Lead Story

DRUG-USING tenants have cost two Wellington families potentially $65,000 on the sale of an investment property.

The couples have found that P users can do as much damage as P labs following the sale of the house, and they are warning others to be vigilant. ANNA FERRIER-KERR reports.

BUS USERS in Wellington can be forgiven if they are confused by signs for elderly and disabled seating.

Signs state that the four seats at the front are for the elderly, disabled and those with young children, but Metlink’s website says otherwise, reports SAMMI ABBOTT.

Beating vandalism by having his school as a community hub is the vision of Wainuiomata Primary School principal Neil Worboys, reports AARON MEREDITH.

“I’m wanting the school’s facilities to be used in the weekends,” he says, citing the field and playground as examples.

CLYDE Quay Boat Harbour could be the jewel in Wellington’s crown, but Dean Stanley says it looks more like the missing tooth in Wellington’s smile.

The chief executive of the Royal Port Nicholson Yacht Club is spearheading a push to redevelop the wharf. ALASTAIR REITH looks at the issues involved.

The city council is currently asking Wellingtonians for their views about alcohol related behaviour in the city before forming its strategy.

It’s Youth Council is urging young people to be part of the decision making process, citing the outcry over Homegrown music festival drunks as unfair. TAREN STEVENS reports.

Studylink Wellington has labelled a client “ex-psychiatric patient” without his knowledge or permission.

JEAN ELTRINGHAM looks at how the student’s privacy was breached and why it shouldn’t have been.

A NETWORK of bush tracks just minutes from the city is proving so popular that a new track may soon be added.

The plan has, however, been met with opposition from some local residents, VICKY COTTERELL reports.

Heritage buildings on Willis St, owned by the New Zealand Transport Agency, are still empty five years after the inner-city bypass opened.

While some bypass buildings are finally showing signs of life, KRISTEN PATERSON reports the Willis St corner remains unloved.

While thousands expected for the world premiere of The Hobbit appears to be good for Wellington business, council regulations are frustrating some.

LAURA MACDONALD talks to bar and restaurant owners who are losing outdoor seating during the event.

This country’s leadership in the Pacific will be used by America to anchor free trade agreements.

JAMES PAUL talks with Stephen Jacobi, a former diplomat and head of the NZ-US Council, about the importance of this region to economies, jobs, and the push for the Trans Pacific Partnership.

There didn’t seem to be any republicans about when New Zealand’s future monarch and his wife took a promenade on Wellington’s waterfront to the joy of hundreds of onlookers.

Crowds waving flags serenaded the birthday prince, reports ANTHONY SCADDEN

The city’s SPCA is highlighting animal cruelty during its annual Paws Appeal, reports LAURA MacDONALD

It says rising numbers of animal abuse cases are a sign of the times, and disappointing for the charity.

NEW ZEALAND is on the verge of teaming up with America to break down trade barriers – but a new US President may mean a different agreement. JAMES PAUL finds while Obama and Romney’s policies look similar, the reality may not be so clear.

Two New Zealand politics lecturers say the signs are already there that Obama is acting like a President in his disaster management and it may help in the polls – unless frustration sets in. ANTHONY SCADDEN reports.

IF New Zealanders could vote in the American presidential election, they would overwhelmingly vote for Obama. A phone poll shows more than three-quarters would vote for Barack Obama, while only 6% preferred Mitt Romney.

A nationwide film contest tells young Kiwis to get involved in their communities to make a difference, reports VICKY COTTERELL.

This year’s entries explored the theme, ‘Young Kiwis making a difference’ and were particularly impressive.

Shipwreck fans descended on Patea Beach to document a wreck which has been emerging from dunes for the past two years.

The S.S. Waitangi drew the 15 amateur maritime archaeologists from around the lower North Island.

NewsWire’s ANTHONY SCADDEN reports.

Two fires started along Lyall Bay Parade early on Sunday morning are the latest in occasional spates of arson in recent years.

Locals have been told to keep rubbish bins away from buildings to minimise risk. LAURA MACDONALD reports.

Council officers have been challenged to admit they were wrong last year to reject pedestrian barriers on Wellington’s Golden Mile.

City councillors were briefed on pedestrian safety proposals, some of which they say were suggested and rejected in meetings last year. The Newswire team reports.

A Newtown community group refuses to accept the health board’s silence over a funding cut to the local clinic.

Pleas for information from Capital and Coast District Health Board have failed, but now TV3′s Campbell Live may be taking an interest, reports VOMLE SPRINGFORD.

Few graduates of this year’s Whitireia National Diploma in Multimedia Journalism were able to attend their graduation ceremony this week – but for a respectable reason, reports KEZIA BENNETT.

Nearly 90% already have jobs working at various news organisations outside Wellington.

PEOPLE angered by cuts to front line health services are taking their protest to the next Capital and Coast District Health Board meeting.

Cuts to the Newtown Union Health Service (NUHS) funding has sparked the anger. VOMLE ANTAS reports.

