Stories by Ellen O'Dwyer
Audio and features
Wellington taxi company drops card fee but raises prices
A Wellington taxi company says it's dropping its flat card fee - which it has been applying to Eftpos payments in order to comply with Commerce Commission rules.
But other taxi companies are… Audio
‘Significant’ and ‘concerning’ increase in illicit tobacco seizures
NZ Customs says it has seen a significant and worrying increase in illicit tobacco seizures.
The size of imports has grown steadily in the past six years and smuggling techniques have become more… Audio
New Zealand could do more to investigate Kiwi aid worker's death in Ukraine, experts say
The government says it won't investigate further whether the death of a New Zealand aid worker in Ukraine was a war crime, but experts say more could be done.
Andrew Bagshaw and Chris Parry were shot… Audio
'Not justifiable': 26 percent card surcharge on taxi trip shocks Wellington resident
There are concerns consumers are still being charged too much for card and paywave card payments, more than a year after a law was introduced to put an end to excessive fees. In November 2022, limits… Audio
20th anniversary of Love Actually celebrated in concert
Fans of Love Actually will rejoice - the festive flick has turned 20 years old. To celebrate...orchestras in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch will play songs from the film's hit soundtrack -… Audio
‘We need to be able to breathe’: Lower Hutt residents call for stop to wastewater plant stench
Residents in Lower Hutt are desperately hoping a "sickening" stench coming from a wastewater treatment plant will stop, following a commitment from authorities.
The smell coming from the… Audio
Double-digit rate hikes on the cards as mayors warn of 'broken' council funding system
A number of councils are proposing massive double-digit rate rises as part of their long-term plan discussions.
Mayors are warning that residents across the country are likely to face the same pain… Audio
Gun-related threats against roadworkers more than double in past year
Gun-related threats against state highway roadworkers have more than doubled this year. In some cases, security guards have had to be brought in to protect workers when the abuse has become too… Audio