Stories by Benedict Collins

Analysis - The debate over the danger of methamphetamine contamination was settled once and for all this week - when the country's top scientist revealed it was nothing more than hysteria.

The country's top scientists say New Zealand has been gripped by hysteria and are recommending people do not test their homes for meth - unless the police specifically indicate it was a meth lab.

Housing Minister Phil Twyford says people have been unnecessarily evicted from their homes because of misplaced concern about meth contamination.

The Prime Minister will not yet commit to legalising marijuana, even if the public votes for it in a non-binding referendum.

The government is currently debating whether to hold the referendum in 2019 because it's not sure holding it at the 2020 General Election would be a smart move politically.

The government says it is essential governance is strengthened in the Pacific because failed states there are becoming gateways to New Zealand for methamphetamine.

Air traffic controllers are worried there could be a major disaster if they're not allowed to take proper breaks.

New figures have been released showing the waiting list for state housing has hit an all time high.

The Environmental Protection Authority's former chief scientist was defying her boss when she made comments about irrigation and agriculture.

Many people do not trust the government to safeguard their personal data, the Social Development Minister says.

The decision by government MPs to clear Allan Freeth has left National Party MPs on the committee incensed.

The government has been warned that it will be the poor who will bear the brunt of any levy placed on imported petrol vehicles.

Officials have apologised to the Regional Development Minister for failing to do due diligence on the people involved in a proposed waste-to-energy scheme on the West Coast.

The government wants police to catch more drink drivers and stop pushing to saliva test drivers for drugs.

The Government has released an independent report which criticises its predecessor for failing to set targets to reduce serious and fatal road accidents.

The government is telling the New Zealand oil industry that the world is changing and it is time it faced the facts.

The Hit & Run co-author, who says New Zealand soldiers are responsible for Afghan civilian deaths, is "over the moon" about a government inquiry into the claims.

New Zealand Trade and Enterprise is waiting for approval from the Saudi government before it ships an abattoir to a wealthy Saudi businessman.

The government is going to drip feed stories of public sector underfunding by the previous government in the run-up to next month's Budget, the Prime Minister has indicated.

Officials have contradicted the Regional Development Minister, saying he was fully aware experts thought the project didn't stack up.

A Green Party MP accused of ministerial interference is changing her story about meeting with the Environmental Protection Authority.

The head of the Environmental Protection Authority returned to Parliament today insisting he had not misled MPs about ministers interfering in the removal of the authority's controversial chief…

The government announced hundreds of thousands of dollars in funding for a proposed waste-to-energy scheme two days after experts advised it was a lemon.

The National Party is suggesting New Zealand's spy agencies are asleep and oblivious to the reality of Russian spies in New Zealand.

The government is weighing up further actions against Russia after it was mocked for failing to follow the country's traditional allies in expelling Russian spies. Audio