Stories by Anneke Smith
News
Marama Fox fined and disqualifed from driving
Former Māori Party co-leader Marama Fox has been convicted and fined for drink driving after 21 years of sobriety. Video
AK crash: Man 'would still be alive' if car not speeding
The car involved in a crash with a bus in Auckland today was speeding and crossed the centre line, police say.
New 'degrees of murder' proposed to reflect 'moral blame'
A University of Waikato researcher is proposing new "degrees of murder" which she says will make the criminal justice system more fair.
Foundry workers say Christmas closure came as a shock: 'We had no idea'
A group of Auckland workers who returned from their summer holidays to find they were jobless say their livelihoods have been destroyed.
Hoiho deaths leave Southland population on brink
With just one breeding pair left at Curio Bay, a trust protecting yellow-eyed penguins - one of the world's rarest penguin species - says its local population is at crisis point.
Pilot: drone owners playing with lives
A chopper pilot who had a close encounter with a drone in Auckland's CBD on New Year's Eve says its operator was playing with people's lives.
Dozens of injuries in NZ Post buggy crashes
The number of NZ Post buggy crashes tripled last year, with almost 250 reported incidents, including two that led to serious injuries.
Convicted child sex offender who went on the run sent back to jail
A convicted child sex offender who cut off his bracelet before going on the run for three weeks has been sent back to jail.
Record meth bust: Jailed bag woman 'ignored the human misery'
An Auckland woman who carried $3.5 million in cash in suitcases in the country's biggest known methamphetamine operation has been jailed for 14 and a half years.
Family of NZer who died in Samoan prison plead for justice
The brother of an Auckland man found dead in a Samoan prison has made a plea to its government to help his family find justice.
Teen charged over Anzac Ave stabbing pleads not guilty
The teenager charged with attempted murder following a stabbing in central Auckland will go to trial next month.
NZer found dead in Samoan jail may have been forced into drum
An Auckland man found dead in a water drum in a Samoan prison may have been forced into it, a court has heard. Video
Judge tells Millane's family: 'All of us hope that justice for Grace is fair'
The 26-year-old man charged with the murder of English backpacker Grace Millane has been denied name suppression but keeps name secret on appeal.
Woman who pimped out teenager jailed
An Auckland woman who pimped out a 14-year-old has been jailed for two and a half years.
Coach and athlete exchanged sexually explicit messages
The jury in the trial of a sports coach accused of sexually abusing a female athlete has seen sexually explicit text messages the pair exchanged.
Sports coach accused of sexually abusing athlete
A sports coach accused of sexually abusing one of his athletes is standing trial in the Auckland District Court.
Court strikes halted after bargaining stalemate ends
Nationwide strike action at courts throughout the country has come to a halt this afternoon after a bargaining deadlock was broken.
'Beast of Blenheim' jailed again, but will lodge an appeal
Before sentencing today, serial rapist Stewart Murray Wilson handed the court a letter which details his time in prison, apologises for his past and asks for mercy of the court. Read the letter here.
Ex-boyfriend guilty of 'cold-blooded killing'
A High Court jury has taken less than an hour to find Rohit Singh guilty of murdering South Auckland mother Arishma Chand.
Rohit Singh trial: 'One aim only and that was to kill'
A Crown prosecutor in the trial of the man accused of murdering South Auckland mother Arishma Chand has told the jury the right man is in the dock.
Murder-accused held victim as she lay dying, jury hears
Rohit Singh told the jury today he and Arishma Chand were secretly seeing one another when she was killed.
Speedway move a waste of ratepayer money - stakeholder
Auckland Council has voted to delay a decision about shifting speedway from Western Springs.
Audio of West Auckland shooting recorded on phone
A West Auckland shooting was recorded on a smart phone app the shooter secretly installed on his girlfriend's phone.
Mother of killed teen: 'There are no winners in this tragedy'
The mother of a teenager who died after being attacked in Auckland's CBD earlier this year has asked people to be kind and look out for one another.
Man who fatally assaulted teen linked to liquor store robbery
The man charged over the death of an 18-year-old who died after being assaulted in Auckland's CBD has pleaded guilty.