Stories by Anna Sargent
News
'As bad as it gets': Residents flee flooding in state of emergency
Selwyn Huts residents have been asked to evacuate as rivers rise and rain lashes already sodden ground.
'Worst I've ever seen': Canterbury small town battles flooding
Doyleston residents describe the scenes of flooding in the town of a few hundred people.
Woman jailed for trying to attack her husband with carving knife
Katherine Mary Hughes was under significant mental stress as his sole caregiver, a court has heard.
Canterbury father who killed son in high-speed crash released from prison
Niklas Gebhardt was driving his car with his six-year-old son Lachlan in the back when it went off a rural road.
Hospital failed toxic fume victims, union says
Christchurch Hospital staff who have been left with life-long health effects after being exposed to toxic fumes at work have been let down by their employer, their union said.
'Bugger off': Mayor's harsh words for West Coast coal mine protesters
Grey District Mayor Tania Gibson said the government's fast-tracking process for mining was good for the region.
Coroner's Court hearing on John Beckenridge and stepson set to resume
A coroner will hear more evidence about claims the pair died by murder-suicide, or staged their deaths and fled overseas.
Christchurch man jailed over three years for black market tobacco operation
Zijing Yu was arrested last year after illegally importing 740 kilograms of tobacco and 25,000 cigarettes.
'It's going to be outstanding' - one year until Christchurch stadium opens
Christchurch's long-awaited $683 million stadium is on track to open its doors in one year's time. Audio
Canterbury polytech Ara proposes job cuts - Union
A proposed restructure at Canterbury's Ara Institute will result in job cuts.
'Streets becoming toilets': Queenstown Lakes pursues freedom camper crackdown
Councillors voted to pursue a new freedom camping bylaw at a meeting on Thursday. Audio
Gloriavale man died trying to 'black out'
Sincere Standtrue, 20, was found in the community's paint shop. Audio
Rest home workers worried staff cuts risk residents' safety
Staff at rest homes run by Oceania Healthcare are worried plans to cut the number of nurses and caregivers rostered on shifts will put elderly residents' safety at risk.
Residents near rifle range should not be banned from noise complaints, council says
The Defence Force wants to protect itself from neighbours raising issues about noise at the range.
Firefighters remain at Canterbury scrub fire
The Lewis Pass blaze spread to 40 hectares until it was contained on Saturday, and 30 firefighters are still working on site today.
Gloriavale member gets four years' jail for sex offences
A 13-year-old victim of Fervent Ben-Canaan's told her abuser he stole her childhood and her innocence.
Parents wrongly stung with parking fines during drop-offs
Dozens of parents doing drop-offs and pick-ups at a childcare centre were affected. Audio
South Island pool takes high-tech approach to reducing drowning risks
A Canterbury swimming pool is using artificial intelligence technology to reduce the risk of drownings.
Dunedin Hospital build turned into 'political football' - union
The delays and cost-cutting have been "frustrating and disappointing", critic says, and the government needs to "suck it up [and] commit the funds". Audio
Hanging from cliffs to keep highways open
When Wayo Carson was a boy, he loved throwing rocks. That thrill has never left.
'Year upon year there's more and more' - What it's like to be a fire investigator
Fires destroy their own evidence but there are still enough clues to work out what happened if you know what to look for.
'Apocalyptic' swarms of midges plague residents
Some have had to move out of their homes, a meeting of east Christchurch residents has heard.
Fire study aims to protect rural homes from future blazes
A University of Canterbury student who saw his neighbour's house burn down in a wildfire has been part of a research project aiming to protect rural homes from future blazes.
Professor recognised for dedicating forty years to improving oral health
Emeritus Professor Murray Thomson, says it is "tremendously humbling" to be recognised in the New Year Honours list.
Musician's work with underprivileged children makes her proud
Suzanne Prentice, a CNZM in this year's New Year Honours, has performed with Dolly Parton and Johnny Cash - but her work with underprivileged children is what makes her proudest.