Stories by Rayssa Almeida
News
When is it too early for Christmas decorations?
For some, fairy lights and Santas should only be allowed after 1 December, but is there a right time to get festive? Many are making the effort now.
Man collapses and dies after 'disturbance' on Auckland street
Police were called to Ronayne Street about 4am after reports a man was causing a disturbance.
Security firms inundated and unable to cope with pre-Xmas demand
Security companies say there is a massive demand for services and staff are struggling to cope in the run-up to Christmas.
Rotorua residents say 'no more' to emergency housing
Rotorua residents say the concession of more emergency housing contracts will take a toll on the community.
Emergency housing in Rotorua has 'created a monster', motel owner says
Residents and business owners say the emergency housing system in Rotorua is "a bloody fiasco".
Rotorua is a 'ghost town' due to emergency housing crisis, resident says
A resident says Rotorua has become a "ghost town" because of the rise on motels serving as emergency housing.
St John hopes CPR training will increase cardiac arrest survival rate
Hato Hone St John hopes to train 10,000 people around the country this month in CPR with the aim of increasing the survival rate of those who have cardiac arrests.
SPCA recovers 13 weak, underfed pigs living in very poor conditions
The SPCA has recovered 13 pigs left in very poor conditions in a property in the Wellington region.
Auckland police investigate series of burglaries overnight
Two teenagers have been arrested following ram raids on a petrol station and a store in Auckland.
More than 100 passengers forced to wait in airport corridor overnight
Passengers were reportedly told they could not go through the security screening point because it was not staffed until 5am, forcing them to sit and wait in a cold hallway until the area opened. Audio
Making the four-day week work: 'You've got to move to the future'
Businesses who have started offering their staff a four-day working week say this is what the future of employment should look like.
Former Auckland MIQ facility Jet Park Hotel set to reopen to public
One of the first and biggest hotels to become a managed isolation facility in Auckland is ready to re-open its door for guests. Audio
Strippers paying thousands in fines, bonds to be able to perform: 'I was now losing money'
Between bonds, fines and unexpected costs, some adult performers say they are losing money at their jobs - and are trying to get attention on their treatment. Audio
'It's traumatising' - Sex workers report everyday discrimination in banking, business
Sex workers say discrimination still "makes it hell" to get a mortgage, a bank account or simply open a business.
Blood cancer patient charity campaigns for Pharmac to fund medicine
Blood cancer patients are urging Pharmac to fund a medicine that would restore the quality of life of those suffering with the disease.
Owners get lowdown on dog threat to coastal species in DOC campaign
Unmanaged dogs injure or kill many native and critically endangered marine mammals and coastal birds every year in New Zealand, DOC says.
Land around Mangamuka Gorge 'constantly moving' - Far North deputy mayor
The Far North Deputy Major says major arterial roads have been left looking like an 'earthquake zone' after wild weather hit the region last week.
Release of police dog on young people unjustified - IPCA
Setting a police dog on two young people, resulting in serious injuries, was unjustified, an investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority has found.
'You are thrown in there and left': Ex-inmate slams 'inhumane' prison system
The penal system is hard to navigate from the outside and nightmarish for those inside, a former prisoner and an inmate's partner say.
Firefighter says common to get 'mayday texts' calling for emergency overtime cover
Firefighters at one of the country's busiest stations say they are clocking hundreds of hours in emergency overtime while struggling with faulty equipment, long hours, and a lack of trauma training.
A 'very unpleasant time' - new synthetic drug in NZ
A new synthetic drug has been found for the first time in New Zealand with feedback that it caused extreme anxiety for a user.
'It sucked. I was too young for a benefit' - Five years sleeping rough in Auckland
A young woman who was homeless for years says critics of social housing don't know what it's like to be on the streets in the middle of winter.
Assisted death case probed by Health and Disability Commissioner
An assisted death at a hospital is being investigated by the Health and Disability Commissioner.
Auckland Transport to hold Fullers360 service to account
Devonport ferries are to be included in Auckland's public transport network after 18 months of discussion, but fares are unlikely to change any time soon.
Veterinary Association says court's dog ruling likely to make vets more cautious
The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) has expressed disappointment with Tauranga Moana District Court's decision on a dog attack on a Bay of Plenty veterinarian.