Stories by Ben Strang
News
Election date change lets parties spend more
Political parties are allowed to spend an extra $30,000 on expenses in the lead up to the new 17 October election date, and over a shorter time period.
Referendum campaigners look for clarity after election date change
Registered campaigners can only spend $330,000 in the three months before the election, and say they now need clarity about how that might change.
'We can just do so much better' - Govt urged to launch inquiry into pandemic response
The government is being urged to launch an inquiry into its response to the Covid-19 pandemic as soon as the Auckland outbreak is under control.
Epidemiologists call for new pandemic plan
Epidemiologists say New Zealand needs a new, more generic pandemic plan which caters to worst-case scenarios.
Police add almost 1300 officers to ranks, but fall short of 1800 target
The government has failed to meet its target of increasing the total number of police by 1800 officers in three years. But there are 1280 more officers than this time three years ago.
Reporting of potential terrorist financing more than doubles in NZ
Police say people are far more vigilant when it comes to potential terrorist acts after the Christchurch mosque shootings.
Indemnity possible for NZ supplier of Covid-19 vaccine
The Ministry of Health is planning to fast-track the approval process for a Covid-19 vaccine, and won't rule out offering a supplier indemnity from any potential claims resulting from its use.
Covid-19: Govt contractor paid $400 an hour for help
The former head of the Ministry of Social Development was paid $400 an hour early in the response to Covid-19, and $94,000 in total during April and May.
Scam fears prompt gun owners to ignore police request
Police are urging licensed firearms owners to provide contact details, and say their request by email is not a scam.
Serial drink-driver in court again, sentenced for assault
A man known as New Zealand's worst recidivist drink-driver has again appeared before the courts, this time for assaulting his former partner after drinking.
Police crackdown on gangs' gun suppliers
At least one gang member a day is being charged with firearms offences as police seize ever-larger numbers of guns.
Emergency services' radio network expected to fail by 2023
A report to the police minister earlier this year states the communication system is so old that it will soon be impossible to get replacement parts.
Police recruitment halted after surge in applications
More than 4000 people are in the recruitment process and about 600 people are applying to join each month, according to police.
Court ruling paves way for changes on child abduction cases
There are set to be minor tweaks to how international child abduction cases are judged in New Zealand, after a ruling by the Court of Appeal.
Minister's office 'not interested' in regular wage subsidy fraud figures
Up-to-date data on breaches of the $10 billion wage subsidy scheme are not being provided, with Carmel Sepuloni's office saying it is "not something we're interested in". Audio
Wellington celebrity cat Mittens awarded honor by mayor
Wellington's mayor has awarded the Key to the City to a celebrity inner city cat.
Ninety-four percent of sexual assaults go unreported - survey
Victims' advocates hope a major survey showing 94 percent of sexual assaults are not reported to police will lead to radical change in the justice sector. Audio
Rates of gun crimes and killings using guns at highest levels in a decade
New figures obtained by RNZ show last year had the highest rates of gun crime and deaths involving firearms for nearly 10 years.
Changes in NZ's 'complex' gang landscape
In the past two and a half years, the number of gang members in New Zealand has risen by a third, while gang crime has dropped by seven percent.
'It feels like China will turn off the tap soon': Fears over PPE imports
There are fears among those importing Personal Protective Equipment that China could be readying to halt exports.
Arrests, warnings after party during lockdown
Police arrested six people for fighting and warned two people for breaching the lockdown after a gathering in Auckland overnight.
Court of Appeal rules in favour of fleeing mum in child abduction case
Mothers who flee domestic violence in other countries are set to have greater rights in international child abduction cases.
Police tracking system doesn't look legitimate - IT expert
Police are working to ensure the security and quality of a tracking service being used during the nationwide lockdown.
Transport Agency struggling to deliver road programmes
The Transport Agency has not been able to keep pace with planned safety upgrades to the roading network, casting doubt over government plans to boost the economy with a raft of infrastructure…
Policy around leave during Covid-19 pandemic upsetting some police staff
Some police employees who wish to remain in isolation because of the Covid-19 pandemic are being told they will have to take unpaid leave during the lockdown.