Stories by Felix Walton
News
'Should be done once and done right' - Battle over bed tax for visitors
Hoteliers hope to convince Auckland Council not to go ahead with its proposed bed tax, instead calling for a nationwide solution.
'We're in a crisis' - Disappointment coalition didn't attend emergency meeting on youth homelessness
Dozens of frontline service workers and recently homeless rangatahi spoke at the hui.
Musician sentenced to community work for domestic violence
The man's applications for a discharge without conviction and permanent name suppression were both declined, however he was given an extra month of interim suppression.
Neither new stadium or Eden Park upgrade viable - advisory staff
Councillors will vote on Thursday whether to endorse one of the two competing proposals.
DOC join international effort to protect endangered leatherback turtles
The project was a collaboration between the Department of Conservation, NIWA, Australia's Monash University, and American non-profit Upwell Turtles.
Whangārei considers cost of refusing fluoridation
Whangārei councillors will meet behind closed doors today to discuss the legal ramifications of refusing to fluoridate the city's water.
'Upward and onwards' - Pasifika ready for weekend showcase
"What we've tried to really focus on this year is really keep our food and craft offering genuine and authentic." Audio
Deep sea power cable across the Tasman designed to trade surplus electricity
A deep sea power cable hopes to bring cheaper electricity to both New Zealand and Australia.
Resident feels lucky to be alive after car crashes through two homes
Police said a driver ran away after a car crashed through a fence into two houses in west Auckland.
Axe-throwing set to sharpen up Valentine's Day
From couples' axe-throwing to an R-rated zoo exhibition, Aucklanders are finding romance in some strange places this Valentine's Day. Audio
400,000 people ask for help in a month amid record benefit number
New Zealand is backsliding as food and housing become too expensive, a report has found. Audio
Two people injured by falling marble at industrial property
An industrial worker is in critical condition and two others are injured after being struck by several sheets of marble in South Auckland today.
Rock fishers lucky to be alive after 'touch and go' rescue
Surf Life Saving says a group of rock fishers are lucky to be alive after a risky rescue operation at Bethells Beach on Sunday.
Island's residents fear digital nomads will push them out
Some are worried visitors could invade their paradise under the government's new rules. Audio
More Māori nurses urgently needed - NSO kaiwhakahaere
Kerri Nuku also called for the embracing of tikanga to make Māori patients and nurses more comfortable.
New school lunches 'bland', look like 'prison food' - student
David Seymour is defending new school lunches that some students are comparing to prison food.
Hydrofoiling electric ferry takes maiden voyage over Hauraki Gulf
Soaring over the Hauraki Gulf, this Kiwi-built electric ferry is on its maiden voyage. Audio
Scars still linger two years on from devastating Auckland Anniversary storm
Damaged homes still dot the streets in one suburb, marked for demolition after being inundated in January 2023. Audio
'Life threatening' - Warning after mum dies after inhaling helium at child's birthday party
A coroner is calling for stronger warnings on helium after a mother died at her daughter's first birthday party.
More media cuts expected today: 'It's time the government woke up about this'
The government is being urged to protect the media industry, with fears of job cuts at NZME outlets New Zealand Herald, Businessdesk and Newstalk ZB.
Hundreds of visitors every day at Cathedral Cove since reopening
"We've had two days in particular where we've peaked at over 800 people."
'It's just asking for trouble' - proposal to limit dog walkers
Auckland dog walkers are split on a council proposal that would limit the number of dogs they can walk at once.
Excitement as 25,000 people expected at SailGP
The event is already drawing crowds, with some saying the harbour feels livelier than ever.
New research raises more doubts about BMI
"BMI was never really designed to diagnose an individual's health status," one researcher says.
Warning from doctor caught in deepfake deception
A professor who was impersonated to sell a bogus diabetes treatment is urging the public to look out for scams.