Kiwi News

'Responsibility to protect': Kāwhia trust blocks vehicle access to beach

The move is set to shut cars out of Kāwhia Beach after years of damage to pipi beds, fish spawning grounds and nesting birds.

By Rachel Moore • 4 min read • Yesterday

Schools

Half of Hawke's Bay's children are overdue for dental visits

Some Hawke's Bay families are waiting two years for child dental check-ups, with more than half of local children overdue for care.

By Alexa Cook • 4 min read • Yesterday

Emergency services

Fire chief backs $310k plan to lower Cambridge speed bumps

Residents and emergency crews stand to benefit as Waipā District Council moves to lower 12 speed bumps in Cambridge and Kihikihi for $310,000.

By Jordan Smith • 4 min read • Yesterday

Sustainability

Boaties face new biosecurity gate at popular Northland lake

Boaties launching at Lake Taharoa must use a new automated gate and PIN system as Northland steps up action against the invasive freshwater clam.

By Susan Botting • 4 min read • Yesterday

Climate change

Scientists urge action over Franz Josef flooding risk

Scientists warn Franz Josef township faces a growing threat to life as the Waiho Riverbed rises 20cm and councils face calls to act sooner.

By Vihan Dalal • 5 min read • Yesterday

Investigation

Baby injured in fall from vehicle

An infant was taken to hospital with moderate injuries after reportedly falling from a vehicle in Hastings, as police investigate the circumstances.

By RNZ • 1 min read • 2 days ago

Health New Zealand

Starship Hospital nurse warns staff shortages leading to dire consequences

Cancer treatment at Auckland's Starship children's hospital has been delayed by up to seven days as nurses warn dangerous understaffing is worsening care.

By Finn Blackwell • 4 min read • 2 days ago

Civil Defence

Flood risk meeting called at Franz Josef Glacier

Residents will hear updated advice on whether stopbanks and infrastructure at Franz Josef can withstand the Waiho River's shifting flood risk.

By Vihan Dalal • 5 min read • 3 days ago

Metservice

Ashburton second bridge project on track despite weather risks

Weather remains the main risk to Ashburton's second bridge, but NZTA says the NZD $134-$144 million project is still on time and on budget.

By Jonathan Leask • 4 min read • 2 days ago

Construction

Ingram retains Hawke's Bay excavator operator title

His regional victory sends Marcus Ingram to the national finals after he beat eight other operators in Hastings.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 3 min read • 3 days ago

EDS

EDS patients in limbo as Hamilton surgeon Chris Holdaway stops seeing patients

Hundreds of EDS patients may now struggle to get assessments for suspected vascular compression syndromes after the Medical Council imposed temporary restrictions.

By Anusha Bradley • 3 min read • 3 days ago

Ministry of Health

'An agonising loss of life and potential': Three accidental drug overdose deaths per week

Nearly half of fatal overdose cases remain under investigation, as new figures show the toll has stayed stubbornly high for years.

By Kate Green • 5 min read • 3 days ago

New Zealand Labour Party

Women flown out of region to give birth due to hiring challenges, not funding, MP says

Expectant mothers were flown or driven to Nelson for safety after temporary staffing gaps at Wairau Hospital exposed Marlborough's obstetrics shortage.

By Kira Carrington • 6 min read • 3 days ago

Asbestos

Asbestos dumped at abandoned Hawke's Bay camp prompts boulder barrier

Ratepayers have paid more than $2000 to clear asbestos from the closed campground, prompting council to block vehicle access with boulders.

By Linda Hall • 3 min read • 2 days ago

Utilities

McKay completes electrical upgrade for Clarks Beach plant

The upgraded plant can now treat more than five million litres of wastewater a day, bringing Clarks Beach closer to full operation.

By Mara Sugue • 3 min read • 4 days ago

Health New Zealand

Man dies after vital checks not provided in hospital, HDC finds

A watchdog says missed assessments and poor communication delayed diagnosis of acute limb ischaemia, before the patient's leg was amputated and he died.

By Tracy Neal • 4 min read • 4 days ago

Social Media

Threats against NZ MPs rise 'astronomically', says Speaker

Parliament has boosted security after a specialist team handled 216 requests for help in three weeks amid a surge in abuse and threats.

By Lillian Hanly • 3 min read • 3 days ago

Road Safety

Crash statistics show youth at high risk in Mackenzie

Young drivers account for half of serious crashes in the Mackenzie District, where open-road loss-of-control and head-on collisions dominate road trauma.

By Claire Taylor • 4 min read • 5 days ago

Riverbed

Canterbury warned another flood coming within 10 years as Kaikōura recovery continues

Canterbury councillors are being told another major flood could hit within a decade, as a Kaikōura clean-up leaves ECan facing more than $30m in repairs.

By David Hill • 3 min read • 6 days ago

Marama Davidson says attack on Australian MP Helen Haines a chilling warning