People power has pushed Foodstuffs Wellington to collaboration over the design or re-location of a new Whitby skate park.

It follows anger from skaters, who met draft plans for the supermarket redevelopment spin-off with hostility. JAMES PAUL reports.

LOOMING budget cuts have student activists preparing to campaign against government reforms they say will make education less accessible.

However differences have emerged between the established student bodies and new, more militant forces. ALASTAIR REITH reports

That is the effect Wellington City Council is having on inner city residents, says Chrissie Hill. She says council has stickered her building in such a visible way at the entrance that it frightens visitors and tenants.

KRISTEN PATERSON reports on an angry residents meeting.

It’s been described as the Amazon of acid and the E-bay of ecstasy – and it ships to New Zealand.

CALLUM VALENTINE reports on the rise of digital drug deals and reveals how a Kiwi gets his drugs delivered to a post office box.

Final studies came to an abrupt end at one of New Zealand’s biggest journalism schools today when it was closed because of earthquake risk.

Students and staff at Whitireia NZ’s newly refurbished Media Training Centre in Wellington’s Cuba St were told today must vacate until about half a million dollars in strengthening work is done.

When John Key and Phil Goff delivered their election night speeches, a clearly articulated vision for the next term was nowhere to be heard, writes NATALIE FINNIGAN.

She talks to political observers about why we rarely see the sort of rhetoric delivered by David Lange and the Kennedys.

THE Greens look set to storm into office this election – at least according to an unscientific poll of the NewsWire team’s family and friends.

NewsWire students elbowed, cajoled and annoyed their contacts into telling us what they will do at the ballot box on Saturday, and the results are, well, interesting.

The Electoral Commission is warning people using social media they could be fined up to $20,000 if they post anything on polling day that influences voters.

Most non-media people are unaware of the risk, according to a NewsWire survey. TESSA JOHNSTONE and RODNEY BROWN report.

A Facebook inspired Manu Samoan flash mob haka may involve more than 700 participants taking over part of Wellington’s top retail street at lunchtime tomorrow.

Organisers are hoping to get at least 50 people performing two hours before Samoa plays Namibia. JOSH HYDE reports

Tragic aftermath from Strathmore stabbing incident.

Meantime a temporary sign will say ‘All Blacks’.

Some WINZ clients have had enough of listening endlessly to the same old tunes while waiting for a human voice.

Their new Facebook page calls for Work and Income NZ to change the music on its phone lines, reports CALLUM VALENTINE.

Men taking photos of Slut Walk marchers exemplified how women are often treated, report SIENA YATES and ABBY BROWN.

The photo is one of two taken by Alister Grant at the opening of Waiwhetu Marae in 1960.

His family found them while sorting through his possessions after he moved into a retirement home, and decided to return them, reports GARETH WALLACE.

Animal welfare supporters say that proposed changes to battery farming will give hens ‘little more than an extra credit card or so of space’.

GRANT ELLEN reports on a draft code that proposes ‘enriched’ cages for battery hens, for which submissions close on April 29.

The ACT party’s Freedom of Association bill – heading into its final stages in Parliament – could destroy student unions as we know them.

JONATHAN CHILTON-TOWLE talks to both sides of a debate about the world’s last surviving compulsory unions.

KARORI cricket captain Simon Baker achieves his cricketing dream this weekend when he plays cricket at the Basin Reserve.

Karori meets Eastern Suburbs in the final of the Pearce Cup on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. CHRISTINA HYDE reports.

Noise complaints are rising 3% a year in central Wellington as apartment dwellers take issue with music, partying and construction work.

People living in the city centre are complaining at a rate of 480-600 incidents a year, reports ALICE PETRIE.

Niu FM has begun a re-launch in the Capital by moving into the new NZ Whitireia Media Training Centre in Cuba St.

Whitireia CEO Don Campbell and National Pacific Radio Trust chairman Tino Pereira have signed a collaboration deal.

WELLINGTONIANS must rely on their own judgement when deciding whether the food they are being served is safe.

Most of Wellington’s 1200 food providers can operate without the public knowing whether they are hygienic, reports AARON VAN DELDEN.

A bitter wind arrived to blight Wellington’s annual Guy Fawkes public fireworks display last night, but it went ahead anyway.

ANITA De MUTH was on the other side of the harbour with her camera and captured some stunning images.

Two employees have lost their jobs and Peter Larmer is struggling to keep his business open as he struggles with bureaucracy to get compensation for the financial impact of road works are having.
The Larmers@Pukehou Nursery owner wants NZ Transport Agency to pay for a 75% drop in business. TANYA WOODS reports.

AK Goss was part of many of Captain Cook birthdays, firing his cannons from the capital’s waterfront with his friends from the Wellington Cannon Society.
This Saturday will be a bit different, with a little of AK’s ashes going inside each of the cannons. GORDON BARRELL reports on a send-off with a difference.

Green Wellington city councillor Celia Wade-Brown has taken the mayoralty from three-term incumbent Kerry Prendergast.

