Stories by Catherine Hutton
News
Future of disability rehabilitation provider uncertain
An embattled trust is promising to keep helping people who are disabled even as it moves to sell off its specialist rehabilitation centre in Auckland.
Confusion over decision to keep additive out of toddler milk
Manufacturers and exporters of infant milk formula are flummoxed by a decision that stops them putting a synthetic additive into toddler milk - even though it's allowed for babies.
Pure fruit juice health rating to look at natural sugar content
Pure fruit juice is having its health rating slashed putting it on the same or an even lower level than diet coke.
Interim terminal to be built ahead of 'megaferries' arrival
A new shared ferry terminal for Wellington won't be built in time for the arrival of KiwiRail's two new supersized boats.
Transmission Gully lane change called 'last minute band-aid'
Late plans to widen and extend the motorway where Transmission Gully merges with State Highway 1 have been labelled a band-aid solution.
Indebted trust accused of bias in membership applications
A debt-ridden Auckland society is being accused of refusing membership applications from people who might question its plans.
Concerns KiwiRail plan will end the recreational use of Lambton Harbour
KiwiRail's plan to dock its new mega ferries in Wellington's inner harbour has a major problem - the city is too windy.
Former prisoner says staff turning a blind eye to drug use at Rimutaka
An ex-prisoner, housed at a child sex offender unit at Rimutaka Prison, has claimed fellow residents are smoking synthetic cannabis while authorities turn a blind eye.
Parents say Trust for the disabled was deliberately run down
Parents whose children were cared for at a purpose-built disability centre in Auckland say there appears to have been a deliberate attempt to run down the site.
Documents show trust paid staff bonuses to manage its closure
Leaked documents show a cash-strapped Auckland trust for the disabled paid senior staff bonuses to manage its closure and wants to reopen with a focus on private clients.
Tetraplegic man fears confinement after funding cut
A tetraplegic man fears he will be confined to his bed unfed and untoileted from today, when the Ministry of Health plans to stop funding the carers he relies upon.
Closure of purpose-built gym and pool a disaster for disabled clients - advocate
The closure of a hydrotherapy pool and specialised gym has left some in Auckland's disabled community with nowhere to go.
Unusual payments, tenures, on board of beleaguered charity
The board of a struggling incorporated society, set up to help disabled people, spent $670,000 of public money and donations on consultants - including paying its own chairman close to $100,000 for… Video
Imminent closure of trust giving support dashes hopes
In 1966, a solution began to help the disabled living in geriatric facilities simply because there wasn't anywhere else to go.
Courts annual tally: 65,000 adults charged, meth biggest drug
Annual Justice figures show methamphetamine remains the biggest drug taking up time in the courts - with 8182 charges laid in the last financial year.
Yachties fear new ferries will take wind out of their sails
Yachties fear KiwiRail's two new mammoth Cook Strait ferries will spell the end of racing in Wellington's inner harbour.
Wellington multi-use ferry terminal plan in jeopardy
KiwiRail opposes a recommendation for Kaiwharawhara to be the site of a new Cook Strait ferry terminal, and says its not keen on sharing its preferred site at Kings Wharf.
Carers dismayed by new disability funding model
The government is quietly scrapping the controversial policy which pays family members to care for a disabled relative but the alternatives are being criticised as just as confusing and bureaucratic.
Last submissions to be heard on family carers law reform
Repealing a short piece of legislation allowing family carers to complain to the Human Rights Review Tribunal is back on the government's agenda.
Family carers lament Labour's delay on critical law reform
The government is refusing to pass a single page of legislation before the election that would allow families with disabled children to take complaints to the Human Rights Review Tribunal and the…
KiwiRail's diesel locomotive problem
KiwiRail says it has no choice but to buy more Chinese made diesel locomotives - even though they've been troublesome and unreliable for more than a decade.
Still not enough progress on keeping families out of court - independent panel
A year on from the Family Court review, the changes made still haven't fully addressed the problems with solving disputes before they get to court.
'Tomorrow's retirees are in much worse shape than today's'
One in three middle-aged people who live on their own earn so little they are facing an impoverished old age. Audio
Disability body saddled with ringfenced fund by Ministry of Health
A privately owned company which distributes funds on behalf of the government, has been left with a $500k fund it can't use without permission.
Flooded campsite: Tourists describe dramatic early-morning rescue
Twelve people and a dog had to be rescued from a Lower Hutt campsite this morning after a stream flooded.