Stories by Charlotte Cook
News
'Challenges' at women's prison being addressed - inspector
An inspection of Auckland Women's prison has revealed inmates don't have easy access to sanitary items, bras, underwear and exercise.
Ministry process stifled complaints of abuse - childcare staff
A teacher says the Ministry of Education made it hard for staff to complain about the owner of a Feilding childcare centre who is alleged to have mistreated children for years.
Hāwera double homicide: Neighbour heard arguing in days before deaths
The small Taranaki town of Hāwera was left reeling yesterday after it became the scene of a double homicide investigation.
Corrections consulted international experts on how to manage mosque gunman
New documents reveal the Department of Corrections consulted international experts before the mosque gunman's sentencing to prepare for his incarceration.
Further complaints about Pitter Patter childcare centre
More parents and teachers have come forward about their experiences at a Feilding child care centre, which is under investigation.
Childcare centre under investigation after raft of allegations
Parents and former teachers claim the owner and manager of a childcare centre in Feilding locked toddlers in rooms, fed children mouldy food and smacked them.
'One year on we still don't have Hayden back' - eruption victims remembered
At 2.11pm, it will be exactly one year since Whakaari erupted, coughing up acidic sludge, ash and noxious gasses.
'I hadn't eaten, slept': NZDF commander recalls Whakaari operation
The man in charge of sending Defence Force officers onto Whakaari / White Island after the eruption has spoken of the stress and the sleepless night before the high-risk mission.
Funds being raised to defend pilot 'who led the charge' in Whakaari rescue
Veteran pilot John Funnell wants to raise tens of thousands of dollars to fund the legal battle for a fellow pilot who was one of the first on the scene after the Whakaari eruption.
Govt's seasonal workers move 'not enough, but a good start'
An influx of seasonal workers is a relief for the horticulture and wine industries with the government giving a border exemption to 2000 seasonal workers.
Corrections Association defends 'cell busting' practice
Gassing prison cells is being defended as the least barbaric way to get unruly inmates out of their cell.
iPhone users able to finally jump on board bus top-up service
Wellington bus users with an iPhone can today rejoice in convenience, as they can finally top-up their Snapper cards without having to hunt down a dairy or supermarket.
Wellington iwi begins occupation at Shelly Bay
Iwi members and a protest group have spent their first night occupying land at Wellington's contentious seaside development Shelly Bay.
Unclear limit on emails to Wiri inmates creates confusion
Prisoner rights advocates are worried inmates at Wiri in South Auckland haven't been getting emails from friends and whānau because of an "arbitrary" rule.
Wellington City councillors vote in favour of sell and lease of land at Shelly Bay
Wellington City councillors voted to sell and lease land for a controversial seaside housing development.
Prison inmates say they had to wash clothes in bath
Inmates from New Zealand's biggest women's jail say they spent a week handwashing their clothes, but the prison says the claims are not correct.
Rookie lifeguard 'shaking' after saving life of drowning girl
Three teenage girls are lucky to be alive after being caught in a rip at a Wellington beach and they have an off-duty junior lifeguard to thank.
Electoral Commission fronts up after early voting errors
The Electoral Commission has come under fire after a string of mistakes in the first week of advance voting.
DHB office workers call for more action on pay equity claim
Thousands of DHB office workers expecting a pay equity settlement are upset they're made to wait until after the election, their union says.
Wellington Hospital mental health unit unsafe for staff, patients - union
Staff at Wellington Hospital's mental health ward say the unit is at crisis point and they are scared, distressed and feel unsafe at work.
Post-isolation Covid-19 case may have had a long incubation of virus
A man who tested positive for Covid-19 nearly a week after leaving managed isolation may have had an unusually long incubation of the virus. Audio
Dilworth School: Ex-student says he was caned after reporting sex abuse
Two former Dilworth students have spoken out about their grief and anger over sexual abuse at the school and say the police investigation has come too late.
Old boy claims Dilworth School knew of continued abuse
A former student from Dilworth School claims abuse was rife and the school turned a blind eye.
Police investigating possible corruption at Rimutaka Prison - Corrections Association
The Corrections Association says the police have been investigating possible corruption at Rimutaka Prison for the past eight weeks.
Surge in positive Covid-19 cases returning to NZ from India
In the last fortnight, 26 people have tested positive after returning from India, largely off just two flights.