Stories by Niva Chittock
News
Public urged to identify cyanobacteria signs as climate change sees fears surface
People are encouraged to educate themselves on the signs of cyanobacteria poisoning amid concerns climate change may see cases rise.
Offline in Taumarunui: Internet outage takes toll
Paying with cash, reading books and playing board games to pass the time. It's not a bach holiday, it's Taumarunui - and there's no knowing when the fibre will be fixed.
Plea for funeral grant to be increased to cover burial costs
Many families are struggling to afford burials, as Work and Income's funeral grant fails to keep pace with rising costs.
Delay in job start frustrates new nurse: 'We want to help but can't'
Nursing graduates are having to wait weeks between finishing their study and starting work despite the health sector's staffing crisis.
Businesses under pressure as school holidays influx hits amid staffing pressures
A Queenstown eatery says they have been struggling to serve an influx of tourists flocking to the town for the school holidays.
Emissions Reduction Plan needs to be accelerated to curb air pollution - science advisor
Cantabrians' reliance on cars may be to blame for the highest per-capita levels of pollution in the country, chief science advisor to the Ministry of Transport Simon Kingham says.
Banks Peninsula residents kick up stink about consent for massive cattle feedlots
A petition has been handed to Canterbury politicians urging that a plan for four composting feed farms near Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere be stopped.
Cheaper transport and more support for Cantabrians comes as rates set to skyrocket
Cantabrians are set to receive cheaper public transport, more flood recovery support and an extra $300,000 in contestable community funding.
Education ministry nears end of Christchurch rebuilds as Te Aratai College opens
Another Christchurch school rebuild was officially opened today, with more than half of the Ministry of Education's $1.3 billion programme now complete.
Christchurch council needs to step up to protect Ōpāwaho Heathcote River - councillor
A Christchurch community is calling for more commitment from the council to help improve one of the city's prominent rivers.
Burned out or leaving for overseas: Midwifery sector in downward spiral, says union
Leaders in the midwifery profession say the government doesn't seem to understand the critical situation the sector is in.
Bromley stench: Council's support package rollout 'absolute shambles'
Bromley residents say the rollout of Christchurch City Council's support package for those living with the stench from a damaged wastewater plant was "a massive fail".
Stolen cars launched down streets 'like missiles'
Christchurch residents are shocked stolen cars were sent careening down streets early yesterday morning, with bricks weighing down the accelerators.
Chch residents affected by waste water plant to get $1m
Christchurch City councillors have voted unanimously to provide the funding, and 3380 households in the worst affected suburb of Bromley will be able to get a share from Monday.
Silver Fern Farms will no longer supply offal to Gloriavale meat plant
Silver Fern Farms has announced it will no longer be working with the Gloriavale Christian community.
Bromley stench: Help for residents who cannot hang laundry outside
From today, residents on the eastern side of Christchurch can have their laundry done for free, thanks to the Student Volunteer Army.
Budget 2022: Public transport fare announcement 'underwhelming' - campaigner
A public transport campaigner is giving the government's Budget just three and a half out of 10. Audio
Bromley stench: Council to compensate some residents
Birds have fled, humans want to leave and even the midges have gone - Christchurch's damaged waste water plant is driving everyone away with its "horrendous" stench.
Leave cancelled, staff under pressure as Canterbury DHB sees high Covid-19 cases
Canterbury District Health Board is still grappling with high numbers of Omicron cases weeks after it thought it would be over the worst.
Christchurch cyclists quick to get on board with anti-theft register
As more people opt for two wheels to get around, bike thefts are also climbing, with more than four per day on average reported stolen in Christchurch.
'It was horrendous': Patients wait several years for surgery
Wait until the pain is so bad that you cannot sleep, then you might get on the public health waiting list - that is the advice some patients are being given by their GPs.
Bromley stench: 'Do your job - make our health paramount'
Christchurch City Council has had a morning of fiery presentations by residents at their wits end with putrid smells from council facilities. Audio
'We are here as a township' - Bluff reacts to teens' deaths
Locals in Bluff are rallying round the families who lost their teenagers in a fatal collision between a ute and concrete truck on Friday.
Cantabrian World War II hero to be recognised with headstone rededication
A Cantabrian World War II hero well-known overseas is being recognised at home this Anzac Weekend.
Canterbury flash flood damages houses
A flash flood in a small settlement south of Christchurch has damaged more than three houses overnight.