Stories by Ben Strang
News
Analysis - Tim Southee's leading a 'futile fight against time'
Sports Call - Don't blame Tim Southee if his winning percentage as New Zealand Test captain ends up among the worst in the team's history.
Auckland mayor Wayne Brown grants two interviews, of 108 media requests
Auckland mayor Wayne Brown gave two direct interviews to journalists in his first month in office, of the 108 requests made by media. Audio
Govt agencies admit trouble achieving Road to Zero targets
The road toll has soared this year and is on par with 2018, the worst year for road deaths in recent memory. Audio
Police reduce threshold for speed cameras
The police have quietly lowered the threshold at which speed cameras ping drivers.
Mother says govt spent hundreds of thousands on abusive ex's court claims
A mother says the government has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars paying for her abusive former partner's legal claims.
Record numbers of attacks on police with firearms
Police were assaulted by someone wielding a firearm 21 times in 2021, the most ever in a single year.
Police staff take personal grievance over treatment since vaccine mandate overturned
A group of 91 police staff are taking a personal grievance over the way they were treated for refusing to get the Covid-19 vaccine.
Firearms injuries and deaths occurring at record rates, data reveals
Rates of injury and death caused by firearms are tracking higher than ever before, police data shows. Audio
Kiwi killed in Ukraine: Govt does not know where body is
The government does not know where the body of a New Zealand soldier killed in Ukraine is, including whether it is being held by Russians. Audio
NZ darts player first transgender woman to compete at world championship
A New Zealand darts player will become the first transgender woman to compete at the World Darts Federation World Darts Championship, to take place in England early next year. Audio
'Don't neglect Sri Lanka': Former cricketer's message to NZ
Roshan Mahanama pointed to New Zealand's long trade relationship with Sri Lanka, and called for support for the country in this critical time.
Covid-19: Move towards home isolation as growth in cases expected
People with Covid-19 will soon be asked to quarantine at home, rather than being ushered to a managed isolation facility.
'You could be banned from anything': Uncertain fate for those reacting to Pfizer
The Ministry of Health has hinted that it will look at alternative vaccines for people who react badly to the Pfizer shot.
The three possible ways vaccine certificates could be legally enforced
Sources who have been working on the vaccine certificates say there are three possibilities for how they will be legally enforced.
Police questioned own vaccine approach after poor uptake of bookings
The police hierarchy asked staff not to get vaccinated early in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, unless they did it through the police's chosen provider.
Proposed vaccine passport significantly flawed - ministry insider
Vaccine certificates are likely to be granted to people without a person needing any actual proof they've been vaccinated.
Overseas vaccinations proving an issue for Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health says it doesn't recognise vaccines a person has received overseas.
Vaccine passports: Many businesses reluctant 'to police this sort of system'
It is unlikely that people will be legally required to provide a vaccine passport to business owners in order to use their services.
Rising gang tensions blamed for jump in gun crime
There has been a 49 percent increase in injuries recorded as a result of firearms crime in Auckland city over the past year and a half, compared with the two years previous.
Govt, police unable to enforce mandatory scanning of QR codes
People are flouting contact tracing systems by signing with fake names and numbers, and new rules coming into effect at midnight are powerless to stop the practice.
MIQ breaches include two staff members not wearing masks appropriately
Two staff members are among those who have breached Covid-19 infection prevention rules at quarantine facilities since the current community outbreak began.
Govt 'dropped ball' over lack of air filtration systems in MIQ facilities
The Covid-19 community outbreak is stretching the limits of the country's quarantine system, and the number of rooms available with suitable air filtration systems that can withhold the virus.
'Extremely problematic': Covid-19 cases exercising in underground car park
Wellington's Covid-19 cases are being allowed to exercise in an underground car park, prompting concern that MIQ workers are being put at unnecessary risk.
Documents reveal NZ role in Apollo 8 mission in 1968
Declassified government documents show officials got a late call from the United States seeking co-operation when the splash down site of its Apollo 8 mission shifted into New Zealand-managed…
First person: 'Anger and misinformation' about Covid-19 growing
First person - RNZ reporter Ben Strang was on the streets before the latest lockdown when he was attacked, and writes that it feels like there is more animosity towards the government and media this…