Stories by Harry Lock
News
Climate change needs real change - scientist
A major report examining how the country should fight climate change is due out on Sunday, sparking calls for change.
Water meters recall 1970s' user pays attitude - opponent
A new anti-water meters campaign is being launched by a group of Wellington residents with its founder claiming it is diverting the blame for poor pipes onto residents.
Wellington's latest burst pipe fixed for now
Wellington's wastewater network is expected to be running back to normal this evening, after a burst sewage pipe was given a temporary fix. Video
Covid infection at MIQ facility 'most likely scenario' - Baker
Infectious disease expert Michael Baker says it is unlikely the woman at the centre of a Covid community case scare in Northland caught the virus while she was in Europe. Audio
How a Biden-led US could change climate action in NZ
Some academics say the new Biden administration could mean more pressure on NZ's government and industries to clean up their carbon emissions faster.
Mau Whenua will occupy Shelly Bay until dispute is resolved
"We are resolute, we can wait." That's the message from iwi members and protesters occupying Wellington's Shelly Bay, where a development is planned.
Escalating rent prices forcing families into emergency housing
The number of Emergency Housing Special Needs Grants given out by the Ministry of Social Development has jumped from 4000 to just short of 10,000 in two years.
More women expected to come forward after history of Grace Millane's killer revealed
More women are expected to come forward to the police now it has been revealed Grace Millane's murderer was a repeat sex offender.
WOMAD cancelled for first time due to Covid-related risks
The New Plymouth-based music festival WOMAD has been cancelled for the first time in its 16-year history.
Wellington transport demolitions to be revealed in 2021
Consultation with the public is being delayed, because officials don't want to tell those people before Christmas their home may have to be demolished.
Wellington Municipal Office Building set to be demolished
Wellington's Municipal Office Building - since 1956 the home to the City Council and the planned future home for a National Music Centre - is looking set to be demolished.
Wetlands should be carbon sink under ETS - council
Protection and restoration of wetlands would be more likely if they qualified for carbon credits in the same way as forests do, the council's climate committee says.
Kāpiti Coast Airport closure: Mayor raises civil defence concerns with PM
Kāpiti Coast mayor K Gurunathan has written to the Prime Minister asking the government to clarify how critical the local airport is in the event of a major earthquake.
Facial recognition regulations will be reviewed - minister
The government will seek advice on whether the rules safeguarding the use of facial recognition technology are sufficient.
Managed isolation hotels being overbooked - Hipkins
The government is allowing isolation facilities to be overbooked so full capacity is reached even if there are last-minute cancellations or no-shows.
11 hectares of land leased to university for conservation plant-out
Eleven hectares of land in Wellington's Outer Green Belt has been handed over to a university project to plant native forest.
Water meters 'total false hope' - Upper Hutt mayor
Upper Hutt City Council has rejected funding the rollout of universal water meters, potentially putting themselves at odds with the rest of the region.
Porirua flooding: at least 16 homes uninhabitable
Porirua City Council is helping one family find accommodation after their home was made uninhabitable by flooding.
Water 'way more than those pipes could hold' - mayor
Residents in Plimmerton have spent the day cleaning up as much as they could, following the devastation of the flooding on Sunday.
Supply-chain chaos has booksellers reading between lines this Xmas
Booksellers are facing a return to the 1970s way of doing things this Christmas, by having to trust their instincts, and stock up on the books they think people will want to read.
Wellington households may be getting water meters
In a worst-case scenario, the region could be running out of water as soon as 2026, a new report shows.
Law Commission finds flaws in DNA use for criminal investigations, calls for overhaul
A review looked into the Criminal Investigations (Bodily Samples) Act 1995, and found there was no clear and robust process to guide police on how to collect, use and store DNA. Audio
Few apartment owners register interest in quake-strengthening loan scheme
Just 25 people have lodged expressions of interest in a loan scheme which helps apartment owners pay for their building to be earthquake strengthened.
Uncertainty over long-term accommodation for flood evacuees
With a clean-up now in full swing in Napier, the next big challenge will be to find longer-term accommodation for people who can't soon return to their homes.
Napier flooding: Family tells of 'awful' night fleeing in waist-deep water
Emergency services remain on standby in Napier as hundreds of homes are damaged and at least 19 uninhabitable after Monday's deluge.