Stories by Nita Blake-Persen
Audio and features
Marsden Pt refining to end, no more petrol to be made in NZ
Aotearoa's ability to make our own fuel is set to be scrapped, with hundreds of Northland jobs to be lost as well.
Refining NZ shareholders today voted overwhelmingly in favour of switching its… Video, Audio
Marsden Pt workers feel abandoned by govt as job cuts loom
Frustrated workers at Marsden Point feel abandoned by the government ahead of a vote over whether to cut hundreds of jobs.
Shareholders will decide on Friday whether to stop processing oil at the… Audio
Huge Far North water verdict looms as avocados boom
Plans for a massive water take to grow more avocados in the Far North could get the green light in the coming weeks, but there are major concerns among some locals about what that will mean for the… Video, Audio
Ports of Auckland appears to enter new era with council, union
Ports of Auckland appears to be welcoming a new era in their relationship with Auckland Council and unions, after years of tension.
A damning safety report earlier this year revealed major concerns… Audio
Tampons and radiator fluid pitched as poison for feral dogs in Far North
A Far North man has taken to using poison soaked tampons to kill feral dogs, which are roaming the area and devastating local farms and wildlife.
Around 40 people turned up for a community meeting in… Video, Audio
Top earning emergency housing provider owes thousands in wage subsidies, tax
A now defunct Auckland company which received nearly $15 million to house the homeless now owes the government tens of thousands of dollars in wage subsidies and tax payments.
Silverfern Property… Audio
Sharpshooters watch through night for feral dogs in Northland
The number of feral dogs roaming the Far North is now estimated to be around 100, with sharpshooters keeping vigil over one farm where dozens of animals have been mauled.
Last week more than 120… Audio
NZ children living in motels reaches record high
The number of children living in motels has reached a record high, despite the government's pledge to combat child poverty.
Latest figures released to Checkpoint show there were more than 4,300… Video, Audio
MSD in court on claims of failure to act over wage subsidies
A philanthropic foundation is taking legal action against the Ministry for Social Development over its failure to take legal action against a single wage subsidy recipient.
More than $13 billion was… Audio
Marsden Pt refinery workers keen to upskill to develop biofuels
Talks are under way with New Zealand's only oil refinery about potentially using the facility to make biofuels.
The Marsden Point refinery near Whangārei looks likely to be scaled back to an… Audio
No MSD Flexible Funding assistance given in Te Tai Tokerau
A big pot of money set aside to help whānau living in motels has failed to make it to many children in need.
The Flexible Funding Programme was launched last year, and is often highlighted by the… Audio
Elderly woman fights to keep home after daughter's deceit
An elderly Auckland woman is facing a desperate fight for her home after her daughter allegedly tricked her into signing away her ownership of the property.
The woman's case is one of thousands that… Video, Audio
Locals frustrated as Whangārei highway plans are halted
The brakes have once again been slammed on plans for a four-lane highway near Whangārei - and local leaders are furious.
The road between Whangārei and Marsden Point has been a regional transport… Audio
'More need for compassion' from some landlords - Housing Minister
The Housing Minister is encouraging some landlords to show more compassion to ease the country's housing crisis - and keep whānau out of motels.
Megan Woods was at the opening of a new Salvation Army… Video, Audio
Marsden Pt workers fear major job losses as shutdown looms
Workers at Northland's oil refinery say the region should be bracing for the biggest loss of jobs in a generation, but not enough is being done to cushion the blow.
Plans for a $250 million shutdown… Video, Audio
NZ's recycling still being sent to developing nations
New Zealand's recycling practices are under scrutiny amid revelations that hundreds of tonnes of plastic are still being sent to countries like Malaysia and Thailand.
Concerns have been raised for… Video, Audio
Yoko Ono calls on visitors to mend, in Whangārei exhibition
The artwork of a top international artist - and well-known musical muse - is set to be unveiled in Whangarei this week, and it's all about fixing things. Yoko Ono, the renowned artist, peace activist… Video, Audio
Property company in liquidation after taking millions in govt funds
An Auckland property company which took millions in taxpayer funds to house the homeless has left the IRD and landlords out of pocket after going into liquidation.
Silverfern property services… Audio
MSD told to crack down on unneeded wage subsidy recipients
The Auditor-General wants the Ministry for Social Development to crack down on businesses that got the wage subsidy and didn't need it.
The multibillion-dollar wage subsidy scheme was designed to… Audio
Gold-painted cupola on Hundertwasser centre nearly complete
Whangārei's highly anticipated Hundertwasser Art Centre is a step closer to completion with the golden globe which will sit atop the building nearly finished.
Real gold has been sent over from Italy… Video, Audio
Northland Covid-19 vaccinations struggle with huge demand
Northlanders are waiting on the phone for more than six hours as they try to book appointments for their Covid-19 vaccine, while older people are being turned away as they attempt walk-in… Video, Audio
MSD spends $5.5m on IT to charge for emergency housing
The government's being criticised for spending $5.5 million on IT changes so it can charge people who would otherwise be homeless for their motel stays.
In October the Ministry for Social Development… Audio
Northlanders over 50 can now get Covid-19 vaccine
A big drop in the age limit for accessing the Covid-19 vaccine means anyone over 50 can now get their shot at Northland immunisation clinics.
The District Health Board announced the change through… Audio
James Cameron explains dairy cows on Wairarapa farm
Film director James Cameron is defending his decision to graze hundreds of dairy cattle on his farm, despite being an outspoken critic of animal agriculture.
Cameron and his wife, environmentalist… Video, Audio
'Motel generation' feared as emergency housing need continues
There are fears Aotearoa could end up with a 'motel generation' as whānau struggling to afford rents are bumped across emergency accommodation providers.
Latest figures show there are more than 4,000… Audio