Stories by Tracy Neal
News
Amaltal guilty of taking fish from a marine reserve
Conservation group Greenpeace has hailed a guilty verdict against a Nelson-based fishing company for its illegal bottom trawling in a marine reserve.
War on wasps escalates with plan to introduce new organisms
The war on wasps in the top of the South Island is being ramped up.
Coal Burner Ban could lead to rise in imported food – Growers
Crop, meat and dairy producers say any ban too soon on coal boilers could force New Zealand to increase its imports of food.
Nelson sells community homes to state rental agency for almost $20m
Nelson will use millions of dollars raised from the sale of community housing units to support the development of affordable, social housing.
Risk profile for bird strikes at some airports increasing
Two of New Zealand's three air force bases have the country's highest risk profiles for bird strikes on aircraft.
Calls for Tory Channel to be closed to shipping
A Marlborough Sounds watchdog group wants Tory Channel closed to all commercial shipping and large fishing boats.
Call for taonga to be returned to Parihaka
Repatriating the items would be a big step towards healing the lingering wounds of Parihaka, says a heritage expert.
Townies get taste for rural life by exploring food origins
The manager of the park that hosts Nelson's agricultural and pastoral show says it has become an important event for people who have lost touch with the origins of food.
A song and demotions mark extraordinary Nelson council meeting
When a group opposed to a reshuffle of the Nelson City Council broke into song this morning, all the mayor could do was sing along.
Nelson woman's Melbourne trip to meet baby grandson succeeds
Helen Kerr, whose plans to head to Melbourne have been stalled for seven months, has arrived to what she said was a polite welcome from authorities at the airport.
Cat owner prosecuted after neglecting dental care for pet
The SPCA says not many people are deliberately cruel to their animals, but it took a stand against an Auckland cat owner for failing to care for dental health, as a reminder of the obligations of…
Grieving British family seeking options for yacht sale in NZ
A grieving UK family wanting to sell their 17-metre yacht in New Zealand could have it imported here - but it would cost them tens of thousands of dollars.
Kea could learn to detect 1080 poison to keep them safe
A discovery that kea might be able to learn to detect toxic 1080 bait by how it looks could be a breakthrough in teaching them not to eat it.
Unsung iwi releases new waiata, plans marae project
An iwi that was "almost wiped off the face of the earth" is continuing revitalisation efforts, following a newly created waiata with work on a marae concept for the Nelson Lakes region. Video
Lake Ōhau Road reopens with limited access
Lake Ōhau Road has been reopened to the public, but access to the fire-stricken village remains restricted to residents only. Audio
New cruise ship berth at Picton could raise pollution - engineer
Plans to expand Picton's ferry terminal would place a heavy burden on its environment unless properly managed, a seagoing marine engineer says.
Nelmac confirms CEO's partner hired in fulltime role
Unrest continues around some staff employment procedures at a Nelson City Council-owned maintenance firm.
Mining company agrees to help fund flood warning system
The Buller District Council wants mining company money earmarked to fix an old landfill diverted to a new flood warning system for Westport.
Cyclone season fills Port Denarau Marina to the brim
Early weather predictions show up to four cyclones could hit Fiji this season, forcing 40 yachts to take shelter at Port Denarau.
Electronic tracking of yachts possible legal argument for entry to NZ
A maritime lawyer says there may be a legal argument for allowing foreign yachts into New Zealand when they can prove where they have been through electronic tracking.
Defence Force to help with maritime border controls
The Defence Force is to help with efforts to enforce the country's Covid-19 border restrictions at sea.
Global medicinal cannabis market could undercut NZ growers
The New Zealand Drug Foundation said the medical cannabis industry in New Zealand will face competition from overseas medical cannabis companies.
Thai cannabis company says projected economic benefits won't materialise
A Thailand cannabis company believed its low-priced imports may eventually undercut New Zealand's cannabis market, and investors were not being properly warned. But New Zealand's current draft laws…
'A one-off bad season' - Ski days drop by two-thirds
The ski season in Nelson-Marlborough has ended as the shortest on record.
Farmers natural guardians of biodiversity, new study says
More than 90 percent of sheep and beef farmers support biodiversity on their farms, a new study has found.