Stories by Amy Williams
News
More declined food grants put more pressure on foodbanks
More people in financial hardship have been declined government food grants this year, and foodbanks warn it's putting even more pressure on them.
Foodbanks face closure with funding to stop
"I'm worried. I know hundreds of thousands of Aucklanders rely on the mission for food," the City Missioner says. Audio
'Betrayal of trust': Man jailed for 13 years over historic sexual abuse
The judge said William Stephen Easton's offending spanned four decades including when he was a church leader.
Successful surgery for man whose leg grew to torso-size
A man whose leg swelled so large he could not lift it now has his mobility back, after a new Auckland clinic was the first to offer a surgery in NZ.
Second man linked to secretive sect charged with sex crimes
The charges against the 80 year old relate to alleged historical sex crimes against multiple victims who were young boys at the time.
Half of Auckland council's pensioner flats vacant for years
70 vacant flats in Auckland Council's pensioner villages will be refurbished and rented out after sitting empty for years, some almost in ruin.
Red, white and Brass writer wins yet another award
Leki Jackson-Bourke has been announced as the recipient of the Bruce Mason Playwriting Award for his 'irreverent, heartfelt, moving and hilarious' production.
Police drop Covid-related charges against Brian Tamaki - lawyer
All charges against the Destiny Church leader for breaches of Covid-19 restrictions have been dismissed and dropped, his lawyer Ron Mansfield says.
Abuse in care trial: Men should be believed despite pasts - prosecutor
A court has heard a group of men with chequered pasts are not making up claims they were abused as boys in a state care home.
'It was unrecognisable as a leg' - Man's life-changing surgery
A New Zealand surgeon who has given Lautaimi Faumuina the ability to fit a shoe on his foot again says the patient's leg was the size of his torso when they first met. Audio
Donations ensure school lunch staples still available
An Auckland charity that was concerned it would have to stop providing staples for families to make school lunches has received enough donations to keep the service going into next year.
'Just like the marae, like being at home' - new space for Auckland's homeless
The space is a collaboration between Māori wardens, Auckland Council and Eke Panuku.
No money for school lunch staples: 'We're completely out of funding'
Something as simple as a peanut butter sandwich and an apple can go a long way in a lunchbox, but an Auckland charity providing staples for families to make school lunches has run out of money.
Whakaari appeal: Onus on island owners to ensure workplace safe - WorkSafe
Its lawyer has told a court that the owners' conviction would not have a "chilling effect" for other land owners or managers.
Whakaari eruption: Conviction has 'concerning implications' for landlords
A lawyer for the owners of Whakaari/White Island says the conviction of their company has "concerning implications" for other landlords permitting adventure activities on their land.
Owners challenge guilty finding over failings prior to Whakaari
Their lawyer says the appeal does not diminish their sorrow at the tragedy.
Trial of Kingseat boys' home staff begins
Three former staff members from the south Auckland home have pleaded not guilty to multiple criminal charges in Manukau District Court. Audio
Number of benefits cut more than doubles in a year
Missed appointments and failing to prepare for work have contributed to 14,409 sanctions being issued in the past three months.
Parents on travel during school terms: It's the cost, not the time
Parents say airlines need to stop sending prices sky-high during the school holidays, so they do not have to take their kids out of school to nab the cheaper fares. Audio
Sect in FBI probe has markers of high-control group - experts
The secretive sect known as the Two by Twos or The Truth will be under the spotlight at Australasia's first cult awareness conference.
Sect minister who has admitted child sex abuse was allowed to continue home meetings
Members of an underground sect probed by the FBI want to know how a man with a reputation for being a sexual predator was allowed to continue with the group's home meetings. Audio
Man admits 55 child sex abuse charges while member of underground sect
William Stephen Easton, 79, was remanded in custody where he will await sentencing in December.
Mental health experts raise concerns about coverage of Polkinghorne trial
The trial filled the public gallery and press benches for the entire eight weeks, justifying live blogs by seasoned court reporters, multiple podcasts and a NZ On Air grant for a documentary.
Domestic violence victim struggles to get court costs from ex-partner
A domestic violence victim who was ordered to pay her abuser's court costs then had some success on appeal, but is now faced with chasing him to pay his share of the bill.
Mother not told house had been scene of a shooting
Housing agency Kainga Ora knew about the shooting, but mother of four Kelly Dey did not