Stories by Soumya Bhamidipati
News
'You feel a little bit less cautious' - Parents, kids adjusting to orange setting
The orange light setting has brought a sense of relief for parents, as the eased restrictions mean one less thing to juggle - but some Covid-related worries are still lurking.
Grocery voucher offered for return of oximeters in MidCentral DHB
MidCentral District Health Board is offering a $20 grocery voucher to people who return its pulse oximeters.
Pharmacists ready to do more RATs to improve result accuracy
Pharmacists are putting their hands up to do more to help people get their rapid antigen tests (RATs) done properly and with more reliable results. Audio
Prison release grant stuck at maximum of $350 for 30 years
If the Steps to Freedom grant had kept up with inflation, it would be about $700 today.
Vintage shunt goes west as KiwiRail switches to electric option
KiwiRail's oldest diesel shunt is rolling full steam ahead into retirement.
Delays in RAT delivery the latest govt failure during pandemic, doctor says
A Dunedin doctor says the government has repeatedly failed to deliver the tools frontline health workers need to do their jobs. Audio
'I'll be home soon': Skipping MIQ means NZers can finally return from Australia
The shift from MIQ to home isolation for vaccinated New Zealanders travelling from Australia kicks in today.
'Going to be disruptive': Lab worker tests positive to Covid-19
New Zealand Institute of Medical Laboratory Science president Terry Taylor says while the absence of one from the team will affect capacity, colleagues will fill in the gaps as best they could.
Corrections wants to track inmates' sweat for drugs and alcohol
New electronic monitoring bracelets will not track wearers' sweat at this stage, but Corrections wants the option in future. A criminologist says the practice is too invasive.
Location, GPS equipment determining whether offenders go to prison
Some offenders are having to go to prison because they do not live in an area where there is a good enough signal for electronic monitoring. Audio
'A potential perfect storm': Call for rethink on amount of Covid-19 testing done in labs
The country's laboratories could be overrun if the government does not reconsider who it tests for Covid-19, a professional body says.
Vaccine event for Christchurch's Chinese community heralded a success
A vaccination grant specifically for ethnic minorities has made a Chinese group in Christchurch feel more connected to the wider community.
NZ purchases 120,000 courses of Covid antiviral medicine
Health authorities have ordered 120,000 courses of antivirals to combat mild to moderate Covid cases.
Aged care sector's staffing problem 'going to reach crisis point'
Care workers who took their plea for enforceable minimum staff numbers to lawmakers today say they are having to choose who gets care and who misses out.
Animal welfare group refuses to hand dogs back to breeder
The future of 24 stolen dogs is up in the air as an animal welfare organisation refuses to hand them over, while police demand they are returned to the owner.
Concern 200ha of council land could go with Three Waters assets transfer
South Wairarapa locals are worried they could lose land they've bought and paid for when the government's Three Waters reforms kick in. South Wairarapa locals are worried they could lose...
Councillors put removal bid of playground tractors into reverse gear
Masterton's playground tractors might now be restored to the Kids Own Playground after another late reprieve from councillors.
Food truck stories: The Ride, The Recipe and The Travelling Chef
Three chefs driven to fuel the masses.
Renting in New Zealand (and what politicians are promising to change)
As politicians talk up their housing policies ahead of the election, renters share stories of stress, illness and why the current system doesn’t work.