Stories by Guyon Espiner
News
Covid-19: Demand high for 'game changer' drug amid caution and optimism
A malaria drug touted by Donald Trump as a "game changer" in the fight against Covid-19 has been in high demand in NZ.
Fonterra seeing demand spike for some products
A bright spot is emerging in the economic gloom with New Zealand's largest company saying it is in good financial heart and expects to remain so during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Pharmac eases restrictions on cancer drugs during pandemic
Pharmac will ease restrictions on at least nine cancer drugs to reduce hospital visits and cut the risk of highly vulnerable patients catching Covid-19.
FMA warns against KiwiSaver hardship withdrawals
The head of the Financial Markets Authority is urging those financially hit by Covid-19 to make use of government assistance and only withdraw KiwiSaver funds as a last resort.
Prisoner refuses Covid-19 test
Two Hawke's Bay prison inmates are in isolation amidst fears they may have the coronavirus - but one is refusing to be tested.
Economists warn of mass unemployment as Covid-19 bites
One economist says New Zealand's unemployment rates could soar to 30 percent while another one described Covid-19's economic impact as "an everywhere, everything, everyone all at once shock".
NZ First Foundation: Rich-listers donate $100k in a week
The New Zealand First Foundation received $100,000 in just one week from two rich-listers, whose donations remained secret because the individual payments fell below the disclosure threshold.
Concerns over secret fisheries donations to NZ First Foundation
One of the country's biggest fishing companies, Talley's, and its managing director donated nearly $27,000 to the New Zealand First Foundation.
NZ First Foundation trustee was lobbying for donor
A lobbying firm run by a NZ First Foundation trustee pushed for a law change on behalf of a property development company, which then donated tens of thousands of dollars to the foundation.
NZ First racing donors revealed
The NZ First Foundation has been receiving tens of thousands of dollars from donors in the horse racing industry in payments which fall just below the $15,000.01 at which party donations are usually…
Wealthy and powerful NZ First Foundation donors revealed
The mysterious foundation bankrolling the New Zealand First Party has been receiving donations just under the threshold at which the donors' names would normally be made public.
Donations and declarations: The NZ First Foundation explained
Money flowed into the New Zealand First Foundation and money flowed out - but did any of it need to be declared?
NZ First-linked company in govt loan bid says it met with Jones
A forestry company with close links to NZ First says it gave a presentation to Shane Jones about a project it was seeking a $15 million government loan for - months before Jones says he first heard of…
Fifth death linked to epilepsy brand switch
A fifth death has been reported to the Centre for Adverse Reactions Monitoring on suspicion it is related to Pharmac's brand switch of epilepsy drugs.
Pharmac brand switch: Driver blacked out in Waterview Tunnel
An Auckland man had a seizure and blacked out as he drove through Auckland's Waterview Tunnel after switching epilepsy medication brands.
Pharmac knew of epilepsy deaths for weeks but stayed silent
Pharmac knew for more than two weeks that three deaths had been linked to its epilepsy drug brand switch but didn't tell patients or the public.
Epilepsy patients angry at being told symptoms all in their heads
Pharmac-funded research into whether people with epilepsy were imagining side effects from a medicine brand change has been suspended as angry patients point out that deaths have been linked to the…
Jones declared conflict of interest on same day questions were asked
Shane Jones' office received official documents about a New Zealand First-linked forestry company's bid for public money five times before the minister declared a conflict of interest.
Document leak: Why the NZ First Foundation was set up
Key documents about a mysterious foundation loaning money to NZ First show why the NZ First Foundation was set up, how it would operate and who knew about the idea from the outset.
Call for inquiry into Pharmac's epilepsy drug switch
The Health and Disability Commissioner wants answers and a national MP is calling for an inquiry, after four people died following an epilepsy drug brand switch.
NZ First-linked company applied for $15m govt loan
A forestry company with close links to New Zealand First has revealed it applied for a $15 million loan from the Provincial Growth Fund, which is overseen by NZ First minister Shane Jones.
Fourth death linked to Pharmac's epilepsy medication switch
A 26-year-old is the fourth person to die shortly after changing from a branded version of the anti-epilepsy drug lamotrigine to a generic version. Video
NZ First-linked forestry company wanted $95m in govt funding
A forestry company with close links to New Zealand First planned to apply for nearly $100 million under the One Billion Trees programme, which is overseen by the Forestry Minister Shane Jones.
Pharmac backs down on epilepsy drug brand switch
Pharmac has backed down on a controversial drug brand switch affecting patients with epilepsy and mental health conditions after three people died following the change.
NZ First-linked forestry company pushed for govt funds
A powerful New Zealand First figure helped establish a forestry company that then pushed for money from two key funding streams controlled by a New Zealand First Minister.