Bill Hickman
Restore Passenger Rail protest closes highway
There are lane closures in place on State Highway 1 southbound in Wellington near Bolton Street due to a Restore Passenger Rail protest.
Reporter Bill Hickman spoke to Ingrid Hipkiss. Audio
Mental health professionals to respond to some 111 calls in new plan
People calling 111 in mental distress will soon be met by a joint response involving police, mental health professionals, ambulance officers, and in some cases, iwi. The Police Minister has announced… Audio
Singer takes aim at parliament with new song
Wellington songwriter Darren Watson is taking aim at Parliament again with a new song released just in time for the upcoming election.
The socially conscious bluesman's song 'Planet Key' was banned… Audio
Unions concerned about end of Covid isolation rules
A covid expert is warning the country may be more vulnerable to new strains and surges of the virus now there is no more mandatory isolation.
Unions worry the end of the seven day stay-at-home rule… Audio
Close shaves on capital's new cycle lane
Cyclists in the capital are still reporting close shaves from aggressive drivers when using the new two-lane cycle-lane connecting the Basin Reserve and Waitangi Park on the waterfront.
Some… Audio
Growing number of lithium batteries poses growing fire risk - FENZ
Fire and Emergency says the increasing number of vehicles and devices powered by Lithium Ion batteries poses a growing fire risk. The warning comes after a person suffered critical injuries when an… Audio
Rise of AI in film industry causes concern
The rise of artificial intelligence in the film industry has some worrying that films could be created without cameras and actors.
Industry insiders say the demands of the striking actors and writers… Audio
Chip with heart-shaped hole raises $20,000
A ten-year-old from Auckland's North Shore has followed her heart and raised $20,000 for Starship Hospital with a uniquely-shaped potato chip.
Two weeks ago, Bianca McPherson found a heart-shaped… Audio
20,000 world cup tickets given out for free in effort to fill empty seats
Sluggish ticket sales for the Women's World Cup have prompted FIFA to offer up 20,000 tickets for free. The tournament is co-hosted between New Zealand and Australia and kicks off in Auckland next… Video, Audio
Duck makes home at Basin Reserve
A Wellington woman says she could have never predicted she'd make a sprawling catch to rein in one of the most famous names in New Zealand Cricket this week.
A Muscovy duck named Sophie Devine was… Audio
Outrage over vape store opening near bus hub for school kids
Parents and teachers in the Wellington's Strathmore are outraged a vape retailer's set to open near a bus hub that gets their children to and from school each day. It's sparked concern vape shops are… Audio
Mixed messages on impact new firearms registry might have
The New Zealand firearms registry is set to go live at the weekend, nearly four years after it was first proposed. The registry follows major changes to firearms laws made after the 2019 terrorist… Audio
Hundreds attend memorial for Loafers Lodge fire victims
Hundreds of people gathered last night at Wellington's Cathedral of Saint Paul to remember the five people killed in the Loafers Lodge fire in Newtown. People had to flee for their lives in the May… Audio
Police to enter fire wrecked hostel
The police are hoping to finally get into the fire wrecked Wellington hostel today to confirm the number of dead and start recovering at least six bodies. 11 people remain unaccounted for after… Audio
Retailers face insurance hikes after ram raids, break-ins
Retailers are warning insurance hikes in the wake of ram raids and other crime could force many out of business.
Retail New Zealand says the rising costs mean more than eighty percent of its members… Audio
NZ band You, Me, Everybody lands spot on Sweet Tooth TV show
A local bluegrass group has learned the benefit of of keeping a close eye on social media after catching a break that could see their music streamed into millions of homes.
Last year You, Me… Audio
IPCA releases report into parliament protest
RNZ journalist Bill Hickman on the Independent Police Complaints Authority's inquiry into the police handling of the 2022 parliament protest. Audio
Protestors block SH1 in Wellington
Restore Passenger Rail protestors are blocking SH1 at the Terrace tunnel in Wellington again. Our reporter Bill Hickman was there. Audio
Wellington's south coast battered by strong winds
Strong winds have lashed southern and central parts of the country overnight.
Power is coming back for more than a thousand households in the Hutt Valley, but it's still out for many on Banks… Audio
Gun owners unhappy about firearms fees plans
Gun owners are accusing police of stonewalling their attempts to understand what's behind plans to make them pay a lot more for a firearms licence.
But the police say taxpayers are subsidising the… Audio