Stories by Catherine Hutton
News
Defence Force claims secret drone footage disproves Hager's claims
New Zealand Defence Force has almost eight hours of secret American drone footage it says shows there are more than 100 mistakes in a book about a controversial raid in Afghanistan.
Social workers aim to use public sector pay rise as leverage
Social workers contracted by Oranga Tamariki want to piggyback on a big pay boost going to their counterparts at the state agency.
Mount Erebus tragedy: Victims to be remembered with memorial
A $3 million memorial to remember the victims of the country's worst ever aircraft crash, the Mount Erebus disaster, has finally been announced to the relief of victims' families.
Second parent joins court action over disabled care pay
Another parent of severely disabled children is heading to court seeking a ruling that his daughter and son are incapable of employing him.
'State care can have disastrous implications'
Placing children and young people in state care can have disastrous consequences and greatly increase their risk of becoming chronic offenders, says the Chief District Court Judge.
Mystery vapour 'smelt like a rotting dead pig'
Authorities remain stumped by a mystery vapour that left children sick at a Wairarapa school on Friday and prompted a full scale response from emergency services.
Mother forced to go to court to clear up 'fiction' over disabled care pay
An elderly Auckland mother is taking her severely disabled son to court for failing to be a good employer.
Councillor tells of Work and Income humiliation
An Auckland councillor has told a meeting on welfare reform his blind mother-in-law was humiliated when asked to prove her disability at a Work and Income appointment.
Residential power prices rise 79% in 28 years
A new report showing thousands of households are struggling to pay their power bills backs up its own research, Consumer New Zealand says.
Martinborough bank closure will hit businesses and elderly - protesters
More than 100 Martinborough residents protested at the town's ANZ branch this afternoon, in a bid to halt the closure of the town's last remaining bank.
Families fed up with glacial pace on disabled care pay
Families caring for their adult disabled children are furious a promised fast-track review of the law won't be released for months.
Parents given chance to speak on Family Court improvements
Parents previously involved in the family court system have two months to have their say on how to improve it. Audio
Higher alcohol tax needed to reduce harm - economist
Twenty percent of New Zealanders drink 75 percent of the country's alcohol yet are not paying to clean up the mess, an Alcohol Action forum has heard.
Property management campaign disgusts tenants
A brazen social media campaign by a franchise of the property management company Quinovic has disgusted some tenants.
Beneficiary contraceptive scheme comes to an end
A scheme to fund free long term contraceptives for beneficiaries and their daughters ends on Monday.
State of disability support services policy: 'An absolute joke'
Families caring for adult disabled children are appalled by official attempts to simplify the guidelines for how much support and money they can get.
Immigration NZ forced to address privacy concerns with RealMe
Privacy breaches by immigration advisors have forced Immigration New Zealand to halt efforts to move some of its visa applications solely online.
Sir Peter Jackson's museum to close as lease deal fails
Sir Peter Jackson's World War One exhibition will close in four months' time after Massey University and the government failed to reach an agreement on extending the lease on the popular attraction.
Attorney-General restarts recruitment for Family Court head
The Attorney-General has restarted the recruitment process for appointing a new principal Family Court judge.
Delayed review into pressured Family Court to get underway
The government's promised review of the pressured family court system is about to get underway - three months later than it should have.
'Eerie calm' as nonplussed commuters navigate transport changes
With changes to public transport services taking effect, Hutt Valley commuters stepped out the door this morning into the unknown, writes Catherine Hutton.
'Are they joking?': Carers offended by Ministry assessments
Parents who look after their disabled adult children are offended and angry with Ministry of Health assessments.
Breast cancer: Calls for genetic test to be funded in NZ
A woman who paid thousands for a test after being diagnosed with early stage breast cancer says it should be publicly funded in New Zealand.
Court cases suffer delays with judges under strain
A law change last year which reduced the number of district court judges has resulted in an "avalanche of work" and lengthy delays in the court system.
Govt's electric train promise now off the rails - union
The railway union is accusing the government of breaking a pre-election promise to stop the removal of electric trains from the North Island's main trunk line.