Stories by Bill Hickman
News
Lightly clad climber's legs 'shredded' after 'spur-of-moment' ascent
The injured man had to spend nearly six hours close to the Mt Taranaki summit wearing track pants and trainers.
Legal cannabis cards highlights flaws of roadside testing, critics say
The head of a medicinal Cannabis prescribing and supply service says its developing a "Canna-card" ID people can present if stopped by police to show they are legally using the drug.
'Absolutely gag-worthy': More treatment plant complaints
Lower Hutt locals are shutting themselves indoors to escape another wave of putrid odours from Seaview Wastewater Treatment Plant. Audio
Wellington woman gets home detention for ex's manslaughter
The couple's 20-year relationship was "violent and angry", with police attending more than 50 callouts to their home over the years, the judge said.
Moving house by ... bike?
A Wellington woman says the city's new cycle lanes are opening up a world of possibilities of what can be achieved without motor vehicles.
What Wellingtonians think about the working from home crackdown
The Public Service Minister Nicola Willis says working from home is not an entitlement and more public servants need to be in the office.
Mt Cook rescue: 'Real jubilation' in climbing community after airlift
Two climbers are in good spirits after being plucked from "some of the steepest and most rugged terrain in the country" on Aoraki during a short weather window.
'It's just not good enough': Govt targeted over ferry woes
There are fears lives could be lost if the government doesn't step in to bring the country's ailing Cook Strait ferry services up to scratch.
What the stats say: Murder convictions up 77%, meth dominates drug landscape
New justice statistics show significant rises in the number of convictions for murder, manslaughter and driving causing death - though population increases are playing a part.
'No way' a 'one-size-fits-all' health approach will work - report author
A new study shows Pasifika children in Aotearoa are 115 times more likely to be hospitalised with acute rheumatic fever than European children.
Māori wards: Councils resentful about funding a binding poll
All but three of 45 councils which established the seats without a public referendum elected to retain the wards.
Gabrielle the 'new benchmark' for future storms in New Zealand - researcher
A new study found climate change increased the amount of rain that fell during Cyclone Gabrielle by 10 percent, compared to pre-global warming.
Ronald McDonald Houses may need to charge for accommodation
Ronald McDonald House Charities may be forced to charge families of sick children who stay in their accommodation, due to a triple threat of rising costs, surging demand and a significant decline in…
Union taking Wellington pamphlets case to Human Rights Commission
The union says NZ Post threatened individual disciplinary action posties who refused to deliver the document earlier in the week. Audio
Residents decry ad with Civil Defence branding as 'irresponsible'
NEMA is distancing itself from a flyer with Civil Defence branding made by a private company that has been turning up in mailboxes .
Thousands of diabetics to benefit from new funded devices
Advocates for people with type 1 diabetes say broader Pharmac funding will be a gamechanger.
Anti-Wellington Council pamphlet contains 'malicious misinformation'
A Muslim leader says it's so far from the truth, when he first heard about it he thought he was being pranked. But a supporter of the flyer says otherwise.
Burst water main: Wellington residents told to store water
"Until we get the pipe shut down, we can't get in there and do the repair," Wellington Water says as a water outage in the central city spreads. Audio
'I thought I was having a nightmare' as home flooded
Dallas McKinley says waking in his flooded home on Sunday morning felt like a bad dream.
Legal case over Z emissions reductions moves towards trial
Both sides are claiming legal wins in a landmark greenwashing case.
Organised crime groups using border workers to get drugs into NZ
Organised crime groups are targeting border workers with access to systems and restricted areas to allow drug shipments to slip through the border, Customs New Zealand says. Audio
The stuff of nautical nightmares: Divers rescued from deserted island
The pair swam an hour to reach the island and once ashore, used matches from their waterproof survival kit to light a fire. Audio
Increasing safety on waterfront moving at 'haste' but could take years, inquest hears
Wellington City Council is testifying at the inquest into the death of Sandy Calkin, who drowned after being last seen walking on Queens Wharf in July 2021.
Council admits safety could have been improved ahead of Sandy Calkin inquest
Wellington City Council's response to deaths and incidents on the capital's waterfront promenade has come under fire ahead of a coroner's inquest into the death of Sandy Calkin.
Police trying new approaches to get more cops
Changes include allowing people on their restricted licence to apply to become officers.