Stories by Sharon Brettkelly
News
Some childcare centres hit by lockdown to get insurance payout
Hundreds of childcare centres will be paid out millions in insurance for loss of income during the Covid-19 crisis because of a special arrangement with their broker, but others will get none.
Children told to leave state house after mother's death
Five children of a solo mother who died suddenly were told to get out of their state house just weeks after her death.
Auckland housing projects stalled by council delays, says developer
An Auckland developer's plans to build 1500 houses in a special housing area have been set back by more than two years after delays in council consents, he says.
Half of Auckland's fast-track housing areas disestablished
There are fears thousands of cheap homes may not now be built because more than half of Auckland's Special Housing Areas have been disestablished. Audio
Auckland Council unsure how many affordable homes built
The Building Minister says affordability is "headed in the right direction" despite the council's inability to give exact figures. Audio
Council's asking price scuppered housing project - developer
An Auckland community housing developer is furious a plan to build hundreds of houses in Manukau has collapsed at the last minute after the council rejected its offer.
Urgent housing need 'big concern going into winter'
The number of people registered as urgently needing housing has doubled in the past two years. Audio
Agency that put up rent 'week on week' accused of price gouging
A large Auckland agency has been acccused of price gouging after it hiked rents on vacant apartments "five percent a week, week on week" in February.
Budget boost only a 'slight change' for the struggling
A single mother on minimum wage says changes announced in yesterday's budget would only make a small difference to her life.
New $102m tourism fund 'some way' from what councils need
The government's new infrastructure fund falls short of what is needed to help councils pay for more toilets and carparks, a tourism leader says.
Tourism boss calls for full review of Conservation Act for private operators
Tourism operators want to be able to build their own tracks and huts in national parks.
Racecourses to host campervans of Lions fans
Two Auckland racecourses will be hosting hundreds of campervans full of Lions rugby fans to help the city cope for the country's biggest sporting event since the Rugby World Cup.
Videos aim to promote trade to ordinary people
A series of videos has been launched to get more public backing for trade after thousands of people marched against the controversial Trans Pacific Partnership deal last year. Video
Asylum seekers sleeping in cars, streets - advocates
Asylum seekers are resorting to sleeping in cars or on the streets in Auckland, a support group says.
Homeless families: 'We've got nowhere to send them'
Emergency housing providers are warning more families will be sleeping in cars, parks and garages in Auckland this winter because of a desperate shortage of cheap accommodation.
NZ and China 'will be able to scale the highest peaks'
An upgraded free trade deal between China and New Zealand was on the menu at a gala lunch in honour of the Chinese Premier today.
Labour 'supremely patronising' over iwi's housing plan
An Auckland iwi has accused the Labour Party of being condescending over a bill that would allow it to build 300 houses on a reserve.
Facebook video shows horrors of bath salts
A video of a young Auckland woman in a zombie state and vomiting after apparently taking a synthetic drug has been viewed more than a million times on Facebook.
Social housing project on market after just a year
Australian community housing providers are eyeing up one of New Zealand's largest social housing projects for purchase.
Queenstown housing project fails
Low-wage workers in Queenstown face another year of crowded houses and shared beds after a major project to provide short-term cheap rentals failed.
Flood-hit families left homeless
Residents of a block of Auckland flats are in emergency accommodation after water gushed into the building during yesterday's massive storm. Video
Soaring Wanaka prices lock residents out of property market
A Wanaka man whose business is thriving says the booming property market has shut him out and he will have to commute for more than two hours to a house he can afford to buy.
Nearly $900m boost from proposed disability laws - advocates
Disability groups are calling for new laws making it easier for disabled people to work and study, saying it would boost the economy by nearly $900 million a year.
Port Hills fire: Don't be fooled, it's not over yet
"People look at everything blackened, with no smoke, and they think it's all over - it's not," says a helicopter pilot fighting the Christchurch fires.
Port Hills fire: 'There's just a couple of bricks left'
A man forced to flee his home in Christchurch's fire-ravaged Port Hills has seen devastated remains for the first time.