Ben Strang

The Wainuiomata community near Wellington has come together in opposition to a transitional housing development that would offer temporary housing to homeless families.

But it's not because the… Audio

There's been a surge of people volunteering to become firefighters in Australia since the bushfire season started last year.

In the space of a bit over two months, more than 25,000 people volunteered… Audio

The world's most popular langauge-learning app, Duolingo, will add Te Reo Maori to its range of courses this year - but potential students are being told it's not the only tool that should be used to… Audio

Te Reo Maori will be added to the world's most popular language learning app by the end of the year.

Duolingo has more than 300 million users around the world, largely learning languages like… Audio

The response and the aftermath of the terrorist attack on two Christchurch mosques in March stretched the police in ways it never expected in 2019.

But questions remain about just how effective the… Audio

What do you get when you take three reporters and throw them at a public transport system? Wellington's councils are currently trying to work out how to "get Wellington moving", and we thought we'd… Audio

A Napier forestry fire, which burned out of control for 24 hours, is now under control, but dozens of firefighters remain on site.

The fire on Tangoio Settlement Road has destroyed about 350 hectares… Audio

Fire fighters in Napier have now contained a large forest fire that doubled in size overnight. The blaze on Tangoio Settlement Road, that's been burning for almost 30 hours, grew to more than 300… Audio

For the first time in six years, there has been a significant reduction in the road toll.

Three-hundred-and-53 people died on the roads in 2019, down from 377 in 2018.

The Automobile Association is… Audio

At least half of people who have attempted suicide or self harm in police custody this year are Māori.

Experts who work in the justice sector and within Māoridom are not surprised by the numbers, and… Audio

The Independent Police Conduct Authority says the number of complaints about the police have surged by about a third in the past year, putting a strain on its resources.

Up until 2018 hundreds of… Audio

The country's new road safety strategy will see speed limits drop on unsafe roads and penalties increase for high risk driving such as using cellphones.

The Road to Zero strategy is based on the… Audio

Police confirmed on Friday morning defence force helicopters had landed on Whakaari/White Island.

Later in the morning we heard more are heading to the island.

Ben Strang speaks to Corin Dann. Audio

Police have confirmed they have landed a helicopter on Whakaari/White Island and the recovery mission is moving forward.

RNZ reporter Ben Strang is at the airport.

He speaks to Kim Hill. Audio

The operation to recover eight bodies on Whakaari/White Island is underway.

Moments after speaking to Kim Hill RNZ reporter Ben Strang noticed more people arriving at the airport and a helicopter… Audio

The operation to recover eight bodies on Whakaari/White Island is underway.

There has been an increase of activity in the airport.

RNZ reporter Ben Strang is at the airport. Audio

The mission to recover the bodies of those killed in Monday's eruption on Whakaari/White Island is underway.

Two Defence Force helicopters have been seen by our reporters heading towards White… Audio

The mission to recover the bodies of those killed in Monday's eruption on Whakaari/White Island is underway.

Two Defence Force helicopters have been seen by our reporters heading towards White… Audio

RNZ reporter Ben Strang is in Whakatāne with the latest details and analysis on the response to the Whakaari White Island eruption. Video, Audio