Timothy Brown
Laws criticises Otago council's $30m headquarters plans
The Otago Regional Council has been told to focus on protecting the environment, rather than build a flash new headquarters. One of its councillors Michael Laws says the council's plan to spend up to… Audio
Increased access to Hunter Valley unnecessary, leasee's lawyer argues
Department of Conservation is supporting the Walking Access Commission's appeal for an easement on a 40km road that winds through Hunter Valley Station, which its leasee - millionaire American Matt… Video, Audio
Kendrick Lamar kicks-off his NZ tour in Dunedin
It's the first of three shows the Grammy and Pullitzer prize-winning artist will play in New Zealand. Video, Audio
Special housing areas - have they worked?
Special housing areas were meant to increase the affordability of homes by "streamlining the planning and consent process". The then Labour opposition derided the legislation, saying it was used by… Audio
Queenstown fears foreign buyer ban will push up house prices
There are fears the Government's foreign buyer ban may have drastic consequences for communities like Queenstown. Queenstown is both the most unaffordable place to live in New Zealand and has the… Audio
Water the new gold in Otago
Water use and water rights are a hot topic throughout New Zealand, but probably nowhere more so than in the country's driest area - Central Otago. Water is the new gold in the region and there is a… Audio
M bovis eradication: Govt 'giving it a shot' with $886m plan
The government admits its plan to wipe out the cattle disease mycoplasma bovis is a near billion dollar gamble. The Agriculture Minister, Damien O'Connor, says the plan may not work, but there's no… Audio
Deep South feels the brunt of early wintry blast
Queenstown and the surrounding areas have experienced freezing temperatures, icy roads and plenty of snow. For some, it marks the beginning of the best time of the year. Video, Audio
The Colombian refugees who call Invercargill home
In the last three months, a small but growing number of Colombian refugees have moved to Invercargill for a second chance, with hopes to finally be in a place where they can live in peace. Video, Audio
Pleas for Southland Museum to remain open amid arts funding boost
Critics opposing Southland Museum's closure says it should stay open, as Invercargill City Council announces a $40 million funding boost to reinvigorate arts and culture. Video, Audio
Otago mayors plead Govt to fund children's village
Roxburgh and Otaki's children's villages, run by Stand Children's Services, are on the chopping block as Stand needs $3 million to keep them open. Audio
Dunedin arts enthusiasts determined to keep theatre alive
More than 50 people in Dunedin's art community have pledged to keep professional theatre alive in the city, after it was announced last week that Fortune Theatre was closing. Audio
Staff given no notice of Dunedin Cadbury World closure
Nearly 40 people will lose their job after a shock revelation that Dunedin's new hospital will come at the expense of Cadbury World, which is on the same site. Video, Audio
Cadbury factory to become new Dunedin Hospital
A rebuilt Dunedin Hospital will occupy two central city blocks - the southernmost of which is the former Cadbury factory - and cost $1.4 billion dollars. Video, Audio
Meth in NZ: Rehab funding system failing
RNZ has launched Broken Bad: An in-depth investigation into the country's meth problem. In just a couple of decades the drug has become endemic - a recent survey of users found meth was easier to get… Audio
Bail law changes considered in response to growing prison population
Justice Minister Andrew Little has signalled bail laws may be in for a shake-up with the prison population ballooning. Tracey Marceau says backtracking on previous changes will put people at risk. Audio
Irrigation conference addresses urban-rural divide
Irrigators are at a crossroads. The government's scrapping of irrigation funding has further driven a wedge between the urban and rural communities. About 400 delegates from across the agricultural… Audio
NZ gun thefts on rise - is our gun control good enough?
Thousands of firearms have been stolen during the past decade and gun thefts are on the rise. There are more than 240-thousand standard firearms licence holders and only about 260 police officers… Audio
NZ gun thefts rise, few police overseeing gun safety
Almost 3300 firearms have been stolen during the past five years - a 35 percent increase on the previous five - and the Police Association believes reforms are necessary to cut that number down. Under… Audio
Southland mourns as museum prepares to shut doors
The sudden closure has shocked Invercargill's residents and raised questions about the future of arts and culture in the region. Video, Audio
