Stories by Libby Kirkby-McLeod

Maria Contreras Huerta was the only girl in her Wintec training classes. It'd be great to see that change, she says.

The NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi says seven years ago it improved the road where five people lost their lives last night. Audio

It comes after the school was put in lockdown following a school brawl.

It's the first election since the last council was sacked by the local government minister and replaced with commissioners.

Supporters of the Waikato to Auckland train Te Huia say Auckland Council is not doing its part to support the passenger service.

A petition to save the service has gained more than 4000 signatures in less than four days.

But it might be too late to make a difference to the Waikato to Auckland passenger train service.

The critically-threatened Mahoenui giant wētā has been bred in captivity for the first time in decades - at a new centre especially set up for the task.

The cost of having a weekend burial in South Waikato could be about to skyrocket. Audio

But Waikato Regional Council, which is in charge of it, says that doesn't tell the whole story.

The council is currently consulting on a proposed blanket speed reduction to 30 km/h in the city centre and a mix of variable and permanent speed limit reductions around schools and marae.

It is believed to be the country's biggest ever kiwi relocation project.

All of this year's 16 Ockham Book Awards finalists are based in the main centres and overseas, even though almost half of the country's registered authors live in the regions.

Developers, planners, and landowners need to interact with each other with regard to zoning and climate change, urban planning experts say.

There is no doubt the train service between Auckland and Hamilton is highly subsidised - but roads are too, a researcher says.

A wildflower and no-mow trial in Hamilton parks and reserves has shown good results, but whether it will be repeated is still to be decided.

The problem "may only get worse" as construction costs soar, an expert says.

The demise of Three Waters has left councils facing a dilemma.

Visitors to Hamilton gardens can go reptile spotting at Turtle Lake, but the red-eared slider turtles the lake is named after are a global pest that do not belong in New Zealand's waterways.

More than 500 children are still living in emergency housing in Hamilton city and the effect of unstable housing on their education can be profound - but some groups are working hard to limit the…

Hamilton City Council is to ask residents which services they are willing to go without, as a huge rates hike looms.

A new sculpture trail has popped up in Hamilton this month and organisers hope it will be part of elevating the city and attracting visitors.

Coromandel residents are worried the Department of Conservation is planning to reroute access to Cathedral Cove through private land.

Wintec in Hamilton had a 100 percent pass rate in Enrolled Nursing last year, and advocates say these courses are helping with the country's acute nursing shortage.

Bay of Plenty residents have been experiencing virtual earthquakes and tsunamis this summer as a way for the Tauranga City Council to engage residents about the coastal risks the area faces. Video