Samantha Gee
West Coast responds to news of human remains in Pike Mine
People on the West Coast are coming to terms with the discovery of human remains deep in the Pike River Mine, almost eleven years after the deadly explosion.
Tomorrow's the anniversary of the deadly… Video, Audio
Auckland City Mission worries it won't meet Christmas demand
The Auckland City Mission - Te Tāpui Atawhai - is worried about not meeting demand at Christmas, as its team faces the ever-growing demand for support created by Covid restrictions.
The Mission's… Audio
Waihopai GCSB surveillance domes shutting down
Large surveillance domes in the Waihopai Valley are being removed after more than 30 years of service.
The Government Communications Security Bureau says the technology at the station near Blenheim… Audio
Vaccine certificate or negative test for Air NZ flights in new rules
A health expert wants Air New Zealand to go a step further and implement a no jab, no fly rule domestically.
The airline's announced travellers who are 12 and over will need to show proof of… Audio
Months after floods, Westport residents still waiting to return
More than three months after severe flooding in Westport damaged hundreds of homes, many residents are left wondering when and if they will be able to return.
It exposed a town grappling with poverty… Video, Audio
Covid-19: Social media reaching unvaccinated youth at the top of the South Island
Māori health services in Te Tauihu - the top of the South Island - are connecting with youth through social media in the drive to improve vaccination rates.
In Nelson Marlborough, 16 percent of Maori… Audio
25,000 NZers try for third time in new MIQ online ballot
Twenty-five thousand New Zealanders around the world entered the lobby today, desperately trying to get a space in MIQ in a bid to return home.
It was the third release of the MIQ virtual lobby… Audio
South Island reacts to easing of level 2 restrictions
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced today the South Island will remain in alert level two but there has been some reprieve, with a slight easing of restrictions for hospitality… Audio
Govt keen for tougher adventure tourism rules after Whakaari
The government wants to introduce tougher safety rules for adventure activity operators, in response to the deadly 2019 Whakaari eruption.
Forty-seven people - most of them tourists - were on the… Audio
Godwits land in South Island after non-stop flight from Alaska
After a mammoth journey with non-stop flying for more than eight days, flocks of Eastern bar-tailed godwits are finally arriving at the top of the South Island.
The birds have travelled more than… Audio
Bells of Nelson's cathedral ring out to welcome godwits
The bells of Nelson's cathedral rang out this morning, heralding the arrival of the bar-tailed godwits. The migratory birds have just flown about 12,000 kilometres non-stop from Alaska at the northern… Audio
Do labs have capacity to process saliva tests?
Since saliva testing was rolled out for border workers last month, close to 1,000 people have opted for it instead of having a nasal swab.
Now the Ministry of Health has plans to offer saliva testing… Audio
Salvage effort underway in Picton after train fell in harbour
A salvage effort is underway in Picton Harbour for a runaway locomotive and wagon that have tipped into the water.
KiwiRail says it wasn't being loaded onto a ship at the time.
It weighs about 50… Video, Audio
Investigation to find out how train engine fell into harbour
The first Interislander ferry to cross the Cook Strait since yesterday afternoon has almost reached the port in Picton. Sailings were temporarily suspended yesterday after a remote control train… Audio
Covid-19 lockdown: Economic impact begins to bite
The economic impact of lockdown is starting to bite.
In Auckland's CBD - a week of level four restrictions is estimated to cost at least $20 million in consumer spending.
Samantha Gee has more. Audio
Weather: Frosty cold front sweeps over Aotearoa
A cold front has swept across New Zealand in the last 24 hours, leaving motorists stranded, closing schools and bringing a heavy dusting of snow to skifields.
Highways across the country have… Video, Audio
Marlborough flooding: Queen Charlotte Track could be closed for months
The Queen Charlotte Track in the Marlborough Sounds remains closed after heavy rain caused slips, windfalls and washed away a bridge, leaving some sections impassable.
A Department of Conservation… Audio
Queen Charlotte Drive still a mess after Marlborough floods
More than two weeks after heavy rain caused devastation in the Marlborough Sounds, some residents remain without road access.
Samantha Gee joined a convoy with Marlborough District Council staff… Video, Audio
Marlborough mussel farms damaged in storm
Mussel farms in Tasman Bay have suffered significant damage following the recent storm which battered the top of the South Island.
The clean up is estimated to take several weeks, with crop losses to… Audio
Long road ahead in Buller clean-up after floods
It has been an emotional day for some West Coast residents, as it becomes clear hundreds of people will be forced into long-term accommodation, or will have to move altogether - after devastating… Video, Audio