Tracy Neal
Coronavirus: Good grape harvest ruined by pandemic
Marlborough winemakers are hoping the best harvest in a decade will help them shore up exports and boost cellar door sales.
Covid-19 hit hardest as the harvest was in full-swing, forcing a rapid… Audio
Marlborough wine growers hoping fortunes remain
Wine growers who've basked in a golden autumn harvest are now facing a bumpy road ahead. Industry organisation Wine Marlborough says New Zealand is in a good position in terms of its reputation, which… Audio
Search teams battle rugged terrain in search for missing trampers
Rescue teams are continuing the search for two missing trampers in rugged terrain in the Kahurangi National Park, and there's some hope they're still alive.
Jessica O'Connor and Dion Reynolds, both… Audio
Concerns over family employment at council-owned firm
A union and a former Nelson mayor are raising questions over the employment of three members of one family at a council-owned firm.
But the Nelson City Council-owned maintenance firm, Nelmac, says… Audio
Coronavirus: Nelson enters Alert Level 3
New Zealand is now at Alert Level 3, which which reduces restrictions on businesses and schooling and will see hundreds of thousands more people out and about.
However we're still being asked to stay… Audio
Coronavirus: Cancer surgery delays cause concerns
A Whanganui man whose cancer surgery was put off by Covid-19 believes delays in treatment could lead to a worse nationwide death toll than Covid-19, currently at 14.
Others say they're amazed and… Audio
Coronavirus: NZ tourism operators getting creative
As the tourism industry takes a massive hit from the Covid-19 crisis, some high-end lodges are now looking to target more of the domestic market in order to keep the doors open.
They say they'll be… Audio
For the love of wine, Sophie Parker-Thomson
A Marlborough wine maker is about to become one of only a few hundred Masters of Wine in the world, and one of a handful in New Zealand. Sophie Parker-Thomson, who co-owns Blank Canvas Wines with her… Audio
Wine industry discusses Covid-19 impacts and water
Marlborough grapes make up almost 80 per cent of the country's wine exports, which is now hovering close to a 2 billion dollar annual export industry. The 2020 harvest is about to start, after what… Audio
Bach owners considering legal action against council decision
The owner of one of a group of historic West Coast baches is considering legal action against a decision that removes owners' rights to rent them. The Buller District Council recently updated a policy… Audio
Trans astrophysicist finds herself in New Zealand
A New Zealand based astro-physicist who has dedicated her career to researching the mysteries of deep space, says it was her arrival in this country eight years ago that she made a critical discovery… Audio
Dairy farmer says logging operation will destroy her property
A recently widowed Marlborough dairy farmer says a logging operation that has sprung up on a neighbouring property is likely to destroy her farm.
Lone Sorenson is enraged a paper road through her… Audio
Farmer claims logging plans will destroy her property
A widowed dairy farmer in Marlborough says a logging operation nearby is going to destroy her farm.
The company want to use a paper road running across her land to run their trucks along - but she… Audio
Originair returning to Nelson
A Nelson-based commuter airline is to fill one of the voids left by the departure of Jetstar's regional services.
Originair announced today it's putting back its service from Nelson to the Capital.
… Audio
Ex-petrol station becomes hub for homeless and freedom campers
Nelson has turned a former fuel station into a temporary hub for freedom campers, and the invitation has now been extended to the homeless.
The freedom-camping hotspot has grappled for years with how… Audio
Sussex Royals welcome with or without titles
While we're awaiting details of the couple's future plans - they have indicated a desire to continue to honour their duty to the Commonwealth. Our reporter Tracy Neal asked a few New Zealanders who… Audio
NZ property market closes decade with 18 record-breaking statistics
The New Zealand property market closed the decade with 18 record-breaking statistics. Online property sales site, realestate.co.nz says the average asking price for a house in New Zealand has risen… Audio
CAA levies cause concern
The head of the New Zealand Agricultural Aviation Association says a proposed hike in aviation fees and charges will hit rural areas hardest. Audio
2019 in review: Busby the 24-year-old sheep
We were touched when Nelson reporter, Tracy Neal, sent us this story about a 24-year old sheep, Busby, living in sunny Nelson.
His owners said he needed company and oodles of fresh fruits to stay… Audio
Report highlights animal wefare in evacuation
When a state of emergency's declared, you might be asked to leave your house almost immediately. The declaration gives authorities the power to enforce an evacuation order, whether or not a… Audio