Justin Lester
Record high numbers of assaults in Wellington's nightlife
Wellington's nightlife Cuba Courtenay precinct has the highest proportion of assault and sexual assault crimes in New Zealand. Analysis by the consultancy firm Dot Loves Data shows that over a… Audio
Police investigate multiple rape claims against Wellington musicians
Warning, this report contains some distressing content.
A Wellington nightclub worker says he reported one of the individuals at the centre of a raft of sexual assault allegations to the police three… Audio
New Zealanders heading to the regions for school holidays
New Zealanders are taking advice to 'stay local' to heart this school holidays.
Spending analysis shows holidaymakers swapping Fiji and Rarotonga for Great Barrier Island and Waiheke are spending up… Audio
Ghost town: Wellington workers are staying home
In the capital city thousands of public servants aren't heading back to work any time soon. Audio
Wellington's mayoral change is about more than just movie money
Wellington's Mayor-elect, whose majority is hanging by a thread, didn't just (probably) get there because he was partly bankrolled by Sir Peter Jackson. Audio
Wellington's mayoral change is about more than just movie money
Wellington's Mayor-elect, whose majority is hanging by a thread, didn't just (probably) get there because he was partly bankrolled by Sir Peter Jackson.
AudioA nailbiter for Wellington's incumbent, Justin Lester
He says he's ready to get on with the job if there is a turnaround. Audio
Calls to overhaul who runs public transport
After the bus debacle in Wellington, calls are being made to overhaul how public transport is managed by councils. Under current law, regional councils and city councils both have a role and that's… Audio
Mayoral candidates concerned by low voter turnout
Low voter turnout and the way votes are cast are concerning mayoral candidates across the country - hoping to take out the top job. Voting in the local body elections closes at noon on Saturday. As… Audio
Wellington mayoral candidates come face to face in debate
Local body voting papers start arriving in letter boxes at the end of this week, and on October the 12th we'll know who's going to be in charge of our local councils and boards. Here on Morning Report… Video, Audio
Living wage challenge to mayoral candidates
Wellington's mayor Justin Lester has challenged other mayoral candidates to commit to continue paying the living wage to council staff. But two councillors running for his job say the challenge is… Audio
Wellington council spends $800k on controversial redevelopment
Wellington City Council has spent hundreds of thousands of ratepayer dollars trying to get the controversial Shelly Bay redevelopment off the ground - but with nothing to show for it. Nearly $800,000… Audio
Councils need support to realise govt’s urban development dream - mayors
The government wants to direct city councils to loosen up planning rules and scrap unnecessary restrictions for developing higher-density housing. The announcement from the Urban Development Minister… Audio
Justin Lester discusses Wellington insurance price rises
Insurance companies are telling home owners in Wellington they will have to get used to higher premiums.
Wellington's mayor Justin Lester hosted an insurance forum yesterday amid concern from… Audio
Wellington's pop-up library opens as questions hang over quake-prone building
Wellington's been without a central library for nine weeks now, but on Tuesday, the first of its pop-up branches opens.
Arapaki in the central city is small, but it's expected to be busy.
Its… Video, Audio
Insurance won't cover Wellington library fix - mayor
Wellington ratepayers will have to pay to strengthen or demolish the city's main library, because the council can't claim on insurance.
The central library closed nine weeks ago when it was deemed… Video, Audio
Lester pledges end to Wellington homelessness if re-elected
Wellington's Mayor Justin Lester is promising to end homelessness in the Capital if he is re-elected in October. He also wants to campaign on a plan to transform the way people travel in the city -… Audio
'Likelihood' Wellington library will be demolished - mayor
The fern globe that hangs above the capital's Civic Square has been pulled down again for remedial work, less than a year after being returned after earlier repairs. Neil Dawson's fern sculpture was… Audio
Wellington mayor suggests govt-backed insurance company
In the face of a projected surge in insurance costs, the mayor of Wellington is rallying the troops to come up with a solution. IAG - New Zealand's largest general insurer - is starting to charge… Audio
Wellington bus operator hit with 17,000 fines in five months
The bus operator NZ Bus has been fined more than 17,000 times in five months for failing to meet its contract requirements in Wellington. The fines include 3207 cancellations, 8451 late services and… Audio
