Stories by Michael Cropp
News
Kiwifruit growers tell court MPI 'failed' to prevent PSA
Kiwifruit growers are arguing the Ministry for Primary Industries failed to protect them from known biosecurity risks, and should never have let vine-killing disease PSA slip into the country.
One third of Spring Hill inmates assaulted - Ombudsman
About a third of inmates surveyed at one of the country's largest prisons report being assaulted.
Euthanasia report 'deeply disappointing'
The final report on the public's attitudes towards assisted dying is 'deeply disappointing' and more like a cowardly essay, the former MP who instigated the inquiry says. Audio
Cow disease outbreak: Farmers push for answers
Farmers in a meeting about the cattle disease outbreak are pushing for answers from the government for what some say is a slow response to a serious disease.
Workplace stress rising sharply - report
Workload, pressure to meet targets and long hours are making New Zealand workers more stressed and many turn up even when they're unwell, a survey finds.
Councils seek greater powers to control cats
Mayors and councillors have narrowly voted in favour of asking the government for powers to control cats, including microchipping, de-sexing, and registration.
Council apologises for misleading email statement
The Horowhenua District Council is apologising for saying everyone whose emails were screened by the chief executive knew about it, saying now that not everyone was told.
Labour pledges to fund anti-HIV meds
The Labour Party is accusing the government of dragging its heels on funding a drug which could prevent a large percentage of HIV transmissions.
Councils' underspend risks run-down water services
The country's essential infrastructure is being run down with councils not spending enough on drinking water, sewers, and flood barriers, the government's auditor is warning.
Lower Hutt family lose visas, despite profitable business
An American family who sold everything to come to New Zealand and run a successful business for four years are preparing to leave the country for not meeting visa requirements.
'Urgent' freshwater search under way in Wellington
The capital's fragile freshwater supply is set to become less of a worry, with hydrogeologists looking for emergency supplies under the city.
Thorndon braces for dust and disruption as buildings come down
Residents living in the Wellington suburb of Thorndon should brace themselves for four years of dust and disruption.
Wellington council calls for new planes to Singapore
Wellington's officials are worried the older planes used by Singapore Airlines on its flights into the capital from Singapore are reducing the route's value.
Oyster cull begins to stop parasite's spread
Cranes have started pulling farmed oysters out of the water at Stewart Island, in an effort to stop a fatal parasite infecting Bluff's prized wild fisheries. Audio
Govt says 'nothing new' in latest Pike River footage
The Prime Minister says footage of unburnt material inside the mine doesn't change anything, but the mother of one of the 29 victims says she feels misled. Video, Audio
Wellington Town Hall strengthening options detailed
The Wellington City Council has released its business case for strengthening the city's town hall and creating a music hub there.
Wellington builds on hold due to 'illogical' court ruling
A 'farcical' court ruling has put residential projects across Wellington on hold, because some residential height limits are now below ground level.
Agent fined for buying client's $1.3m home
A real estate agent has been fined $10,000 for work labelled seriously negligent when he bought a client's house.
Wellington residents worried about reservoir landslide risk
Some residents are worried a proposed water reservoir could fail in a big earthquake, causing a potentially deadly landslide. Video
Mouldy, damp rental blamed for toddler's ill-health
A Kapiti family says their rental property is so mouldy, damp and hard to heat that they would be better off living in a tent.
Wellington Port still three months from being fully operational
It will take another three months of repairs before Wellington's port can use its cranes again to load container ships.
Doctor denies indecent assault, stupefying charges
A Hastings doctor took advantage of his patients by sedating them so he could touch them sexually, the Napier District Court has been told.
Kāpiti 5.9% rates increase 'scandalous', pensioners say
Elderly Kāpiti residents say a proposed rates rise is unaffordable, with one couple fearing being forced to sell their home. Audio
St John warning prompted new funding - ambulance CEO
A warning by an ambulance service that it would stop sending sole paramedics to emergencies played a key role in the government's funding boost to ensure all ambulances are double crewed, according St…
Wellington Monopoly yet to pass go
Wellington is set to get its own edition of the Monopoly board game, but what replaces the likes of Mayfair and Old Kent Road is still uncertain.