Sarah Robson
Serious flaws found in benefit fraud investigators
A top-level review has found serious flaws in the oversight and training of benefit fraud investigators with the Ministry of Social Development. The independent assessment was ordered after a Privacy… Audio
No rule change planned for beneficiary debt write-offs
The Government won't be changing the rules any time soon to allow debt write-offs for beneficiaries who are struggling to pay back loans they've taken out loans to cover basic living costs. Our social… Audio
500,000 New Zealanders face food hardship - research
It's estimated about half a million New Zealanders are now struggling to put enough food on the table.
New research from the Auckland City Mission has painted a bleak picture of just how many people… Audio
Social workers - punched, hit and kicked
Social workers say the abuse they face has increased since the controversy about the removal of babies from their families. Latest figures show there were 39 physical assaults on Oranga Tamariki… Audio
Punched, hit and kicked - assaults on social workers on the rise
There were 39 physical assaults on Oranga Tamariki social workers in the year to June, but the Ministry for Children suspects some assaults are going unreported. The attacks have included punching… Audio
Dotterels building their nests in construction sites
An empty paddock next to a big box shopping development is the last place you'd expect to see a rare New Zealand dotterel nest ... or is it? In Auckland's Westgate, more and more pairs of the usually… Audio
Petition pushes govt to keep promise on welfare overhaul
Beneficiaries say despite the government's promise to overhaul the welfare system, they're still struggling to make ends meet.
A petition has been delivered to Jacinda Ardern's electorate office in… Video, Audio
Ritchies fined $750,000 after fatal Gisborne bus crash
The Ritchies bus company has been fined and ordered to pay $750,000 in reparations to the families of those killed and injured in the 2016 Christmas Eve bus crash.
The bus was carrying 53 people from… Video, Audio
GPs frustrated by supply problems with the measles vaccine.
GPs in Auckland are frustrated by supply problems with the measles vaccine.Another shipment of 52-thousand MMR vaccines was due in the countryon Monday and the Ministry of Health says they'll be… Audio
Solo mums on benefits having to decide between food and fuel
Solo mums say benefits just aren't enough to raise a family and food banks say they're seeing unprecedented demand from parents. Sarah Robson investigates the Coalition government's promise to… Audio
Families continue to struggle to make ends meet
The Auckland City Mission handed out an unprecedented 23-thousand food parcels last year, as families continue to struggle to make ends meet. The figure for the year to June is a 40 percent increase… Audio
Oh no Owha! Seal makes snack of Auckland dinghies
Bright light, loud noise and possibly even a garden hose could be used to try to keep a curious leopard seal away from Auckland's marinas. The leopard seal, named Owha, is no stranger to the Waitemata… Audio
Govt, council discuss assistance for businesses affected by CRL
The prime minister has come under fire for the timing of her trip to Tokelau as tensions continue at Ihumatao in south Auckland. Audio
Waitematā DHB admits failures behind Aileen Aspden's death
Aileen Aspden died in North Shore Hospital in 2015.
The 83-year-old was admitted because of a relapse of her Crohn's disease.
The Health and Disability Commissioner Anthony Hill said opportunities… Audio
One in five NZ children face food scarcity at home - report
One in five children are living in households where putting food on the table is a struggle.
A new report from the Ministry of Health has found that many parents are stressed and anxious about… Audio
One in five NZ children face food insecurity - report
A report from the Ministry of Health says many cash-strapped parents are stressed and anxious about providing food and are often forced to rely on charities or emergency assistance.
It estimates… Audio
More details on harm to kids in Oranga Tamariki care revealed
Oranga Tamariki has revealed more details about the harm and abuse being done to children in its care - and who is doing it.
In March, the Ministry for Children published its first two safety of… Audio
MSD’s relationship definition needs to change – new report
A new report by academics and advocates say the way relationship status is defined by the Ministry of Social Development is unclear and outdated. It's calling for immediate changes, saying the rules… Audio
Govt reforms aimed at protecting victims of sexual violence
The Government has unveiled reforms to better protect victims of sexual violence who decide to take their cases to court. There have long been calls for changes to be made to the justice process… Audio
Commissioner blasts MSD for breaching beneficiaries’ privacy
The government has ordered an urgent review into the Ministry of Social Development's power to collect any information about someone it's investigating for benefit fraud. Audio
