number of people who can attend Easter Services at churches across the motu.
Nelson coastal park finally on the right track
Contractors are busy doing earthworks to form the contours for a new coastal park in Nelson, which is expected to be complete before next summer.
KiwiRail operator reached for phone before locomotive fell into the sea - investigation
An investigation has found a KiwiRail employee thought he had applied the brakes on a remote-controlled shunt locomotive and went to make a call on his phone, before the engine fell into the sea.
First time buyers, economist see reduced competition for houses
There are signs of a housing market slowdown, with median house values falling in 150 out of 900 suburbs nationwide in the last three months.
Marlborough Sounds salmon dying after hot summer
Environmental watchdog group Guardians of the Sounds has obtained figures showing New Zealand King Salmon dumped close to 1300 tonnes of fish waste in landfill over the last three months.
Possible closure of St George's Hospital's maternity unit sad for parents - Gemma McCaw
Nearly 20,000 people have signed a petition to save one of Christchurch's birthing units.
Top of the south orchards seek to replenish workforce
A campaign to attract seasonal workers to the horticulture and viticulture industries in Nelson Tasman has recruited several hundred people, but many orchards in the top of the south are still looking…
Pike River Mine: Proof of more human remains found
A borehole drilling investigation to gather footage inside the Pike River Mine has come to an end, with images taken over the past two years showing the remains of eight men.
Buller faces long list of urgent repairs in flooding aftermath
Extreme rainfall and flooding has left roading and infrastructure across the Buller District in a fragile state and in urgent need of repair before further heavy rain hits the region.
Westland, Buller residents warned ahead of heavy rain: 'Start thinking about a getaway bag'
Civil Defence emergency operation centres have opened in Westport and Hokitika as the region prepares for a deluge of heavy rain that could bring slips and flooding.
Farmers prepare as closed borders disrupt harvest amid Omicron outbreak
With harvest season set to kick off for the horticulture sector in the top of the South Island, orchardists, growers and hop farmers are faced with staff shortages due to closed borders.
Seabirds settle in to Cape Farewell home
A group of young seabirds are settling into their new home at Cape Farewell, at the northernmost tip of the South Island.
Nine new Covid-19 cases in Nelson-Tasman 'timely reminder to get tested'
There are nine new cases of Covid-19 in Nelson and Tasman, all from the same household.
Reintroduced bird species establishing populations in Nelson's Brook Waimārama Sanctuary
Almost 20 years after the idea for a pest-free sanctuary was first raised for the site of Nelson's former water works in the Brook Waimārama Sanctuary, the first two species to be reintroduced are…
Mountain Safety Council's guide to safe tramping on NZ's great walks
With the borders closed and more New Zealanders expected to head out tramping this summer, a set of safety videos have been created to prevent search and rescue callouts and fatalities on our most…
Pāua fishing in Kaikōura: Public urged to gather 'for a feed, not the freezer'
Members of the Kaikōura community are concerned its pāua fishery is being stripped by the huge demand from the public.
D'Urville Island stoat eradication plan put on hold
A large-scale stoat eradication programme on d'Urville Island can no longer go ahead because of problems with land access.
'A really, really tough process': Nelson homeless shelter to close after 35 years
An emergency accommodation provider in Nelson is closing, after more than three decades supporting the city's homeless men.
West Coast less than 1500 vaccinations away from 90 percent target
It has some of the lowest vaccination rates in the South Island, but West Coasters are now less than 1500 shots shy of being 90 percent fully vaccinated.