Anneke Smith
Advocacy group urges Government to slow down on new OT laws
An advocacy group is urging the Government to slow down on progressing new Oranga Tamariki legislation - calling it a rushed patch job.
The bill - which would introduce an independent monitor -… Audio
ICU nurse might leave NZ after residency rigmarole
An intensive care nurse who immigrated to New Zealand is so fed up with residence visa red tape she is considering taking her skills overseas.
The woman is among several ICU nurses whose… Audio
ICU nurse with job lined up in NZ stuck in South Africa
A seasoned ICU nurse who has a job offer with Tairāwhiti DHB is stuck in South Africa with no way of getting here.
Rena - who has 16 years' experience in intensive and critical care - can't even plan… Audio
Bill making it easier to change sex on birth certificates passed
A bill making it easier to correct the gender on a birth certificate has passed its third reading with support from all political parties.
The legislation, which began as a routine update to the… Audio
Luxon's Question Time debut not the standoff some predicted
National's new leader has made his debut in the House but it was hardly the stand-off political punters had predicted.
After just 400 days in Parliament, Christopher Luxon squared off with the Prime… Audio
Judith Collins demoted in National Party reshuffle
The National Party has a new front bench that features some freshly promoted new faces, and former leader Judith Collins sent to the back to the pack.
It's one of six portfolio reshuffles off the… Audio
Govt plans vaccine rollout for 5-11-year-olds by January
Covid vaccines will be rolled out to children aged between five and 11 years old by the end of January, with vaccine supplies ready and waiting.
The government's already secured the paediatric doses… Audio
NZ's border 'well placed' to keep new Covid variants out - epidemiologist
There are fears a new Covid variant emerging from South Africa could be more transmissible and deadlier than Delta.
The UK has put six African countries on its travel red list - with some flights… Audio
Judith Collins' time as leader colourful and controversial
She may be best known as 'Crusher Collins' but Judith Collins' nearly-20 years in politics can't be summed up by just a nickname.
The former National Party leader's reign - 499 days to be specific -… Audio
Kāinga Ora policy costing taxpayer thousands in payouts
Kāinga Ora's refusal to evict tenants, no matter how appallingly they behave, is costing the taxpayer thousands of dollars in compensation.
Tenants, terrorised by their neighbours, have been awarded… Audio
Kāinga Ora should evict unruly tenants - lawyer
A litigation lawyer says Kāinga Ora - the state landlord - is "unquestionably" breaking the law by not evicting unruly tenants.
An elderly couple living in a state housing complex in Whangārei… Audio
Government can't say what would spark Kainga Ora eviction
The Government can't say what it would take for a Kainga Ora tenant to get kicked out of a state home.
It denies it has a hard-line 'no eviction' policy despite not evicting any Kainga Ora tenants in… Audio
More than 100k vaccine passes processed in hours
New Zealanders' 'tickets to summer' have been released and they're flying off the digital shelves. The Ministry of Health had processed more than 100,000 vaccination certificates - or 'My Vaccine… Audio
Expert panel recommends improvements in Defence Force
An expert panel has pointed out gaps in the Defence Force's organisational structure and the way it shares information.
The panel, set up just over a year ago following the Operation Burnham inquiry… Audio
Dames say their concerns ignored by top Family Court judge
Two Dames have taken aim at the top Family Court judge saying she's ignoring concerns about how whanau are treated.
Eighteen months ago, Dame Tariana Turia and Dame Naida Glavish met with Principal… Audio
NZ secures historic free trade agreement with UK
New Zealand's secured an historic free-trade agreement with the United Kingdom that will eventually eliminate all tariffs on New Zealand exports.
Industry leaders have welcomed the agreement, saying… Audio
National's reopening plan faces warnings of Covid deaths, hospitalisations
National says it would get rid of lockdowns once vaccination rates hit 85 percent, or on December 1 - whichever comes first.
Its 'Back in Business' plan would also boost the wage subsidy and… Audio
Covid-19: Northland couple stressed after being at same hotel as case
A Northland couple who were at a location of interest at the same time as a woman who tested positive for Covid-19 say the woman's actions are causing stress for the community.
The woman, who tested… Audio
Gang leaders help get members tested, vaccinated for Covid-19
The government is defending enlisting gang leaders to help test and vaccinate those caught up in the latest outbreak.
Public health officials have granted exemptions allowing two gang leaders to… Audio
NZDF solider facing espionage charges back in court
A New Zealand soldier accused of spying is in court today at the Linton Military Camp.
The man, who has interim name suppression, was charged with 17 offences last November, amid suspicion he was… Audio
