Stories by Sarah Robson

The amount of money paid out under the government's wage subsidy scheme has topped $13 billion.

A hopping kōkako that was rescued from Auckland's Hunua Ranges has died.

River and stream levels in the region are dropping, but many low-lying paddocks remain inundated with floodwater.

The ACT Party is promising its biggest campaign in 15 years, as it fights for more seats in Parliament after September's election.

The average amount people owe to the Ministry of Social Development after getting grants or advances to cover basic living costs has doubled in the last five years.

Community leaders in the Bay of Plenty hope police raids targeting the Mongols motorbike gang will reassure the public they are safe after months of escalating tensions. Audio

A wily stoat that was on the loose on one of Auckland's pest-free islands appears to have either died or swum away.

The government has helped get more than 3200 people get home from 40 different countries since the Covid-19 pandemic took hold across the world.

Some travellers returning to New Zealand have been "shocked" by a last minute announcement that their Covid-19 quarantine would be in Rotorua, not Auckland.

A man who believes he was on the same flight as the pair who tested positive for Covid-19 says people arriving in NZ need to be upfront if they have even mild symptoms. Audio

Kāinga Ora doesn't know how many of its properties meet design standards that ensure anyone with a disability can live in them.

With more people out on the streets in alert level 1, health authorities have had to re-think how people in managed isolation can get exercise.

Beneficiaries are angry the government is treating them differently to people who have lost their jobs because of the pandemic. Audio

There was a sharp drop in the number of child abuse reports made to Oranga Tamariki over the Covid-19 lockdown period.

A second wave of Covid-19 hardship could be on the way, the Salvation Army has warned.

Work and Income helped nearly 5000 people into jobs during alert levels 3 and 4, but at the same time 40,000 people signed up for the benefit.

Those who signed on for the benefit during lockdown were more likely to be first time beneficiaries and higher earners, a new report shows.

The government is being warned many more families will fall into poverty if it doesn't boost support for people losing their jobs because of Covid-19. Audio

With unemployment expected to grow, beneficiary advocates say major changes to the welfare system are needed in Thursday's Budget.

Social services fear some of their funding sources are about to dry up, just as more people need help amid the fallout from Covid-19.

At-home workouts and online group fitness classes have become the norm for many during the Covid-19 lockdown - including for a group of Edgecumbe seniors.

Forget group video calls, a group of older people in the Hutt Valley is staying connected through the Covid-19 lockdown with regular catch-ups on the telephone.

It could cost up to $14 million to get New Zealanders stranded overseas because of Covid-19 home, according to just-released documents.

What'll it be today? Abseiling, vechicle repairs, baking or some DIY? Chester can do it all.

Comfortable beds, large TVs, meals delivered and allocated exercise time. Three people who spent time in managed isolation describe what it is like.