Stories by Niva Chittock

Locals who live next to Christchurch's fire-damaged Bromley wastewater treatment plant say they are not surprised by a damning report into the council's management of the foul stench it gave off.

Christchurch man David Benbow has been found guilty of murdering his childhood friend, a High Court jury has found.

It is unclear if a parasite barrier will be installed on an uncompliant water supply in Christchurch.

As election day draws nearer, Māori and young people tell RNZ what it will take for them to be more engaged in the voting process.

Queenstown hospitality venues are finding creative ways to deal with the boil water notice as tourists stream in for the school holidays.

New Zealand broadcasting great Kim Hill is signing off from her flagship Saturday Morning show on RNZ National. Video, Audio

More than 94 percent of union members voted to strike, issuing a two-week strike notice to Corrections on Tuesday.

A former patient's experience in Christchurch's worn out, cramped mental health facilities for young people is driving him to help raise the funds needed for an upgrade.

A pathway into work in health for Māori and Pasifika has been so successful, whānau and friends of participants are signing up too.

A business owner wants more stringent background checks for those creating professional online profiles after discovering a potential advisor is currently on home detention for corruption.

Two councils asked Environment Minister David Parker to "call in" the project because of how unique it was - and he's directed the Environmental Protection Authority to take over consenting.

Nine survivors of Danny and Roberto Jaz's attacks read powerful victim impact statements to the court ahead of the pair's sentencing today.

Two brothers who drugged and committed sexual offences against more than 30 young patrons at Christchurch bar Mama Hooch are to be sentenced today.

Kiwis are being urged to think twice about what's going down their drains ahead of the summer swimming season.

Immense sadness, a sombre cloud, acceptance and healing were some of the emotions being felt in Timaru after the verdict. Audio

Lauren Dickason murdered her three young daughters, a High Court jury has found

The jury in the murder trial of Lauren Dickason has asked to rewatch her police interview from the day after she killed her children. Audio

The detective in charge of the Yanfei Bao homicide investigation says items found so far have created positive lines of inquiry.

The first psychiatrist to formally interview Lauren Dickason believes the mother killed her children out of control, not love.

The 83-year-old appeared in the Greymouth District Court today, charged with sexual offending against the girls over a period of more than 20 years.

Lauren Dickason relied on her husband to help manage her depression and anxiety, the High Court at Christchurch has heard. Audio

A forensic psychiatrist told the Christchurch High Court it is concerning the woman accused of murdering her children was self-prescribing for her mental health.

The High Court has heard what was going through Lauren Dickason's mind in the lead-up to killing her children. Audio

Lauren Dickason's mother has told the court her daughter seemed absent in the final months before she left South Africa for Timaru.

Her face crumpled in the video as she stated what she had done - killing her three children - was "irreversible". Audio