Stories by Louise Ternouth
News
New leash on life: Auckland Council opens dog adoption centre
In an effort to get thousands of roaming dogs off the streets and into forever homes Auckland Council is opening the country's first council-operated dog adoption centre in Pukekohe. Audio
School lunch failures: Provider told to show daily visual evidence of quality
A menu of mishaps means the government's school lunch provider is now facing new performance measures - including providing daily evidence of what it is serving up. Audio
Luxon's Marmite sandwich suggestion leaves bad taste with principals
The prime minister's comment that parents who are dissatisfied with the new school lunch programme should pack the lunches themselves has not gone down well with some. Audio
Sick in the spotlight: Being one of New Zealand's first Covid-19 cases
Jenene Crossan contracted the virus in 2020 while heading home from a business trip before New Zealand's borders closed. Audio
11 days of butter chicken: More problems with school lunches
After weeks of late, unsuitable or unsavoury lunches, two schools had sa first opportunity to speak to an actual person from the provider. Audio
'It's pretty bad, I hate it': Hundreds of school lunches going uneaten
From West Auckland to Whangārei, complaints and concerns about the government's revamped school lunch programme continue. Audio
Ex-public servants still searching for work after last year's public sector cuts
"Every job that I apply for has hundreds if not thousands of applicants," a former senior public servant who has tried for 90 roles says.
Woman left with brain injury after being hit by e-scooter
Auckland woman Michelle Mann has undergone six surgeries since being hit by an e-scooter seven years ago. Audio
Victim warns new stalking bill could protect stalkers, harm victims
A victim warns that new stalking laws could "do more harm than good".
Woman says she's applied for 400 jobs, as unemployment reaches 4-year high
Suzanne George has been job hunting for over a year in Wellington. "Demoralising wouldn't even be the word for it," she says.
Parents weigh options as cost of school holiday programmes climbs
Many do not have the luxury of working from home or calling in grandparents so childcare is stressful and potentially expensive. Audio
Abuse survivor faces $75k bill after ex-partner broke nearly all of her teeth
Amid ongoing health issues and "unbearable" pain, Ellie is scared for her future: "My teeth are going to kill me." Audio
Remains of destroyed homes turned into Cyclone Gabrielle commemorative sculpture
The idea of a sculpture made out of salvaged materials was dreamt up to give to those who lost their homes. Audio
Why so many retired Kiwis are experiencing loneliness
"It's like this void, this emptiness in the room." Audio
'I was crying on the phone' - Storm-affected resident
Almost two years on from the Auckland Anniversary floods and Cyclone Gabrielle, residents are still picking up the pieces from ruined homes. Audio
Auckland business owners devastated by 96-day rail shutdown
One says they should have been given early notice because now they have pre-ordered stock in hopes of a busy summer. Audio
Shoppers turn away from high-end fashion as retailers close doors
More NZers are snapping up pre-loved clothing as the cost of living bites. Audio
Samoa preparing for Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting
Preparations have been four years in the making, with businesses stockpilling supplies, villages decorated in each country's colours and a huge community effort to be ready to host.
Samoan villages told not to eat fish due to diesel leaks from Manawanui
The sunken Navy ship is leaking diesel from three spots on its underside, officials say. Audio
Manawanui 'black box' data recorder found
Defence Force diving crews found the voyage data recorder - the equivalent of an aeroplane's flight recorder - on Tuesday.
Flood hit homes now worth less than owners' mortgages
The Kiwi dream of owning a home has turned into a nightmare for some flood-affected first home buyers who bought in the last few years. Audio
'We're reaching a crisis point': GPs calling for urgent overhaul of funding model
GPs had their funding increased by four percent in July and were given the green light to lift their fees by more than seven percent. Audio
Over-65s spending almost entire pension on sky-high rent
Some are spending up to 95 percent of their superannuation on rent. Audio
Stores fear loss of business under Auckland's new liquor curfew
Some South and West Auckland liquor stores fear they could lose up to 40 percent of their business under new liquor sale rules. Audio
'Worse than giving birth': Calls for stronger pain relief for IUD insertion
A woman who experienced pain "beyond anything" getting her IUD inserted is joining calls for stronger pain relief. Audio