Stories by Niva Chittock
News
Former teen patient fundraising for new mental health facilities
A former patient's experience in Christchurch's worn out, cramped mental health facilities for young people is driving him to help raise the funds needed for an upgrade.
Whakamana Whānau programme boosts Māori and Pasifika health workforce
A pathway into work in health for Māori and Pasifika has been so successful, whānau and friends of participants are signing up too.
Call for professional online profiles to disclose conviction history
A business owner wants more stringent background checks for those creating professional online profiles after discovering a potential advisor is currently on home detention for corruption.
Controversial waste-to-energy plant consent process now in hands of central govt
Two councils asked Environment Minister David Parker to "call in" the project because of how unique it was - and he's directed the Environmental Protection Authority to take over consenting.
'For those things I'll never forgive you': Mama Hooch sexual assault survivor
Nine survivors of Danny and Roberto Jaz's attacks read powerful victim impact statements to the court ahead of the pair's sentencing today.
Mama Hooch sexual assaults: Brothers to be sentenced
Two brothers who drugged and committed sexual offences against more than 30 young patrons at Christchurch bar Mama Hooch are to be sentenced today.
'It's like washing your dinner plates over your fish tank'
Kiwis are being urged to think twice about what's going down their drains ahead of the summer swimming season.
'You've just got to get on': Timaru locals, neighbours react to Dickason verdict
Immense sadness, a sombre cloud, acceptance and healing were some of the emotions being felt in Timaru after the verdict. Audio
Lauren Dickason trial: Jury finds mother guilty of murdering her three daughters
Lauren Dickason murdered her three young daughters, a High Court jury has found
Jury retires to deliberate verdict in Lauren Dickason trial
The jury in the murder trial of Lauren Dickason has asked to rewatch her police interview from the day after she killed her children. Audio
Yanfei Bao search: Police comb farmland on Christchurch outskirts
The detective in charge of the Yanfei Bao homicide investigation says items found so far have created positive lines of inquiry.
Psychiatrist who interviewed Lauren Dickason tells court of trying to understand motive
The first psychiatrist to formally interview Lauren Dickason believes the mother killed her children out of control, not love.
Gloriavale leader Howard Temple facing indecency charges involving 10 girls
The 83-year-old appeared in the Greymouth District Court today, charged with sexual offending against the girls over a period of more than 20 years.
Dickason told psychiatrist of parenting and mental health strains
Lauren Dickason relied on her husband to help manage her depression and anxiety, the High Court at Christchurch has heard. Audio
Mother on murder trial: Self-prescription is 'problematic', says expert
A forensic psychiatrist told the Christchurch High Court it is concerning the woman accused of murdering her children was self-prescribing for her mental health.
Dickason told psychiatrist her children would be 'better off in heaven'
The High Court has heard what was going through Lauren Dickason's mind in the lead-up to killing her children. Audio
Dickason 'distant', on edge of breakdown before leaving for NZ - mother
Lauren Dickason's mother has told the court her daughter seemed absent in the final months before she left South Africa for Timaru.
Lauren Dickason sobs as police interview video plays in court
Her face crumpled in the video as she stated what she had done - killing her three children - was "irreversible". Audio
Mother searched how to cause child drug overdose before killing daughters
Lauren Dickason made online searches on how to cause child drug overdoses in the weeks leading up to the deaths of her three young daughters. Audio
Dickason trial: 'She's done this to hurt me' father said after finding daughters' bodies
"She's done this to hurt me" were some of the first words from Lauren Dickason's husband after finding his three young daughters dead in their beds.
Dickason murder trial: Family concerned for mother's mental health before move to NZ
The High Court has heard Lauren Dickason's family had serious concerns about her mental wellbeing in the weeks before she moved to New Zealand.
Dickason murder trial: Mother spoke of harming children three times before their deaths
The High Court in Christchurch has heard Lauren Dickason spoke about harming her daughters on three separate occasions before they died.
Lauren Dickason murder trial: Crown details mother's messages to friends
Crown lawyers say a mother charged with murdering her three daughters in Timaru in 2021 talked about harming her children in messages to friends.
School's numbers cut to stop out-of-zone enrolment
The Ministry of Education says a Christchurch intermediate's roll is being reduced to encourage students to go to their local school.