Stories by Ben Strang
News
Covid-19 delays police body armour replacement
The police's $25.3m body armour replacement programme has been hit by major delays because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Robertson fields dozens of letters about Hubbard's selection for Olympics
The Sport and Recreation Minister Grant Robertson was deluged with emails about Laurel Hubbard's Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games selection over the past few months.
Govt officials couldn't explain Kaikōura lights UFO sightings, documents show
Declassified government documents show officials were struggling to debunk TV1 footage of the Kaikōura lights UFO sightings in December 1978.
Risk of coercion in restorative justice highlighted by Chief Victims Advisor
Police and the courts have been found to be providing poor levels of information to mediators in family violence cases.
'Pretty frustrated' police consider protest action over pay
Police officers are considering protest action after negotiations over a new pay agreement hit a brick wall.
Criminal proceeds may not be fully utilised on time, police say
Police have admitted it may not be able to make use of money granted through the Criminal Proceeds Fund within the timeframe it had promised.
Another student left stranded by a Wellington bus driver
A Wellington College pupil has been forced to find a new way to get to school after being bullied by a bus driver, who refused to stop and pick him up.
Converse mural claims 'disingenuous', scientist says
The shoe brand Converse is being accused of misleading people with its global public art campaign, Converse City Forests, in which it claims the murals it's painted are the equivalent of planting more…
'Could have ended up a lot worse' - Bus driver leaves 10yo in the rain in unfamiliar suburb
A Wellington bus driver dumped a 10-year-old girl in an unfamiliar suburb in the pouring rain, after failing to drop her at school.
Clean Car Discount scheme may include motorcycles in future
Under the newly announced government policy, motorcycles were omitted from the plan which will give discounts for people buying electric vehicles.
Capital and Coast DHB booking error deletes C-section appointments
Women in Wellington have had their caesarean section procedures delayed after an electronic system deleted their bookings.
Downward trend in burglaries 'accelerated' since Covid-19 lockdown
A survey shows people with a disability are significantly more likely to be victims of crime than able bodied people of the same age.
MIQ staffing helps put back rollout of new police recruits in priority areas
The government's promise of 1800 new police could be delayed, and the planned rollout has been impacted because of managed isolation commitments.
Documents reveal horrors mistreated New Zealand war prisoners endured
Documents that have been declassified by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade have revealed the sordid actions of enemy soldiers committing war crimes during World War II.
Documents reveal political cost for New Zealand of hosting 1981 Springboks Tour
Declassified documents released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs show the political ramifications New Zealand faced for hosting the 1981 Springboks Tour.
Global report applauds NZ police, but advises financial intelligence unit boost
A global watchdog for money laundering and terrorist financing has found New Zealand's police do a good job seizing proceeds of crime and have a robust understanding of money laundering risks.
Devon Conway - a friend, animal lover, and terrible golfer
First Person - As a mate, you're not supposed to keep your friends up all night fretting and turn up late for weddings - that is unless you're Devon Conway, Ben Strang writes.
Managed isolation escapee numbers drop to near zero after police get tougher
Security at Managed Isolation and Quarantine facilities has tightened up considerably over recent months, as police changed their policy around prosecuting people who try to flee.
'Clueless' - Gang Intelligence Centre leadership concerns revealed
Multiple sources RNZ has talked to said the leadership of the Gang Intelligence Centre was "clueless", and one person said it was run by a bunch of buffoons.
Rewards an effective measure to solve cold cases
The police have offered $650,000 in financial rewards in an attempt to solve crimes during the past eight years.
NZer with links to Islamic State to arrive back in country
A New Zealander who is associated with Islamic State will return to New Zealand after their passport or citizenship of another nation was revoked.
National labels police budget reduction 'atrocious', Labour fires back
But the government is defending the numbers, saying some funds are still under negotiation, and the police are still better off than they were under National.
National hammers government over unclear gun buy-back estimates
Both police and government are claiming a successful firearms buy-back despite having no up-to-date estimate of how many guns they expected to be handed in.
Battle of the Bens: The Strang-est rugby match
It was Hurricanes hooker Ben Strang versus Chiefs halfback Ben Strang at the opening Super Rugby Aotearoa under-20 match in Taupō, RNZ reporter Ben Strang writes.
How a family fled and returned to MIQ facility in Auckland
The Ministry of Health allowed a family to remain in the community for more than two days after escaping managed isolation during last year's first level 3 lockdown.