Azaria Howell is a Newstalk ZB reporter based in Wellington.
Azaria is a Wellington-based multimedia reporter with an eye across the region. She joined NZME in 2022 after multiple years as a student journalist. She has a keen interest in city council decisions, social housing, and transport.
Revealed: Mega-ministry’s 63% cut to ‘Big Four’ consultancy spending
The agency's "big four" spend went from $7.1m to $2.6m in a financial year.
‘Embarrassing’: Tinetti removes social post criticising school lunch made when Labour in power
'I think that this is a hamburger. I am not certain.'
Te Pāti Māori co-founder Dame Tariana Turia dies after suffering stroke
Turia first entered Parliament in 1996 and left politics in 2014.
NZ Defence Force admits cost-cutting could affect 'fitness to deploy'
The New Zealand Defence force has a budget shortfall of $130 million.
Proposal to rename Petone and Auckland suburb thrown out
The Petone proposal was put forward as a correction to a historical 'misspelling'.
'Queer House': NZ's most rainbow-friendly neighbourhood revealed
Last year's Census was the first time Kiwis were asked about their sexual orientation.
Public servants offered support to retire or move to Australia amid job cuts
An internal document describes retirement as 'your next work-life balance adventure'.
Housing development plans confirmed for old Wellington church site
A previous development fell through because of rising costs.
What government agencies are spending on Christmas parties, if anything
One ministry has opted for a karaoke machine, but for many there's no celebration.
Review suggests hiring fewer new cops for further cost savings
The review, published by Treasury, said police were facing cost pressures.
Former top cop ready to shake-up spending on social services
Andrew Coster sees his role as building a fence at the top of the cliff.
'Shameful': Health NZ planning to cut nearly 1500 more jobs, union claims
Staff have been called into meetings today to discuss the proposal.
Some schools won't have resources to teach new maths curriculum in time for Term 1
The Ministry of Education says there has been "high demand" for the new resources.
Public sector cuts: More job losses considered before Christmas
A senior leader tells staff he doesn't feel 'in the least bit Christmassy'.
Public sector wages growing faster than private sector
Around 18,500 public servants received a pay rise in the quarter.
Cockatoo believed to be stolen from wildlife reserve
Staff at the sanctuary are 'very upset'.
Charter school provider has 'significant concerns' about application process
Announcements about the first new schools are expected next month.
'Ability to drive change': Why top cop Andrew Coster was appointed Social Investment boss
The outgoing Police Commissioner starts his five-year term in the new role on Monday.
NZDF workers taking escalated strike action after pay increase refusal
Union members are refusing to work overtime and will reduce work output.
WorkSafe plans second major restructure, job losses proposed
40 net roles are proposed to be cut.
Report finds Govt lacks information on student achievement in primary, intermediate
The audit says better information is needed to improve student achievement.
Tory Whanau appears to like Instagram comments suggesting Govt intervention a 'hit-job'
The mayor's account has since un-liked the comments.
Four government departments spend more on consultants in a financial year after order to cut back
The Government has directed agencies to reduce reliance on contractors and consultants.
Ministry for Regulation among public service's highest earners as sector pay jumps
The average manager's salary in the public sector sits at $163,800.
'Haven't broken the law': Wellington councillors challenge Govt intervention threat
Wellington City councillors have emerged from an urgent meeting this afternoon.
Decision to rename Petone to Pito one referred to minister
The New Zealand Geographic Board met on the name change yesterday.
Rare Antarctic penguin spotted in Petone, thousands of kilometres away from home
The Department of Conservation says Adelie penguins are a rare sight in Wellington.
State Highway 3 closed following ‘serious crash’ near Taranaki; two injured
Motorists are told to expect delays.
Resource consent lodged to expand Petone Kmart
The application is currently on hold while impacts on traffic are considered.
Kāinga Ora board member slams Bill English review in resignation letter
Philippa Howden-Chapman served on Kāinga Ora’s board for six years.
Govt considered disestablishing Māori Crown Relations Office
It was decided to retain office as a departmental agency to "minimise disruption".
Multimillion-dollar Wellington cycleway on pause after council cost savings
The council is not planning any investment in the project over the next three years.
Poll: Do Kiwis believe Kim Dotcom should be extradited to the US?
The Justice Minister had previously given 'every' officer the power to arrest Kim Dotcom.
Justice Minister gave 'every' police officer power to arrest Kim Dotcom
The Megaupload founder plans to fight his extradition order.
Highway fire: Emergency services put out two blazes on Bay of Plenty roadside
The road has now reopened.
Nearly half of corporate police staff surveyed 'interested' in voluntary redundancy
An internal survey reveals most were interested in finding out what they'd be entitled to.
‘Terrible’: Councillors unimpressed by Tory Whanau TV interview, being called 'riff raff'
The mayor had to correct statements made on both her car sale and selling airport shares.
Wellington council considering $1500 grants to struggling businesses
One councillor suggested the fund was 'not meaningful'.
Cost to hold Māori ward referendums revealed for 12 councils
Officials have criticised the additional cost as "significant" and a "waste of money".
Wellington mosque wanting to broadcast call to prayer three times a year
One broadcast would be on the anniversary of the Christchurch mosque attacks.
