Latest from Community Services
Opinion: Mowbray helipad decision opens door in area with few regulations
OPINION: One couple's wish to commute by helicopter sets a worrying precedent.
'Loud and explicit': How a swearing parrot became the star of an animal shelter
Hendrix, a colourful macaw, became famous for his salty language.
'Christmas magic is real': Town unites for girl battling cancer
Over 270 homes celebrated Christmas in June for Kasey, a girl with cancer.
She's moved 14 times since toxic flooding forced her out - now she has a place to call home
'We can rest, heal, rebuild and dream again.'
Golden 16-metre Buddhist statue set to ‘tower above’ horrified community
Auckland Council art 'loophole' horrifies neighbours as giant golden statue takes shape.
‘Big character’: Community mourns farmer killed by tree in South Island floods
Lines' family have been growing hops in the region for about 170 years.
Bus carrying 19 students crashes into river, several hospitalised
Telegraph: The bus veered off Bishopstoke Road into the River Itchen in Eastleigh.
Why the new $100m Pak'nSave faces unique construction challenges
Vast new store is to be built on a flood-prone site which operated for 50 years as a dump.
'Absolutely unreal': Dive trip inspires young conservationists
The trip to one of the world's best dive spots rewarded the passion of nine Northlanders.
'We’re still struggling': Pensioner's fight to rebuild after devastating floods
Many homes in Wairoa remain empty, with 83 still yellow-stickered.
'No water use': Faulty meters spark billing chaos for Watercare customers
Watercare offered manual readings and payment options to affected customers.
Why some Māngere homeowners reject council's flood buy-out offer
Two Tongan residents in Māngere face selling or keeping their homes.
Could a winter playground save Splash Planet?
Keeping some attractions open as a playground could extend the park's season to 160 days.
'Constant battle': Couch dumping into beloved stream infuriates
Glyn Harrison and his 12-year-old daughter Micah aren’t your typical armchair critics.
Most of Ōrākei retirement village to be demolished, new $336m village to rise
The partnership means the retirement giant leases the Ōrākei site for 125 years.
Northland retirement village residents rally for urgent law changes
Public consultation on the Retirement Villages Act review began in 2023.
Crowds of up to 15,000 at Matariki fires on Hawke's Bay beaches
'The twinkling fires dotted north and south as far as Te Awanga was magical.'
'Lit a flame inside me': Programme receives boost to support local men
Referrals come from NZ Police, community groups, and self-referrals.
Shane Te Pou: Grassroots organisations key to stopping the cycle of abuse
A recent death highlights the tragic issue of young Māori being killed.
Have you seen her? Police concerned for missing Dunedin woman
Police and family are concerned for Jonelle's wellbeing.
'Overly aggressive' letter from Napier mayoral candidate upsets national motor caravan body
The board removed Nigel Simpson as Hawke's Bay chair just one month into the role.
Nature's role: Studies show green spaces help in reducing loneliness
Spending one to two hours in nature weekly may reduce loneliness significantly.
All rentals must meet five Healthy Homes standards by July 1
Heating, insulation, ventilation, moisture and draught-stopping standards all coming in.
'Feeding kittens': Debate on supporting Rotorua's rough sleepers heats up
About 50 people attended a public meeting to discuss homelessness in Rotorua.
'Sacrilege': Family anger over theft from Dargaville grave
The $2000 koru was sawn off Michael Mudford’s headstone.
6yo believed among two dead in boat capsize off Taranaki
Three people were on board the boat when it got into trouble off the Pātea coast.
'Lost & found love story': Grandparents' wedding photo discovered
The library staff posted the photo on Facebook to find its owners.