Sensitive claims sent to branch offices - ACC
Hundreds of sensitive ACC claims - those related to rape and other sexual abuse - have been transferred out of the corporation's Sensitive Claims Unit to case managers in regional branch offices, the...
View ArticleImmigration NZ staff gathering costs taxpayers $191,000
More than $190,000 of taxpayers' money was spent on an Immigration NZ conference in Auckland for which 20 staff travelled from overseas to attend.The meeting of the visa division was held over five...
View ArticleIdea of just one station for tunnels sparks anger
Auckland Transport is considering building central city rail tunnels with just one underground station to start with - to the fury of council transport leader Mike Lee.The Auckland Council transport...
View ArticleCreatures dredged from the deep
Hairy crabs, fanged worms and midget lobsters are the latest freakish lifeforms dredged up by scientists exploring the sea volcanos of the Kermadec Ridge.A three-week New Zealand expedition has...
View ArticleAsk Phoebe: Exit-lane misuse on motorway can be punished
On the Southern Motorway, southbound between Market Rd and Greenlane, the inside lane is marked as exit only from the Market Rd offramp onwards, which is great for those of us exiting at Greenlane. But...
View ArticleExtension will give cyclists their own 'super highway' to the city
Auckland cyclists should be able to ride their own off-road "super highway" from Te Atatu to the Waitemata waterfront by the end of 2015.The Transport Agency expects to start construction in October on...
View ArticleStormwater bill may limit green ambitions
Auckland Mayor Len Brown has promised to turn the Super City into an eco-city, but is pegging back spending on the city's rundown and flood-prone stormwater system.Before the global financial crisis...
View ArticlePrecinct speed could be clipped to boost walking, cycling
Auckland Transport is considering reducing the speed limit in Wynyard Quarter to 30km/h among measures to discourage cars and boost walking, cycling and public transport.The organisation, which is...
View ArticleKey won't rule out future school cuts
Losses limited to two staff per school over three years - but no assurances after thenby Kate Shuttleworth and Claire TrevettIntermediate schools have been saved from losing more than two teachers over...
View ArticleCYF ordered to investigate dead infant's family
The Government has ordered an urgent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a 2-month-old boy who was smothered by his drunken mother as she slept.Ngaire Kura Tukiwaho, who had...
View ArticleTranstasman criminal checks coming
New Zealanders crossing the Ditch to seek work will no longer be able to hide their criminal history when new record-sharing measures take effect.A six-month trial will begin in July to allow...
View ArticlePolice hail a 'dramatic drop' in the use of P
New Zealand's decade-long epidemic of methamphetamine use is finally winding down.Preliminary results from a new Health Ministry survey, due to be released soon by Prime Minister John Key, show the...
View ArticleComa girl's first words reach out for parents
One of the worst-injured survivors of a road smash near Turangi which claimed the lives of three US students has spoken her first words since coming out of a coma.Meg Theriault yesterday told her...
View ArticleFear of death keeps diners away from exotic dinner
A new Auckland restaurant that serves only puffer fish is struggling to convince diners it is safe to eat the dishes on its menu.Chowon Puffer, a Korean-styled restaurant in Takapuna, has a range of...
View ArticleBanks go to war on mortgages
Mortgage rates have hit rock bottom as banks offer thousands of dollars in cash and slash advertised interest rates in response to pressure from home-buyers for deals.A mortgage broker has described...
View ArticleTriplets' parents struggle at vigil
The parents of Kiwi triplets trapped and killed in a fire in a Qatar shopping centre broke down while attending a moving vigil held in memory of the dead.Meanwhile, it has been reported that five...
View ArticleFlag-raising starts island celebrations
Samoa will today start a week-long celebration marking 50 years since independence.The opening ceremony will take place in Mulinu'u, near Apia, where the national flag will be raised before a...
View ArticlePaul Holmes hospitalised in Auckland
Paul Holmes is in hospital in Auckland.Newstalk ZB station manager Dallas Gurney says he's having a routine heart procedure to remedy a long-term complaint.The broadcaster's in good spirits and is...
View ArticleDistraught family focus on getting Dasha home
The distraught family of a Czech tourist sexually assaulted and killed while hitch-hiking in the South Island is focusing on getting her body home.Police revealed yesterday that Dagmar Pytlickova, 31,...
View ArticleEx-All Black convicted of assault
Supported every step of the way by his partner, former All Black Stephen Bachop stood in the Wellington District Court dock quietly as it heard how a concerned member of the public followed him...
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