Stories by Alexa Cook

The loss of 600 jobs in Timaru is hitting the local economy hard, with retailers seeing a big drop in sales, sparking fears that more shops will close. Audio

For 16 years Hugh and Linda Findlay have been selling their cherries from a shed near Napier. Audio

"This is always going to be an emotional subject," but could help with water security, one councillor says. Audio

The cyclone-damaged section of the road between Napier and Wairoa won't have two lanes open until next Christmas. Audio

For 21 years, Aaron McCann and his father worked together at the mill. For the past year, his son James has been there too.

Two men, one accused of murdering an 18-year-old found in a burned-out car in a Hawke's Bay, have been given a trial date.

"They need to get on with it because we're getting more events these days," Wairoa's mayor says.

It will act on all 14 recommendations made in a damning Inquiry into last year's devastating and deadly weather events. Audio

Locals worry their home is about to turn into a ghost town as the ripple effect from the mill closure creeps into households. Audio

Hundreds of mill workers farewelled their workplace for the final time today, as Winstone Pulp International closed the doors on 45 years of operations. Audio

Zach Ryan first walked in the doors of the mill 14 years ago, fresh out of high school. Audio

Experts are urging the government to put more effort into helping the region transition to more sustainable land use and other economic opportunities. Audio

Gisborne businesses are struggling and many may close as the region grapples with a decline in forestry and lower export prices.

A new project to improve VHF radio coverage and cell phone service on Māhia Peninsula is hoped to prevent tragedies at sea after the death of three Gisborne fishermen in the area. Audio

"There's nothing I could ever say to that man that would sum up how we feel about what he did to Pauline," Pheasant Riordan says. Audio

The project looked at the region's freshwater aquifers and will inform policies to reduce the risk of drinking water contamination.

Kiwis are being warned to be extra careful online, with the rise of a scam targetting social media businesses that lures them with an advertising opportunity and then takes over their account. Audio

A contractor advised the regional council of an alternative option before the flood - but the council misunderstood.

The reviews - which found the flooding was caused by natural phenomena - were not independent, mayor says.

Juanita Savage was woken by her daughter at 4am, and checked her emails. If she hadn't, the outcome could have been very different. Audio

New Zealand's oldest wine auction is gearing up for its 32nd event this weekend. Audio

Wairoa's flood hit residents are urging the Hawke's Bay Regional Council to act on a raft of recommendations around its management of the river bar in June, when 400 properties were flooded. Audio

There was hope the government might intervene after ministers and mill management met several times to discuss unsustainable wholesale power pricing. Audio

More than 200 workers are now desperately searching for jobs after Winstone Pulp confirmed it will shut the mill. Audio

Winstone Pulp International has proposed closing two of its mills near Ohakune because of high wholesale power prices. Audio