Stories by Soumya Bhamidipati
News
Flood-hit Aucklanders prepare for Cyclone Gabrielle
Flood-affected Aucklanders have an anxious few days ahead as the city is warned to prepare for more wild weather from Cyclone Gabrielle.
Corrections fail to declare code red as prisoners destroy day room, light fire in cell
Two prisoners at Mt Eden Corrections Facility were already rioting when another lit a fire in his cell on Sunday, it's now been revealed.
'Only decision they could make' - Flood victims praise emergency extension
Locals are applauding the state of emergency extension as communities clean up a week after Auckland's deadly floods.
Auckland flooding: Appeal for vacant properties as displaced families seek accommodation
As accommodation becomes a challenge for those displaced by the Auckland floods, a real estate industry group is appealing to people who may have empty properties.
Auckland: Businesses who have opened say few customers are about
It's been a quiet start to the week for central Auckland businesses with people encouraged to stay at home because of slips and flooding.
Two new dark sky reserves for NZ
Two Wairarapa districts are the latest to be certified under the International Dark Sky Reserve movement, joining just 20 other places worldwide.
Promising new methods in pipeline to tackle cruise ship biofoul
Marine antifouling technologies that include air bubble barriers could help keep marinas clean and stop ships being turned away from New Zealand ports.
More children and young people seeking help
Donations to charities are being hit by the rising cost of living, KidsCan says, and it is worried its ability to help children will be affected.
Kiwi winemakers taking on the scourge of modern slavery
A Canterbury wine label has reached its goal of donating $50,000 towards stopping global slavery by the end of the year.
'Write for Rights' - Human rights organisations urges NZers to use holidays for change
A human rights organisation wants people to use their holiday downtime to write letters advocating for the release of people imprisoned unfairly.
'A fugitive from justice': Karel Šroubek to be deported
The former world kickboxing champion and convicted drug smuggler will be sent back to the Czech Republic in March.
Letter suggests trans-Tasman consensus mandatory testing of travellers from China unnecessary
New Zealand health officials reportedly agreed with Australian counterparts that introducing mandatory Covid-19 testing for travellers from China was an overreaction.
Sotheby's auction of Aotearoa artefacts raises questions
The items include moa leg bones, a golden huia beak brooch, a kiwi skeleton, a taxidermied bird, and two Māori clubs.
Waka Kotahi signals delays ahead with New Year's Eve traffic hotspots
The transport agency is warning travellers to expect heavy traffic on highways up and down the country.
Medical company researching combined flu and Covid-19 vaccine
Participants are now being sought to help the Wellington-based firm research a combined flu and Covid-19 vaccine.
New Zealanders break record, spend $100m on Boxing Day sales
While Boxing Day spending reached record heights, it was overshadowed by the amount spent in the lead-up to Christmas.
Covid-19: A hospital holidays for many this Christmas
Hundreds of people are spending their Christmas in hospital with Covid, while thousands more are at home, but in isolation.
INZ recognised danger Samsudeen posed but was stymied by law, review finds
Immigration handled the Lynnmall attacker correctly but was limited in what it could do because of immigration laws, a review has found.
'Watershed moment': Sending 15-year-old to jail was avoidable, say advocates
The Criminal Cases Review Commission is instructing the High Court to reopen the case, involving a youth sent to prison after an incorrect birthdate on documents meant the court thought he was 17.
Avatar sequel celebrates diversity both on and off the screen
Avatar was the highest-grossing film of all time, so expectations are high for the sequel. Audio
'Frankly unacceptable': Govt accused of inadequate response to child abuse
Justice advocacy groups say the government should be doing more to address child abuse. Audio
Fewer KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals but 'likely things are going to get tougher'
Despite soaring living costs and inflation, fewer New Zealanders are withdrawing their KiwiSaver funds because of financial hardship.
'Zelensky Way' - teen calls for change of Russian Embassy street name
As tensions escalate in the Russo-Ukrainian War, one young New Zealander says Aotearoa should be doing more to condemn the conflict.
Malcolm Rewa pushes for retrial over murder conviction
The man most recently convicted of a murder that led to one of New Zealand's biggest miscarriages of justice wants his fourth trial over the matter.
Staff shortages still hitting hospitality and other sectors
With staff shortages still common, the Employers and Manufacturers Association says the government could increase the workforce by granting an amnesty to those who had outstayed their visas.