Stories by Phil Pennington

Construction delays are forcing the West Coast District Health Board to keep patching up the earthquake-prone Grey Base Hospital.

Analysis - When it comes to making buildings earthquake safe, the more essential it is, the tougher the choices become, writes Phil Pennington.

Social workers at Oranga Tamariki in Wairarapa failed to provide 21 safety assessments on children on time last year, new figures show.

Two-thirds of the 1400 heavy vehicles forced off the road after a safety alarm about towing connections have still not been recertified.

A renewed investigation into why Statistics House on the Wellington waterfront was badly damaged in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake has found the floors were not built as planned.

The Archbishop of Adelaide would have known about allegations of offending by a paedophile priest who abused at least one girl in New Zealand, a survivor of clerical sex abuse says.

The Counties Manukau District Health Board spent millions on a failed IT project while putting off dealing with rotting buildings.

The Defence Force is downplaying the risks to people using groundwater that may have been contaminated by runoff of firefighting foam from Whenuapai airbase.

Growing uncertainty around the fire safety rules for cladding on high-rise buildings is beginning to bite on the construction sector.

Construction delays and cost over-runs are prolonging the earthquake risks facing patients and staff at Christchurch Hospital.

A major firefighter training site in Taranaki has been stopped from discharging wastewater while investigations carry on into foam contamination.

A major government department severely understated its spending on external contractors and consultants, spending $77 million and telling MPs it only spent $39m.

A study that US officials fought to hold back reveals current levels set for firefighting foam chemicals in water, both in the US and New Zealand, may be way too high.

Roading officials are urgently double-checking inspections of truck-trailers on the West Coast by a certifier who is now under investigation.

A Wellington engineer suspended amid inquiries over towbars says he's been unfairly targeted by the Transport Agency before.

New Zealand Catholic Bishops say there is no evidence that breaking the seal of confession would keep children safer.

A second engineer has been suspended amid safety investigations into broken and cracked towing connections on heavy truck-trailers.

Some Catholic priests across the Tasman will soon be facing a $10,000 fine if someone confesses child sex abuse to them and they don't report it to the police.

The Defence Force says it has stopped using potentially harmful fluorine foams for firefighting training anywhere in the country.

Auckland Hospital says it only has one building that is mostly clad in a highly combustible type of cladding.

Health Minister David Clark says he offered the acting chair of the Counties Manukau District Health Board what he calls a "dignified exit" from his role.

The Defence Force has admitted it stopped using potentially damaging foam for firefighter training much later than it originally said.

Auckland Council has identified 25 buildings with Grenfell Tower-type combustible cladding, but stresses they are all safe.

Documents claiming the steel for the Seascape skyscraper in Auckland meets New Zealand standards are being assessed by the council.

A controversial audit that found fault with New Zealand building controls after the fatal Grenfell Tower fire is ringing alarm bells across the Tasman.