Sophie Trigger is a Senior Political Reporter for Newstalk ZB based in the gallery in Wellington.
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‘Confrontational’ and ‘intrusive’: Careful approach needed on gang-patch ban in home, says Police Association
After two last-minute changes, the bill to ban gang patches is set to pass today.
Gang patch ban in home order ‘railroaded’ through without proper consultation - Law Society
A clause to ban insignia in homes of repeat offenders was added after Select Committee.
'Not going to be viable': Police raised concerns over new gang law timeframe
The new powers, including the gang patch ban, are set to come into force in November.
‘A winnable issue’: Experts say Covid and flu vaccine access key to meeting New Zealand ED targets
Health officials warned the Minister the target would need a whole of system approach.
Police investigations into family harm drop, Minister briefed ‘threat to life’ possible
Police advised in March its mandatory attendance policy for family harm would be removed.
‘Significantly more prevention work required’: Minister warned of hurdles in youth crime reduction target
Police Minister was told the target was ambitious and would require other agencies.
‘Designed to provoke anger’: Ministry's sex education disinformation warning
It has seen an 'intensification of misinformation and disinformation around sex education.
Targets proposed to shrink healthcare wait times to cost $723m
Labour says the proposed cost signals the expense required to reduce treatment delays.
Right to jury trial up for review as increase puts pressure on courts
Figures show an increase in defendants selecting jury trials over judge-only trials.
Police Association warns backroom hiring freeze will pull front-line cops off street
Despite recruiting restrictions, police remain committed to delivering 500 extra cops.
‘There’s just no closure for the families:’ Court system delays get worse
People are waiting longer for answers from the courts as backlogs persist.
Youth mental health wait times in Wellington more than double
Young people in the region wait an average of 70 days for mental health treatment.
‘Boiling over’: Nurses plead for more staff as violence and abuse surge in hospitals
Callouts for harassment and threatening behaviour have nearly doubled in four years.
Jemima's legacy: Brain cancer drug-screening 'JEM-bot' launched in Australian lab
The Wellington 15-year-old died of a brain tumour last October.
'It's still moving': Three homes evacuated after landslide
Three fire trucks are currently at the scene.
'I'm always sick in this place': University hall riddled with mould
Residents say they were not told about the construction before they moved in.
'I want to thank her': Man says stranger with a face mask saved his life
'If she hadn't done something, who knows if I'd be talking to you right now.'
Worker describes 'burning' lungs after hospital heater mishap
One worker described 'burning lungs' and says he still feels disorientated months later.
Antibiotics during pregnancy and asthma in children linked - Kiwi study
Results were consistent regardless of which trimester the antibiotics were prescribed.
Ambulance failed to arrive for 'badly' injured pregnant woman
The woman was knocked unconscious when she hit her head and fell on her stomach.
Woman claims she sat in urine-soaked clothes for six hours in Wellington ED
Her catheter broke and she was told no one had the time to change her.
The women at the forefront of New Zealand's space industry
The sky's the limit for the women at the front of New Zealand's thriving space industry.
Woman, 62, hits health worker after 21-hour wait in ED
Emails reveal concerns in NZ's busiest emergency departments.
Welly-being: An eco-friendly weekend in the capital
New Zealand's capital is full of eats and activities for the eco-conscious traveller.
Warmer than average temperatures predicted ahead of winter
Niwa's seasonal outlook shows conditions are most likely to be warmer than average.
Paraglider taken to hospital after Christchurch cliff rescue
The paraglider had been "picked up by the wind" and landed partway down a cliff.
Worst week in 15 years: How one bar fared during work-from-home phase
In the first week in March the pub made less than on a pre-Covid Friday.
No commute, more family time: The big company letting workers move away - and take their city wages with them
Xero senior project manager David Michl now works from his home office in Wanaka.
Water rescue incident at Cape Palliser, South Wairarapa
The incident off Cape Palliser Rd was reported to police at 10.30 this morning.
Mahanga Bay occupation: Mau Whenua publicly distance themselves, MoE looking into reports of school
'Their unwelcome occupation at this significant site has never been supported.'
Mahanga Bay occupation: Video recounts skinning and eating of seal
DoC today confirmed no one has been charged in relation to the incident.
PM's Covid scare: Ardern exposed to virus during Parliament protests
The PM was 'doing the rounds of police contingents to thank them for their work'.
Wadestown skull discovery: Nothing more found
On Saturday a Wadestown homeowner unearthed a human skull in their garden.
NZ's new average life expectancy - and the surprising Covid twist
The average Kiwi was expected to live to be 81.99 in 2021, a drop of 0.37 years from 2020.
Biggest month on record for Wellington Free Ambulance, as health services look towards busy winter
While the Omicron wave subsides, health services are concerned for a busy winter.
Wellington concert promoter quits after 30 years following Govt decision to stay in red
Operating for 30 years, Capital C: Concerts brought some of Wellington's biggest shows.
Parliament protests: Why health officials wouldn't test portaloos for Covid
Health authorities planned to collect 'portaloo effluent' on the protest's second weekend.
Late-night rescue of jet-skier missing around Manukau Harbour
The alarm was raised after the jet-skier didn't return from his trip the previous night.
