Stories by Anneke Smith
News
'Unethical' - Support deliberately withheld from crime victims, ministry reveals
Victims of serious crime are going without the financial support they're entitled to so the government can keep within budget.
Victim Support promises to give staff a 'summary report' of investigation into allegations
Outgoing Justice Minister Kris Faafoi asked the charity to be more transparent last week after it refused to share a workplace investigation report beyond its board.
NZ First's secretary warned foundation could compromise party, court told
The High Court has heard New Zealand First's former secretary once warned secrecy around the NZ First Foundation could expose the party to prosecution.
NZ First supporters intended Peters to be recipient of donations, court hears
The High Court has heard from New Zealand First Foundation donors who believed they were giving money to party leader Winston Peters.
Victim Support hands ministry report under condition of confidentiality
Victim Support has finally given the Ministry of Justice a full copy of a report into allegations of bullying and service failure but under the condition very few people see it.
Former insider frustrated by NZ First MPs' reluctance to fundraise
The New Zealand First Foundation fraud trial has had a glimpse of the party's inner workings from a former insider.
Defendants kept $700,000 in donations to spend 'as they saw fit' - Crown
The Crown has opened its case against two people charged in the New Zealand First Foundation fraud case.
Victim Support refused to replace stabbing victim's clothes - former worker
A former Victim Support worker says the charity refused to replace the bloodied clothes of a woman who'd been stabbed.
'Really traumatising': Victim Support refuses to release report into bullying allegations
The country's lead agency supporting victims of crime and trauma is sitting on a report into allegations of bullying, bad training and delivery failure.
Call for change in 501 deportations after latest death in custody
A refugee activist is hopeful a New Zealand woman's death in an Australian detention centre will be a catalyst for change.
Middle income families hoping for help in Budget as rising costs sting
The pressure is on for the government to ease the 'cost of living crisis' for struggling New Zealanders in today's Budget. Audio
Solomon Islands tight-lipped over China security pact - government
New Zealand is yet to receive a substantial response from the Solomon Islands about its security pact with Beijing.
New online tools helped stop Buffalo shooting from going 'viral'
The head of the Christchurch Call says the global initiative has made it harder for people to weaponise the internet.
Emissions Reduction Plan: Govt to outline how it will meet climate goals
Labour and National have committed to the first three budgets, which cap the amount of greenhouse gas New Zealand can emit over the next 15 years.
Non-partisan support cements climate action for years - Shaw
Labour and National have both committed to the budgets, which set caps for New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions for the next 15 years.
Technology hurdles causing 'outrageous' case delays in court - lawyer
People charged with minor offences are stuck in the court system because of the judiciary's resistance to technology and the government's reluctance to clarify its role. Audio
White supremacism biggest source of illegal content - DIA report
White identity-motivated extremism continues to be the leading driver of online content investigated and shut down by Internal Affairs.
Indigenous rights plan will likely undergo changes before public consultation - minister
The Māori Development minister anticipates a draft indigenous rights plan will likely undergo changes before it is released for public consultation.
Nurses to consider legal action in historic pay equity settlement stalemate
The New Zealand Nurses Organisation will soon ask its members if they want to legally challenge an historic pay equity settlement.
Nurses, National critical of low success rate of $300,000 recruitment drive
An overseas recruitment campaign targeting ICU nurses has employed just three people since it was launched two months ago.
Greens: Ukraine weapons fund should be humanitarian relief
Money pledged toward weapons for Ukraine would be better spent on humanitarian relief the Green Party says.
Fair Pay Agreements Bill flies through first reading
Legislation that will see a radical overhaul of New Zealand's current workplace laws has passed its first reading.
Five-month delay to set up eligibility criteria for new funding for crime victims
It took the government more than five months to approve the final eligibility criteria for money set aside for crime victims out of Budget 2021.
Policing of anti-mandate protest cost more than $430k, excluding wages
The police operation set up to respond to the illegal occupation at Parliament has cost taxpayers more than $430,000.
Rare spying case back before Court Martial for disclosure hearing
A Linton soldier charged with espionage is applying for a chance to argue access to highly-classified information held by the NZSIS.