Stories by Anneke Smith
News
'The real story of this poll is both ACT and National rising'
Support for the Labour Party has taken a hit while the ACT Party, and its leader, is growing in popularity, a new political poll shows.
Police union urges action on recruitment as officers leave force
The Police Association is urging the government to unlock money set aside for more police recruits as dozens of officers leave the force.
Govt silence over hate speech laws 'causing a lot of division'
Minority groups say the government has confused the debate around its proposed hate speech laws and allowed discord to spread.
Exporters wary of repercussions over calling out China on hacking
Exporters are hoping China and New Zealand can keep politics out of their long-standing trade relationship.
Brownlee calls for more information on Uyghur treatment in China
The National Party says the government should share any information its intelligence agencies have on the treatment of Uyghur people in China.
Fresh threats against Al Noor Mosque as country debates hate speech reforms
As the country prepares to debate proposed hate speech reforms, Al Noor Mosque is being targeted with fresh threats of violence.
Health experts push for compulsory mask wearing in alert level 2
Health experts say they are mystified over the government's reluctance to enforce mandatory mask wearing and QR code scanning under alert level 2.
New political puppets unveiled at Wellington's Backbencher pub
Four prominent politicians have been enshrined in surprisingly-flattering puppet caricatures at Wellington's Backbencher pub.
Trade Minister expects 'commercially meaningful' deal with UK
The Minister of Trade and Export Growth Damien O'Connor says he hopes to make solid progress on free trade agreements on his visit to the UK and EU next week.
Grace Millane's murderer revealed after Supreme Court appeal denied
The man who murdered the British backpacker has been named as Jesse Kempson, and it can now be revealed he has been convicted of a raft of sexual violation offences.
Grace Millane's killer can keep his name secret - for now
Grace Millane's killer has lost an appeal against his conviction and sentence but still cannot be named after a bid to the Supreme Court to keep his identity secret.
Man who raped woman in Auckland motel jailed
A man who raped a woman in an Auckland motel has been jailed for three and a half years.
Comancheros secretary Jarome Fonua jailed after pleading guilty to range of charges
Jarome Fonua, 26, was among a dozen people arrested after a series of gang raids last April that seized $4 million worth of assets.
Man who physically and sexually abused ex-girlfriend jailed
A man has been jailed for seven and a half years for subjecting his ex-girlfriend to months of physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse.
NZ First Foundation defendant seeks further suppression
Substantive arguments on an application for continued name suppression were heard by Judge Deidre Orchard in the North Shore District Court this morning.
Men plead not guilty to murder of man in Manurewa park
Four men charged over the death of a man in Manurewa's Jellicoe Park will go to trial next year.
Sportsman applies for Supreme Court to hear name suppression case
The sportsman named in a criminal drug syndicate trial will have continued name suppression after the application was filed, and a decision could take some months.
Chief District Court Judge announces new approach to how district courts operate
The top District Court judge has announced a fresh approach to the way the country's busiest jurisdiction operates.
West Auckland stabbing: Man found guilty of murdering ex-wife
Man who stabbed ex-wife to death in West Auckland found guilty of murder.
Man who raped woman lashes out at judge after verdict
A man convicted of raping a woman in an Auckland motel has lashed out at the judge who found him guilty.
Man accused of raping date on trial in the Auckland High Court
The Crown says a man verbally abused and emotionally blackmailed a woman before raping her, but his lawyer says the pair had consensual sex.
Woman accusing man of rape had 'ample opportunity' to leave date, court told
A woman who says she was raped by a man in an Auckland motel has been accused of fabricating her story.
Man who killed baby stepson jailed for nearly six years
A man who threw his stepson at a sofa, causing injuries that later killed him, has been jailed for nearly six years.
NZ First Foundation case: Pair deny charges, elect trial by jury
The two people charged in the New Zealand Foundation case have pleaded not guilty and elected trial by jury.
Massey murder trial: Li Manchao 'fixated' on killing ex-wife, court told
The former flatmate of a man on trial for stabbing his ex-wife to death says the accused was "fixated" on killing the woman and showed a box full of weapons.