Stories by Felix Walton
News
Muriwai homes demolished, relocated as storm recovery wraps up
"When you're confronted with your house of, say, 30 years being deconstructed ... you're back there living it all over again."
Officer who moved to Australia says he wouldn't consider coming back
The Police Association has warned NZ officers are ripe for the picking as many struggle to make ends meet. Audio
Kate Sylvester closure: 'Really difficult' time for retailers
A retail industry group predicts luxury fashion label Kate Sylvester will not be the last to come under pressure from a tough economy.
Residents in fear as roaming dogs kill up to 30 cats in one suburb
Some are scared to go outside, while others are not walking their own dogs over concerns.
Police abandoned 60 percent of reported cases in 2023
Police abandoned 572,037 of the cases reported to them last year - almost 60 percent - with the number of reports up 50 percent since 2019.
Scepticism over Brian Tamaki's plan to sue councils over rainbow projects
A lawyer specialising in local government says the Destiny Church leader has little ground to stand on.
Brynderwyn Hills motorway to temporarily reopen
The gateway to the north will reopen this weekend - but visitors will have to get in quick.
About 50 Godfreys staff to lose their jobs
Workers from 11 company-operated stores will be affected by the business permanently closing in May.
Questions raised over why LynnMall attacker was labelled a security threat
Ahamed Samsudeen was designated a person of national security interest in 2016. That would "impact every aspect of his life", coroner hears.
Why police failed to stop the LynnMall knife attack earlier
Police officers who were surveilling LynnMall terror attacker Ahamed Samsudeen say they did not have the right equipment to prevent the attack.
Big names compete for top fiction prize
Four award-winning authors are in the running for the $65,000 fiction prize at this year's Ockham Book Awards.
Whakaari eruption victims awarded $10m in reparations
Judge allocates each individual $250,000, but says some victims may get more.
Average Kiwi has $1300 of unwanted stuff - Trade Me
And recycling advocates are urging budget-conscious Kiwis to avoid cheap and flimsy junk and buy second-hand instead.
Whakaari trial: 'You cannot mend a mother's broken heart'
Victims of the Whakaari / White Island disaster returned to the Auckland District Court to confront the five tourism companies found guilty in last year's trial.
Pain of son's death at Whakaari 'never goes away'
Family of 23-year-old tour guide Tipene Maangi broke down in tears as they spoke in court.
'An absolute joke': The Auckland Sotp sign
A spelling mistake at a bus stop has been driving locals round the bend.
Whakaari White Island: WorkSafe may have cast its net too wide, legal expert says
A legal expert says "complacency" within WorkSafe prevented the agency from achieving a better result during the Whakaari/White Island trial.
Aucklanders have their say on the scrapped fuel tax
Aucklanders will soon be saving more money at the petrol pump, but they're wondering at what cost.
'They put me in prison, basically locked in a cell for 23 hours a day'
Former prisoners described verbal abuse and poor treatment within Intervention and Support Units, which are often used to house mentally ill prisoners.
Banned in advertising, vape and tobacco companies turn to social media
A University of Auckland study found children between 14 and 17 - especially Māori and Pasifika teens - were more likely to see vaping ads than those aged 18 to 20.
Advocates push back as wealthy suburb blames Kāinga Ora block for crime
Businesses say they've traced 40 incidents back to nearby apartments.
KiwiSaver financial hardship withdrawals rise yet again
The overall number of early withdrawals has also jumped significantly in the past year, from 17,900 in 2022 to 29,530 in 2023. Audio
Winston Peters: NZ Racing needs to get its 'mojo' back
The Minister for Racing spoke as the TAB and NZ Thoroughbred Racing boosted stakes for the 2024-2025 season.
Impact of streaming services on local productions 'significant and so damaging'
New Zealand's TV and film producers have joined an international call to action against streaming services.