Stories by Ruth Hill
News
Nurses complain of lack of consistency in Covid approach
Nurses warn conflicting approaches to dealing with Covid-19 between district health boards and even within hospitals are putting health workers' safety at risk.
Covid-19: What it's like for health staff in the ICU
First Person - Caring for a person in a critical condition with Covid-19 is a high-stress situation that requires the right equipment and training. RNZ's Ruth Hill investigates. Video
Beating Covid-19: Grim period of isolating ourselves may lie ahead
New Zealanders could be facing up to 18 months of social isolation if Covid-19 takes hold in this country.
Covid-19: Forestry workers say rot started before pandemic
Hundreds of forestry workers who have lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 outbreak are being offered work in the horticulture sector, which is desperate for labour.
'Rough sex' defence should not be outlawed, legal experts say
Legal experts warn that changing the law to outlaw the "rough sex" defence used in the Grace Millane murder trial would undermine a basic principle of justice.
TradeMe rental searches up 17pc as prices in Wellington soar
Many people have been spending their summer house-hunting, with rental enquiries on TradeMe up 17 percent in December compared with the same time last year.
Leave the Marmite at home, aviation security warns
Guns, knives, cans of petrol and fireworks are just some of the contraband items regularly picked up by aviation security. They also get a "mountain of butter and Marmite".
High house prices 'a threat to the middle class'
Nurses, teachers and other middle class professionals are increasingly unable to buy homes in the cities where they work, with every housing market in the country now rated "severely unaffordable".
Bowel cancer delays: Report finds 'inter-service warfare'
Bowel cancer patients in Southland have suffered unacceptable waits of months - and even years in some cases - to get diagnosed because of major failures at the DHB.
Classroom carpets the culprit for cat skin flecks
One in four classroom carpets is harbouring high enough levels of cat dander (skin flecks) to trigger allergic reactions, according to new research.
Top management axed from transport agency before chair quit
A massive clear out of top NZTA management occurred under the watch of chairperson Michael Stiassny, who is quitting early, says Transport Forum head Nick Leggett.
Road safety overhaul targets speed limits and phone use
Lower speed limits and higher penalties for using a cellphone while driving are being considered as part of a major overhaul of road safety this year.
Australian woman complains to UN over NZ's treatment of non-citizens
Wendy Faulkner has complained to the United Nations that New Zealand is denying her the right to challenge DOC's higher hut fees for non-citizens.
NZ's lobbying against Minke killings 'a little ironic' - researcher
Efforts within New Zealand to lobby against the killing of Minke whales seem ironic while the country's own endangered dolphins still face risks, a leading marine mammal researcher says.
Bull killed after rodeo injury in Gisborne
A bull has been killed after dislocating its leg in a rodeo in Gisborne yesterday.
Christmas joy for woman previously denied visa to stay in NZ
A woman who was denied a post-study work visa has won a reprieve from Immigration New Zealand after a leading law firm took up her case.
Prisoners to take right to vote fight to United Nations
Prisoners fighting to regain the right to vote are now planning to take their case to the United Nations.
Proposed suppression law hard to enforce - lawyer
Jurors who do their own internet research could face serious criminal charges under a proposed law change currently before Parliament.
Wellington's hub-and-spoke bus model could be ditched
Wellington Regional Council has signalled it's prepared to dump a controversial hub-and-spoke model at the centre of its problem-plagued bus network revamp.
Barring of Huawei: NZ feels squeeze in clash of the titans
Trade and national security interests are at stake as China and US remain in dispute.
'Irreplaceable national heritage is being lost all the time' - scientist
A moa skeleton sold in Britain for $51,986 this week, sparking questions about laws protecting New Zealand antiquities.
NZ woman asks Japan PM to end psychiatric restraints
A New Zealander whose son Kelly Savage died in a Japanese psychiatric hospital after being strapped to a bed for 10 days has presented an open letter to Prime Minister Shinzō Abe asking for an end to…
Obesity up, smoking down in latest health survey
New Zealanders are sadder and fatter - but smoking less.
NZ's freshwater insects, worms and snails under threat - report
Freshwater insects, worms and snails are under pressure, but scientists are divided over what this means for the overall state of our rivers.
Former mines inspector meets Pike River families
The former chief mines inspector arrives in Greymouth tomorrow to meet with the families of victims of Pike River and assess new evidence about the second explosion.