Stories by Katie Scotcher
News
Arsonist posed as resident forced to flee blaze
A man who deliberately lit fires in tinder-dry Tasman last year initially posed as a frightened resident who was forced to evacuate his home.
New Zealanders abroad struggling to get home
New Zealanders stranded overseas say government intervention is their "only hope" of returning home amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Mystery surrounds Mongrel Mob member's departure from Royal Commission
Harry Tam, the controversial Mongrel Mob member who was a senior official at the Royal Commission into historical abuse in care, has quietly left the inquiry.
Christchurch mosque shootings: Muslim leader questions accused's access to report
The man accused of the Christchurch mosque shootings will be one of the first to see draft sections of the report compiled by the royal commission investigating the attacks.
Pharmacies told to get rid of faxes
Some pharmacies still use fax machines daily, but have been given until the end of the year to throw them out.
Whakatāne after Whakaari: How the town is responding to the tragedy
Life goes on for some in Whakatāne in the days after Whakaari erupted. But grief lingers in the air, and it manifests itself in different ways for the people affected.
Whakaari / White Island eruption: 'I put aside any fear I had and just did whatever I could'
A young woman who helped rescue critically injured tourists from the island says they were screaming and asking if they were going to die. Video
23yo missing after White Island eruption: 'I'd rather it was me than him out there'
One of the people missing on Whakaari / White Island started working as a tour guide on the island just months ago, and his friend says it's gut-wrenching knowing he's still out there.
Former rugby player to donate his brain to science
A former top rugby player plans to donate his brain to science when he dies to help researchers discover how concussions and repeated injuries affect the human brain in sport.
Truck driver in fatal crash sticking to story
The driver of a truck that collided with a campervan and killed two Spanish tourists almost a decade ago says he will fight until his side of the story is believed.
Engineer says no proof to back up driver's claim in fatal crash
An engineer who inspected a truck after it smashed into a campervan, killing two Spanish tourists, says there was no evidence of any major mechanical faults.
'This is all lies': Driver claims police washed away fatal collision evidence
The driver of a truck that slammed into a campervan killing two tourists a decade ago has accused the police of washing away evidence that would prove a mechanical fault caused the crash.
Firearms owners express anger over more gun reform
Licensed firearms owners are calling on the government to delay any further proposed changes to gun legistation.
National MP calls man 'ugly' and 'nasty' on Twitter
A man who was described as ugly and nasty by a National Party MP on social media says he expects the message was intended for someone else.
Young Labour summer camp assaulter discharged without conviction
A man who assaulted two teenage boys at a Young Labour summer camp has been discharged without conviction.
Nats' gang crackdown 'barking up the wrong tree' - Mongrel Mob member
High-ranking Mongrel Mob member Greg Molony has requested a meeting with National leader Simon Bridges to discuss his plans to crack down on gangs. Audio
Warning over breach of suppression on Millane killer's name
Police have warned one person and two others are under investigation for naming Grace Millane's killer on social media during his High Court trial.
Abuse in care hearings: Survivors determined to protect future generations
After two weeks of deeply personal tales at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care hearing, common threads began to emerge, Katie Scotcher writes.
Abuse survivor raped at foster homes, sexually abused by nun
A woman has told the historic abuse inquiry she was sexually assaulted by a nun and repeatedly raped by foster parents.
Survivor raped multiple times in care despite concerns raised
A woman has told the Royal Commission investigating abuse in care she was moved between at least a dozen care homes and raped multiple times - all before she turned 16.
Pacific voice: Gang member 'lost ability to love' after state abuse
The Royal Commission investigating abuse in care has heard a former gang member didn't know how to love because of the time he spent as a child of the state.
Abuse in Care inquiry hears disabled survivors' sufferings
The Royal Commission investigating abuse in care has heard disabled people in care between the 1950s and 1990s were regularly restrained, neglected and unloved.
National criticised during Royal Commission hearing
The National Party has been accused of being selective of the crimes it cracks down on at the Royal Commission investigating historic abuse in care's public hearing.
Abuse in Care inquiry: 'Punishment was not restricted to the cane' for children
Many children in state care were shocked with electricity, kept in cells, and beaten with bits of rubber in the 1970s, the Royal Commission into Abuse in Care has been told.
Royal Commission: 'You just didn't know what they could do to you' - Arthur Taylor
Career criminal Arthur Taylor has told the Royal Commission investigating abuse he never would have messed with the law if he hadn't been placed in state care.