Justin Latif

Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland

Justin Latif is a long-suffering Warriors fan, former Manukau Courier editor and now the South Auckland editor for The Spinoff, with a local democracy focus. For information about the LDR scheme go to: rnz.co.nz/ldr/about

Photo: Shutterstock; photo illustration by Archi Banal

4th April, 2022

Life in transition: What it’s like waiting for a state house

One of the 5090 families currently in transitional housing tell their story of trying to secure a permanent home.

By Justin Latif

Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland

After two years of restrictions, schools and educators are looking forward to getting back to some normality. (Photo: Supplied, additional design Tina Tiller)

28th March, 2022

Make learning fun again: Educators look forward to getting out of the classroom

Class trips, inter-school sport and visiting performance grouups are all things students can look forward to as Covid restrictions lift over the coming months.

By Justin Latif

Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland

Victoria Hearn with husband Antonio Afamasaga and their son Matai, on a rare walk with their dog. (Photo: Supplied, additional design Archi Banal)

25th March, 2022

Who let the dogs out: Locals fight back against packs of aggressive canines

A petition is calling for something to be done about packs of dogs harassing people in Ōtara.

By Justin Latif

Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland

Members of a South Auckland-based fruit and vege co-op. (Photo: Justin Latif, addtional design by Archi Banal)

23rd March, 2022

Food banks are a godsend, but this charity believes there’s a better way

A fruit and vege co-op in South Auckland wants to ensure people are empowered as well as fed.

By Justin Latif

Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland

The S.W.A.T. team is one of 20 siren clubs in Auckland. (Photo: Justin Latif, additional design Archi Banal)

20th March, 2022

Siren love: Noisy neighbourhood nuisance or misunderstood musical subculture?

'We just love music, we love dancing, and doing this is better than night clubbing or drinking in a bar in the city.'

By Justin Latif

Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland

The government plans to replace Māngere’s existing 2,700 state houses with 10,000 new homes, a mix of state and open-market properties (Photo: Justin Latif, additional design Tina Tiller)

17th March, 2022

Will the government’s massive Māngere housing project repeat past mistakes?

Plans to build 10,000 new houses in Māngere may help solve Auckland's housing shortage, but many fear it will gentrify the suburb in the process.

By Justin Latif

Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland

Papatūānuku Kōkiri marae kaiwhakahaere Lionel Hotene (Photo: Justin Latif, additional design Archi Banal)

13th March, 2022

Composting initiative to ‘supercharge’ Māngere marae’s good works

A new marae compost initiative could be a template for how communities can reduce their impact on landfill.

By Justin Latif

Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland

A bus service could soon be coming to the isolated rural community of Ihumātao. (Photo: Justin Latif, additional design Archi Banal)

8th March, 2022

New bus service for Ihumātao cautiously welcomed

This small, largely Māori community has been left off public transport routes for the last decade, but that could all change if Auckland Council's new budget is approved.

By Justin Latif

Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland

National Māori Authority chair Matthew Tukaki has been abused both physically and verbally by protesters in Wellington. (Photo: Supplied, additional design Archi Banal)

24th February, 2022

What it’s like facing up to anti-mandate protesters

When Matthew Tukaki started an online campaign calling for an end to the parliament protest, the backlash was fast and fierce.

By Justin Latif

Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland

South Seas Healthcare testing and vaccination centre staff with health minister Andrew Little in November 2021 (Photo: Justin Latif)

23rd February, 2022

New funding aims to tackle both omicron and long-standing health inequities

After claims they were sidelined earlier in the Covid response, Māori and Pacific health providers have received a cash boost aimed at righting historic wrongs.

By Justin Latif

Local Democracy Reporter, South Auckland