Stories by Emma Hatton
News
Scrapped harbour crossing plan leaves Northcote residents in limbo
Residents whose homes were purchased for a now-scrapped plan to build a cycling bridge over the Waitematā Harbour want answers from the Transport Agency.
Disability advocate outraged by Ministry of Health legal fees
The Ministry of Health is spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on legal fees, fighting families that care for their disabled children.
Developers cutting asking prices as housing market slows
Property developers are cutting their asking prices by tens of thousands of dollars as they try to entice buyers amid a slowing market.
AA wants alcohol interlock system beefed up
Thousands of drunk drivers who are eligible, are not getting an alcohol interlock sentence - and even if they did, they might get away with never having the device fitted to their vehicle.
'Up the creek': Builder blasts council over long wait for house inspections
Some builders are threatening to bypass council inspections due to "absurd" delays in getting staff on site.
EV owners warned to plan, charge ahead of using Transmission Gully
Electric vehicle owners are being warned to top up if heading over Transmission Gully, because the steep road will drain their batteries faster than the old coastal route.
Property market slowdown: Some may 'come unstuck'
Small-time developers or builders trying to make a buck will most likely be the ones left in the lurch as house prices look to be cooling.
Tour and coach industry continues to suffer despite promise of international tourists
A second-hand bus boom has developed because tour coach companies, which have struggled with closed borders and domestic restrictions for the last two years, are winding down.
Meningitis vaccine petition urges free access for under-16s
The parents of a teenager who died suddenly from meningitis have delivered a petition to MPs pleading for the government to fund vaccines against the disease.
Fears high building costs will leave home owners under-insured
The rising cost of building materials may leave home owners nationwide in the lurch as the risk of under-insurance grows.
Timing stings for commercial sector as NZTA reviews fees
Waka Kotahi says private motorists have been subsidising the commercial sector for too long and it plans to even the playing field by upping operators' fees at the end of next year.
Fuel and commodity prices on the rise as Russia hit with sanctions
It might be happening on the other side of the world but the economic shockwaves of the Russian invasion of Ukraine are reaching New Zealand consumers.
Scott Watson appeal: Lawyers argue over what will be heard in court
A hearing to decide what will be heard in Scott Watson's latest fight against his 1999 convictions for murdering Olivia Hope and Ben Smart has wrapped up in the Court of Appeal.
'He will not stop at Ukraine' - Dozens protest Putin at embassy
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has been met with despair and anger in New Zealand at protests today. Audio
Wellington protest disrupts High Court trial
A criminal trial due to start on Monday has been adjourned because the defendant cannot get access to the High Court in Wellington. Audio
Can the transport sector keep up with NZ's space race plans?
In a briefing to the transport minister, officials raised their concerns about MBIE's aerospace strategy and the ability of transport agencies and private operators to keep up.
Govt decision to delay Clean Vehicles Bill will cost $40 million
The delay of bringing in the Clean Vehicles Bill will cost the government about $40 million as it continues to fund rebates under the scheme for electric vehicles, without being able to bring in the…
Signs of few options for air freight to New Zealand next year - Govt officials
Securing air freight capacity is expected to be even more difficult in 2022, with transport officials warning as North America and Europe begins to re-open it will be increasingly difficult to keep…
Transport Accident Investigation Commission spending more, completing fewer inquiries
TAIC's average cost for each of the four domestic inquiries it closed between January and June was $511,000.
'I'm not going to lie. I've been terrified'
People with no choice but to use public transport say they are fearful of getting onboard and are being held hostage by those who have chosen not to be vaccinated.
Mainfreight investigation reveals logbook, work time breaches
An investigation into one of the country's largest freight companies has found drivers felt forced into falsifying their logbooks and ditched mandatory rest times in order to make their runs on time.
Taxi Federation takes concerns over carrying unvaccinated passengers to the government
Taxi drivers are angry they are being forced to carry unvaccinated passengers and have asked the government to urgently review the rules.
Attempts to fix Transmission Gully made it worse, reports show
An engineering consultancy firm said the problems should be addressed before the road opened to the public, particularly with the summer months ahead.
'Failure to attempt to justify' voting age limit - Court of Appeal
Despite agreeing with Make It 16's argument, the court rejected an application to issue a declaration on the "intensely and quintessentially" political issue.
Transmission Gully will not open by Christmas
Transmission Gully will not be open before Christmas, despite the Transport Agency Waka Kotahi putting the pressure on its contractor to meet the target.