Stories by Meriana Johnsen
News
Social service finds whānau to take children at risk of state care
A Far North Māori social service agency has stopped 47 children from going into state care within the past year by finding wider whānua to care for them instead.
'Slow' roll-out of median barrier: 16km in one year
Just 16km of median barrier was installed on roads last year, raising questions about the government's ambitious plan to roll out 198km of life-saving median barrier by mid-2021.
KiwiRail firms up plans for biodiesel trials despite supply doubts
KiwiRail is set to trial biodiesel on some trains and ferries, but it cannot source enough to switch completely anytime soon.
Mental health app 'borne out of a mother's love for her son'
A Waikato mother who almost lost her son to suicide has created an app to make it simpler for people to reach out in crisis.
Lack of fire safety at marae: 'Less than half have fixed smoke protection'
Many of the country's marae don't have smoke alarms and very few have sprinklers, Fire and Emergency says, which is putting marae assets worth millions of dollars at risk.
'Hirini came banging on the door saying the building's on fire'
A group of 27 cub scouts, their families, and an American who has lived at Tapu Te Ranga Marae for six years escaped the devastating fire. Whānau say they believe it can be rebuilt.
Tapu Te Ranga marae fire damage: Whānau plan for new chapter
The whānau from Tapu Te Ranga Marae have begun planning to build a new shared living space or papakāinga where their marae once stood.
Speed limits reduction proposal wins local support, National Party criticisms
Local leaders are backing reduced speed limits after an NZTA tool showing the speed limit on 87 percent of roads is higher than what is deemed the safe travel speed.
Uber ridesharing proposal rejected by Wellington council
A proposal to trial subsidised Uber rides to and from train stations in the Hutt Valley has been turned down.
Hawke's Bay ratepayers set to pay into climate fund
Hawke's Bay is on track to become the first region to charge ratepayers for mitigating the effects of climate change, but it won't cover damage to private properties.
Given Lime light: Transport Agency admits it rushed in e-scooter process
The Transport Agency has admitted it rushed the process to allow e-scooters on footpaths at the request of Lime.
Two deaths: Police made wrong decision to chase car, IPCA finds
Police should never have pursued a vehicle which crashed and left a 15-year-old and 12-year-old dead, an independent report has found.
Multiple bus drivers complain about manager's bullying
More than 20 bus drivers at a Wellington company say they have been intimidated and bullied - including being verbally abused - by a manager.
$6.4b transport plan 'won't solve Wellington's gridlock'
A $6.4 billion plan to overhaul Wellington's transport network will fail to fix the gridlock for commuters coming in and out of the city, regional leaders say.
The impact of having a child taken is 'an on-going pain'
A mother who has had kids taken by the state says it is an ongoing pain that will not go away. Advocates say there isn't enough mental health support and advocacy for people in her position.
Queues for petrol at new discounted pump in Upper Hutt
Drivers eager to save money at the pump were happy to queue for today's opening of the new Waitomo petrol station in Upper Hutt.
Cancer sufferers deliver petitions to Parliament
People desperately seeking cancer treatment which could extend their lives by years have called on politicians to increase Pharmac spending.
Researcher calls for review of dog breed ban
More people have needed to be taken to hospital after being attacked by dogs, with children the most affected, despite a law which banned five breeds in the hopes it would reduce attacks on children.
Bus driver meal breaks law: Disruptions likely despite agreement
Bus companies are being given a 12-month grace period to ensure they give drivers rest breaks, but disruptions are still expected.
'Hasty' consultation on tertiary reforms sparks judicial review
An industry training organisation is filing a judicial review over the "inadequate, hasty" consultation on tertiary reforms.
Distraught woman gives up on Lifeline after phone call put on hold
A desperate woman who rang Lifeline for help was kept waiting for half an hour before she eventually hung up.
Voluntary euthanasia bill opponents: Seymour tinkering sign of desperation
Opponents of voluntary euthanasia legislation have dismissed the bill's sponsor's latest bid to get more support as a desperate measure that will not work. Video, Audio
Armageddon bans military-style clothing, guns
Pop-culture convention Armageddon has changed its rules to ban military-style clothing and replica guns following the Christchurch attacks.
Failure to plan for new rest-break laws labelled 'incompetence'
Bus companies are warning that rest-break legislation risks delays to to already stretched bus services, but a union says bus operators' failure to prepare for the changes is 'incompetence'.
Low expectations as minimum wage goes up to $17.70 per hour
An increase to the minimum wage is not expected to make much of a difference to the country's poorest families and consumers may have costs passed on to them.