Stories by Phil Pennington
News
Health staff told not to chat more than 5 minutes a day
Staff were told about the rule, complaints to a union show, but Health NZ Southern says it doesn't have a 'no talking' policy. Audio
Technology 'creep' concerns over congestion charging cameras
A congestion charging scheme could let police and spy agencies access the footage recorded by automated number plate recognition, critics warn.
Oranga Tamariki security contract unfair - New Zealand Security Association
Oranga Tamariki is facing complaints from local businesses it is not playing fair over a new security contract for youth justice facilities and care and protection homes. Audio
US plans to expand rocket launch options 'nothing to do with' NZ Defence Force
The Defence Force says it is aware the United States wants to expand options for rocket launches, but that it has nothing to do with it.
A surplus of defence riches and lack of experience
Analysis - The minister of defence, space and spies has at least $9b of new money to spend, and a defence force demonstrably not ready to spend it. Audio
What we learnt from an unredacted government file
Analysis: What official documents should be shown to the public? It might depend on which part of government you ask.
Warnings about surgery outsourcing blanked out by minister's office
Simeon Brown was told of serious risks in outsourcing surgeries to private hospitals, but his office withheld most of the information. Audio
US wants to launch more satellites from NZ
The US Space Force is moving to deploy more satellites including those that would support America's nuclear command-control-and-communications system. Audio
No nukes: US satellites launched from NZ would need to follow domestic law
The US Space Force is in talks with New Zealand and other countries about launching more satellites from them.
US cuts back on generals to boost 'lethality' - should NZDF follow suit?
Critics say the NZ Defence Force is top heavy and combat light.
NZ behind most comparable countries on space spend
The government has invested 20 times less per head than the US, and only about half the UK's per capita spend.
Collins says no allies have put pressure on govt to up defence spending
Defence is one of the few sectors getting new money in the upcoming Budget.
Oranga Tamariki pins hopes on tech upgrade as more child abuse reported
The ministry has indicated the overhaul will improve how long it takes for a child to be allocated a social worker.
'Discord' over Dunedin hospital cutbacks seen as an extreme risk
"Discord" among doctors and the community about the Dunedin Hospital cut-backs are regarded as an "extreme" risk by health authorities.
Artificial intelligence a wildcard in electricity demand
An AI expert at a Waikato symposium recently pointed to a carafe of water, and told the audience using generative AI to produce a page of answers would use that much.
'Very concerned residents' - Alarm as asbestos puts stop to school beach trips
Asbestos-laden fibre cement board have been littering the sand around Tāmaki Estuary on various beaches.
Man assaulted by NZ Catholic brother wants say in election of new Pope
A Fijian man sexually abused as a boy by a Catholic brother says he has a right to lobby the conclave in Rome over who it chooses as the next pope.
NZTA defends oversight of powerful highway speed camera system
The reach of 'smart' road cameras is growing in scale and power.
Police trial data extraction tech aimed at wearable devices
Police are trialling a new high-tech tool designed to extract data from people's wearable devices, such as smartwatches.
Fire and Emergency urgently restarting work on plan to replace big-ladder trucks
One truck broke down in Auckland last week, stranding firefighters above scorching flames. Audio
Police warned over shifting sensitive info to cloud services
There could be "severe detrimental impacts" if someone was accidentally given access to the data. Audio
Officials warn submarine cables are 'attractive espionage targets'
The leading risk of damage is from accidents or natural disasters, but nothing in official online guidance allows for deliberate sabotage.
Defence Ministry releases plan to counter cyber attacks
Its new Defence Capability Plan envisages spending between $100 million and $300 million on cyber upgrades in the next four years.
Infrastructure failures: Govt makes little headway on fixing weaknesses
Two widespread communications failures in the Northland storm and Otago within two days last week have again exposed the vulnerability of the country's critical infrastructure. Audio
Medical testing company loses millions amid 'funding gap', staff to strike over pay
The result is the third straight year with no dividend payment to shareholders.