Stories by Jean Edwards

The host of a birthday party has broken down in tears describing how she comforted Christchurch teenager Connor Whitehead in his final moments after he was shot, reassuring him he would be okay.

Two men are standing trial, accused of murdering 16-year-old Connor Whitehead when they arrived at an out-of-control party with guns in November 2021.

With figures showing 10 percent of accounts are debt, budget advisors are alarmed at the number of struggling families using the schemes to pay for basic needs.

New Zealand is probably over the worst of its bout of inflation but will have to endure cost of living pain for some time to come, economists say.

Four years after the crew's extraordinary ordeal, the Transport Accident Investigation Commission has delivered the findings of its investigation into the crash.

Cash-strapped shoppers are giving up on buying fresh fruit, vegetables and meat, while parents struggle to afford healthy food to fill kindergarten and school lunchboxes.

The family of a Christchurch-born man shot dead by US police is pleased two officers charged over his killing will face trial after a Colorado judge threw out their bid to have the case dismissed.

Gloriavale women were entrapped, enslaved and lived in servitude at the "misogynist" Christian community, the Employment Court has heard.

Gloriavale's communal religious society is not a sham and there is no capitalist labour market hidden within the Christian community, the Employment Court has heard.

The Christian community appeared with a lawyer for closing submissions, despite previously saying they could no longer afford a legal team.

The Christchurch woman has put up with intravenous feeding and two ostomy bags for a year and still has no idea when she will be able to have surgery.

A granddaughter of Gloriavale founder Hopeful Christian has told a court abuse has never been accepted in the community's culture.

Gloriavale founder and convicted sex offender Hopeful Christian was a sinner but was used by God to bring about change, a senior community leader says.

The Crown had detailed knowledge of Gloriavale founder Hopeful Christian's crimes in the mid-1990s but "dropped the ball" by failing to help the community deal with sexual abuse, the Employment Court…

Khanye Eruera Harimate Te Heuheu, who fatally stabbed a 16-year-old boy and seriously injured two others in Christchurch, has been jailed for five years and six months.

Sawdust and shavings carpet the ground in the Windley home woodchopping ring, where mother and son sharpen their skills for a South Island showdown. Audio

Police are investigating allegations of forced labour, slavery and servitude at the Gloriavale Christian community, the Employment Court has heard.

Gloriavale's Overseeing Shepherd has rejected assertions the leaders impose their faith in God on the Christian community's children through isolation and ignorance.

In a rare public appearance, Gloriavale's Overseeing Shepherd Howard Temple admitted leaders had made mistakes and promised to report abuse to police, instead of appealing for repentance and…

The Employment Court's chief judge yesterday visited Gloriavale to better understand the evidence presented in a case brought by six former members who claim they were exploited, treated like slaves…

Six former members claim they lived in slave-like conditions on a gruelling rotation of domestic duties.

A Gloriavale mother says the Christian community cannot afford to pay everyone wages and employment relationships would destroy their way of life.

The founder of Gloriavale was jailed for cruel and bizarre sexual offending under the guise of education or preparation for marriage, court documents show.

Former Gloriavale Christian School principal Faithful Pilgrim also says Gloriavale members can't necessarily exercise right to freedom of religion.

David Stedfast told an Employment Court hearing members had freedom of choice and denied portraying an idealistic, utopian view of Gloriavale.