Stories by Guyon Espiner
News
Minister acted 'contrary to law', forced to apologise
NZ First's Casey Costello has been severely reprimanded for trying to keep information about tobacco and vaping policy secret.
Goverment looking at AI tutors for kids
Artificial Intelligence has a big future with tasks from helping kids learn to assessing medical results, says Judith Collins says.
'Pitiful' alcohol levy hike adds less than half a cent to price of beer
The levy has been raised but by less than half the amount that would even cover inflation.
Police float tighter alcohol laws and price hikes
Drinking is causing harm 20 times worse than meth, police believe. Audio
What made PM Luxon go cold on Dave Letele
Community leader Dave Letele considered Christopher Luxon a friend - until the PM reacted badly to an open letter he signed decrying racism.
Gang patch ban 'risks increasing membership'
Officials and experts have given repeated warnings the government's ban could backfire.
Bailout warning before Newshub's collapse
Minister was told the government may face requests to bailout media companies if it failed to progress a law forcing digital platforms to pay local media for using their content.
Costello ignored Treaty breach warning
The minister in charge of tobacco regulation was warned repealing smokefree legislation would be seen as a breach of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Officials urged minister to save smokefree laws, briefings reveal
Casey Costello rejected all compromise options suggested to her, documents obtained by RNZ show.
Crown Solicitor 'deeply regrets hurtful impact' on staff
A Crown Solicitor's management style was "challenging, critical, and unpredictable" and left some staff "genuinely distressed," a high-level review says.
Lobbyists are back at Parliament - with more secrecy
'About four' lobbyists have gained access to the Beehive and had their identities made secret by the new Speaker.
Revealed: Notes from minister on tobacco tax freeze
RNZ has obtained more evidence contradicting NZ First minister Casey Costello's insistence she didn't specifically ask for advice on a tobacco excise freeze.
Tax freeze for cigarettes in NZ First minister's plans
Instead of increasing each year with inflation, the tax on cigarettes would be frozen for three years under a plan suggested by Associate Health Minister Casey Costello.
The $1m 'counter-offensive' to overturn live animal export ban
Lobbyists, PR experts and lawyers are being paid to counter criticism of animal welfare standards in live exports.
Lobbying firm was hit by hackers, documents reveal
Senate, which had a large contract with the Commerce Commission, was caught up in a cyber attack raising fears about the possible release of highly sensitive material.
Inquest into death of Shargin Stephens to begin in Rotorua
More than seven years after he was shot by police, the whānau of Shargin Stephens will finally have their time in court.
Revolving door for lobbyists 'can result in unfair access'
Justice Ministry warns of 'misuse of privileged information' by ministers entering the lobbying industry.
Lobbying firm's 'wildly inappropriate' contracts at Commerce Commission revealed
The firm was embedded in Commerce Commission offices working on supermarket and energy industry inquiries, which had major implications for its corporate clients.
The number of bail breaches 'not manageable', police say
An internal police review of bail finds its system "far under-estimating" the proportion of high risk offenders.
New medical school a 'present' to future National government - uni boss
The chancellor of the University of Waikato was intimately involved in helping National develop policy, raising questions about independence.
How to spot PM Chris Hipkins trying to change the subject
Hipkins - just like his predecessor Jacinda Ardern - uses a well-worn tactic to change the direction of a difficult interview.
'Astonishment' at lobbyists advising on their own rules
Unnamed lobbyists are advising Transparency International on the rules and ethics of their own industry.
Is Christopher Luxon the real Mr Chippy?
An analysis of hours of interviews suggests National's leader has more positive things to say.
'Incredible' $1 million paid to former minister by university
Steven Joyce has been paid $966,000 for various roles at Waikato University over three years.
The Interview: Who talks the most?
How Christopher Luxon and Chris Hipkins square up against the different news networks and hosts.