Stories by Bella Craig
News
Swim schools report sinking enrolments as downturn deepens
Being able to swim is often considered a life skill, but tough economic times are forcing many families to pull their children out of lessons.
'It's not ideal': Disappointment over high demand for halls of residence
First year students are being forced to go flatting as capacity in Canterbury University's halls of residence is at a peak.
'The way we could make real change was to buy the team'
Pushing for pay parity is one way that Aotearoa's first all-female owned and coached basketball team is trying to change the narrative of women's sport.
'Sanctions have done nothing' - Jobseekers struggling under traffic light pressure
Young people on the benefit say they're barely surviving as they struggle to find work - while dealing with threat of losing their only source of income. Audio
Nitrous oxide still being sold to young people in the early hours
The claim comes despite the government's recent crackdown on the sale of the gas for recreational use.
Young men turning to illegal measures to enhance appearance
Fuelled by fitness and gym content online, some young men say they are turning to risky and illegal measures to change their appearance. Audio
Stores selling canisters unaware of crackdown
Some stores RNZ spoke to say they won't sell the canisters to people asking for 'nangs' as they know they are using them as a way to get high. Audio
'Breaks my heart': Cuba Street retailers react to Wellington's 'boring' CBD
High rents, expensive groceries and parking costs have sucked life out of the city, Business owners say. Audio
'Incredibly burnt out' - How side hustles have become critical to balance the books for many
People with full-time jobs are burning out because they're having to find second jobs to stay financially afloat. Audio
'It's a hard winter' - Fears over end to free flu vaccine funding for children
An Auckland mum of six says she can't afford to have her kids vaccinated against the flu now that it is no longer free. Audio
Jump in number of people selling second-hand clothes online
Online pre-loved clothing stores across the country say there has been a big increase in people wanting to sell their clothes. Audio
Intermediate-aged boy's $16k online gambling debt
The boy clocked up $16,000 on his mum's credit card, a group raising the alarm about increasing child gambling says.
Black mould and septic overflow: What tenants are dealing with
Tenants across the country say they are still living in homes that do not meet the healthy homes standards.
Families doing it tough after govt cuts food bank's funding
There's been an avalanche of demand for kai, but not enough money coming in to help. Audio
'Every town in New Zealand deserves a surfboard library'
New Zealand's first surfboard library is putting out the call for your munted old board.
Students gaming the allowance system
Some have found a way to get allowances up to $300 a week, even if they are already getting handouts from their parents.
Eftpos tipping puts pressure on customers
A roll out of new, upgraded EFTPOS machines have been posing the awkward question. Audio
Students paying big money for mouldy flats
Students say they're constantly getting sick from cold, damp and mouldy flats for which they are paying exorbitant rents. Audio