Stories by Eric Frykberg
News
Cause of dramatic helicopter crash left unexplained
The cause of a dramatic helicopter accident, which wounded six Chinese tourists and left a pilot with a severe brain injury, cannot be determined, a report has concluded.
Lake Taupō skydiving crash 'could have been fatal'
A dramatic incident in which 13 people had to jump from a plane before it crashed has been blamed on an unnoticed engine fault. Video
Queenstown aviation pioneer designs 'black box' for light aircraft
The aircraft look likely to be fitted with smaller versions of an airliner's black box in a boost for aviation safety.
Government signals higher carbon price cap
New Zealanders are being told they will have to pay more money to compensate for environmental damage, though the timing is yet to be decided.
Dozens of pilots overcome alcoholism to return to work
About 50 pilots and other aviation professionals have gone through a programme to steer them away from alcohol addiction in the past seven years.
Robinson safety director blames pilots for crashes
A top executive and the mother of a New Zealand crash victim have publicly clashed over the helicopters' safety. Audio
Investigation unlikely over NZer's death in restraints
The controversial death of a New Zealander in Japan has brought back painful memories of a similar case in Samoa - where a five-year battle for justice has yielded no results.
Power prices spike as chill sets in
Icy conditions have caused electricity prices to increase eightfold, with one Wellington resident swapping the heater for hot water bottles to avoid paying a hefty bill.
Labour's power policy gets electricity retailers' approval
A Labour Party plan to help people pay their winter power bills has some merit, but wider issues around power affordability remain, electricity retailers say.
Insurers and panel beaters scrap over car repair delays
Insurers and panel beaters are blaming each other for delaying how long it takes to repair a dinged car.
Time running out on US family's forced departure
A US family being forced to leave the country will leave behind valuable investments, their business partner says.
Renters told to save twice as much for retirement
Renters in the city will need to save nearly twice as much as home owners to have an active life when they retire, new figures show. Audio
All new Volvo cars to be electric-powered from 2019
Volvo Cars has announced all new car models will be electric or hybrid cars from 2019.
Retirees encouraged to save $500k for 'metro' lifestyle
Couples in urban centres wanting an event-filled retirement will need to have saved $486,023 by the time they stop working, according to a new study.
Woman wins $24,000 power bill dispute
A woman whose company was landed with a huge electricity bill after months of under-charging has won a 50 percent reduction in her debt.
NZ petrol prices called into question
A government-ordered inquiry into New Zealand's retail fuel market has found petrol prices "might not be reasonable". Video
Fossil fuel use doubles as hydro lake levels drop
New Zealand has doubled the amount of fossil fuel it uses to make electricity during the past week, new figures show.
Bobby calf abuser's jail time reduced
A man jailed for cruelty to bobby calves has had his two and a half year prison term reduced by the Court of Appeal to 18 months.
Auditor allows Wellington-Singapore flights payment
Wellington City Council has been exonerated of wrongdoing after it paid to get Singapore Airlines to run a service between Wellington and Singapore via Canberra.
Govt wants industrial heat better managed
The government believes far too much heat in industrial premises disappears up chimneys and is completely wasted.
New phosphate shipment arrives in NZ
The first shipment of phosphate rock from North West Africa since a political row disrupted the trade arrives in Tauranga on Sunday.
A minority 'not getting a fair go' is NZ's real worry, says researcher
Despite what people think, inequality in New Zealand has barely changed since the early 1990s and is less of a problem than poverty itself, NZIER researchers say.
Scientists dispute climate benefits of natural gas
A trio of foreign think tanks are warning that natural gas offers a false hope in the fight against climate change.
Autumn storms boost Mercury's profits
New analysis shows the cyclones that ravaged parts of the upper North Island in April proved a boon for parts of the electricity industry.
Challenge to solar surcharge fails in court
Lines company Unison has won a legal battle to protect extra fees it imposed on electricity customers with solar panels in their homes.