Ruth Hill
Lifestyle blocks threaten to gobble up productive land
So-called lifestyle blocks could pose a greater threat to productive land than suburban sprawl. A report from the Ministry for the Environment called Our Land 2018, shows more than 35 percent of… Audio
Māori teen begs for prison transfer after year in isolation
A Māori teenager who is beginning his 340th day in isolation in an Australian young offenders facility is so desperate for human contact he's applied to be transferred to an adult prison. Jason… Audio
Mouldy Middlemore Hospital: Health Minister issues please explain
Counties Manukau District Health Board was first alerted to the problems six years ago but David Clark was only told about one of the four buildings that have dangerous mould. Audio
Wellington City Council evicts tenant with 'no cause'
A man suffering mental health problems is facing homelessness after receiving an eviction notice. But his landlord, Wellington City Council, is refusing to tell him the reason why. It's legal - but… Audio
Locals fear airbase water contamination behind illnesses
The Defence Force face prosecution for contaminating groundwater with toxic chemicals used in fire-fighting foam. It has admitted the chemicals have leached into soil and water near bases at Ohakea… Audio
Concern over proposed bowel cancer screening programme
A leading public health expert says the delay of the national bowel cancer screening programme is an opportunity to dump what he calls a flawed system that won't stop anyone developing the disease. Audio
Pilots win airport extension case
A Supreme Court ruling released in the last hour could threaten Wellington International Airport's multi-million dollar plan to extend its runway by nearly 400 metres to attract more long-haul… Audio
Wellingtonians face water restrictions amid early summer heat
Water restrictions are already in place in many parts of the country, and now Wellington residents are being warned to heed water restrictions or face tougher measures in the coming weeks. Audio
Neither Audit NZ or Waikato DHB have spoken to Nigel Murray
Audit NZ says it's been unable to establish the true extent of former Waikato DHB boss Nigel Murray's excessive travel costs because of holes in the paper trail. Audio
Wellington on track for more train strikes
The industrial dispute between the Rail and Maritime Transport Union and the company running the trains seems to be hardening, with each side accusing the other of lying and bullying. Audio
Police join forces with Facebook to find missing children
Through a new AMBER Alerts system, media organisations and every Facebook user within a 160-kilometre radius of the area where the child has gone missing will receive an alert. Audio
Masterton the Beautiful - Wairarapa town makes final in city awards
The Wairarapa town of Masterton has reached the finals of the Keep New Zealand Beautiful most beautiful city awards - much to the surprise of some locals. Video, Audio
Christmas parcels packed for overseas troops
Soldiers, navy and airforce personnel joined forces today with the RSA, Foodstuffs, Z Energy, and school kids to pack Christmas parcels for about 300 personnel on overseas deployments. Video, Audio
Child rape victims harmed by investigation, advocates say
Child advocates say reports that two young girls were raped while living at a state-run house in Upper Hutt last year point to major problems with the handling of complaints. Ruth Hill reports. Audio
Sole parents struggle with poverty and stigma
Sole parents on the benefit explain how they survive under a mountain of red tape and punitive obligations. Audio
Hunger, homelessness new normal for NZ
Hunger and homelessness are being called "the new normal" for increasing numbers of New Zealanders by the Council of Christian Social Services. Audio
Employee trial period a failure - report
The 90-day trial period introduced seven years ago has done nothing to help struggling job-seekers get a foot in the door, a new Treasury-commissioned study has revealed. Audio
Brother pleads guilty to murdering Alex Fisher
The man charged with murdering his 10-year-old brother, Alex Fisher, has pleaded guilty. Ruth Hill was in court. Audio
Proposed law change supports family violence victims
A woman who kills her abuser while he sleeps may be able to argue she acted in self-defence, under a radical law change recommended by the Law Commission. Audio
Fears deportees would cause mroe crime appear unfounded
Fears that a big increase in the number of criminals deported from Australia would unleash a crime wave in New Zealand appear unfounded. Audio
