Stories by Matthew Theunissen
News
Brakes put on 1080 programme in Hunua Ranges
A large-scale 1080 pest control programme across the Hunua Ranges, south-east of Auckland, has suddenly been suspended.
Auckland's 'roading crisis' may prompt speed limit drop
Auckland Transport is looking at dropping the speed limits on dozens of roads in a bid to cut traffic deaths and injuries in the region.
High Court appeal lodged against Waiheke marina
The battle to stop a controversial marina on Waiheke Island has fired up again, with opponents telling the High Court the wrong iwi group was consulted about the consents.
Resource consent botch-up: Property owners forced to stop mid-build
The Auckland Council resource consent botch-up will be a nightmare for those who have to re-apply, says a character property coalition spokesperson.
Major recycler urges councils to pitch in to deal with rubbish crisis
A major New Zealand recycler is considering legal action against councils who he says are failing to pitch in to deal with a mounting pile of rubbish.
Finance an issue for building on communal Māori land - wananga
Māori housing organisations are trying to find ways for finance to be secured for housing to be built on communally-owned land.
National cautious on ACT's call to reduce MP numbers
National has some sympathy for ACT's call to reduce the number of MPs, but won't support the policy in its current form, the party's electoral reform spokesperson Nick Smith says. Video, Audio
Seymour wants Māori seats abolished
ACT's leader David Seymour Party has told his party's annual conference he wants to abolish the Māori seats and reduce the number of MPs.
Brash debate: 'You've got to tiptoe through those issues in NZ'
Don Brash was met with a chorus of boos and nearly didn't get through his address at a university debate tonight. Video
ANZ to remove 'stressful' sales targets for frontline staff
ANZ has announced it's removing sales targets for front-line staff, and the country's other major banks look set to follow suit.
Don Brash to speak about 'PC culture' at Auckland Uni
The University of Auckland will not be following Massey University's decision to ban former Reserve Bank Governor Don Brash from giving a speech.
Fears pair will incite racism: 'They were mocking Aboriginal culture'
Far-right Canadian speakers Lauren Southern and Stefan Molyneux will be speaking at a sold-out venue in Auckland tonight, an event that has angered many groups.
Fears for Auckland Airbnb owners: 'They cannot afford to carry on'
Some Airbnb hosts are warning they are going to leave the online accommodation service as a result of a new Auckland Council tax.
Meat alternatives: Cheaper production could diversify NZ market
New Zealand farmers may need to adapt to new technologies that are enabling the creation of viable alternatives to meat.
Letting fees 'excessive' and 'punish' renters
Letting fees are an aberration in the law and are pricing ordinary New Zealanders out of homes, a tenants' advocate has told MPs.
'This type of speech makes all Muslims ... very angry'
New Zealand's Muslim community is angry that two controversial alt-right speakers have been allowed to work in the country.
Akl rates 2.5 percent, council accused of 'smoke and mirrors'
Auckland households will pay an average of $2500 in rates this year after the city council announced a 2.5 percent general increase.
Calls for national wastewater testing for illicit drugs
Councils are calling for a national regime to test wastewater for illicit drugs, to better understand who's taking what and where.
Statue size of Statue of Liberty on cards for Bastion Pt
An Auckland hapu is considering building a statue on Bastion Point that could be as big as the Statue of Liberty in the United States or Christ the Redeemer in Brazil.
Treasured reserve faces 'death by a thousand cuts'
A lobby group wants the Auckland Council to shut down several housing developments because they're killing a treasured marine reserve. Video