Taste of democracy revealed: Hawke’s Bay big winner in new Parliament wine contract
Four of the seven chosen wines come from Hawke's Bay.
MSD cuts funding for charity working with emergency housing tenants
Emerge Aotearoa provides support for families in emergency housing.
Stats NZ moves Auckland office to Queen St after safety concerns
'The feedback from staff about the new location has been overwhelmingly positive.'
Would you pay $8 for a cup of coffee?
Consumers should pay more for coffee, Flight Coffee company managing director argues.
Acclaimed filmmaker says Govt 'daft' to cut Creatives in Schools programme
Funding was pulled as the programme didn't align with Government priorities.
Health NZ calls for voluntary redundancies following overspend
A commissioner replaced the Health New Zealand board in July.
Wellington flooding: Trains resume, worst of rain moves north
Another band of rain is forecast to come through in the next 24 hours.
Limited engagement with iwi on Three Waters replacement - officials
'The Government intends to engage with iwi/Māori and report back in late 2024.'
Councillor not sure 'lavish' bus shelters with living roofs would be approved today, minister calls the shelters 'crazy'
A Paraparaumu Community Board member called it 'gold plated'.
Almost 250 police jobs cut, Commissioner promises no impact to front line
The cuts were expected to free up about $53 million over four years.
NZ at ‘high risk’ of measles outbreak - Ministry of Education
'Local childhood immunisation rates are declining,' the ministry said.
What’s for lunch? Samples of new healthy school lunches revealed
Lunches are expected to be delivered at $3 per meal.
'Hugely concerning:' Man allegedly suffered gunshot wound after Palmerston North fight
Police believe two people were involved.
State school teachers could be told to fill in at new charter schools
Cabinet material states charter schools aim to increase choice and enable 'innovation'.
Te Pūkenga boss: Polytech merger to keep cutting costs over next six months
'We will work pretty hard over the next six months to continue to build our revenue base.'
Public sector cuts: $58m so far in redundancy payouts at Govt agencies
Nicola Willis says the cost is small compared to the $6b they're expecting to save.
Council officers recommend using debt to fund raised pedestrian crossings
NZTA advised the council it would not fund "raised safety platforms".
Seymour stands by ECE regulations slash despite major opposition
The Associate Education Minister suggested many stakeholders 'don't want competition'.
'Leave now': Foreign Minister tells Kiwis to flee Lebanon and Iran; consider if staying in Israel necessary
Iran has promised 'severe' revenge after the leader of militant group Hamas was killed.
Government to cut millions in funding for Family Start programme - union
Public Service Association says briefing confirmed 25% of scheme's funding will be axed.
Survivors march to Parliament ahead of Abuse in Care report release
The report will be released publicly this afternoon.
Police quash speculation about progress in Breanna Muriwai case
Breanna's mother Jasmin Gray hinted at a significant update in the case.
'Offensive': Review finds senior public servant's Rātana speech 'not politically neutral'
The staffer said the Māori world was being 'persecuted' by the coalition's policies.
Te Pāti Māori MP to take leave of absence after kidney disease diagnosis
Kemp said she looks forward to returning after six weeks of leave 'to focus on my health'.
'Nothing could have prepared us': Nursing students hit out at 'shock' exam
Student nurses said nothing could have prepared them for what was in the exam.
Voluntary redundancies set to be offered to police staff
Police have been asked to make millions in cost savings, to be reinvested.
Kāinga Ora re-housing tenants after 'major' fire in central Wellington flats
The housing agency was 'very concerned' to learn about the fire late yesterday afternoon.
Cordons lifted in Wellington’s Kelburn after ‘incident’ causes traffic congestion
Police said the incident occurred shortly after 6am this morning.
Wellington's Cranfields to stay open after 'overwhelming support'
The owner said she wants to work with a council that isn't 'hostile to business'.
'Heaps of cops': Armed police swarm Porirua suburbs, roads blocked, men arrested
Police, including Armed Offenders Squad members, converged on Plimmerton this afternoon.
Missing Marokopa children: Police tried to get other family members to join appeal
The children's mum was the only family member to speak during a recent police operation.
Govt cuts millions from coastal mapping project; fears communities 'in the dark'
Before the cuts, up to 85% of the coastline was going to be mapped. Now it's up to 40%.
Wellington student hospitalised after school attack was stabbed
A person was taken to hospital and the school was put into lockdown on Friday.
Govt considers new Ruapehu marae and cultural hub after ‘flawed’ engagement with iwi
Concerns were raised about commercialising the Tūroa family name on Mt Ruapehu.
Office for Māori Crown Relations, Justice, and Corrections to cut jobs
Staff are being consulted on the plans.
Wellington Zoo attracts record visitors, so why is it losing money?
The zoo is aiming to introduce new experiences to boost revenue.
Ministry faces at least $14m in redundancy costs after sweeping job cuts
218 people were approved for voluntary redundancy at MSD.
Rising seas leave 4000 Wellington buildings at risk as '100-year floods' may be annual
Petone will feel the greatest impact, with a stormwater system already under pressure.
Sour grapes: Opposition to Parliament wine brand plans
Contracts are due to be signed-off in August.
'Political obituary': Wellington City Council passes budget, avoids Govt intervention
The council has been divided over the proposal to sell its shares in Wellington Airport.