Stories by Phil Pennington
News
Bullish investors pour $1b into new radiology services in a year
Government health reforms are one reason for the rapid expansion in radiology services in Aotearoa.
Online learning risks data being collected by big tech for 'unknown use' - report
A new report warns protections to stop tech companies spying on schoolchildren appear far too weak.
Pressures, profits and patients: Debate rages around ethics of private medical scanning
Rich and powerful interests in healthcare are clashing, with each side accusing the other of putting money ahead of patient welfare.
Microsoft's NZ datacentres to be powered by carbon-zero electricity
Microsoft's three new datacentres in New Zealand will be powered by certified carbon-zero power electricity as industry leaders rush to show off their green credentials.
Waka Kotahi rolling out smarter, more invasive 'safety cameras'
That "greatly undermine" their effectiveness here "particularly, the ability to achieve the necessary level of general deterrence", the report said.
Old speed cameras miss catching some drivers, documents show
Documents say the country's speed cameras were already a few years old when police put them in - and are now so ineffective they miss catching a lot of drivers.
'An eroding effect on the public': Top speed camera target cut over possible reaction
The Transport Agency expects new speed cameras to triple the number of drivers caught, increasing from 1 million to 3 million offences a year.
Smart speed cameras could be in use within months
Transport Agency documents say law changes could allow them to be used against more offences including tailgating, and seeing inside a car to spot drivers using cellphones or not belted in.
Oranga Tamariki spent budget 'appropriately', review finds
More than $1 billion of spending by Oranga Tamariki has been cleared by a review.
'Total domination being attempted here': Google claims full data control for NZ cloud region
A Wellington cloud services provider says Google's claim it will offer New Zealanders complete control over their own data is not true.
98 hospital buildings are earthquake-prone, documents show
New Zealand has almost 100 earthquake-prone hospital buildings, with 35 in high-risk seismic zones.
Ministry of Transport proposes changes to driving fines
The Ministry of Transport has sent the government its advice on changing penalties and fines for motorists. There's speculation there could be more use of demerit points, or fine sizes being linked to…
Data specialist questions where his personal data went after job application
The company that ran a criminal history check on him says on its website it is connected to government databases, uses facial recognition technology and can share it with recipients in the US.
Waka Kotahi urged to rethink walking / cycling lane decision
Waka Kotahi is looking at whether to reconsider a trial of making space on Auckland Harbour Bridge for walkers and cyclists.
Eye spy - Questions raised about Chinese surveillance cameras
Chinese surveillance cameras remain in wide use in New Zealand despite renewed controversy about them overseas.
Govt slated over progress in boosting radiation oncologist numbers
The government has yet to decide how to address a dire shortage of radiation oncologists, despite more than a decade of health workforce planning.
'Difficult' pathway predicted for cancer sufferers without more radiation oncologists
Cancer specialists are warning the country is at a "point of no return" for investing in more workers and better treatment.
NZ off the pace over helicopters' impact on ocean ecosystem - expert
A marine scientist says the impact of helicopter noise at Te Matuku marine reserve at Waiheke Island should be looked into.
Head in the clouds? Call for NZ to take control of data storage
A new report says that New Zealand needs to look harder at how its data is being handled offshore and regain some local control of cloud services.
Risks of biometric verification technology use in public services databases flagged up
A forum has heard about stark risks of governments over-reaching to create national identity databases that control who gets public services.
Clean car discount scheme working as expected, minister says
The clean car discount scheme has had only 80 cases where rebates or fees had to be corrected, Minister of Transport Michael Wood says. Audio
Vehicle Industry Association pulls support for Clean Car Discount
The Vehicle Industry Association is pulling its support for the Clean Car Discount Scheme.
'Deeply disturbing' - Hauraki Gulf communities push back as further helipad consents granted
More helipads have been approved for Aotea Great Barrier and Waiheke islands in the face of community opposition.
Māori data specialists accuse government of ignoring them
The specialists are accusing the government of ignoring them while going ahead and expanding the reach of facial recognition technology.
Proposed law change may threaten Stats NZ's independence, experts say
Specialists on statistics warn a proposed law change poses the threat of official data being corrupted by political meddling and unregulated sharing.