Stories by Tom Taylor
Audio and features
Exploited pizza shop worker wants former employer put in jail
A pizza shop worker swindled out of tens of thousands of dollars by his former employer says there's nothing left but for the man to go to jail. In October 2022, the Employment Relations Authority… Audio
Auckland's light rail on chopping block under National Govt
Auckland Light Rail is one of many Labour Party projects on the chopping block under the incoming National government. The party has promised to scrap plans for the city-to-airport link within its… Video, Audio
Teed off: Golf course staff owed thousands in pay
Former staff members at the Gulf Harbour Country Club on Auckland's Whangaparaoa Peninsula say they're owed more than $100,000 after getting laid off on the spot. The club abruptly closed in July… Video, Audio
Golfers continue to use abandoned Gulf Harbour Country Club course after sudden closure
Golfers blindsided by the sudden closure of a prestigious club on Auckland's Whangaparaoa Peninsula are taking matters into their own hands and continuing to use the abandoned course. The Gulf Harbour… Video, Audio
Early voting numbers lagging behind last election
The number of people beating the crowds and advanced voting is lagging behind this time last election. But it's still early days, and in the South Auckland electorates of Panmure-Ōtāhuhu and Manurewa… Video, Audio
Former uni friends go head-to-head in south Auckland electorate
The Panmure-Ōtāhuhu electorate, or Manukau East as it was formerly known, has long been a Labour stronghold. Labour MP Jenny Salesa has held the seat for three terms and has her eyes on a fourth. But… Video, Audio
Greens, National mount attack on Labour stronghold of Mt Albert
Auckland's Mount Albert electorate has always been held by Labour. It's produced party leaders and Prime Ministers like Helen Clark and Jacinda Ardern. But this year National is running a strong… Audio
Some flood-displaced people miss out on assistance packages
Yet another roadblock for people displaced by this year's summer storms. Earlier this month, the government established an assistance package for people unable to get back into their homes after the… Audio
Relative of victim of gang violence hits out at politicians in meeting
A relative of the man badly beaten by a dozen gang members over the weekend has hit out at the politicians who repeated the same-old slogans at a community meeting last night. Videos on social media… Audio
Postal companies can't ferret out missing pet remains
An Australian woman who sent her pet ferrets' ashes to New Zealand to have them made into jewellery is now offering a reward for their safe return. Both the memorial ring and the remaining ashes were… Video, Audio
Great snow at Ruapehu not translating into bumper business
Skiers and snowboarders have enjoyed some of the best snow at Ruapehu in years, after a rocky start to the season. Ruapehu Alpine Lifts is in liquidation, and only got the go-ahead for the season at… Audio
Local describes encounter with bank thief believed to be Tom Phillips
'I saw those robbers': A Te Kuiti local who came face to face with fugitive Tom Phillips and an accomplice after they allegedly robbed a bank, has described the chaos in the main street when it… Audio
Two years after removing late fees, librarians happy with change
Two years ago, bookworms across the Auckland region rejoiced as Auckland Libraries stopped issuing fines for late returns. Since then, more than a million items have been returned after their due… Audio
Free lunches seen as essential, despite uncertain future
While government-funded school lunches have only been around for a few years, for some schools, they've already become absolutely essential. But after this year's Budget, the free meals programme… Video, Audio
Demolition crews move in on iconic North Auckland pools
It's the end of an era for an iconic Auckland destination, with demolition crews moving in to the Waiwera Thermal Resort in North Auckland today. Just about every Aucklander seems to have a memory of… Video, Audio
Eftpos plummets in popularity as newer forms of payment emerge
Eftpos, the payment system widely used in New Zealand for more than 30 years, is plummeting in popularity. The thought of them disappearing altogether is concerning for some people who don't like… Audio
Farmers asked to check for missing stock as search for runaway father ramps up
Police in south-west Waikato are urging farmers to check for missing stock as they ramp up their search for runaway dad Tom Phillips. Mr Phillips and his three children, Jayda, Maverick, and Ember… Video, Audio
Hundreds still living in temp accommodation months on from summer storms
Hundreds of people with storm-damaged homes are still living in hotels and motels more than five months on from the Auckland floods and Cyclone Gabrielle. The contracts for these lodgings have… Audio
Fire at controversial Kainga Ora development treated as suspicious
A fire at a 48-home Kāinga Ora development in Auckland's East Tāmaki is being treated as suspicious and is under investigation by police. The fire broke out in one block of the development early… Video, Audio
Homecoming for displaced Muriwai residents
Relief for a handful of property owners in the cyclone-stricken west Auckland community of Muriwai. Today, five months on from Cyclone Gabrielle, council officers changed the stickers on 11 houses… Audio
Whangaparāoa locals oppose getting rid of often cancelled ferry
An Auckland Transport proposal could see the Gulf Harbour to Downtown ferry discontinued within the next five years, with passengers forced onto buses instead… Video, Audio
Explainer: How do Paywave charges work?
Contactless payment methods like PayWave are fast becoming the norm at the counter. But for many, the convenience of waving a card is outweighed by the extra charges -- sometimes 4 percent on top of a… Video, Audio
Some in Muriwai still living in campgrounds months after cyclone
Some Muriwai locals are still living in the local campground four and a half months after Cyclone Gabrielle tore through their homes. The popular west Auckland surf beach reopened to the public 12… Video, Audio
Immigration drive hasn't recruited a single GP in nearly 8 months
An Immigration Service set up by Health New Zealand in October still hasn't recruited any overseas-based GPs almost eight months later. Te Whatu Ora's International Recruitment Centre aims to make it… Audio
Kids caught up in illegal dirt biking need a safe space - youth worker
Five people have been arrested and six vehicles impounded after a police crackdown on illegal dirt bikers in south Auckland over the long weekend.
About 50 bikes gathered at the Manukau Memorial… Video, Audio