Stories by Michael Cropp

The country's aviation watchdog has admitted its inspectors were too soft on scenic flight operators by not verifying their claims, which were sometimes misleading.

Some Wellington city councillors are aghast that what they call a 'waste of space' inner-city development will probably get approval, and they can do nothing to stop it.

Hundreds of people in four of the main centres are sharing stories about the damage racist views have on their lives. Video

Air New Zealand is investigating why one of its planes hit a light on the edge of the runway while taking off from Christchurch last month.

Ahead of a nation-wide teachers' strike at the end of the month, parents are being forced to find alternative arrangements for their children Video, Audio

An international consultant is urging Wellington to consider introducing trackless trams, as a way of easing the capital's congestion.

Kaipara's mayor is urging action on climate change because rising seas will inundate some of the most productive land north of Auckland.

New Zealand's Council of Trade Unions has criticised the arrest of unionists in Fiji who it says were simply exercising their democratic rights.

Thousands of people are expected to pay their respects at the tangi for the seven members of the Poutawa whānau who died in a crash north of Taupō at the weekend.

Bus drivers have reached an agreement to avoid what operators said could be thousands of cancelled services when new laws on meal breaks come into force next week.

Some residents say parking fee increases will make them think twice about using their car, but city councillors say that's the point. Video

Fruit is rotting on the ground in Hawke's Bay amid a massive worker shortage and orchardists warn that overworked pickers are suffering more accidents.

Pilots are sleeping in cars and being paid just $5 an hour in a bid to gain the experience needed for a better job, their union says.

Wellington commuters could end up paying an extra $450 a year to bus to work, compared to going the same distance by train, if proposed fare changes go ahead.

The country's councils are facing a "perfect storm" of funding pressures and want the next government to help them out.

Young beneficiaries who use drugs could turn to methamphetamine to avoid sanctions because it's harder to detect, the Drug Foundation warns.

Repairing earthquake damage at Wellington's port will cost $340 million, CentrePort says.

Students say an extra $50 a week could be the difference between living in a cold and damp flat, or a warm and dry one.

Analysis - Sit back and relax as Michael Cropp explains the turbulent legal battle over the runway extension and its potential sky-high consequences.

A mental health support worker breached a vulnerable patient's rights when he had a sexually exploitative relationship with her, the Health and Disability Commissioner says.

Wellington's renters are keen on a new voluntary rental Warrant of Fitness scheme, saying it is a good start but it needs to be compulsory.

Nearly half of all emergency doctors and trainees report being bullied, discriminated against or sexually harassed by their colleagues, a survey has found.

A planned multi-million-dollar trial is well-meaning but futile without increased specialist support, school counsellors say.

A 100,000-person surge in New Zealand's population over the past year is putting more strain on the country's infrastructure and housing, warn economists. Audio

A petition signed by nearly 10,000 people is calling for a sugary drinks tax, with thousands of New Zealand kids needing a general anaesthetic to take out rotten teeth.