Stories by Felix Walton
News
Banana 'shortage based on seasonal demand'
New Zealanders are bananas for bananas, but the country relies on imports from Mexico, Ecuador and the Philippines for its supply.
Voters weigh in on Labour's future in Mt Albert, Te Atatū
In Auckland, two of Labour's safest seats are on a knife edge with just a handful of votes between the leading candidates.
Race to bring skilled migrants to fill gaps in Auckland's tech sector
Some tech companies in Auckland are feeling desperate as homegrown talent moves across the Tasman.
Muriwai residents fear buyouts on council valuations, not market
Flood and landslide-affected Aucklanders worry they could be forced out of their communities if the council proceeds with buyouts based on its valuations.
A look inside Auckland's new train station set to open in 2025
Auckland Council hopes a new train station by the Sky Tower will breathe life into the city centre.
New Zealand not alone in failing to meet climate challenge - UN
A progress report from the UN shows many countries, including New Zealand, are falling behind on tackling climate change.
Crowds, heat and 'chaotic' metro journeys, say Kiwi fans at Rugby World Cup
All Blacks fans in France for the Rugby World Cup are contending with massive crowds, packed trains and severe heat.
Buy now pay later schemes leaving young Kiwis 'over-indebted'
New research shows young adults are taking on dangerous amounts of debt through buy now pay later schemes.
Political parties must outline AI strategy, regulation - tech industry
Technology experts are urging Labour and National to announce an Artificial Intelligence strategy before October's election.
'Pretty frustrating': Commuters unhappy with AT technology glitch
Commuters were left confused after several Auckland Transport services, including train and bus timetables, went offline for almost 12 hours.
Some Aucklanders lifting their houses to avoid future flood waters
Some Aucklanders are lifting their houses to avoid damage from future floods.
Auckland crime 'terrible' after two alleged homicides in a day
Auckland residents say they are afraid to go out at night after two suspected homicides in the city on the same day.
Sewage overflow through college sends pupils home
A central Auckland high school was forced to close early after a major sewage leak damaged carpets and walls.
'Completely wiped out a township' - Hawaii wildfires death toll rises to 36
A New Zealander on holiday in Maui says the wildfires devastating the Hawaiian island are unlike anything he has seen before.
Crime a hot topic for Auckland Central's political candidates
Crime, housing and transport were the hot topics at Wednesday night's political debate in Auckland Central.
Aucklanders keen for more harbour crossing options, but at what cost?
Aucklanders are worried a new harbour crossing will cost too much and take too long. Audio
'Gaming lab' explores benefits of Dungeons & Dragons, board games
A 'gaming laboratory' hopes to find out if rolling dice and slaying dragons is good for your brain. Audio
Tourism operators paid hundreds of thousands to access Whakaari
White Island Tours told a court it paid $500,000 a year for access to Whakaari - and helicopter companies also paid to conduct tours on the island.
Whakaari / White Island trial: Eruption was impossible to predict, expert says
The 2019 Whakaari / White Island eruption which killed 22 people was impossible to predict, a leading volcanologist told the court.
Brothers put profits ahead of assessing safety risk for Whakaari visitors - prosecutor
The company managing a small volcanic island was profiting in the millions before an eruption killed 22 people in 2019, court hears.
Auckland Council fails to decide on budget, will reconvene Friday
Thursday's meeting ended without a decision, despite a partial backdown from the mayor on selling shares in the city's airport.
Apple's Vision Pro pricey, but likely to usurp Meta's Quest headset - expert
The director of an Auckland virtual reality studio expects Apple's new gadget to be a game-changer. Audio
'Hard lessons we need to learn' - Stormwater conference faces harsh climate reality
A dour mood hung above this year's Stormwater New Zealand Conference, as attendees reflected on months of flooding and severe weather.
'He's listened': Relief as Citizens Advice Bureau escapes mayor's spending cuts
Though Wayne Brown has promised to fund the Citizens Advice Bureau, he did not confirm if existing funding would be reduced. Audio
Banks less trusted than supermarkets - Consumer NZ survey
The high level of profitability was making people question the level of service they were getting, says Consumer NZ chief executive Jon Duffy.