Her victory was announced today after council electoral staff checked more than 900 special votes, report NICOLE BENNIK, SAMANTHA IVES and GRACE ACKLAND.

News media and political bookies perfectly predicted Wellington’s mayoral race would be a near dead heat between Kerry Prendergast and Celia Wade-Brown.

HANNA BUTLER has been checking odds as the Capital holds its breath for tomorrow’s final count.

Sitting Wellington mayor Kerry Prendergast is holding on to her chains by a mere 40 votes from Celia Wade-Brown.

Follow coverage of the local body elections by NICOLE BENNIK, AARON VAN DELDEN, DANIELLE NORMAN and MJ HICKS.

A protest outside the Court of Appeal put abortion laws back on the political agenda, reports OWEN WINTER.

As protesters chanted, wrote chalk messages and moved into Parliament grounds, the message was about women’s rights in abortion decision-making.

Whitireia Community Polytechnic is distancing itself from a scandal that has erupted over funds and assets missing from the polytech’s student association.

CEO Don Campbell points out that the students’ association is an independent body over which the polytech has no direct control.

Complaints about beauty therapy clinics and nail bars may see Wellington City Council add them to its inspection regime.

Enquiries by AARON VAN DELDEN reveal incidents involving infections and pests, and put the issue on the council’s radar.

The suggestion to change the spelling of Rimutaka – to Remutaka – is more to do with pronunciation than spelling, says the local iwi.

Mike Kawana, of Rangitane-O-Wairarapa, says Rimutaka, in fact, “means nothing”, reports OWEN WINTER.

Internationally recognised scientists have brought their scalpels to Te Papa for a rare chance to dissect a dead baby orca found off the West Coast of the South Island.

SAMANTHA GUZZO endured blood, guts and smell to record their work, which began at Te Papa’s research lab this week.

Dorothy, Toto and Tin Man played the Wicked Witch and Batman in central Wellington after the Sevens on Saturday night – but the games were drinking, not rugby.

The city was a riot of colour and (largely clean) fun at the conclusion of super Sevens weekend, reports KYLIE KLEIN-NIXON.

Thousands of people have jammed into Wellington for the biggest party of the year.

NewsWire’s KIMBERLEY CRAYTON-BROWN, PENELOPE SCOTT and CARL SUURMOND report on the dressing up, the parade, the teams…and, oh yeah, the rugby.

AC/DC’s first NZ concert in 14 years – staged at Westpac Stadium in Wellington – could be heard as far off as Brooklyn, Petone and Miramar. NewsWire’s KYLIE KLEIN-NIXON, PENELOPE SCOTT, KIMBERLEY CRAYTON-BROWN and VAUGHAN ELDER were among 35,000 fans.

The Government’s tertiary education revamp will cut community interest and involvement in polytechnics and institutes of technology.

LEE STACE talks to Whitireia Polytech chairman Dennis Sharman, who leads the sector’s protests to the Education Minister.

DRINKS are being spiked in Wellington bars for robbery rather than sexual assault, say some Wellington ambulance officers.

Paramedics who took a recent victim to hospital urged her to check her wallet. KARA LOK reports on recession-spurred crime.

Whitireia Journalism School’s Luke Appleby was named one of NZ’s top three journalism students at the Qantas Media Awards. He’s pictured here with head tutor Jim Tucker at the awards dinner in Wellington on Friday night.

With influenza top of mind thanks to the global swine flu alert, this winter’s flu vaccinations are proving more popular in many centres. DAVID HAYAT reports that the trend has shown up this week at Whitireia Community Polytechnic.

Wellington City declared it would be a leader in the battle against climate change but its carbon-zero goal is unrealistic, the mayor now admits.
NewsWire reporter PAUL McBETH continues his investigation.

A former banker seems like the last person to approach for advice in a credit crunch.

However, PAUL McBETH finds Kiwibank director Richard Westlake knows a thing or two about thriving rather than just surviving.

IT was drizzling in Cuba St today, but business people were far from gloomy about prospects for the Cuba St Carnival.

An expected traffic jam caused by closed streets for the carnival and a Harley rally is likely to be more of a problem than the weather.

Wellington Botanic Gardens stream was looking so murky recently tourists and children visiting the top attraction were speculating on the cause, reports JENNY MEYER.

Wellington City Council thinks someone was careless when cleaning paint brushes.

A Wellington Jewish folk band performing at the Botanical Gardens was offered extra security by Wellington City Council, which feared it might attract anti-Israel protests.

The band declined, reports LAURA FRYKBERG.

Students and staff at Whitireia Journalism School wish you a great holiday break.

We’re away for a couple weeks, but new material will continue to be posted from early January. Watch for a new blog/column on Wellington life over the summer.

Wellington City Council has approved plans to replace the Chocolate Fish cafe, including putting tables on both sides of Karaka Bay Rd.

But some of the neighbours are not happy, reports SARAH CODDINGTON.