A former Auckland ambulance driver has admitted indecently assaulting three women in the back of his ambulance.

A St John investigation has found insufficient training of call staff in its swine flu pandemic protocols was a key factor in ambulance response delays.

St John is investigating whether slow response times contributed to the deaths of three patients.

Women make more claims for mental health and stress-related conditions, say insurance companies.

A man has appeared in the Wellington District Court in relation to a homicide in a Newtown halfway house.