Stories by Natalie Akoorie
News
Sneak peek of new $166m bridge across Waikato River
It is hoped the four-lane bridge will open to traffic in August, when it will be officially named.
'Words matter': Minister rebukes councillor for use of 'derogatory terms'
Louise Upston says it's unacceptable for Andrew Bydder to use ableist slurs in an expletive-laden rant to a neighbouring council.
Councillor should apologise for 'offensive ableist slur' - advocate
Andrew Bydder needs to publicly apologise - and make a sizeable donation - a disability advocate says.
Hamilton city councillor writes expletive-laden rant to neighbouring council
Hamilton's mayor says Andrew Bydder's expletive-filled submission to a neighbouring council is "vulgar" and "abusive", and has made a formal complaint.
Waipā mayor responds to 'frankly appalling' rant by councillor
Waipā mayor Susan O'Regan says she will not put up with abusive behaviour.
Tom Phillips and children still elusive as reward runs out
The $80,000 reward was only available for a short time in an effort to put pressure on those with information on the family's whereabouts to come forward.
Waipā medium-density housing should not be 'like Auckland and Wellington' - mayor
Waipā District Council says it has been denied an extension to slow the introduction of medium-density housing to its three main towns.
Questions over suspected human remains found at house
Police are continuing a scene examination at the Hamilton house but believe the remains are human.
Crucial rail corridor at risk from unstable city street
The street is at risk of collapsing onto one of the country's busiest freight railway lines, but the road cannot be closed because it would cost at least $1 million.
Marokopa mystery: Mum of missing children desperate to see them
There have been 70 new reports of information in the past three days. Audio
Waikeria Prison riot the result of systemic leadership failure - union
The union for Corrections officers says the same criticisms in a damning report released today were made after the Springhill Prison riot in 2013, but nothing has changed.
Video shows violent attack on student at troubled school
"For God's sake, that's not what should be happening at our kids' schools," say frustrated parents.
Vigil for road crash victims: 'Their presence was a gift'
A crash that claimed the lives of five people north of Te Awamutu was the catalyst for a candlelight vigil in the Waikato town.
Man sentenced to jail for fatal stabbing of good Samaritan
Bailey Ecclestone stabbed Matthew Williams in the neck last year when Williams intervened in a fight.
Waikato medical school's business case not expected until 2025
The business case for a third medical school at the University of Waikato is not expected until next year.
NZTA not planning any upgrades to scene of 'horrendous' Waikato crash
The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says seven years ago it improved the road where five people lost their lives last night. Audio
Years of complaints over school teacher's actions
A Tauranga teacher, who resigned citing ill health after he was accused of propositioning a student, faced decades of complaints.
'I have $0 in savings': University staff protest over stalled pay talks
Up to 110 members of the Tertiary Education Union took strike action for three hours during the university's open day.
Mental health facility so overcrowded patient slept on the floor
The facility was operating over occupancy in late April and early May.
Two dogs seized by council after attack on woman
The woman in her 60s was seriously injured after the attack near Tairua on Wednesday.
Hamilton high school students learning in library as classrooms demolished
Students at Hamilton's Fraser High School are being taught in the library after the Ministry of Education began demolishing buildings.
Delays in reporting woman's X-ray results before her death
The Health and Disability Commissioner has criticised the standard of care Te Whatu Ora Waikato provided to a woman who died of cancer.
NZTA to reduce Te Huia train funding
Supporters are claiming the outcome as a victory, but a Waikato councillor would not be drawn on whether it could ensure the survival of the service.
'Great shame': Lack of funding, council buy-in stalls economic development
Te Waka, which began in 2018 to drive economic performance in the fourth-largest region in the country, is the smallest and lowest-funded agency.
Hamilton councillor quits after queries about regular absences
Melaina Huaki attended only two-thirds of the meetings she was scheduled to be at, and resigned after RNZ asked why.