Stories by Luka Forman
News
Charity launches AI chatbot therapy service for veterans
No Duff Charitable Trust created the chatbot and trained it in things like crisis support, mindfulness and breathing modules. Audio
New music school opens to fill gap left by MAINZ closure
An iconic New Zealand music school, which trained many award-winning Kiwi artists, has been given a second life after being canned due to financial difficulties two years ago. Audio
'Burden': Son's complex health needs leave family facing return to South Africa
The family's bid for residency has been declined because their non-verbal son suffers seizures and needs 24-hour care.
'A terrible shock to her' - woman steals $188k from her mother
A woman stole more than $180,000 from her elderly mother while she had control of her bank account, and elder advocates say this type of crime is becoming more common. Audio
Invasive seaweed found in new location in Bay of Islands
The invasive seaweed caulerpa has been found in a new location in the Bay of Islands, sparking fears it could spread quickly through boating hubs around Paihia and Russell.
'Gobsmacked' - Developers slam call to stop new connections to wastewater network
Property developers say the decision will stifle development in an area that needs more housing. Audio
Meet the Māngere locals on a mission to get more people cycling
A new cycleway is in the works in the area, which will connect Māngere town centre to the Māngere bridge township and over the Manukau harbour. Audio
Invasive weed moves away from Great Barrier Island's sea floor, causes trouble elsewhere
It's hoped new technology could help fight Caulerpa. Audio
Students learning new skills at the Māngere enviro-hub
The Māngere enviro-hub is a Kainga Ora-owned site which has been repurposed from housing to an area with a community garden, composting and tree planting in the heart of South Auckland. Audio
Dairy without the cow? Auckland food-tech startup explains how
It is NZ's most profitable export industry, but also one of our biggest carbon emitters - so what if the cow, and methane, could be taken out of the production process altogether? Audio
Marine experts oppose MPI upped crayfish catch proposal
Conservationists are at odds with Fisheries New Zealand over a proposal to increase the commercial crayfish catch limit in the Eastern North Island. Audio
Patients waiting months or even years for colonoscopies
People say they have been waiting months and even years get the crucial check-up. Audio
Hopes for sustainable aviation fuel industry to take off in New Zealand
Hopes are high that a sustainable aviation fuel industry will be able to take off in Aotearoa, bringing skilled employment to regional New Zealand - including areas that have lost jobs in recent pulp… Audio
'Like slave labour' - prison pay rates remain stagnant
Prisoners' pay rates need to be increased, say reform advocates, who have labelled the current rates of 20 to 60 cents an hour as practically slave labour.
New K road toilet block causes stink with some residents
They say its location has attracted anti-social behaviour leaving them feeling unsafe.
Head lice frustrations driving some parents to risky treatments
iSpyNits founder Kate Ricketts says she's heard of parents resorting to drastic measures to get rid of nits, including kerosene, fly spray and flea treatment.
Early Christmas cheer as retirees restore old bikes for kids
The retirees say they enjoy drawing on their decades worth of DIY knowledge, and seeing happy youngsters zoom off on their new wheels. Audio
Maketū locals pleased famous pies back on the menu
"Having a business that employs that many people right here in a small village has been a very fortunate thing for the locals to have."
'Inhumane': Flood victims ineligible for council buy-out, but neighbours are
Since the rest of the street had been labelled category three, the Deacons' small community has essentially become a ghost town. Audio
Inside the Otara markets: Stallholders feeling optimistic after tough year
It's been a tough year for many businesses, but many stallholders at a popular Auckland market are feeling optimistic that trade will pick up in the holiday season. Audio
'Heartbreaking' - Challenges of getting neurodivergent kids to school
Screaming, tears, vomiting from anxiety and kicking holes in the wall - the reality of mornings before school for some families. Audio
Prison rehab programmes not effective - critics
Corrections is spending 'a hell of a lot of money' on drug treatment and rehabilitation programmes that make 'marginal differences', critics say.
Dyslexic students tackle global problems at specialist workshops
A group of young Kiwi students with dyslexia got the chance to develop their entrepreneurial skills in tailor-made workshops this week. Audio
Toddler hospitalised multiple times due to mouldy rental
The Tenancy Tribunal has backed her mother, who says her child's health has been permanently affected. Audio
Wee problem pisses off K Road business owners
Businesses on the iconic street are fed up with the lack of public toilets, with some having to clean up human waste outside their shops each morning. Audio