Stories by Bill Hickman
News
Police trying new approaches to get more cops
Changes include allowing people on their restricted licence to apply to become officers.
Police pay deal: Commissioner's advice to cut super payments 'foolish'
The police commissioner is being accused by staff of "robbing our future", after he suggested in a leaked email they could cut their KiwiSaver contributions.
Z Energy 'vastly overstated' emission reductions - Consumer NZ lawyers
Lawyers for Consumer NZ compared Z Energy's claims to a tobacco company claiming harm reduction by saying it was delivering cigarettes "more safely".
Aratere grounding: Interislander hits back at Peters
KiwiRail has hit back at acting PM Winston Peters' claims that it covered up the cause of the grounding of the Aratere ferry.
Staff 'inadvertently' changed Aratere course sooner than planned, leaked papers show
The vessel started an "alteration of course" and despite initially regaining control, it was too late for staff to stop it running aground.
'No evidence' to back up NZ First ferry grounding claims - Hipkins
Labour Party leader Chris Hipkins says New Zealand First needs to back up serious allegations it made about the Aratere ferry grounding in a tweet. Audio
Police officers furious at union backdown in pay dispute
The Police Association is lowering its final offer ahead of an arbitration panel's decision in the more than year-long dispute over police pay.
Looking back at three decades of Newshub moments
The world was emerging from the gloss-driven excesses of the 1980s when a bold newcomer to NZ's media landscape first went to air. Video
Street racer crackdown could isolate youth, car enthusiasts say
Community leaders are welcoming a wave of police operations to curb illegal street racing, but not everyone is on board.
Survey reveals New Zealand's most common crime
New crime figures show a significant increase in vehicle theft and growing levels of people falling victim to online fraud.
Education Ministry staff 'constantly in tears' during 'unfair' job loss process
The redundancies have been an "emotional rollercoaster", workers say, with flip-flops on decisions and managers ill-informed of changes.
Airline's offer to travellers after engine fire a 'slap in the face'
Franz Demhardt paid his own way to Melbourne after Virgin Australia proposed an 18-hour journey from Invercargill.
Man sentenced for repeated sexual abuse, assault and threatening to kill his daughter
The man was charged with more than 30 offences spanning a period of 11 years before his family cut contact with him.
Roadside drug testing: 'You're going to end up with false positives'
The government's pledge to implement up to 50,000 random roadside drug tests a year could see thousands of innocent drivers ticketed, cannabis advocates say.
'Counter-productive': Teachers slam call for cursive handwriting lessons
Government advisors want another shake-up of teaching. Educators say it will just stress children out. Audio
National has 'caused themselves some pretty serious problems', ex Pharmac chair says
Some drugs on the promised list were no longer current while others had been previously declined, former Labour minister Steve Maharey says.
'Mystery shopper' catches out dozens of vape stores flouting new laws
Specialist retailers aren't checking IDs and are selling vapes with too-high nicotine levels for as little as $2.50.
Budget boost to front-line police an illusion, Police Association says
The government's Budget funding for 500 new front-line officers will actually result in only 300 extra cops on the beat, the Police Association says.
Nearly 200 police support roles cut as govt boosts front-line officers
The staff cuts - which could include 111 operators - could result in more pressure on sworn officers, union says.
Under-insurance could leave Wellington $2.6b short after major quake, council told
The city could be billions of dollars short of rebuild costs if a significant earthquake should strike.
Gisborne mass brawl deaths - Grandmother of slain man says she forgives
The grandmother of a man killed at a Gisborne birthday party that erupted into violence says she's forgiven those police allege are involved.
Wellington's Ray Chung announces second bid at mayoralty
The city's economic, social and cultural state is the worst it's ever been, Ray Chung says.
New Lord of the Rings movies production hub revealed
News of two new Lord of the Rings movies has sent a ripple of excitement through the home of Middle Earth in Wellington.
Changes made after criticism of Free Speech Union report
The Free Speech Union has pulled a website link to a report on academic freedom that has been criticised as misleading.