Lois Williams
Ombudsman's report 'wake-up call' - Far North mayoral candidate
A Far North mayoral candidate says an Ombudsman's report on the council is a wake-up call for its leaders. The report scrutinises the council's openness with the community, and its handling of… Audio
$12m for waterway clean-ups 'a start' on massive problem
A $12 million fund to support community groups that work to clean up rivers and harbours was announced by the government on the weekend. Lois Williams reports. Audio
Whāngarei police defend shut-down of loud hellfire preacher
Police and the Whāngarei council are defending their decision to shut down a 'hellfire-and-brimstone' preacher in the city mall.
The preacher - who is blessed with a loud voice - was asked to move on… Audio
Genetic modification: Northland council chair defends stance
The chairman of the Northland Regional Council Bill Shepherd is defending his role in the decision not to regulate against genetic engineering.
Mr Shepherd used his casting vote last week to defeat… Audio
Whangārei latest council to declare climate emergency
Whangārei District Council is the latest local body to formally sound the alarm over greenhouse gas emissions - by declaring a climate change emergency.
It's been warned that without urgent action… Audio
Conservationists dispute genetic modification rule in Northland
A Northland environmental consultant says a recent council decision on genetically modified organisms was an abuse of process.
The Northland Regional Council voted last week not to put precautionary… Audio
Ngāpuhi hapū meet Andrew Little over Treaty settlement
More than 200 Ngāpuhi people turned up at Waitangi at the weekend for a meeting with Treaty Negotiations Minister Andrew Little.
It was Mr Little's first testing of the waters with the hapū since the… Audio
Call for teeth-brushing help in Northland schools
A Whangarei dentist who has operated on scores of small children with rotten teeth says the government should be funding teeth-brushing programmes in schools.
Dave Stallworthy says dental decay in… Audio
Special needs teacher describes classroom attacks
A teacher of children with special needs who's been violently attacked in the classroom says she marched in Wednesday's teacher strike for them - rather than for higher pay.
Lou Dickson is a special… Audio
Low salaries behind recruitment crisis - senior teacher
A veteran Southland teacher says the salary gap between teaching and other professions is the main reason so many young people don't want the job.
Terry McNamara, who's the former head of mathematics… Audio
50% of Auckland measles cases ending up in hospital
The number of people being hospitalised with measles in Auckland has climbed to 50 percent of all notified cases and health authorities are not entirely sure why. Auckland Regional Public Health… Audio
Retiree influx strains region's GP practices
A number of medical practices around Northland are closing their doors to new patients - as they struggle with a shortage of GP's and a surge in population growth. Audio
Disabled sleeping rough on Northland's streets - homeless day centre
A Whangarei day centre for the homeless says about 100 people are sleeping rough or in their cars each night, and the numbers now include people with serious disabilities. Lois Williams spoke to one… Audio
Disabled people living in cars in Whangarei
Community workers in Whangarei are alarmed at the number of people with disabilities reduced to living in their cars. The city's Open Arms day centre for the homeless is reporting a rise in calls for… Audio
'Rotten' state houses need fixing - Whangarei residents
Housing New Zealand staff in Whangarei have come under fire for the state of some state houses in the city. At a hui on plans for new social housing yesterday - hapu called for immediate action on old… Audio
Low vax rates alarm Northland DHB as winter approaches
Low vaccination rates for meningococcal disease have health authorities in Northland fearing the worst, with winter on the way. Despite an intensive emergency programme over summer, they've managed to… Audio
Provincial Growth Fund - slush fund or lifeline?
Insight - With $3bn heading to 6 regions under the Provincial Growth Fund, questions have been asked about how it's being spent and by whom? Lois Williams asks those getting funding to plant trees or… Audio
Storm gathers over Whangarei social housing project
Anxiety is mounting over a social housing project planned for a high-value suburb in Whangarei. More than 200 Maunu people turned up for a council meeting on Thursday demanding a say in Housing New… Audio
Logging truck operator's suspension overdue - union
The union representing log truck drivers says tough action by the Transport Agency is long overdue against a big Whangarei trucking company. The Agency's revoking the licence of Stan Semonoff Logging… Audio
Northland parents nervous amid measels outbreak
Parents across the country are on edge as a measels outbreak affects several regions. A young family in Northland tells RNZ reporter Lois Williams about their views on immunisation. Video, Audio
