Stories by Sharon Brettkelly

A massive landslide swamped part of the Bay of Plenty town of Matatā in 2005. Seventeen years on, the managed retreat process is finally coming to an end.

It's six months since a fire tore through part of Christchurch's main wastewater treatment plant. But residents in neighbouring Bromley are sick of the resulting stench that's invaded their homes.

Could a domestic coastal shipping service ease some of the country’s supply chain woes, get more heavy freight off the roads and help reduce emissions?

Is New Zealand prepared for the impacts of a nuclear war or some other global catastrophe? With Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, it's not beyond the realm of possibility.

What's the fuss about co-governance? As The Detail finds out, it's not a new concept and voters are being urged to get on board with it.

The Detail talks to Sri Lankan Kiwi and Newshub journalist Kethaki Masilamani about the crisis in Sri Lanka and the protests that seem to have united its long divided population.

America's Cup sailor Simo de Mari's life changed in the most unimaginable way in March 2019. He tells The Detail about his mission to walk again after a freak accident at Omaha Beach. 

All over the country, ratepayers are forking out millions of dollars for CCTV cameras. But are they actually making us any safer?

The Detail heads to Tokomaru Bay to find out how locals are faring after three major floods in less than a year - what's next for the East Coast township?

With the borders reopening, will immigration return to pre-pandemic levels, or does New Zealand need to re-think its reliance on migrant labour?

Groundswell says it advocates for farmers and rural communities - but what does it stand for and is its message getting through?

Ashley Bloomfield's been a regular in our living rooms over the past two years. But how did a public servant become one of the most recognised faces of our Covid-19 response?

Newsroom's Nikki Mandow decided to only eat food made by women or women-run companies for a week. It was a lot harder than she expected.

The White Ferns may not have made it into the final four, but the 2022 Cricket World Cup is being hailed as a success for the women's game.

RNZ investigative journalist Guyon Espiner explains to The Detail the secretive the workings of our police watchdog, the Independent Police Conduct Authority. 

Extreme weather events, like last week's flash flooding in Auckland, are becoming more frequent. The Detail asks if there's anything more we can do to protect ourselves and our homes.

Newshub's Europe correspondent Lisette Reymer and cameraman Dan Pannett have witnessed some of the horrors of Russia's invasion of Ukraine first-hand. They talk to The Detail about what it's like…

The cost of food, petrol and rent is soaring, and inflation is at its highest level in 30 years - how did it come to this?

Parliament has passed historic legislation to impose sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine, but how do they actually work?

RNZ's Veronica Schmidt talks to The Detail about the wider issues raised by her recent investigation into a volunteer firefighter who sexually abused his young son - and the boy's mother's fight to be…

After 23 days, the occupation at Parliament was finally brought to a chaotic and violent end. The Detail talks to two reporters who were there as it all unfolded. 

The increasing number of applications for helipads on Aotea Great Barrier Island is causing alarm among locals. But the current rules mean they don't have to be notified or consulted about them. The…

The Detail's Sharon Brettkelly heads to the capital to see the occupation at Parliament first-hand, speak to protesters and tour their sprawling campsite on Parliament's front lawn.

The Samoan community in South Auckland feels dented and diminished by its experiences with the health system. When it comes to Pasifika people, getting the messaging right is vital.