Parliament security increased before possible second protest in Wellington
Protesters not allowed on Parliament grounds while repairs from earlier action under way.
Bonus Lotto ticket grants Wellington woman surprise $1m win
"I stood there staring at my phone thinking, 'surely that's a winner?'"
Another occupation? Second Parliament protest threatened to start Friday
Unite group says they are 'reasonable Kiwis' and their cause is as important as ever.
Fog disrupts flights to capital
Twelve Air New Zealand arrivals had been diverted and 16 departures cancelled.
Petition calling for recognition for Covid-19 vaccine injuries received
An immunologist is assuring people the Covid-19 vaccine is safe.
Three planets and crescent moon visible in rare celestial event
Mars, Venus, Saturn and a crescent moon were all visible with the naked eye this morning.
'Extremely disappointed': Loss of America's Cup would deny Auckland businesses crucial post-Covid boost
"They're going to need every single event they can get ... just to recover".
GP shortage: Rural medical centre with six overseas-born GPs says 'impossible' to recruit in NZ
A regional medical practice says there should be a "seamless" pathway for migrant GPs.
Daily Covid cases shows Wellington peak, hospitalisations 'fluctuate'
Three Covid deaths were announced in the Wellington Region yesterday.
Woman sought in relation to Upper Hutt assault identified
A man remains in Wellington Hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Police reveal details of Upper Hutt assault, victim with life-threatening injuries
The man has life-threatening injuries following a serious assault on Saturday.
Man and dog towed to safety after yacht trapped under Waitangi bridge
The dog was distressed but managed to keep out of the way of rescue efforts.
Woman filmed and followed men shortly before they were attacked - one critically hurt
The two victims had called police earlier, concerned about a woman who was following them.
Wellington and Hutt among regions with highest active Covid cases
Kenepuru Community Hospital has 21 per cent of staff off work due to Covid-19.
'Fantastic result': Father and son survive hours in the water after boat capsizes
They were found at Ponui Island at 12.23am, more than six hours after their boat sank.
Victim of biker gang attack still 'fighting for his life', says relative
The man has been in ICU since the attack and has not regained consciousness.
Covid outbreak linked to Wellington school camp, Ministry confirms
The Ministry of Education was informed of Covid spread at a school camp late last month.
DHB failed to flag man's allergy before fatal anaphylactic shock, HDC finds
DHB did not flag the potential allergy on the National Medical Warning System.
'They're not listening to us': Nurses say DHB failed to act on unsafe staffing
Health and safety concerns including staffing were raised with Wairarapa DHB last month.
Auckland 10-year-old documents Covid experience
Siaan documented her experience with Covid for 112 whānau around Aotearoa.
Peace flotilla against Ukraine invasion arrives at Helena Bay, demands freezing of Russian oligarch's assets
Protesters say Alexander Abramov is "one of the key people that could end this".
DHBs improve screening as Wellington Covid hospitalisations climb, new ward to open in Hutt
The two projects come from $3 in infrastructure funding.
Nearly 25,000 Covid cases in Lower North Island, Palmerston North Hospital opens specialised Covid ward
The specialised 32-bed ward recently underwent a medical gas upgrade.
Watch: Police back 'proportionate' use of force as video shows violent clash
1700 complaints - but police defend action during unlawful Parliament occupation.
Wellingtonians urged to keep 111 for emergencies following record Covid calls
Sunday was the busiest non-New Year's Eve period ever, says Wellington Free Ambulance.
Woman discharged from hospital three hours post-birth, developed infection, claims father
"She was slowly getting worse ... that was sort of just dismissed as after-birth pain."
More than 17,500 cases in Greater Wellington Region
Twenty-eight people who were at the Parliament protest have now tested positive.
'Like a movie scene': Auckland Uber Eats driver loses part of her ear in dog attack
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES: 'That dog was going for the throat.'
MoH acknowledges waits to report RAT results over the phone
An Auckland woman said it took days to report her daughter's RAT result over the phone.
Anti-mandate protesters moving on from Remutaka Forest Park, DoC says
Protesters demonstrating at Parliament in Wellington were dispersed on Wednesday.
Parliament protest: Aftershocks linger, but rhythms of Wellington life return
23 days' worth of protest debris taken away.
Wellington Parliament protests: Card spending down 50%, level of protest pollution unknown
Wellington businesses have been hit twice as hard by Omicron as the other main centres.
Omicron surges in the capital: 22% positivity rate; outbreak in university halls
At least 17 Covid-19 cases have now been connected to the Parliament protests.
Live: Protesters install permanent toilets plumbed into wastewater at Parliament
Calm scenes at Parliament this morning mark a strong contrast to clashes overnight.
Police in riot gear clash with Parliament protesters; site a 'high-risk' location of interest
Police action has recommenced at the Parliament protest this afternoon.
Police, Maritime NZ fear private vessels crossing Cook Strait to join protest
Police noted a number of people and vehicles have left the protest in the past few days.
Wellington Hospital ward closed to visitors after member of staff tests positive
No patients have been considered close contacts and the risk of infection is "very low".
Towing company says task of shifting 450 vehicles an 'impossibility'
He said his was one of 'probably 50' towing companies that would not tow the vehicles.
Protesters arrested after trying to breach gates of Parliament
Angry protesters threw trespass notices back at police officers.