Stories by Jo O'Brien
News
Seriously ill man says Tauranga social housing provider threw him out
Tauranga man Timothy Dalton-Edwards says he's been "kicked in the side" by the city's main social housing provider.
Tourist driver 'just hit me head on'
A couple who survived a horrific collision with an American tourist in Waikato have added their voice to calls for compulsory driving tests for visitors to New Zealand.
Maori Affairs Minister backs proposal for bilingual towns
Te reo Māori could soon join te reo Pākehā on traffic signs, ATMs or restaurant menus in several New Zealand towns that are considering going bilingual.
Staff cuts at Waikato University 'part of a downward spiral'
Angry academics and students at the University of Waikato are fighting a proposal to cut about 15 percent of staff from the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.
Wealthy not immune to meth 'epidemic' in Waikato
Methamphetamine dealers in Waikato are targeting wealthier families to make more money, a drug rehabilitation worker says.
Flatmate tried to alert others to fire, inquest told
The flatmate of three young people who died in a Hamilton house fire has told a court of how he desperately tried to alert them to the danger.
Mayoral candidate in a 'pickle' with botched Māori translation
A mistake-ridden translation of a Hamilton mayoral candidate's profile has been slated for being disrespectful to the Māori language. Audio
Opotiki art heads for the Big Smoke
The people of Opotiki are bringing their art to a Ponsonby gallery in an attempt to change how their small town is perceived.
Transient students falling behind - principals
More and more students are shifting from school to school as rising rental costs force their families out of their homes, principals are reporting.
Exhibition shines light on Māori star lore
While many of us may have taken part in Matariki celebrations over the past few weeks, how much do we actually know about the traditional astronomy that underpins the Māori New Year?
Diverse range of opinions on 'Kiwi values'
New Zealanders on the street have mixed views on defining Kiwi values - and whether refugees should be made to subscribe to them.
A right royal look-alike tour
A party of royal look-alikes paid a visit to a small Waikato town today to share in its birthday celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II.
Hui shares indigenous solutions to suicide
Finding indigenous solutions to preventing suicide was the goal of a hui in Hamilton today. Audio
Speed management trial under way in Waikato
A speed management project being piloted in Waikato could clear the way for more express journeys. Audio
Māori men four times more likely to die from violence
Māori end up in hospital or dead because of physical attacks at a much higher rates than non-Māori, a new Ministry of Health report says.
Maniapoto to hold treaty negotiation hui
Treaty settlement expectations will be on the agenda when the Maniapoto Māori Trust Board begins consultation with iwi members at the end of the month.
'Huge interest' in Māori exhibition in Brazil
A Māori cultural exhibition that has just opened in Rio de Janeiro is generating huge interest, the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute says.
Ngāi Tahu records $109m profit
Ngāi Tahu is welcoming a net profit of $109 million for the 2015 financial year - despite the drop from last year's $160 million profit.
Why are Māori, Pasifika dying from heart attacks?
New research hopes to reveal why Māori and Pasifika people are more likely to die following heart attacks.
Iwi welcomes Kermadec sanctuary creation
The creation of the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary is part of a growing realisation of the need for greater protection of the environment, Ngāti Kurī says.
Waitangi honoured with heritage classification
Waitangi has become the first wāhi tūpuna to be included on the New Zealand Heritage List.
Waikato Tainui moots Solid asset buy
Waikato Tainui says it is considering buying the Waikato assets of Solid Energy.
Joint resource management on cards for Gisborne
Gisborne District Council will vote on Thursday on an agreement to jointly manage resources within the Ngāti Porou rohe with the iwi's rūnanga.
Minister accused of holding up treaty talks
The Hauraki District's mayor says it is hugely disappointing that the Hauraki Collective's treaty settlement negotiations have been stalled since last December.
Hapū question 'toothless' forestry standards
East Coast hapū say they could challenge proposed national standards for forestry in the Waitangi Tribunal if the Government pushes ahead with them.