Stories by Harry Lock
News
Wellington Central Library recommended for top heritage status
If approved, it will mean the building becomes recognised as a Category 1 historic place. It would become the first building from the 1990s to be given the title.
School slams students' homophobic content: 'We will not accept it'
A Wellington school has criticised the actions of students who used homophobic language and images in videos posted on social media.
Report employment disputes workload doubled since first lockdown
A justice advocate working on the frontline of employment disputes says the system is "straining at the seams", with reports of a vast increase in the number of complaints.
Covid-19 tests: Levin pop-up centre does nearly 350 tests in 6 hours
Levin was the host of the country's latest pop-up community testing centre, with the Mid-Central District Health Board organising a day of tests for anyone and everyone.
Covid-19: Huge increase in benefit applications during level 4
The number of beneficiaries rose by 12 percent in April this year, the highest increase ever in the past 24 years, and nearly double the next biggest increase.
Covid-19: Parents split on kids returning to school
With about 250,000 children returning to school in Auckland today, teachers and parents are divided over whether they should be going back at all. Audio
Van Gogh art becomes multi-sensory outdoor exhibition
The life and work of Vincent van Gogh is the subject of a brand new multi-sensory outdoor exhibition opening in Wellington tonight. Video
Family frustrated about major building development on doorstep
A Lower Hutt family has accused the council of running roughshod over them, by prioritising houses over their wellbeing.
More details around bus trip with Covid-19 emerge
A bus trip covering a distance of 750 metres, made by three people who have since been confirmed to have Covid-19, is believed to have taken two and a half hours. Audio
Covid-19: How candidates feel about election delay
Prospective candidates acknowledge it was the right thing to do, but the impact it has on them varies.
'We're really worried about how to sustain our staff'
Businesses throughout country are calling for a much longer extension to the wage subsidy than the government is offering.
Wellington convention centre named Tākina, botanic gardens area named Paekākā
The council has unanimously approved the name, and formally accepted the name Paekākā for the area around the botanical gardens.
New $45m film studio planned for Upper Hutt near Wellington
Lane Street Studios is planned to have two 40-foot high filming hangars and a smaller studio complex, and is being bankrolled by one local family.
Wellington considers ban on new pokie machines
A ban on any new pokies in Wellington is being proposed to help reduce the harm of problem gambling.
Wellington needs to 'work together' to help slash carbon emissions by 2030
Wellington's carbon emissions are forecast to drop a quarter over the next decade - but the capital's still well short of meeting its plan of being carbon neutral by 2050.
Calls for independent complaints authority for Fire and Emergency
A group of current and former firefighters who say they have been sexually assaulted, bullied and harassed at work want an independent complaints authority established. Audio
Wellington Council to consider higher building limits for housing
Wellington's future is looking upwards - with high-density, higher-storey buildings being tipped as the solution for its expanding population.
Lockdown created 'perfect storm' for ERA backlog
Employment advocates are warning of significant delays for people who are going to the Employment Relations Authority (ERA) to have their disputes resolved.
Concerns efforts to stop migrant exploitation don't go far enough
Doubt is being cast on whether the government's $50 million reforms to stop the exploitation of migrant workers will do enough. Audio
'Endless loop of anxiety and uncertainty' for many UK-based NZers
Potentially thousands of UK-based New Zealanders are in a race to get back to New Zealand, with their visas set to expire in the coming days. Audio
Future of Wellington library up for debate
Wellingtonians are being given five options for the future of their library, but the city council has expressed a preference for high-level earthquake strengthening.
Whakaari/White Island eruption: Victim's brother hopes tours can resume
The brother of a man killed in the Whakaari/White Island eruption says he hopes a new warning system will mean tours on the island can resume soon.
New alert system would have given warning about White Island eruption
A new volcano warning system - which would have alerted people to the Whakaari/White Island eruption 16 hours before it happened - is ready to be put to use. Audio
Govt under pressure over rent relief: 'There's going to be carnage'
One in eight retail businesses are struggling to negotiate rent relief and want government-assisted arbitration to help them resolve their plight, a survey shows.
Govt delays over commercial rents causing 'pain and expense'
Small business owners are feeling abandoned by the government, over what they call failures to implement proper, effective measures to control rent and lease arrangements.