Catherine Hutton
Emergency housing funding 'user pays'
The Government will put 41.1 million dollars over four years towards emergency housing. The Social Development Minister, Paula Bennett, made the announcement at the Wellington Night Shelter this… Audio
Health Ministry admits mental health services are under strain
The Justice Minister wants more money spent on mental health services for those appearing and being sentenced in the country's courts. Catherine Hutton reports. Audio
Domestic violence pilot extended to six more courts
Judges are making progress in their efforts to extract more information about a defendent's family violence history. Audio
Road worker hit during police chase
A road worker's been hit by a car being chased by police. Audio
Fluoride responsibility shifts to DHBs
The Government is taking the highly contentious decision about fluoridation of local water supplies away from local authorities. Audio
Govt supports mask policy for health workers
The Ministry of Health is supporting a contentious policy of forcing health workers who don't get flu jabs to wear a face mask. Audio
Two students still in hospital after Dunedin balcony collapse
New high-tech video of the weekend Dunedin student concert at which 18 people were injured when a balcony collapsed shows nobody jumping up and down when it failed. Audio
Number of urgent cases before Family Court 'staggering'
Reforms aimed at reducing the role lawyers play in the Family Court appear to have failed, with almost 90 percent of claimants seeking urgent hearings in order to be allowed legal representation. Audio
Zero tolerance policy, but couches continue to burn
Dunedin's mayor is defending a group set up last year to improve anti-social behaviour in the city's student area, saying there's zero tolerance of bad behaviour. Audio
Report recommends overhaul of funding for doctors' visits
The Government is considering sweeping changes to the way it funds family doctors. Audio
MSD slashes funding for community and trauma mental health
The Ministry of Social Development has slashed funding for community and trauma mental health services in Christchurch. Audio
Councils want a coordinated transport strategy
Councils are lobbying the government to come up with better transport options for the regions, saying Air New Zealand's actions show how vulnerable these areas can be. Audio
Demolition ahead for old military building?
Officials say they are confident the Defence Force will do all it can to try and preserve a historic inner Wellington building. Audio
Dunne cautions against high hopes for medicinal cannabis
New Zealand could piggy back off Australian research into wider use of medicinal cannabis, but the Minister responsible is cautioning people against getting their hopes up. Audio
Seven million to be spent on childhood obesity
The Government says it will spend seven million dollars over the next year to fight the obesity epidemic in children. Audio
Birth control for beneficaries?
The Minister for Social Development wants most at-risk families to stop having more children. Catherine Hutton reports. Audio
Minister wants less children for at risk families
The Minister for Social Development wants the state to intervene to disuade at risk families from having more children. Audio
Upper Hutt residents want more information
Some Upper Hutt residents are demanding officials be upfront with them about a convicted paedophile who has been released into the area. Catherine Hutton spoke to those who live near the school. Audio
Questions about taxpayer money for social services
The Children's Commissioner is defending the government's handling of the funding in the social sector, but he says its come at the expense of early intervention programmes Audio
The sudden demise of Relationship Aotearoa
Catherine Hutton has the inside story on the sudden demise of Relationships Aotearoa. Audio
