Policy
Kāinga Ora pushing for changes to Wellington's housing rules
The state housing agency Kāinga Ora is pushing for radical changes to Wellington's housing rules, including wiping protections for character buildings and allowing more development on flood prone… Audio
National and ACT have numbers to govern according to poll
Labour's made an embarrassing law and order blunder as it tries to re-focus on winning the election amid another poll showing it's short of the numbers to govern.
The 1News Verian poll - previously… Audio
Around the motu: Todd Niall in Auckland
Stuff Senior Auckland Affairs Journalist Todd Niall takes us behind the bus drivers strike in the city and talks about the complex funding formula in which the budget constraints at Auckland Council… Audio
ACT to put 17 year olds back under adult court system
ACTs abrupt turn on the youth justice age has been described as cynical, a backward step and exploiting fear. The party wants 17 year old offenders put back into the adult court system, reversing a… Video, Audio
ACT wants to put 17 year olds back into adult justice system
The ACT Party says it will put 17 year olds back into the adult justice system, if it is part of a government after the election, reversing a change the party once supported.
Prof Susan Rossell: Australian psychiatrists can prescribe MDMA and psilocybin
In a world first, authorised Australian psychiatrists can now prescribe MDMA and psilocybin. As of 1 July, psilocybin, a psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms and MDMA, commonly known as… Audio
Opposition won't support new rail routes
An inquiry from Parliament's transport committee has recommended officials begin feasibility studies into four North Island rail routes -- a proposal opposition parties say they won't be supporting.
… Audio
Four new North Island passenger rail routes recommended
A parliamentary inquiry into regional passenger rail has put four North Island routes on the table.
The inquiry, which received 1752 submissions, looked at the viability of getting passenger trains… Audio
Housing ombudsman needed, says human rights chief
Chief human rights commissioner, Paul Hunt, says extra help is urgently needed to fix the country's deeply flawed housing system.
The Commission released a Housing Inquiry report today in conjunction… Audio
Waka Kotahi revokes close to 700 warrants
Close to 700 vehicles in Auckland could be on the road illegally after an investigation found that a repair shop has been issuing warrants of fitness not done by a certified inspector.
Waka Kotahi… Audio
Dame Juliet Gerrard on gangs
The Prime Minister's chief science advisor has warned the country can't arrest its way out of the gang problem.
Dame Juliet Gerrard spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Can't arrest way out of gang problem
The Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor has warned the country can't arrest its way out of the gang problem.
Dame Juliet Gerrard has quietly released a report on gangs that was requested last year… Audio
Monitoring Oranga Tamariki big test of new office
The head of the government agency that recently took over monitoring of Oranga Tamariki says the current time is a big test of his newly reconstituted office's capacity.
The Independent Children's… Audio
More people to be eligible for cataract surgery
The government is moving to scrap the so-called postcode lottery for surgery, beginning with cataract operations.
Under the old system, district health boards had different thresholds for who… Audio
Eye surgeons may not cope with demand
Eye surgeons are warning they may not be able to cope with an increased demand for cataract operations now that more patients will qualify.
The government is trying to remove the post code lottery… Audio
Former IWD worker raises questions over his baby's death
A former employee of a controversial chemical plant in New Plymouth wonders if the death of his first child from spina bifida was related to his time working there.
The multi-national company Dow is… Audio
Lines form at some petrol stations as subsidy comes to an end
Motorists are taking advantage of the last day of the government's fuel subsidy, with long lines forming at some fuel stations.
The 25 cents a litre discount for petrol will end at midnight, as well… Audio
Last chance to have your say on bilingual road signs today
If you have something to say about bilingual road signs, the final deadline for submissions is 5pm this afternoon.
Waka Kotahi and Te Mātawai have a package of 94 bilingual traffic signs they… Audio
Fuel prices rise around 29 cents tomorrow
Petrol prices will jump up around 29 cents from tomorrow, as cuts on petrol excise duty and road user charges end.
The government's 25 cents per litre discount will be added back on and, when GST is… Audio
More plastics phasing out, but what about disabled community?
We will wave good-bye to another lot of single-use plastics tomorrow.
Plastic produce bags and stickers, plates, bowls, cutlery and straws are being taken off the shelves, and businesses can be fined… Audio