Timothy Brown
South Island reacts to new Covid-19 protection framework
The Prime Minister has dangled the carrot of lifting some restrictions in the south if they can get the island 90 percent fully vaccinated.
Community and business leaders say this provides the step… Audio
Mixed feelings as South Island held at alert level 2
There's mixed feelings in the South Island over the government's continued decision to hold at alert level 2 despite more than a year since the last community Covid case.
Some say the safety-first… Audio
Milford Sound tests emergency response
Dozens of people from around the south gave up their time at the weekend to test and improve how Milford Sound Piopiotahi will respond to an emergency, such as a magnitude 8 earthquake along the… Audio
Ohai says goodbye to more than 100 years of coal mining
Ohai is today closing the book on its more than century long association with coal.
The small western Southland settlement sprang up around large coal deposits discovered in the 1910s, but its time… Video, Audio
New report claims Tarras can support international airport
Christchurch Airport has today released analysis showing Tarras - a small Central Otago farming settlement - can support an international airport.
The airport - which is owned by Christchurch City… Audio
Could Queenstown Lakes experiment with inclusionary zoning?
Could Queenstown Lakes be the experiment with inclusionary zoning that New Zealand needs?
The district council is seeking feedback on plans that could see developers having to hand over homes or cash… Audio
Three children killed in Timaru, woman in hospital, police investigating
Police are investigating the death of three children in Timaru, after officers were alerted to the triple homicide last night.
Emergency services were called to a Queen Street flat in the suburb of… Video, Audio
Covid-19: life after vaccination
Countries around the world are starting to imagine a future living with Covid-19, as vaccination benchmarks are reached. But what is the magic number and when will we reach it? RNZ's Timothy Brown… Audio
Wānaka bid to split from Queenstown Council gaining steam
A petition calling for Wānaka to split from the Queenstown Lakes District Council has now got enough signatures to trigger an investigation.
Wānaka mechanic Dean Rankin says he's fed up with how his… Audio
Councillors comments put residents noses out of joint
The neighbours of a controversial composting and worm farming business in North Taranaki have had their noses put out of joint by a regional councillor questioning whether their olfactory organs are… Audio
Covid-19 Maori want to lead vaccination efforts in their communities
Maori are calling on the government to trust them to lead Covid-19 vaccination efforts in their communities.
They say they can do a far better job and just need to be able to get on and improve the… Audio
Covid-19: What life is like for those allergic to mRNA vaccine
As people flood into vaccine centres each day to get their shots, a small group are unable to get the Pfizer vaccine.
They're not conspiracy theorists, they're not anti-vaxxers, they just need an… Audio
Major push to get young people vaccinated in Dunedin
A major drive is on to get young people vaccinated against Covid-19 - at a pop up clinic in Dunedin today.
The focus is on young Māori and Pasifika, but is open to the whole community.
Our… Audio
Covid-19: Pacific people leading the way for over 40 vaccinations
Pasifika now lead the way in full vaccinations among people aged 40 and above.
The community has been targeted by abusive messages after it was revealed that a church service just days before… Audio
South Island businesses want certainty on reopening
Businesses in the lower south say they need certainty about when they'll be able to re-open.
Some say the certainty of a longer lockdown would even be preferable to the false hope of the drip-fed… Audio
Hundreds get Covid-19 vaccine at pop-up clinic in Dunedin
Hundreds - including some of the first 12 to 15 years in the country - have been vaccinated against Covid-19 at a pop-up drive-thru clinic in South Dunedin.
Anxious to get their jabs amid the level… Video, Audio
Housing must be viewed as a human right - economist, tenants' advocate
A leading economist and a tenants advocate support the push to view housing as a human right.
The Human Rights Commission has announced an inquiry into housing, but some say the road map out of the… Audio
Covid-19: More than half of Stewart Island given first shot
Day one of Rakiura-Stewart Island's vaccine drive is over with more than half of the population now having had at least one shot.
New Zealand's southernmost island had a Covd-19 scare last month, and… Audio
Queues for Covid-19 vaccine on Rakiura Stewart Island
To Rakiura-Stewart Island, where the first day of a two-day Covid-19 vaccination clinic is underway.
Locals were queuing before the clinic even opened its doors.
Our reporter Timothy Brown and… Video, Audio
Covid-19: Southernmost vaccine clinic kicks off
New Zealand's southernmost Covid-19 vaccine clinic gets underway today on Rakiura-Stewart Island.
Large numbers of the community came forward to be tested following a Covid-19 scare last month, and… Audio