Stories by Niva Chittock
News
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.
Few travel plan changes for government organisations, despite climate promises
A majority of the government organisations working to become carbon neutral from 2025 have not yet established travel limits for their staff.
Surgery centre's emergency closure sign 'how bad nursing crisis has become'
Christchurch's only 24-hour surgery was forced to close its doors for almost three hours on Tuesday night due to high demand.
To tweet or not to tweet - Emergency responders mull Twitter limits
Twitter's new interim viewing limits will not stop important messages from getting to the public, emergency services say.
Nurses Organisation pleased Te Whatu Ora beginning recruitment process in Canterbury
According to tools used to determine safe staffing levels, Canterbury's neurosurgical, emergency and intensive care departments were short dozens of full-time roles.
Grocers, retailers get ready to implement changes for plastics ban
New Zealand will wave goodbye to another lot of single-use plastics on Saturday including produce bags, cutlery, plates and bowls.
Christchurch's Chisnallwood Intermediate to have roll cut by 200 students
The Ministry of Education has decided to push ahead with plans to reduce the roll, rejecting the school's alternative proposal.
Council investigating how human and animal waste is entering its waterways
Christchurch City Council is now leading an investigation into how human and animal waste is entering its waterways.
Teachers strike to hit extra-curricular activities
High school teachers are ramping up their strike action after refusing the latest collective agreement from the Ministry of Education. Audio
Christchurch venues call for updated noise plan to protect live music culture
Protecting live music venues is taking on a new urgency in Christchurch, with the popular 12 Bar announcing it will close.
WorkSafe declined case of teen injured on school trip
The mother of a teenager who received a permanent eye injury on a school trip says she feels there is a failing of culture at WorkSafe.
Environmentalists challenge case for possible new waste incinerator
Zero Waste Network Aotearoa says the company behind a controversial waste incinerator should not be allowed to buy land.
Council ends unsafe tree planting and spraying after concerns
Canterbury Regional Council has finally restarted willow tree planting and chemical spraying, six months after a complaint was made about its safety practices.
Few guidelines or data over gang conflicts at hospital facilities
Te Whatu Ora says it does not know how many complaints involving gang members in hospitals are being made because it does not consistently record the data.
Gore CEO breaks silence after months of controversy
Gore District Council's chief executive Stephen Parry says allegations of internal bullying have been "extremely hurtful and stressful".
Councillors vote to keep cycle lane installed temporarily in Christchurch
Christchurch City Councillors have voted to keep a controversial temporary cycle lane installed by council staff last month.
Police says Jaz brothers' Mama Hooch attacks 'disturbing'
Police say it was disturbing to see how two brothers used Christchurch bar Mama Hooch to prey on victims.
Woman describes sighting of stepdad, boy in Bali - 'I was 100 percent sure'
A witness has told a Coroner's Court hearing she recognised 11-year-old Mike Zhou-Beckenridge and his step dad, John Beckenridge, instantly.
After Karnin Petera's death, a review of his school's outdoor education programme
Education Outdoors New Zealand says it is working with Whangārei Boys' High School on the review brought about by the death of one of its students in the Abbey Caves.
Councillor wants minister to help reverse city's water chlorination
A Christchurch city councillor wants the Local Government Minister to help reverse a decision to chlorinate the city's drinking water.
Controversial Waimate energy plant proceeds to consenting process
The company behind a waste-to-energy proposal in Canterbury is "very pleased" it can proceed to the public consultation stage after being rejected twice in 2022.
Native species holding up Timaru water fixes
More than 150 Canterbury households have been boiling their water for the last 18 months - and they want compensation.
Abbey Caves inquiry expected to examine why trip went ahead despite weather warnings
An inquiry into a fatal school caving trip in Whangārei will focus on why it went ahead despite heavy rain and thunderstorm warnings, a former WorkSafe investigator says.
Abbey Caves tragedy: School had risk assessment plan for 'flood prone' network
Whangārei Boys' High School had been aware the caving network where a student's body has been found was prone to flooding and had done a detailed risk assessment plan.
King Charles' Coronation resurrects New Zealand republic debate
Church services, tree plantings and 21-gun salutes marked King Charles' Coronation in Aotearoa.